The Internet for Women
By Rye Senjen and Jane Guthrey
Spinifex Press, 1996. 285pp., $24.95
Reviewed by Patricia Brien
The Internet for Women is a practical and interesting guide for women embarking on a journey into the world of cyberspace. Rye Senjen and Jane Guthrey provide useful information in an easy-to-follow and fun format. They explain in broad terms what the net is, and discuss the women who have been involved in its development.
The Internet for Women looks at the potential the internet has for women in terms of global sisterhood, breaking down barriers including distance for rural dwellers, media control and access. It describes women who have already taken the plunge into cyberspace and come out of it very successfully, such as Sydney-based Rosie Cross, who publishes the magazine Geekgirl from her home.
It deals with topics like harassment on the net and gives practical steps to avoid harassment and advice about what to do if you are caught in a situation which requires outside help. Included are net addresses for control/filtering programs that are available. There are also internet rating systems like Cybersitter, Netnanny and Surfwatch which can be purchased to screen files which may not be appropriate for children surfers.
Chapter four, Getting Connected, outlines exactly what you will need to get started and approximately how much it will cost. It discusses what types of internet connections are available and what to look for when setting up an account with service providers — what questions to ask and when to look elsewhere.
Chapter five deals with email: how to send, reply, delete etc. Chapter seven looks at on-line communities: how to participate and how to decipher the various symbols and abbreviations. It explains what MUDs, MOOs, MUSHes and MUSEs are and how to get into cyber role playing. And, if you are really keen, it shows you how to set up your own web page.
Chapter 11 is devoted to web addresses which are of particular importance to women. This extensive list ranges from Anarcha Feminism to Wemoon (astrology). It also lists ones like Assault Prevention Information Network and SISS-Sisters in Sobriety. Unfortunately, when I tried to access some of the sites, there were several that were no longer operating or else had changed addresses; some sites have a high turnover rate.
There are over 160 sites listed under specific subjects for women and loads more in the general alphabetical listing. The glossary at the back is helpful for those of us who don't have a clue as to what half of the terms mean.
The "Geekgirl's Bible", as it is called on the back cover, is probably a fitting name for this do-it-yourself guide for women to the internet. The subject topics are discussed thoroughly, the layout is fun, and the general tone is friendly and non-patronising. It is obvious that the authors are enthusiastic about helping women to join the technology superhighway with the least amount of frustration.