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Museum and University Data, Program and Information Exchange 
NATIONAL SCIENCE COMPUTER NETWORK 
The National Science Foundation has announced (July, 1972) 
an expanded research program relative to the development of a 
national science computer network, which is described in announce 
ment number NSF-72-16. The following paragraphs are taken from 
that announcement, since they are particularly pertinent to any 
future exchange of data, programs, and information among museums 
and universities, and should therefore be of interest to MUDPIE 
readers. 
"BACKGROUND.--For several years the National Science Founda¬ 
tion has been sponsoring research generally applicable to the 
development ot a National Science Computer Network. Such a net¬ 
work would provide its users with access to computing facilities, 
science information systems, and other computer-based resources 
on a regional and national basis. A National Science Computer 
Network would have profound implications for resource sharing 
in research and education. Facilities and resources of higher 
quality than might otherwise be the case could be available, 
and the duplication of some facilities would be eliminated. 
In particular, a national network would offer the possibility 
of integrating computing and science information services in 
ways to strengthen the Nation's research and education programs.. 
"...A comprehensive and interrelated set of project activi¬ 
ties will be undertaken to permit exploration and evaluation 
of the many dimensions and facets of a nationwide network. Spec¬ 
ial attention will be given to collaborative efforts, independent 
of institutional affiliation, for development of innovative and 
effective approaches to resource sharing....The expanded program 
will provide for a trial National Science Computer Network uti¬ 
lizing existing computer communications technology and computer 
resources to support these network activities.... 
"...(The) network is envisioned as permitting 
from every sector of our society to participate at 
and without Federal subvention... A series of discu 
preliminary proposals is suggested which will perm 
tion to gauge the community's sense of direction, 
and requirements. 
"USER FUNCTIONS:... (include)... design and use of large-scale 
information and data systems,...collaborative efforts on computer 
based research methodology, including, for example, advanced 
computational techniques and hierarchical computing and informa- 
institutions 
minimum cost 
ssions and 
it the Founda- 
interests, 
