NCJ Number
131977
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1991) Pages: 20-24
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Electronic bulletin boards offer law enforcement personnel and other criminal justice practitioners the opportunity to develop an informal technical assistance network using only a microcomputer, a modem, communications software, and a telephone line.
Abstract
An informal survey revealed hundreds of bulletin boards oriented toward criminal justice. Most of the bulletin boards have a central message area for the exchange of electronic mail (e-mail). Others also maintain specialized "conferences," sharing messages only among registered conference members. Bulletin board systems also serve as a central repository for inexpensive or free software called "shareware," provide users with online access to databases, and function as low-cost disseminating points for publications. The bulletin boards are available 24 hours a day and can promote cooperative efforts to find solutions to information needs. Tables listing names and characteristics of specific bulletin boards