The Gateless Gate
Web resources for Asia-Pacific journalists
Can be used via Internet or e-mail (see below).
The World Wide Web is the hottest place to be on the Internet nowadays.
Use of the Web is doubling every four months or less. Among the
information providers on the Web you will find newspapers and magazines,
multinational corporations, governments and just plain folks. This year,
for example, the U.S. Congress intends to make the full text of every
piece of legislation available for reading via the World Wide Web at no
cost.
Using the Web requires what is called a "browser" software program, which
can reside either on your computer or on the remote computer to which
you're connected. Some Internet experts have said that the Web is open
only to those who have a high-speed, direct connection to the Internet -
but this is not correct. It is true that a high-speed link is required to
receive audio and video over the Web in a timely fashion, but if you're
satisfied with receiving text, you can use the Lynx or CERN browser
program made available by most access providers. Some programs, such as
Slipknot or The Internet Adapter, let you receive graphics without a
high-speed connection.
Some of the more advanced Web browser programs are Netscape, Mosaic,
NetCruiser and Cello. Some computer operating systems, such as IBM OS/2
Warp and Microsoft Windows 95, include browser programs as part of
the software package.
It's possible to use telnet to connect with www.edu.tw or
ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu, then use the Lynx program on those computers to
cruise the Web.
It's also possible to retrieve Web files even if you are capable of
nothing more than sending e-mail. To retrieve a Web file via e-mail: send
your message to [email protected]. The message should read: SEND
[URL] , where [URL] stands for the uniform resource locator of the desired
file. The file you receive will contain additional URLs that you can use
to eventually get the desired information. To receive a copy of
Singapore's plan for IT2000, for example, you would send the message "SEND
http://www.ncb.gov.sg/it2k/it2kv.html" to the address listed above. This
technique works with URLs for gopher and FTP information as well.
This is a gateway to information and archives of the Asahi Shimbun and
other publications. Database searching is available for a fee. The
first address is the Japanese "home page," and the second address is an
English-language index.
This is the Internet home of Singapore Press Holdings, with links to
information about SPH publications and services as well as outlets
to the Net world at large.
This site is so good it deserves two asterisks. Links to other
information sources throughout Asia as well as information about
business, investment, shopping... The Asia Internet Report and Asia in
Cyberspace are particularly notable. Either of the listings above will
get you there.
Another large list of resources throughout Asia, much of which is
organized by country. Maintained by Australian National University.
Web version of the weekly newsmagazine about Asia affairs, offered
as part of Time Warner's Pathfinder service. One interesting feature
is a "Newsmap": Click on the area of the map you want to read about.
Japanese perspectives on information development, politics and foreign
policy.
The birthplace of the World Wide Web site, with lots of advice on how
to use it and where to go in cyberspace.
Samples of the daily publication about business relations with China.
This site keeps back copies in searchable form. Current copies of the
journal are delivered via e-mail. Cost is $90 for a three-month
subscription.
Scientific, technical and business information about China, provided
courtesy of the Institute of High Energy Physics in Beijing.
This gateway is operated by a Hong Kong-based company backed by
China's official Xinhua News Agency. This site is
particularly interesting because it allows you to send an inquiry to
businesses by e-mail or fax from your computer.
The entry point for the Internet into China, with links to virtually
all of China's Web sites.
Web version of the China News Digest.
Worldwide selection of news sources accessible over the Internet.
The first listing is yet another large list of Asian resources,
classified by country. The second is the same, for Australia and New
Zealand.
Web version of Gopher Jewels (see Gopher resources).
Huge worldwide selection of Web "home pages." It is possible to
search this directory for a specific topic.
Lots of information about Indian culture and links to other sources.
The first site is in Canada, and the second is in Indonesia. Both
provide many sources and links related to Indonesia.
* Information from the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Japan)
http://www.kantei.go.jp
The Japanese prime minister's office has created an experimental Web
site, complete with photos, transcripts of speeches and economic
information.
It's futile to list all the Asia-Pacific newspapers on the Web - the
number is growing so fast. So here are links to a service that keeps
track of all Web publications. The first link provides a list of
newspapers in Asia, and the second one gives you a list of publications
in Oceania (Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the Pacific).
An experiment in distributing radio news via the World Wide Web.
Information and timetables relating to Radio Japan's shortwave
service.
Allows computer users to search by keyword or author through the
abstracts of the RAND policy center, and if desired place an order for
publications.
Allows computer users to search the news feed of the New Zealand Press
Association by keyword.
A selection of Web sites relating to the former Soviet Union and
electronic publishing, with links to Web newspapers and other
publications such as Russian Far East Update.
One of the most advanced experiments in electronic news distribution
in Asia. Free news items about Japan and relevant world developments.
Tended by Keiji Shima, former chairman of NHK.
Singapore's vision of the new age of information.
Stanford University U.S.-Japan Technology Center
http://fuji.stanford.edu
Excellent listing of resources related to Japan and U.S.-Japanese
economic and political relations.
Links to many sources of information in Southeast Asia and
specifically Singapore, including AMIC and Singapore Press
Holdings.
This web site at NCTU's Campus Computer Communication Association is
accessible in Chinese or English.
A great repository of information about Thailand, including Thai
computer software and a wealth of information about other countries
in Asia.
Very cool Web page -- this gives you an idea of the emerging
presentation style for the World Wide Web in Japan.
Perhaps the largest collection of World Wide Web sites, classified
according to country.
Information about Taiwan's government and politics, unification
issues and community information -- you can even download the
national anthem.
TWICS is considered the first Japanese public-access Internet
provider. This site has information about the network and its
members.
The United Nations' Web site.
The first site has information on the lower house of the U.S.
Congress and its members. The second site is similar, but maintained
by the Library of Congress. These sites promise to make texts of
legislation available.
Vietnam is quickly becoming a part of the global market as well as the
global network. These sites bring together resources and images
relating to Vietnam.
A fortnightly newspaper, produced in Brisbane by the University of
Queensland's Department of Journalism. You can read the current
edition or search the newspaper's archives online.
Created by the Clinton administration's staff to provide personal
information about the president and vice president as well as links
to U.S. government information.
These sites help you search for additional Web sites by subject
keyword or location.
Webmaster: Alan Boyle ([email protected])