Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 19, 1993 TAG: 9310190120
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: ELIZABETH WEISE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO LENGTH: Medium
When the New York transplant arrived in Silicon Valley several years ago, she fell headfirst into the electronic ocean of cyberspace and wondered, "Where are all the women?"
They sure weren't on line. Despite the fact that more women than men use computers at work - "Think of all the secretaries out there," she said - many fewer are plugged in.
Pack set out to change that.
"I kept looking around, thinking someone must be working on a women's network," Pack, 29, said. No one was, so she decided to create one.
WIRE Networks Incorporated - The Women's Information Resource Exchange - opened its virtual doors to the public Oct. 1.
Think of it as a cross between the local YWCA, coffee with your best friend, a resource fair and a NOW meeting.
Throw in horoscopes, a chance to talk with other moms, the most up-to-date information on everything from breast cancer to what women in Congress are doing - and you're WIRE'd.
WIRE is aimed specifically at all the women who hear about the telecommunications revolution, but don't know where to start.
To make the network more accessible for those without a computer-jock mentality, it's as user-friendly as possible. That includes an easy-to-use "point and click" interface instead of cumbersome commands, phone support when you first log in and a Big Sisters program, so that newcomers have someone from the WIRE community to show them the ropes.
And it's all accessible for $17 a month from any computer with a modem.
"On-line is perfect for women. It's about communication and connection," says Nancy Rhine, 42, WIRE's development director.
It was Rhine, a computer guru with years of experience, who persuaded Pack to build the network. Early on, a representative from a large commercial computer network told the two there wasn't a market for women.
They didn't believe him. Neither do the 80 or more enthusiastic WIRE testers who have been on line for the last few months and have already created the beginnings of what Pack hopes will be a huge network, and more importantly, a community.
Two weeks ago one woman posted a harried message saying she had a job interview that week. Could anyone offer her some advice on her resume?
The community went into high gear. Her resume was posted and in the next few days a flurry of messages, some several pages long, went up, critiquing her resume and offering suggestions, encouragement and advice.
WIRE also holds a weekly on-line chat Wednesday nights at 6:30. Anyone on the network can log in and take part in a free-ranging discussion. On screen, the chat scrolls down like the text of a play, each participant's words coming one after the other.
WIRE's close to 100 conferences fall under the general categories of Herstory, Career & Finance, News and Politics, Health & Fitness, Entertainment, Parenting, Computers & Technology and the popular Hangout.
Currently women can log on to WIRE via a local San Francisco phone number or use SprintNet to "tel-net" in from outside the dialing area. International access is next.
"I can't wait until there's women from Saudi Arabia talking to women in Paris. It's going to be amazing," said WIRE's Naomi Pearce.
Organizations can also join. Rhine envisions virtual storefronts, where groups like Nine to Five or the National Organization for Women would set up shop.
"When you open up that file, you'd find a virtual room where they'd post their newsletters, job listings, a calendar of events or whatever."
In the back room, the group might run discussion groups on topics of particular interest. In the office, the organization could have a private area where their board of directors could meet.
"It's a great way for groups who have people all over the country to let them keep in touch without having to make a million phone calls," Rhine said.
What can a computer network do for women?
When the first information about President Clinton's national health-care plan came out, several WIRE members went on a reconnaissance mission to find out if obstetricians and gynecologists would be covered as primary care providers. They found out they weren't - but reported back that a phone assault of the White House was under way. WIRE members were invited to join in.
Three days later, a victory response was posted:
"Today we received a fax from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology saying they had received a call from President Clinton's Task Force guaranteeing the inclusion of OB-GYNs as primary care providers. The Task Force has `respectfully requested' that we stop calling."
WIRE can be reached at (415) 615-8989.
by CNB