The Makings of a Technical Group
Chris Forsythe, jcforsy@sandia.gov
Sandia National Laboratories
The prospective Internet Technical Group was conceived during a discussion between Pawan Vora and myself during the 1997 Human Factors Society Meetings in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, ITG did not start there. Actually, ITG is an outgrowth of the Human Factors and the Web (HFWeb) conference. The same network of individuals who have contributed to the success of HFWeb are at the heart of the ITG and the same issues and interests that have motivated and sustained HFWeb are fueling the ITG.
Following the 1997 HFES meetings, Pawan and I contacted several of the key individuals associated with HFWeb to see if others shared our sense that there was a need for an organization devoted to human factors and the Internet. A dialogue ensued during which a number of important issues were raised. Why affiliate with HFES? Why affiliate with an existing professional society? Why not work within one of the existing HFES technical groups? What connection should there be between ITG and HFWeb? What philosophies would guide ITG?
After considerable thought, the decision was made to proceed with ITG. More than anything else I believe this decision may be attributed to a philosophy shared by those of us central to the HFWeb conference. In summarizing this philosophy, I will undoubtedly be guilty of oversimplification. But at its core there is a belief in grassroots efforts. Related to this there is a strong desire to control our own destiny. Much as the Internet has brought into question many basic tenets of business and commerce, HFWeb has not been constrained by traditional approaches. We have offered a conference free of charge to attendees. We have worked to further the field outside of existing professional societies and media outlets. Most importantly, we have embraced the models that led to the Internet's creation (the history of DARPAnet is recommended reading for all ITG members) and subsequently, the Internet becoming one of the most significant technical innovations of this century.
In November, formation of the ITG was announced. Within a few weeks, so many people had indicated their interest in joining and participating that it was obvious that we had the necessary critical mass. In January, a request was distributed for nominations/volunteers to fill various positions within the ITG. There was a limited response and while we were able to fill the key positions, it was determined that elections would be unnecessary. Positions were filled as follows:
| Chair | Pawan Vora |
| Secretary | Mary Czerwinski |
| Program Chair | John Ward |
| Volunteers Chair | Rakhi Rajani |
| Conference Chair | Judy Cantor |
| Student Chair | Gavin Lew |
| Public Relations and Outreach Chair | Chris Forsythe |
| Newsletter Staff | Scott Isensee, Scott Wright, Roger Tilson, Anthony Masalonis, Dianne Howie & Pawan Vora |
| Compendium Editor | Rakhi Rajani |
| job bank Coordinator | Dave Kamholz |
| Librarian | Keith Instone |
| Web Site Designer | Pawan Vora |
| Web Site Administrator | Eric Grose |
| Listserver Administrator | Chris Forsythe |
This is only a beginning. There is room for lots of ideas and I believe that inclusiveness is one of our primary objectives. By inclusiveness, I mean that the ITG should offer room for a lot of people with good ideas to actualize those ideas. This is the philosophy that is largely responsible for the emergence of the Internet and similarly, by combining the efforts of numerous individuals, each with their own unique contributions, I believe the ITG may create a whole that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
For information regarding how you might contribute to ITG contact either Volunteers Chair Rakhi Rajani at rakhi@dircon.co.uk or myself at jcforsy@sandia.gov
For more information concerning the ITG, see our web site at http://www.sandia.gov/itg/
© Internet Technical Group
Last update: June 1, 1998
URL: http://www.sandia.gov/itg/newsletter/making.html
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