(Published in "New Network-based Media in Education", pp 102-106, Proceedings of the International CoLoS Conference, September 17-18, 1998, Maribor, Slovenia)

Abstract

LONG-DISTANCE EXPERIMENTS: THE USE AND CONTROL OF SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT THROUGH THE INTERNET

HUGH M. CARTWRIGHT

Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University

South Parks Road, England OX1 3QZ

E-mail: hugh.cartwright@chem.ox.ac.uk

Internet-based experiments are still uncommon, but their distinct advantages in terms of speed, potential sophistication and wide availability seem certain to make them widespread within a few years. They present special problems in terms of software and interfacing, but these difficulties are counterbalanced by the efficient way in which access to scientific equipment can be provided to a broad group of users. This paper discusses an Internet-based experiment developed over the past two years at Oxford, and considers lessons learnt from its design and operation.