This is an informal way of expressing my mission statement of the Harvard-Yenching Institute Visiting Scholars Program 1997-98 web site. The site is an ongoing project started in December, 1997. The aim is to meet some of the communication needs between the Institute and participants of the Program. There is a great variety of research interests, agenda and timetables among the participants who stay in diverse geographical locations. Few participants have anyone idea of others' names and home institutions, let alone each other's research interests and agenda. This calls for a Web solution.

A dynamic Web presence on the Internet is probably the most efficent and productive solution to meet the information needs of the Harvard-Yenching Institute Visiting Scholars Program. It can provide better communication with people , round-the-clock access to participants, easy access to Institute announcements about academic and social events. It also gives participants the ability to give immediate feedback and replies. For examples, more members will get timely notice of interesting talks on Confucianism and development. The site can provide links to libraries, selected e-mail lists, discussion groups, databases and HTML form that no paper, telephone or fax can do.

Why publish a database on the Web? When we host a database on the Web, the number of people who can use our file is potentially large: the only requirements are Web browser software and access to the Internet (or intranet). Our file can be made available to anyone, using virtually any kind of computer, virtually anywhere. But we can limit access to groups of people by passwords. A database does not just hold information. We can use a database to organize, sort, search through, and print as needed, and to analyse information so that you can understand the significance. It will take some time and thinking to set up and publish a database on the Web. But once it is set up, the rest of the work is relative easier. I am trying to build the web site as part of my research in the use of new technologies for arts and humanities education. Lend me your support and we all shall have a FREE discussion tool and useful channel of collaborative possibilities.

It is very simple. If you don't mind sharing your research interests with others on the Web, prepare a copy of your CV and send it via e-mail to the web author. You will be able to join or leave a virtual community anytime you like. We can get to know each other better and share common interests. Do we have your support? Tell us what you think by our web board (when it is up) or by e-mail at jor@fas.harvard.edu.