1987-1997: The Decade of the Internet

The decade is bracketed by the launch of UGA's first email system, known as PROFS, in 1987, using mainframe technology and providing the service to faculty and staff only, to the development of an Internet-based email system, known as ARCHES, which was used by all UGA faculty, staff, and students at the University. BITNET, a "store and forward" email and file sharing network for universities, was accessible through PROFS. The campus broadband network was built during this decade, and UGA connected to a regional network known as SURANet in 1989, connecting the University to the Internet via the National Science Foundation's NSFnet.

UGA joined the World Wide Web in 1995, with University Computing and Network Services (UCNS), as the central computing organization was called during the better part of the decade, handling all aspects of Web development. UCNS also collaborated with what is now the Center for Teaching and Learning to implement a Learning Management System to provide an e-learning solution to support classroom instruction. WebCT was the selected solution.

In an effort to better involve the campus, and at the same time create an advisory and governance structure for technology at UGA, the Campus Information Technology Forum was created in 1992. This structure has evolved to include multiple related groups. 1994 marked the first year of the Network Operations Center (NOC), which was coordinated with the creation of departmental Domain Network Liaisons (DNLs) to foster distributed, shared responsibility for the UGA campus network.

HIGHLIGHTS: PROFS, campus email/calendaring for faculty and staff installed, provides access to BITNET, 1987; MSD (Microcomputer Software Distribution) started, 1987; Grant from Apple Computer establishes first Macintosh Lab on campus, 1988; Cyber 205 de-commissioned, with support for research-intensive computing applications moving to ETA10 (CDC spin-off from 205), expanded IBM mainframe, and Unix-based computing servers (ETA ceased operations the same year), 1989; MUSIC system modernized to provide student email services, 1991; first presence on Web, 1995; UGACard (student, faculty, staff ID card) available, 1995; Incident Handling Team (security issues) formed, 1996; ARCHES replaces MUSIC as single email system for UGA students, faculty, and staff, and also provides Web space for personal pages, 1997.