Tim O'Reilly
<tim@ora.com>

Tim O'Reilly is the founder, president and editor-in-chief of
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc., publisher of computer books and
online information services.

O'Reilly & Associates is best known for its Nutshell Handbooks,
down-to-earth books about technical topics, including the
bestselling Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog, TCP/IP Network
Administration, Managing Internet Information Services, and the
Mosaic Handbook, as well as many other books on UNIX and Internet
use, programming and system administration.

In addition, O'Reilly & Associates has been a pioneer in online
publishing using the World Wide Web.  Its online service,
the Global Network Navigator (GNN), is widely recognized as one of
the best commercial sites on the Web, as well as a pioneer in
Internet commercialization.

                           * * *

One of the biggest challenges facing the Internet over
the next few years is the need to commercialize its
activities in a way that is consistent with its history and its
technology.  I believe that some of the most useful economic models
come not from telephone service, cable television, or even the computer
industry, but from print publishing.

Here, there is a similar global information marketplace with low
barriers to entry, participation by millions of players, and a variety
of coexisting economic models, ranging from free information supported
by advertisers or other sponsors, subscriptions, and "by the glass" (or
at least the bottle :-) information purchase.  This market is further
distinguished by a distinct lack of vertical integration:  that is, the
creation of intellectual property, manufacturing, sales and marketing,
and distribution tend to be handled by separate entities, creating a
rich ecology of entrepreneurial niches for both large and small
players.  Finally, the "editorial act"--the creation of products and
brand identities that stand out from a sea of information based on
distinctive points of view--will be a key to the development of future
information services on the Internet.

As a successful author and publisher of books about computer
technology and the Internet, I have experience and understanding
both of the Internet and the editorial/publishing models that I
believe will be important parts of the Internet's future at the
information layer.

I'm very interested in applying my experience, helping
ISOC guide the Internet's transition to a commercial
environment.  This can be done without sacrificing the freedom
and creativity that Internet technology has supported thus far.