NEWS COMMENT site open, so that other bodies can use it as a communication tool. Since 1 February a new secPROPERTYORARCHITECTURALHERITAGE? tionofthe RCHME'ssite has been operating, entitled Heritage News and carrying all kinds of informaRonald Reagan's "We start bombing the Soviet funding ofEnglish Heritage (and at one remove tion from other heritage bodies Union in five minutes" was a defining moment local authorities). Having pressed the Councils such as press releases, job adverin his Presidency. Did it show what was really ceaselessly for a decade to address the buildtisements, news of conferences on his mind? Will the "sale" of Admiralty Arch be ings-at-risk problem, English Heritage will make and publications. It is hoped that a defining moment for the heritage in the no money available for this in the coming year this service will expand to become a forum for news and infor1990s? Mr Portillo seems unable to distinguish for environmental works outside CAPS. mation on heritage matters in between property and architecture; between Abandonment of buildings-at-risk as it is England; one that is consulted second-rate 1960s office blocks and the Royal gaining real momentum is a particular kick in regularly by Conservation OfficNaval College, Greenwich. This may signal the teeth for Conservation Officers after so ers with the necessary equipment. what is on his mind - a depressing disdain in much effort has been expended on the surveys, our finest public historic buildings. If the the Risk Registers, negotiations with difficult WHAT IS THE INTERNET? College can be sold but the Arch cannot, owners and, for some, the first tentative and The Internet is a global network where will the line be drawn and what im- time-consuming steps towards an Urgent Works of computers linked by telephone pression does it give to owners of more or a Repairs Notice. lines. Only a minimum of equipmodest listed buildings of the Government's They are urged instead to apply for Lottery ment is needed to get connected. concern for our heritage? Next month, Gov- money - exploding the myth that this is addiAlthough any computer can be ernment departments become responsible tional to Government expenditure. Clearly it is used to connect to the Net, the ideal minimum is a 486 processor for their own property rather than the little becoming a substitute for it. How many build- with at least 4Mb of RAM(worklamented former Property Services Agency. ings-at-risk and how many environmental ing memory) and a 256-colour When Departments of State have to pay the schemes do they estimate will benefit under display,with sound facilities.Most full cost of maintaining their premises, how the Lottery? Individual owners don't qualify. It desk-top computers on the marmany more important historic buildings will should also be remembered that the only agency ket conform to this minimum be sold off? advising the Heritage Lottery Fund on such specification. A modem is also applications is ... English Heritage! needed (14,400 bps is the miniIS THE TREATMENT OF OUR HERITAGE If this is how it is to be in future - making the mum, 28,800 bps is twice as fast NOW JUST A LOTTERY? care of our heritage just a lottery, then the and means less time is spent waitHow much the Government really cares also Government and English Heritage should come ing for information to download to the computer) and a sound seems to be reflected in its attitude toward the clean. card with speakers. It is simple and inexpensive to add these FORTHCOMING a PC floppy disks written in Ap- and a summary of its research optional facilities to a desk-top ISSUES:DEADUNES pie Mackintosh format. OnlyWin- projects, ranging from the loca- computer. dows (or well known DOS for- tion and study ofmaritime wrecks, It is also necessary to subscribe ANDTHEMES mat) disks can be read. neolithic enclosures and redun- to the services of an Internet acFurthermore, the Editor can- dant military establishments, to cess provider. There are scores of Copy deadline for the Summer not compensate for other peo- air-photographic surveys cover- such organisations, and listings 1996 issue will be MONDAY 15 ple's fax machines which blur ing England's ancient monu- can be found in any commercial APRIL. Please adhere to this dead- the text to a point where it can- ments. The service can be used to magazine covering the Internet. line. not be scanned in to Context or order photographs, printouts and In return for a small monthly We will be looking next at the Newsletter. PLEASEDON'T Commission books. The message charge, the access provider 'Fostering Craft Skills' including JUST FAX ME. Any faxed copy page allows users to address e- should supply: how to encourage good crafts- not immediately followed up in mail to Commission staff or re- ■ use of the Internet for the price manship and how to ensure sur- the post with a clear hard copy quest further information to do of local telephone calls (some viva! and revival of skills for the will be rejected for publication. with their own research, making access providers give a certain proper conservation of historic use of the NMRCustomer Service number of hours free usage a buildings. Other contributions, CONSERVATIONON enquiry facility. month in return for the monthly experiences, technical notes and THE INTERNET As well as carrying regularly fee); case studies are welcome at any updated news about its own ac- ■ an e-mail facility, enabling an time (space permitting). Articles The Royal Commission on the tivities, the Commission is happy exchange of messages with other under 2,000 words are much pre- Historic;uMonuments ofEngland to carry information, press re- Internet users ferred. (RCHME) has launched a news leases, news items and reports ■ 24-hour technical support. If possible supply your copy and information service on the for other heritage organisations, They will also provide the softin word processed form on 3.5" Internet. Its World Wide Web offering a service to those which ware required to dial into the floppy disk. If you do so please pages can be accessed at: do not have their own Internet Internet, navigate from site to site make sure you indicate what http://www.rchme.gov. uk resources. It is also happy to set and download the material that is software it is written in on the The new service offers a wide up hotlinks from its site to other supplied by such information prolabel! If in doubt, the Editor or range of information about heritage-related services on the viders such as the RCHME,EngDeputy Editor will advise on what RCHME and its activities and is Internet. lish Heritage and the CBA. is desirable. illustrated with pictures from the Since its launch in late Octo- For further information on Despite the miracles of mod- NMR's extensive archives of ar- ber, over 45,000 separate 'visits' the RCHME Web site contact em computing, the Editor would chaeological and architectural have been made from around the Robin Taylor at RCHME Publiwish to remind potential contribu- material. The service also carries world to the RCHME's Internet cations. Tel: 01793 414619; etors that it is not possible to read details of all the its publications site. Now RCMEhas thrown the mail:pubs@@rchme.gov. uk 4 CONTEXT49
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