Net dance: everything you need to know to dance in cyberspace - dance services on the Internet

Dance Magazine, Nov, 1995 by Jim Williams

Going online. Gruisin' the nets. Plugging into the internet and surfing the World Wide Web. Whether you're in class or backstage, sometimes it seems as if almost everyone is talking the exotic language of cyberspace--the mythical universe you can enter by connecting a personal computer by telephone to the global network of online services.

Just a few years ago, the "online community" consisted mostly of scientists and self-proclaimed computer geeks. But now, the Internet--not on online service itself, but a "rapid transit" system that connects services together--has put thousands of resources within any dancer's reach. Meanwhile, simple-to-use computers and software (plus a generous dose of sheer hype) have made it easy and even fashionable to go online. And while their numbers are still small, more and more non-"techie" people--including dance people--are doing it. Should you join them?

Online advocates cite plenty of benefits. You can use electronic mail (e-mail) to keep in touch easily, even if you're often on the road. You can dig into meaty discussions about dance and other topics with serious enthusiasts from around the world, via forums or newsgroups. And you can search for facts about dance companies, performances, funding sources, educational institutions, and more by tapping into information storehouses called gophers, ftp servers, and Web sites.

Skeptics, though, warn of the downside. The online world has its own forms of pollution: vicious arguments (flame wars) and disguised commercial come-ons (spam). A fair fraction of what's on the "information superhighway" is stale, shallow, poorly organized, and less useful overall than what you can find in your local library. And although the costs of computers and online access have dropped, cyberspace is still a fairly expensive neighborhood.

WHO'S ONLINE AND WHY

Still, for members of the online dance community, the drawbacks pale compared to the joys of contact with other dance enthusiasts. A common thread among those I interviewed (appropriately enough by e-mail) was how the nets take them beyond geographical and social isolation, giving them access to advice, support, and the chance to "talk dance." Louise Moon, a television writer and adult ballet student in Vancouver, British Columbia, was having trouble adapting her pointe shoes to a new studio floor. "I posted my problem to rec.arts.dance (a newsgroup) and the next day I received a solution in my e-mail box," she says. "I tried it and it worked!"

"I've found another dance teacher whom I e-mail on a regular basis and who has given me great ideas," says Stacy Caudil, who teaches ballet and tap in Sugar Land, Texas. "We trade teaching tips and are also good moral support for each other."

Leigh Witchel, artistic director of Dance as Ever, a ballet company based in Manhattan, goes online for research: "I've asked a group about Les Noces and the uses of pointework, and about the Tudor and Ashton versions of Romeo and Juliet," he comments. And Mark Coniglio, coartistic director of the New York contemporary dance company Troika Ranch, says he has " found out about performances that were of interest, as well as making contact with contemporary dance groups in other countries who are pursuing interests similar to ours. Perhaps most important, our dance company's World Wide Web page has led to some very interesting opportunities for residencies and lecture-demonstrations."

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET ONLINE

What do you need to gain access to this new world of dance? If you're a high school or college student or teacher, you may not need anything at all; many schools offer net access through a school library or computer center. Private individuals will need a personal computer, a modem (which lets the computer communicate over ordinary telephone lines) and an account with an online provider, a company that provides your gateway to the nets. Although choosing each of these can seem intimidating, the basic decisions you have to make are fairly straightforward. Here's a summary:

A computer--Going online isn't hard work for a computer, so you don't need a rocket-science-class machine. If you have access to a computer that can run current operating system software (Microsoft Windows 3.11 or later for IBM-style PCs, Macintosh System 7 for Apple's Macintosh and Performa computers), you're set. Older computers may be usable, too, but expect more trouble getting them set up. Don't own a computer? Frankly, it's not worth buying one just to go online. Consider your other needs and see if they justify the cost.

A modem--A modem can come already built into your computer or can be purchased separately. The feature that counts here is speed, or data rate, measured in bits per second (bps). Don't even consider anything slower than a 14,400 bps unit (known as "a fourteen-four modem"). If you're sure you'll be online a lot, you may want to spend more for a faster, 28,800 bps modem--but be aware that not all services are equipped to use its extra speed. Expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500 for a modem, depending on speed and features; be sure it comes with the proper connecting cable for your computer.