Dear all I've joined this list at the suggestion of Evan Koblenz, and it certainly looks like the place I need to be! I am a UK writer/academic from De Montfort University, England, and currently British Academy - funded Visiting Scholar in the Dept of English at the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). I'm interested in the use of nature metaphors in the history of computing and the internet, e.g. surfing, clouds, fields, roots, etc. This is explained in full on my website http://www.thewildsurmise.com/ I have two requests: . I will be at UCSB until the end of April and I would be delighted to hear from any list members in California who worked on the development of computers and the internet and would like to share their own knowledge. I would be happy to visit you, speak on the phone, or just email - whatever works for you and where you are. . In general terms, I would be interested to hear about any other research in this area in any part of the world. I'm starting my research here but my enquiries will extend to other countries over the next couple of years. Thanks for your attention Best wishes Sue __________ Sue Thomas Professor of New Media, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK Currently Visiting Scholar, English Dept, University of California Santa Barbara http://www.thewildsurmise.com/ sue.suethomas@gmail.com