SunSite was created
as a mechanism to distribute software to the
operators of Sun equipment.
Due to the creativity and commitment of a select few, SunSITE quickly
became much more.
Those involved with computing
came to rely on SunSITE for software and support information. Others
came to experience
the literary and
cultural opportunities that were changing the future of the Internet.
From those humble beginnings, SunSITE has grown into one of the most
visited locations on
the World Wide Web. People from around the world visit us everyday.
Our reputation for creative and informative offerings has helped us
achieve top ranking in many
of the surveys and evaluations of Internet publications.
Before there were browsers there was a
SunSITE
SunSITE was started in 1992 as a non-profit exploration in modern
communications. This made us one of the first non-scientific
offerings available on a network
that had not yet exploded with popularity. SunSITE's (Software,
Information, and Technology Exchange) official description is:
"a cooperative research effort in wide-area
multimedia information
development and distribution."
It was the perfect solution to the needs of a
commercial
interest and an educational institution. Sun Microsystems was looking for
a distribution channel for its software and the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill was looking for a system that would facilitate
the needs of a growing number of prospective Internet users. This
marriage of powerful systems and educational resources changed the face
of the Internet forever.
The people entrusted with maintaining the servers at UNC saw the
potential for more than a new electronic mail system. These
administrators were not just computer geeks. They had the vision of a
richer, more colorful future for the web. In an atmosphere of ever
increasing commercialism and profit seeking on the Web, their vision
remains a crucial alternative.
Build it and They'll Come...
Our commitment to provide an eclectic collection of art and information has
been rewarded with many different accolades. We regularly come out at
the top of online surveys and contests. We believe this is because we
have something to offer everyone, whether literary, artistic, political, or
scientific.
Today SunSITE is home to a vast collection of electronic information,
from the unauthorized Elvis home page to the Vatican Library Exhibit. In
addition to our "artistic" collections, SunSITE provides valuable political
information from around the world in a variety of viewpoints.
We take pride in our diversity and our ability to utilize it. The
creative people who have
worked here have shared their knowledge
and experience with all who visit SunSITE. The variety of talents we
bring include computer
technology, information systems, poetry, politics, audio engineering,
video production, graphic design, and much more. Everything adds up to a
visually and content rich experience for all who visit us.
If you would like more information about our history you can check out
D-Lib, the Digital
Library Magazine. In the February
'96 issue you'll find a description of
SunSITE as told by its 2 founders, Judson Knott and Paul Jones.
Created Mark C. McCarthy
