James R. Gerland, associate director of user services at UB, a 1986 UB computer science graduate and a founder of Buffalo Free-Net, will discuss how Western New Yorkers can take advantage of the Internet's vast informational resources by using this free, community connection.

Designed for those who have never surfed the Net, as well as for those who have some familiarity with it, the free lecture is part of the UB Sciences Alumni Association lecture series. It is open to the public.

Since it began operations in 1993, Buffalo Free-Net has grown to more than 12,000 members. It provides them with access to information about government, legal topics, medicine and health, technology, arts, recreation, education and many other issues.

Through UB's Internet connection, Buffalo Free-Net provides Western New Yorkers with access to electronic mail, electronic news, discussion groups, and literally millions of electronic information resources.

Gerland will explain how to access Free-Net, how to apply for an account and what hardware and software are necessary, and discuss local Internet service providers.

Buffalo Free-Net was started by Jim Finamore of the Town of Tonawanda; Neil Yerky, associate professor of information and library studies at UB, and Gerland, who is president of the UB Sciences Alumni Association of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. For more information, contact Cindy Nydahl at 645-2531.