Education, Fiber-optic, Global: Designed to assist users of fibre-optic communications systems, the Fibre-Optic Association's (FOA's) new website is designed to help these very users plan and install fibre-optic communications systems. The FOA is currently working to fill a void in the information available about fibre-optics.

What the FOA has done is to create a website devoted to information useful to the end user either considering fibre-optic in his/her communications systems or planning and installing a network. All too often, the end-users who own and use communications systems, finds it hard to get information about fibre-optics aimed specifically at them. Industry standards are written by and for manufacturers. Most training material is written to train installation techs, the group on whom the FOA focuses with its certification programs.

The FOA has also created a special section of its website where end-users can find answers to their questions on fibre-optics or even find out what questions to ask. In addition, it includes step-by-step recommendations for making a decision whether fibre is the best choice for them, planning the system, choosing components, communications system equipment and even a contractor to install everything.

As a non-profit professional society chartered to promote fibre-optics, the FOA claims to offer a unique, unbiased perspective on this process that can assist users in making the best choices for their needs. Besides basic information needed by users, the website has links to many technical references and standards they will find helpful.

• The web site is at: www.thefoa.org/