It was no coincidence that on the anniversary of the Starr Report, e-advocates' Pam Fielding and Daniel Bennett released their book "The Net Effect: How Cyberadvocacy is Changing the Political Landscape." The 10-chapter "cyber-bible" is told in stories that document the effects of the Internet on the world of politics, including the way the government works and how it is affecting people on Capital Hill. Fielding and Bennett believe there is no better example of the Internet-politik than the Starr Report. "Something extraordinary happened when the Starr Report was released," Fielding said. "It came at a time when the Internet reached a critical mass. They came in record numbers to the Internet like none before... A dramatic shift occurred that day." That shift inspired the pair to write the book — primarily for organizations unaware of cyberadvocacy but also for "the tens of thousands of cyberadvocates who want to reconnect with politics but don't know how." The book's key talking point, according to Bennett: "If you're doing politics you ignore the Internet at your peril."

Sun Microsystems has bumped veteran exec Piper Cole upstairs, naming her vice president of global public policy. Cole is hardly a stranger to the workings of Washington or its techno-savvy players: she previously served as director of global public policy and deputy counsel as well as chief legal counsel for Sun's World Wide Operations. A 12 year veteran of Sun, Cole will be responsible for Sun's dealing with local, state, federal and international policymakers. "Government policies are increasingly impacting how Sun operates its global business. It is critical, therefore, that policymakers are aware of the unique issues facing computer companies today," said Sun Chairman and CEO Scott McNealy. "Piper Cole plays an important role in this process. Her insight and leadership on public policy issues have been critical to Sun's success, and have been immensely helpful in forwarding the agenda of the entire computer industry."

W. Douglas Campbell has joined America Online's lobbying force and will be based in the online service giant's downtown DC office. Campbell's lobbying registration application says he will be covering the issues of civil and criminal liability of Internet service providers for unlawful conduct online, intellectual property rights on the Internet and electronic commerce.

Curtis Wolfe has been named chief information officer of North Dakota and the 17th member of Gov. Ed Schafer's cabinet. Schafer has been vocal about his dedication to moving North Dakota into the information age, allowing the state to engage in global competition. Wolf will replace Jim Heck on Oct. 15, leading the Information Technology Department primarily in the coordination of North Dakota's agencies and departments in information technology development, and secondly in telecommunications. Wolf's appointment is part of a reorganization of the agency, which was formerly the Information Services Division of the Office of Management and Budget. The reorganization was a result of the apparent increase in importance of the department as well as its growth, said Julie Liffrig, communications director for the governor's office.

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Export Administration may take longer than some like when approving encryption licenses, but it didn't wait long to fill the post of senior adviser for communications. Marlene McDonald, who assumed the job Monday, worked in Commerce Secretary William Daley's office as the public affairs specialist before this latest appointment, where she will be dealing with encryption export issues. She replaces Sue Hofer, who communicated her final goodbye to the department in mid-August.

ABC President Steven Bornstein has been appointed the head of Disney's Internet operations. Bornstein, a former ESPN chief, was named chairman of Vista Internet Group, and will become president of Go Netowork's go.com — a new company that will combine Buena Vista with the recently-acquired portal and search engine site Infoseek.

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