CAS Web Site News
Actuaries Explore Internet Resources

by Amy Wright, CAS Web Site Assistant

"The Internet is one of those things like programmable coffeemakers-I don’t know how I lived without it," says Regina Berens, Consulting Actuary at MBA, Inc. and CAS Board member. Her statement reflects the growing reliance upon the Web, which has proven itself far-reaching and stable. Already it is being integrated with daily life and taken for granted, and it is growing by leaps and bounds. According to Netcraft, the number of Web sites found by their survey exceeded two million in March 1998. There are movie databases, bookstores, up-to-the-minute stock market shifts-you can even tour the Louvre online.

While this extensive range is part of the Web’s appeal and convenience, navigating this endless stream of information can be tricky. Different routes are more advantageous for different users, but it takes time to learn the valuable landmarks along the way. In the spirit of the fast-information age, I have compiled some of the surfing habits of CAS members in order to illustrate how actuaries use the Internet, and to identify some of the professional resources it offers.

Those who travel frequently might follow CAS President Mavis Walters’ lead. She books flights, checks weather and restaurant information in cities she plans to visit, and gets driving directions online.

Berens also takes advantage of these conveniences and has used a Web site to check the status of two people coming in on two separate flights. She was able to find out not only the arrival times, but the types of aircraft. (Surfers also refer to the airlines’ "What to do when." pages, which offer advice in the event of a missed or canceled flight, lost ticket, or damaged luggage.)

Lodging information is also easily accessible. In an effort to assist members with seminar and meeting planning, the CAS Web Site links to hotel Web sites. The Marco Island Marriott’s site, for example, is linked from the online 1998 Spring Meeting brochure. This site includes a map of the Marco Island area and information about local attractions, room amenities, and hotel facilities.

The CAS meeting information pages, listed in our Continuing Education Catalog, contain reservation forms, schedules, and lists of attendees. For the Spring Meeting, we intend to take advantage of the medium by posting each morning an Online Daily, which will include meeting highlights and pictures to summarize the previous day’s activities. Look for the first Online Daily on Monday, May 18.

Rachel Tallarini, a new Associate, finds the online Syllabus of Examinations to be helpful for its up-to-the-minute listings. Students are able to check the Updates section of the online Syllabus instead of waiting for the Notice of Examinations via snail mail. Similarly, the online Calendar of Events is a good resource for staying up-to-date on current CAS events. Gary Dean, CAS Vice President-Administration, refers to this schedule on a regular basis. Education and volunteer opportunities, calls for papers, and other time-sensitive notices can reach their audience more quickly and directly.

Speedy communication is one of the most frequently lauded benefits of the Internet-and the CAS Web Site in particular. The Searchable Membership Directory is one of our most regularly accessed pages. Through it, members can obtain addresses, phone numbers, and E-mail addresses of all CAS Fellows and Associates. Members can also search the directory by company, employment type, city, or FCAS/ACAS designation year for a broader scope of information. Directory information is updated monthly.

According to Berens, E-mail lists such as CASNET are good ways to stay informed about emerging issues. With over 750 subscribers, CASNET has proven to be an extremely popular resource. This list, which is archived, provides a platform for questions, announcements, and discussions about casualty actuarial topics.

The discussion forums serve a similar function, but are divided into roundtables for students, members, and the public. The roundtables are designed to focus discussion around special areas of interest and are open to all. Mavis Walters looks at the Student Discussion Forum at least once a week to be apprised of student issues.

The Internet’s potential to overcome the barriers of cross-platform compatibility is another important advantage. Berens has already realized this capability by sending word processing and spreadsheet files to her clients via the Internet. Posting a Lotus spreadsheet, for example, on a Web page immediately raises the potential audience, because users with different spreadsheet software-or no spreadsheet software-are able to view the spreadsheet with their Web browser.

At this point, actuaries seem to be using the Internet and CAS site primarily as a communication tool. They book travel accommodations, set meeting agendas, keep in touch with colleagues, and stay current on issues through the Web. While the actuaries I polled have different areas of Internet interest, they all agree that the more they explore this resource, the more serviceable it proves to be.