  Initial deployment of optical modules near 1 and 2 kilometer depth indicate
that deep polar ice is the most transparent known natural solid. Experience
with early data has revealed that a detector, conceived to measure muons
tracks, can also measure energy of high energy neutrinos as well as bursts of
MeV neutrinos, e.g. produced by supernovae and gamma ray bursts. We plan to
complete AMANDA this austral summer to form a detector of 11 deep strings
instrumented over 400 meters height with 300 optical modules. We will argue
that ice is the ideal medium to deploy a future kilometer-scale detector and
discuss the first deployment of 10 strings of kilometer length.
