Monster Media 1994 #2/Monster Media No. 2 (Monster Media)(1994).ISO/freq_qa/tfnfaq.zip/TFNFAQ.TXT

Text File | 1994-05-01 | 44KB | 1,332 lines

      Q.  What city is missing from this list?



                          Dillon, Montana
                          Buffalo, New York
                          Cleveland, Ohio
                          Denver, Colorado
                          Peoria, Illinois
                          Elyria, Ohio
                          Medina, Ohio
                          Ottawa, Ontario
                          Tallahassee, Florida
                          Columbia, Missouri
                          Cincinnati, Ohio
                          Victoria, British Columbia
                          Youngstown, Ohio
                          Wellington, New Zealand



      A. Toronto

                         --------------------

                C O M I N G   S P R I N G  1 9 9 4 . . . .


                T H E  T O R O N T O  F R E E - N E T

                         --------------------

                 Frequently Asked Questions About the
                         Toronto Free-Net
                    Version 1.8, January 19, 1993


            Prepared by:   Rick Broadhead
                           Executive Director, Toronto Free-Net Inc.
                           [e-mail]  [phone]



What is a Free-Net?


A Free-Net is a free, public-access community
computer system.  A Free-Net offers a wide
spectrum of on-line information services to the
public, including community and government
databases and worldwide electronic messaging.
Free-Nets can serve populations of any size.
They can be setup in large metropolitan cities, or
small cities and towns.  All services offered by a
Free-Net are free to the user, hence the name
"Free-Net".  Free-Nets are gaining acceptance and
popularity worldwide, and several North
American cities have one, but because each
Free-Net is tailored to meet the information needs
of the local community, no two Free-Nets are
identical.

Think of the Toronto Free-Net as a large on-line
encyclopedia about Toronto.  We place
information on a large, dedicated computer, hook
it up to the city's phone system, and make it
available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to
the general public, free-of-charge.  A Free-Net is
capable of supporting hundreds of users
simultaneously, but the number of local users that
can simultaneously use the Free-Net depends on
the number of phone lines that we have running
into the system.

Information providers are organizations that give
us information to place on the Free-Net.
Information providers and other volunteers are the
lifeblood of a Free-Net.  They work together to
keep the information on the Free-Net up-to-date,
and they ensure that the information keeps pace
with the community's information needs.  Free-
Nets invite information providers from all sectors
of the community to supply information for
placement on the system.  In cooperation with
other volunteers, information providers
generously donate their time and effort to
maintain and update their information on the
Free-Net.

Using a computer and a modem, anyone in the
city will be able to connect to the Toronto Free-
Net and view our databases, as well as
communicate with the participating organizations.
If you don't have a computer and a modem,
there's no need to worry.  We plan to have public
access terminals located throughout Toronto.



Who Can Place Information on the
Free-Net?


Information providers can be community and
professional associations, clubs, charitable
organizations, the government, and educational or
service institutions - any entity that wants to
communicate information to the general public.
Every participating organization will be given a
dedicated space on the system to post its
information.


What is Toronto Free-Net Inc.?

Toronto Free-Net Inc. is a not-for-profit
organization charged with the task of building a
Free-Net in Toronto.  The organization has
representatives from businesses, academic
institutions, the government, and the community.
A full-time Executive Director coordinates the
day-to-day operations of the Free-Net.  An ten-
member Board of Directors presides over the
organization and oversees a number of
sub-committees which are responsible for matters
such as public relations, fund-raising, member
services, information resources,
hardware/software planning, and end-user
training.  All three Toronto universities (York
University, Ryerson Polytechnic University, and
the University of Toronto) have representatives
on the Board. Our objectives and by-laws are
available to anyone on request.

What is Our Mandate?


The mandate of Toronto Free-Net Inc. is to
provide the residents of Metropolitan Toronto
with free, electronic access to community-related
information, while giving information providers
a means to disseminate their information as
widely and as economically as possible.

The Public Library Analogy


Free-Nets are destined to become as important an
institution as the public library.  It is hard to
imagine a community without a public library.  In
the near future, community computer systems will
become just as commonplace.  In fact, Free-Nets
are modelled on the same principle as public
libraries.  They provide information to the
community, at no charge to the user.

Historically, libraries were privately owned and
access was restricted to special classes of society
- the wealthy and elite, scholars, and university
students.  The last century has witnessed a shift in
the role that libraries play in our society.  They
have become free, open-access facilities,
performing a vital service to the community,
serving people in all classes of society, and from
all walks of life.

In the same way that libraries were once the
domain of the rich and elite, use of information
technology has historically been confined to
certain groups in society.  The penetration of
computers into the home and office and increased
computer literacy have provided an opportunity
for community computer systems to flourish.
Free-Nets bring information technology within
reach of all classes in society, and they don't
charge for their services.


How Many Free-Nets are There in the
World?  In Canada?

At the time of this writing, there are 19 other
Free-Net systems in the world.  Free-Nets have
been established in Canada, Germany, the United
States, and New Zealand.  The first community
computer system was launched in Cleveland,
Ohio in 1986.  Three years after its opening, the
Cleveland Free-Net was handling between
500-600 calls every day on ten incoming phone
lines.  Today, it has over 120 phone lines, serving
more than 36,000 users and handling over 11,000
calls a day.  Free-Net systems are also operating
in Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Montana,
New York and Florida.

The first Canadian Free-Net was established in
November, 1992 in Victoria, B.C.  Shortly
thereafter, the National Capital FreeNet opened in
Ottawa.  Within six months of its official opening
in February 1993, the National Capital FreeNet
has grown to 9,000 registered users and over 50
incoming phone lines.  Calls to the National
Capital FreeNet top 16,000 a week, and
applications for membership are being received at
a rate 50-100 a day!  The third Canadian Free-
Net, the CIAO! Free-Net, was established in
Trail, B.C. in late 1993.


Are Other Free-Nets Being Planned?


Yes.  "Free-Net Fever" is sweeping North
America.  There are presently over 50 other
Free-Net organizing committees around the
world, and more are forming every month.
Toronto is one of over ten Canadian centres
planning Free-Nets for their residents.  Edmonton,
Alberta; Elliot Lake, Ontario; St Catharines,
Ontario; Thunder Bay, Ontario, Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan; Prince George, B.C.; and
Vancouver, B.C. also have formal Free-Net
Organizing Committees.  U.S. cities planning
Free-Nets include Anchorage, Alaska; Charlotte,
North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; Honolulu, Hawaii;
Providence, Rhode Island; Seattle, Washington;
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Detroit, Michigan;
and Washington, D.C.

The following cities have Free-Net
organizing committees.

(November, 1993)

Abilene, TX
Honolulu, HI
Akron, OH
Huntsville, AL
Anchorage, AK
Los Angeles (Central), CA
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Los Angeles (Valley), CA
Battle Creek, MI
New Orleans, LA
Bayreuth, Germany
Oklahoma City, OK
Bremerton, WA
Orange County, CA
Carbondale, IL
Palm Beach, FL
Champaign-Urbana, IL
Providence, Rhode Island
Chapel Hill, NC
San Luis Obispo, CA
Charlotte, NC
Santa Barbara, CA
Dallas, TX
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Dayton, OH
Port Angeles, WA
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Eau Claire, WI
Tampa Bay, FL
Edmonton, Alberta
Tempe, AZ
Elliot Lake, Ontario
TORONTO, ONTARIO
Erlangen, Germany
Oshawa, Ontario
El Paso, TX
Traverse City, MI
Granger, IN
Tuscaloosa, AL
Richmond, Virginia
Vancouver, British Columbia
Helsinki, Finland
Washington, D.C.
Toledo, OH
Pittsburgh, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Houston, TX
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mountain View, CA
West Chester, PA
Victoria, TX
St. Catharines, Ontario
Manchester, NH
Greenville, SC
Prince George, British Columbia
Sandpoint, ID
San Jose, CA
Roselle, IL
Washtenaw Co., Michigan
Atlanta, Georgia
Lafayette, Louisiana
Little Rock, Arkansas
Miami, Florida
Mount Pleasant, MI
Orlando, FL
Winston-Salem, NC


What Does It Cost to Join/Use the
Toronto Free-Net?


There is no membership fee, and there is no
charge to access any of the information on the
Toronto Free-Net or to use any of its services.
Use of the Toronto Free-Net is completely and
absolutely free.  A basic premise of the Free-Net
concept is that users not be charged to use the
system.  We expect to receive funding from
businesses, the government, community
associations, and individuals.


What is Electronic Mail?


Electronic Mail is the capability of sending an
electronic message to another person.  It is one of
the most popular and fastest growing uses of
computers today.  Not only will Toronto Free-Net
users be able to send electronic messages locally
to other Toronto Free-Net users, they will also be
able to send electronic messages across Canada
and around to world - to their friends, relatives, or
business associates who also have access to
electronic mail.  Every registered user will receive
a unique electronic mail address on the Toronto
Free-Net.  With this electronic mail address, Free-
Net users will be able to receive messages from
anyone who is connected to the Internet, the
largest computer network in the world.

The concept of electronic mail is simple to
understand.  Rather than handwrite a message to
someone, you key in a message on the Free-Net,
and the computer will deliver it for you, providing
that your correspondent has an electronic mail
address that you can send the message to.

Once the message is typed and ready to be
delivered, you select the "send" option from a
menu on the screen, and the computer will
dispatch the message.  The delivery process takes
place in the background, and is invisible to the
user.  The transparent operation of the Internet is
why this technology is often referred to as
"seamless".  On the Toronto Free-Net, you'll be
able to communicate with people all over the
world as if they were right next door.  Of course,
you'll also be able to send electronic messages to
local organizations and Toronto residents who are
using the Toronto Free-Net.

If the recipient is a member of the Toronto
Free-Net, the message will be placed in the user's
electronic mailbox, where it will remain until the
recipient connects to the Toronto Free-Net to read
it.  All registered users of the Toronto Free-Net
will be notified by the system when they have
new mail waiting.

If the recipient is at another location, your
electronic message will leave the Toronto Free-
Net and be sent over high-speed telephone lines
and in some cases, satellite links.  During its
journey, your message will travel through one or
more computer networks.  Once your message
reaches the right computer site, it will be placed
in the appropriate electronic mailbox.

Electronic mail offers many advantages over
traditional communication mediums, such as the
telephone and postal system, and newer
technologies, such as the facsimile.  Because
electronic mail will be free to all registered users
of the Toronto Free-Net, it will be cheaper than
fax or a long distance phone call.  Electronic mail
is also incredibly fast.  Providing the delivery
route is clear, electronic messages can travel
around the world in minutes or hours, depending
on the location of the recipient.  It is not unusual
for messages to travel between Canadian cities in
seconds, or between continents in under a minute.


Electronic mail has many other benefits.  It
overcomes differences in time zones, eliminates
telephone tag, and improves information flow.
Note that while there are many advantages to
electronic mail, because messages may pass
through several sites en route to their destination,
privacy cannot be guaranteed.


What is the Internet?


The Toronto Free-Net will be linked to the
Internet, an international computer network which
connects an estimated 10 to 15 million people in
over 50 countries, and on all five continents.  Yes,
Antarctica is even connected to the Internet!  In
addition to the more than fifty countries that are
directly connected to the Internet, another 80
countries have networks with gateways to the
Internet.  In total, over 130 countries are
reachable from the Internet.  Linking over 1.7
million computers worldwide, the Internet is the
largest and fastest growing computer network in
the world.  It more than doubled in size during the
past year.  The Internet is often described as a
single network, but it is actually a network of
networks, encompassing over 14,000 computer
networks which span the globe.  Scientists,
researchers, journalists, educators, politicians,
hobbyists, librarians, students, and activists are
just some of the people who use the Internet's
high-speed data networks to communicate with
distant colleagues and friends.


Are There Any Restrictions on
Commercial Use of the Internet?


Yes.  Correspondence for commercial purposes
(e.g. marketing, advertising, invoicing) is subject
to Acceptable Use Policies once it leaves the
Toronto Free-Net.  Acceptable Use Policies are
rules that govern the content of electronic mail on
computer networks.  Electronic mail leaving the
Toronto Free-Net may pass through several other
computer networks on its way to the destination
site.  Each of these intermediate networks may
have its own Acceptable Use Policy, which may
prohibit commercial traffic.  The Toronto
Free-Net will have Acceptable Use Policies of its
own, but these have not yet been decided.


What are Electronic Discussion
Groups?


The Toronto Free-Net will carry hundreds of
electronic discussion groups.  These are on-going
topical discussions on hundreds of subjects
ranging from popular topics like electronics,
cooking, fishing, and music to more obscure ones
like locksmithing, pyrotechnics, and kite-flying.
Discussions take place in designated areas on the
Free-Net called conferences or "newsgroups".
>From their home or office computer, Free-Net
users will have instant access to experts on almost
every imaginable topic.


Here's How It Works:


Just as you read your favourite columns in the
newspaper, each time you connect to the Toronto
Free-Net, you'll want to read your favourite
discussion groups.  For example, if you collect
stamps, you'll probably want to follow that
discussion regularly.  Discussions consist of
electronic messages from contributors around the
world.  Discussions are organized into topics, like
cooking, geology, or religion.  When you see a
message that you want to respond to, you can
send the person a private message using the
Toronto Free-Net's electronic mail system.  When
that person receives your message, he can write
back to you using your Internet address (which
you will receive upon joining the Toronto Free-
Net).  The wonderful thing about the Internet is
that your correspondent may be anywhere in the
world.

When you want to join a discussion, you type a
message, and leave it in the appropriate
conference or newsgroup for others to see.  The
message may be a question, a reply to another
message, a comment, or an opinion.  Anyone who
wants to reply to your message can either respond
to your private electronic mailbox on the Toronto
Free-Net, or type a public reply in the conference,
where it can be viewed by everyone.  Depending
on where you want to leave the message, it may
remain on the Toronto Free-Net computer, where
it will receive only local distribution, or it may be
circulated to hundreds of participating computer
sites around the world, where hundreds of people
will see it.

Electronic discussion groups allow lively,
informative dialogues to take place on-line, while
permitting users to exchange information with
other people around the world who share their
interests.  Discussion groups are also a great place
to seek the advice of others, since they provide an
opportunity to tap the collective expertise of
dozens of people.  Because discussions will be
grouped by subject, it will be easy for Free-Net
users to find people with specific interests.

The Toronto Free-Net expects to feature three
types of electronic discussion groups:
community-oriented Special Interest Groups,
Usenet, and Internet mailing
lists.  Each of these is described below.



Special Interest Groups


Special Interest Groups are on-line discussion
groups where the subject matter is of local
interest.  Special Interest Groups have many uses:

*  Community associations and clubs in Toronto
could establish their own Special Interest Groups
to promote their services and activities and
respond to questions from the public

*  Individuals could set up Special Interest Groups
to discuss topics of personal interest with other
Free-Net users

*  Experts in the community could offer their
knowledge to the public by hosting "Ask An
Expert" conferences.  These conferences would
provide an open forum where Free-Net users
could submit questions and have them answered
by experts.  Possible "Ask An Expert"
conferences include:

        * Ask a Veterinarian
        * Ask an Auto Mechanic
        * Ask a Home Repair Expert
        * Ask a Legal Expert
        * Ask a Garden Expert
        * Ask a Travel Agent
        * Ask a Librarian

   The Toronto Free-Net Committee is interested
in hearing from anyone who would be willing to
volunteer their time to host an "Ask An Expert"
conference.


Usenet


It is expected that the Toronto Free-Net will also
provide its users with access to Usenet, an
international computer conferencing system
which carries thousands of electronic discussion
groups on hundreds of topics.  Free-Net users will
be able to participate in thousands of electronic
discussions with over 2.5 million other people
around the world.  Imagine being able to submit
a question to an electronic discussion group and
have answers from all around the world waiting in
your electronic mailbox the very next day!


Internet Mailing Lists


In addition to Usenet, Toronto Free-Net users will
be able to join any of the thousands of  scientific,
academic, and hobbyist discussion groups that
exist on the Internet.


What Type of Information Will I See on
the Toronto Free-Net?


The Toronto Free-Net will be an electronic
information resource for the residents of
Metropolitan Toronto.  It will feature information
on a wide array of topics, including medical and
health care, education, law, science and
technology, social services, government,
entertainment, and recreation.  The possibilities
are endless.

Here are examples of the type of information that
the Toronto Free-Net could provide to the public.
This list is only a start - your imagination is the
limit.

Community Events

announcements of.....

public meetings, lectures, workshops, fairs, ethnic
events, church and religious activities,
fund-raising activities, conferences, seminars,
speakers, club meetings, special events....

Entertainment/Leisure

movie listings, movie reviews, restaurant reviews
and listings, concert listings, theatre listings, club
listings, new video releases, local television
listings, book reviews, Blue Jays/Leafs/Argos
game schedules, sports scores, winning lottery
numbers, parks and recreation information, high
school sports events, city cycling information....


Government

garbage collection schedules, snow removal
information, newspaper pick-up information,
recycling information,
municipal/provincial/federal government
telephone directories, information on Federal and
Provincial Government
ministries/agencies/departments, information on
Municipal/Provincial/Federal Government
services and programs, directory of Members of
Parliament, consumer protection information,
elections information (polling stations, lists of
candidates), disaster preparedness information,
services for seniors, energy and hydro
information, government databases, government
documents and publications, tax information,
postal codes and rates....


Health and Safety

first aid instructions, Crimestoppers, crime
prevention tips, fire prevention information, drug
abuse information, AIDS prevention information,
medical and health databases.....


News/Weather

local, provincial, national, and international news
headlines, weather forecasts....


Transportation

road and highway conditions, TTC route and fare
information, VIA schedules and ticket prices, GO
Transit route and fare information, airline
schedules....


Travel and Tourism

convention and visitor information, travel and
tourist information, hotel/motel directories,
sightseeing information, information on tourist
attractions in Toronto, information from foreign
embassies and consulates, travel advisories...


Education

directory of school trustees, public and separate
school directories, college and university program
information, alternative education information,
information on continuing education programs....


Employment


job listings, union activities, employment
standards information, job training information....


Legal

legal aid services, general legal information




The following organizations are
information providers on the National
Capital FreeNet in Ottawa:

Epilepsy Association, Ottawa-Carleton
Ottawa Chinese Community Service
Centre
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Electronic
Information Resource
Amnesty International
Canadian Global Change Programme of
the Royal Society of Canada
Special Needs Employment Services
(Line 1000)
Alzheimer Society of Ottawa-Carleton
AIDS Committee of Ottawa
La Leche League
Advisory Council on Aging
Coronary Health Improvement
Programme
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Schizophrenia Society of Canada
Ottawa Psychiatric Survivors Alliance
Citizens for Safe Cycling
Ottawa South Community Association
Scouts Canada, National Capital Region
Humanist Association of Ottawa
Co-operative Housing Association of
Eastern Ontario
Hostelling International
The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-
Carleton
The City of Ottawa
The Ottawa Police
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
The Embassy of France
National Archives of Canada
Emergency Preparedness Canada
National Research Council
Chemical Institute of Canada
Youth Engineering and Science Camps of
Canada
National Museum of Aviation
National Museum of Science and
Technology
The Women Inventor's Project
Geological Survey of Canada
Carleton Board of Education
Carleton University
Ottawa Board of Education
The Ottawa Citizen
CJOH-TV
Statistics Canada
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Ottawa Public Library
Nepean Public Library
The Canada Centre for Mineral and
Energy Technology
Kanata Public Library
Canadian Association of Journalists
Canadian Operations Research Society
Canadian Teacher's Federation
Consumer and Corporate Affairs
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Reform Party of Canada
Canadian Government Publishing Centre
West End Family Cinema
International Forestry Association
Ottawa-Carleton Immigrant Services
Ottawa Multicultural Folk Arts Council
Gloucester Child Care



Library Information

We expect that the Toronto Free-Net will provide
on-line access to participating public library
systems across Metropolitan Toronto.  Our goal is
to make it possible for Free-Net users to search
the library holdings of all six municipal library
systems in Metro from the Toronto Free-Net.
Public library representatives are working closely
with the Toronto Free-Net to accomplish this
goal.  We also hope to link the Toronto Free-Net
to university library catalogues around the world.


The Toronto Media

Ottawa's daily newspaper, the Ottawa Citizen,
uses the National Capital FreeNet to post guides
to community events, the Arts, sports, dining, and
entertainment.  The Ottawa Citizen also has a
mailbox on the National Capital FreeNet so that
users can electronically submit a letter to the
Editor.  We hope that the Toronto media will
participate on the Toronto Free-Net in a similar
fashion.  The media could use the Toronto Free-
Net to receive suggestions and comments, letters
to columnists/broadcasters, and other items for
publication/broadcast.  In addition, radio and
television stations could place their broadcast
schedules on the Free-Net.

Here are two examples of the Ottawa media using
the National Capital FreeNet to disseminate
information to the community:

Shortly after Prime Minister Kim Campbell
announced her new cabinet, the Ottawa Citizen
posted the list of new ministers on the National
Capital FreeNet in Ottawa.  Callers to the FreeNet
were able to review the ministerial line-up on-line
and download (transfer) the list of new ministers
to their personal computers.

CJOH-TV, an Ottawa-based CTV affiliate, uses
the National Capital FreeNet to collect news tips
and story ideas.  Callers to the FreeNet can send
items electronically to the station's News
Producer, who has an electronic mailbox on the
system.  The station has also set up a Question
and Answer area to respond to questions from the
public.  Scripts from the station's 6:00 P.M.
newscast, a telephone directory of the station's
news producers and reporters, and the station's
program schedule are just some of the databases
available to callers.




Who Will Pay For the Operation of the
Toronto Free-Net?


Free-Nets depend on the generosity of the
community.  It is expected that the operating costs
of the Toronto Free-Net will be covered by grants
and donations from the government, businesses in
the community, and from the users themselves.

By far, our greatest expense will be the phone bill.
To help us offset this cost, businesses and
organizations will have the opportunity to sponsor
phone lines.  Callers who receive a sponsored line
will see the name of the sponsor on the screen.


How Do I Become a Member of the
Toronto Free-Net?


In order to have full use of the facilities on the
Toronto Free-Net, users will be required to
complete and mail a registration form.  There is
no fee to register, except for the cost of a postage
stamp.  The registration form will be available on
the Free-Net itself, as well as at public libraries
across Toronto.  Anyone will be able to access the
Toronto Free-Net as a guest, and look around, but
only registered users will be given an account,
and allowed to use all of the services on the
Free-Net.  When you register with us, you
become a member of the Toronto Free-Net.
You'll be assigned a personal account name and a
password.  An account is necessary in order to
send and receive electronic mail.


Is There a Time Limit on my Free-Net
Session?


Yes.  To give everyone an opportunity to use the
system, all users will be subject to a limit of one
hour on their Free-Net session.  However, there is
no limit on the number of sessions that a Free-Net
user can have on any given day.


How Will I Access the Toronto
Free-Net?


Anyone with a computer, a modem, and a
telephone line will be able to access the Toronto
Free-Net by dialling a central telephone number
in Toronto.  The Toronto Free-Net will be menu-
driven.  Once you connect to the Free-Net, you'll
be able to move around the system by selecting
options from menus on the screen.


Is Computer Literacy a Prerequisite to
Use the Toronto Free-Net?


No.  Our committees are working hard to develop
a system that is easy to use, regardless of the
user's level of computer experience.  The Toronto
Free-Net is a community computer system, and
the community must be able to use it.  When
resources permit, we intend to develop manuals
and run training sessions to ensure that our users
are able to make optimal use of the system.  Ease
of use is one of our most important priorities.


Where Will the Toronto Free-Net be
Located?


Our administrative offices and physical facilities
(i.e. the Free-Net computers) will be located in
Metropolitan Toronto; precise locations have not
yet been determined.


Will the Toronto Free-Net Require Any
Paid Personnel?


Yes.  While the Toronto Free-Net will be largely
run by volunteers, the size and scope of the
system will make it necessary for us to hire some
staff.  A typical Free-Net will have a full-time
Project Manager or Executive Director, a System
Manager, a System Administrator, and clerical
and technical support staff.


What If I Don't Have a Computer?


Public access terminals will be established at
libraries throughout Metropolitan Toronto for
those people who don't have the capability of
calling the Toronto Free-Net from their home or
office.  We expect that community centers,
schools, and hotels will provide public access
terminals as well.  Public access terminals can be
established virtually anywhere in the city.


Are Free-Nets Interconnected?


Yes. The Toronto Free-Net will be connected to
other Free-Nets around the world.  This means
that users of the Toronto Free-Net will be able to
access the information on other community
computer systems across the United States and
around the world.  The Toronto
Free-Net will be part of a growing network of
community computer systems.


Here's How it Works:


On the Toronto Free-Net, there will be a list of all
the participating Free-Nets in the world.  To go to
another Free-Net, you select a Free-Net from the
menu, and the connection is made automatically.
When the connection is in place, you will be
physically connected to the other Free-Net
computer, just as if you were living in the host
city, and dialling the Free-Net locally!  As more
and more Free-Nets come on-line, the list of cities
that you can electronically "travel" to will grow.
It's conceivable that every major metropolitan city
will eventually have a community computer
system of its own.  From the Toronto Free-Net,
you'll be able to access organizations, individuals,
and local information just about anywhere in the
world.  Just think of the possibilities!

In order to have full use of the services on another
Free-Net, you'll have to register with them first,
just as you have to register with us in order to
have unrestricted access to our facility.  But most
Free-Nets will accept registrations from outside
their local calling area, so you don't have to be a
local resident to use the system.  Bear in mind
that registration isn't necessary if all you want to
do is read the information on another Free-Net.
Most Free-Nets will permit people to use their
system as a "guest".  A "guest" is a term for an
unregistered user or non-member.  Guests are free
to look around the system and view the databases,
but they can't send or receive electronic mail.

Naturally, the Toronto Free-Net will be accepting
connections from users on other Free-Nets, just as
other Free-Nets will accept connections from our
users.  We will also be accepting registrations
from anywhere in the world.  You don't have to
be a Toronto resident to use the system or become
a member, but the information on the Toronto
Free-Net will be local and community-based.
Many of the people that connect to the Toronto
Free-Net from around the world will be using our
system as a guest.  But we also expect to have
many international users register with us, and
become members.

You will be able to connect to the Toronto Free-
Net via the Internet, or by dialling a Toronto
telephone number (area code 416).


How Will the Toronto Free-Net Impact
Tourism?


While the Toronto Free-Net's primary focus is to
serve the local community, it will have an
international audience.  The information on the
Toronto Free-Net will be available to thousands
of people around the globe, since it will be
possible for anyone on the global Internet to tap
into the Toronto Free-Net and browse our
databases.  The Toronto Free-Net is already
attracting international attention, and once we
open our doors to the public, people from all over
the world will be able to use the Toronto Free-Net
to discover what Toronto has to offer the visitor.
Without question, our tourism industry will
benefit from the exposure that the city will
receive as a result of the Toronto Free-Net's
presence on the Internet.

We expect Free-Net terminals to be placed in
hotel lobbies throughout Toronto, so that tourists
and other visitors can use the system to get
information about the city.  Tourists could use the
Toronto Free-Net to:


             * look up a taxi
             * get public transit information
             * get a list of tourist attractions,
               their operating
               hours and entrance fees
             * obtain a directory of restaurants
               in the city
             * get the addresses of consulates
               and embassies in
               Toronto
             * get general facts about Toronto
               (population, history, etc.)


Are Free-Nets Independent?


Each Free-Net is run autonomously, but all Free-
Nets are affiliates of the National Public
Telecomputing Network (NPTN), based in
Cleveland, Ohio.  The NPTN distributes the
software needed to run a Free-Net, provides
support to existing Free-Nets, and promotes the
development of community computer systems.
The NPTN also organizes an annual meeting,
which brings together representatives from all its
affiliates.  The term "Free-Net" is a registered
servicemark of the NPTN, so only affiliates of the
NPTN are allowed to call themselves a Free-Net.



Who Will Benefit From a Toronto Free-
Net?


Residents


Residents are given free access to a wealth of
community-related information.  By removing
economic and social barriers to information, the
Toronto Free-Net will make information more
accessible to the public.

Because the Toronto Free-Net will be connected
to the Internet, Toronto Free-Net users will be
able to correspond electronically with municipal,
provincial, and federal government offices that
use the Internet.  The Toronto Free-Net will make
it easier for officials at all levels of government to
communicate with their constituents.  It is
projected that by the end of 1995, all Federal
Government officials will have e-mail.  And by
the end of this year, all Ontario Government
electronic mail accounts are expected to be
connected to the Internet.

The Community


Because the Toronto Free-Net is entirely a
volunteer effort, it provides new and exciting
opportunities for individuals to become more
involved in their community - by providing data
to the Free-Net, starting a Special Interest Group,
serving on a Free-Net committee, or simply by
interacting with other Toronto Free-Net users.

Clubs and community groups will benefit from
the Toronto Free-Net's electronic messaging
facilities, which will expedite communications
and make it easier for groups to share
information, coordinate their activities, and liaise
with the public.  The Toronto Free-Net has
tremendous potential to draw the community
closer together.

Community/Professional Associations and
Government


Clubs and community groups will enhance their
public relations by participating on the Toronto
Free-Net as an information provider.  Community
organizations that establish an electronic mailbox
on the Toronto Free-Net will increase their
accessibility and visibility to the general public.
At any time of the day or night, Free-Net users
can leave messages for participating organizations
and access information on government and
community services.  The Toronto Free-Net will
provide an innovative and powerful way for
community organizations to communicate with
the public.

The government will find that the Toronto
Free-Net provides a fast, effective, and efficient
way to distribute important information to the
community.


Seniors and People With Disabilities


Senior citizens and people with disabilities will be
able to access and exchange information easily
and at no charge, without leaving their home.


Teachers and Educators


The Free-Net will also provide a cost-effective
means for public and secondary schools to teach
telecomputing to their students.  Teachers and
students will be able to communicate with their
counterparts around the world, using the
Free-Net's electronic mail system.  Many public
and secondary schools in the U.S. and Canada
already have some connection to the Internet.


Another Benefit: Increased Computer Literacy

Computer literacy will increase in the community
as people learn how to use the Toronto Free-Net
to gain quick and easy access to information
resources electronically.  Because the Toronto
Free-Net will give its members access to modern
telecommunications facilities, users will develop
an understanding and appreciation of the role and
importance of electronic communications and
information technology.


How Will the Toronto Free-Net Impact
Employment?


The Toronto Free-Net has the potential to create
new employment opportunities in community and
government organizations that actively participate
on the system.  Once organizations realize the
benefits of being involved with the Free-Net, they
may assign personnel to serve as the
organization's liaison with the Free-Net.  These
people would update the organization's
information on the Free-Net and manage the
organization's Free-Net mailbox.  They would
also be responsible for finding new ways for the
organization to use the Toronto Free-Net to
improve its relations with the public.


How Will the Free-Net be Different from
Bulletin Board
Systems and Commercial Services?


* The Toronto Free-Net will be free to the user,
unlike commercial systems (and some
bulletin board systems) which charge for their
services.

* The Toronto Free-Net will not be suitable for
heavy commercial traffic

* The Toronto Free-Net has a mandate that is
community-oriented, unlike many large
commercial systems and small Bulletin Board
Systems which have a much narrower focus,
and appeal to users with specific interests.  The
Toronto Free-Net will carry dozens of
community databases.  We'll have something for
everyone.

* Many Bulletin Board Systems are chat or
message-oriented, and are designed for the
computer hobbyist.  The Toronto Free-Net will be
information-oriented, and will be designed
with the community user in mind.  No computer
experience required!

* The Toronto Free-Net will not have archives of
software or other computer programs.  The one
exception may be off-line mail readers.

* The Toronto Free-Net will be funded by
government and corporate donations

* The Toronto Free-Net will be very easy to
navigate and use


It is not our intention to compete with commercial
and smaller, private systems.  The Toronto
Free-Net will actually expand the market for
commercial services and bulletin board systems
by increasing computer literacy in the
community.  We want to work with operators of
bulletin board systems and the larger commercial
systems to promote their use and make the
general public aware of their existence.


When Will the Toronto Free-Net Be
Operational?


The official launch date is March 31, 1994, but
our rate of progress depends on the amount of
support we receive from the community.


Who Can Participate?


Everyone in Metro Toronto is invited to
participate.  This is a community effort, and there
is an opportunity for everyone in the city to get
involved.


Does Toronto Free-Net Inc. Need My
Help?


Yes!

We are actively seeking volunteers to help with
public/media relations, fund-raising, hardware
and software planning, organizational matters,
training and documentation, and information
collection.

We need clubs, community and professional
associations, and the government to contribute
information to the Free-Net.  How can your
organization participate?

We are looking for institutions that are interested
in being public-access sites for the Toronto
Free-Net.

We need financial support to cover the costs of
phone lines and hardware/software.


How Can I Or My Club or Association
Get Involved?

Please contact anyone on the Board of Directors
or one of the Committee Chairs to find how you
or your organization can contribute to the
development of the Toronto Free-Net.  We need
volunteers from the community, as well as the
involvement of businesses and community
associations to help the Toronto Free-Net achieve
its true potential.


Need More Information?

Please call the Toronto Free-Net's automated
information line at [phone].


Toronto Free-Net Board of Directors


Rick Broadhead     [e-mail]
Allan Earle        [e-mail]
Bev Green          [e-mail]
Sam Lanfranco      [e-mail]
Richard Malinski   [e-mail]
Colin McGregor     [e-mail]
Jud Newell         [e-mail]
Tim Pinos          [e-mail]
Laine Ruus         [e-mail]
David Tallan       [e-mail]


Executive Director:                  Rick Broadhead
President:                           Richard Malinski
Vice-Presidents:                     Colin McGregor, David Tallan
Secretary:                           Laine Ruus
Treasurer:                           Jud Newell


Committee Chairs:


Infor. Resources  Michael DeKoven   [e-mail]
                  Chris Smith       [e-mail]
Hardware/Software Colin McGregor    [e-mail]
End-User          Gwyneth Storr     [e-mail]