The World of Computer Software/World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso/h/hvfn-faq.zip/HVFN-FAQ

Internet Message Format | 1993-03-25 | 19KB

Date: Thu, 18 Feb 93 15:21:08 -0500



Revised: 2/17/93

        Huron Valley Free-Net Project
         Frequently Asked Questions
               Version I.VIII

Introduction
------------
Thank you for your interest in the Huron Valley Free-Net Project!
This FAQ is designed to bring you basic information about the
Project, and let you know how you can get involved or get more
information.  It contains some static information, as well as
information that is updated weekly.  It is sent to new subscribers
of the HVFN-Project Internet Mailing List, to individuals requesting
information, and is often posted in various places as an informational
packet and advertisement.  If you've read this before, pay close
attention to the Version numbers.


What is a Free-Net?
-------------------
A Free-Net is a large-scale bulletin board style system set up in
a community to serve as an electronic town hall.  It provides
public, and mostly free (to the user) access to the Internet,
international e-mail, and computing resources that grow exponentialy
with public involvment. The Free-Net is non-profit, and gives as
much to the community as it gets from it.

In operation, the local Free-Net acts the parts of the NPR (National
Public Radio), PBS, the town square and your local public library,
blended together into an electronic format.  The ideas behind these
public institutions inspired the Free-Net project, and the dynamic
nature of modern networking and accessibility are taking these
ideas to a new level.

While Free-Net systems and concepts fill many of the traditional
roles of local bbs's and public access unix sites, the purpose is
far from a goal of end-all services. Rather, the Free-Net is meant
to be an electronic meeting ground for the whole community, to
facilitate the growth of private bbs's and unix sites, bringing
more of the community to computing.  By using outreach programs
that include terminals in local public institutions, involvement
by local government and businesses, and accessiblity by the entire
community, a Free-Net has the potential to change a community in
the way it interacts, communicates, and thinks about itself.


Who's Project is this?
----------------------
The Huron Valley Free-Net is the first project of the Michigan
Public Computing Consortium.  The MPCC was formed in mid 1992 to
conduct business encouraging public computing and free public access
network systems (Free-Nets), across Michigan.  Currently, all
resources and manpower are being devoted to bringing a Free-Net to
the Huron Valley area.  More information about the MPCC and Community
Computing are included in an article following the FAQ.


Who's working on the HVFN-Project now?
--------------------------------------
The current members of the HVFN-Project Committee are:

Name
Title
Internet E-mail Address

Michael Todd Glazier               Richard J. Foote
Project Manager                Community Relations Chair
[e-mail]        [e-mail]

Joseph Klein                Christopher C. Barbeau
Technical Chair                Business Manager
[e-mail]            [e-mail]

There are also many sub-committee members and agents working on the
project, all working hard to make this system a reality. Join us!


Is there an information resource for the Project?
-------------------------------------------------
Yes, there is an electronic mailing list dedicated to discussion and
information about the Huron Valley Free-Net Project.


What if I'm not on Internet?
----------------------------
Compu$erve, Fido-Net, and most commercial services have an Internet
Gate.  Ask them how you can email to the above addresses.


What is the purpose of the mailing list?
----------------------------------------
The objective of the list is the free exchange of ideas and
information about the forming Huron Valley Free-Net.  Periodic
informational messages from the HVFN-Project Managers, the NPTN
and its related projects, and HVFN sub- committees are posted here.
General business, request for comments, call for volunteers, and
debate are also contributed.  Anyone should feel free to post any
questions or ideas they have to the entire list. The more minds,
the better!


What is the email address?
--------------------------
The address to the mailing list, and other important addresses are:

Huron Valley Free-Net Project Mail List:  [e-mail]

Subscription Maintenance: [e-mail]

HVFN-Project Technical Subcommittee:  [e-mail]

Michigan Public Computing Consortium: [e-mail]


How can I get involved?
-----------------------
There are currently four ways to get involved with HVFN-Project,
and one way to get involved with the MPCC.

1. The Community Relations Subcommittee is now forming.  This is
   perhaps the most exciting way to be involved!  It is this
   committee that works to insure a broad base of community
   involvement, the very core of this Project!

2. Vision Committee Formating Sub-Committee.  As explained in the
   article below, Free-Nets are run by a committee of individuals
   from diverse and important sectors of the community.  A subcommittee
   is forming that will concetrate on locating these most important
   individuals for the Vision Committee, and you can change Ann Arbor
   history by finding them!

3. The HVFN-Project currently needs a Secretary.  Internet access
   is a must, as well as strong email skills and Unix familiarity.
   Tasks include attendance to the weekly meeting, recording and
   organization of minutes and other HVFN Documents, working with
   HVFN Committee members on HVFN Documents, and a few hours a week.
   This is an opportunity to get in on the highest level of
   decision making.

4. SIG Sysops and Designers should begin making plans with the HVFN-Project
   Team.  Special Interest Group Forums are the heart and soul of a Free-Net.
   If you have an idea for a SIG that might help serve the community or
   expand your groups access to the community, contact us soon!

5. If you live outside the Huron Valley Community, but would like to
   become part of a consortium to start a Free-Net in you community,
   become an MPCC Community Chapter!


I'm hyped! How do I contact the Project?
----------------------------------------

    Huron Valley Free-Net Project
    Michigan Public Computing Consortium
    819 Brown  Suite #4
    Ann Arbor, Mi  48104

    Internet: [e-mail]
       Phone: [phone]
         Fax: [phone]


Tell me more!
-------------
The following is a more complete version of an article describing
the Michigan Public Computing Consortium and the Huron Valley
Free-Net Project which appeared in the January 15th, 1993 issue of
the Information and Technology Digest of the University of Michigan;
it provides some useful information on the MPCC and public computing
in general.


The Huron Valley Free-Net Project:  Networking Comes to the Community

By Richard Foote

As the University continues to explore the potentials and pitfalls
of a distributed computing environment, and Congress plans to
implement the National Research and Education Network (NREN), it
is easy to forget that many people have little or no access to
these resources. In recent years, the discussions of "the computer
revolution" and "the information age" have forced many to realize
the disparities which exist in our society in the ability to access
the information of "the information age" and the computers of "the
computer revolution". Most recently, discussions of implementing
telecommunications networks in developing countries have led to
the usage of the terms "information-rich" and "information-poor."
Seldom, however, are the information-poor of our own country included
in these discussions.

In the last few years, many of the faculty, staff, and students
have been introduced to the vast array of information resources
available through an extensive set of computer networks known as
The Internet. However, it is often overlooked that the Internet,
and its proposed successor (NREN) are restricted to a privileged
segment of society. The average citizen helps pay for the operation
of the Internet through taxes, but is nonetheless denied access to
this ever-expanding resource. As discussion of the NREN and its
funding become more commonplace in the context of the development
of the nation's infrastructure, the issue of public access to
computing resources and information has become a major topic of
discourse. In the discussion of public technology and public
computing, one of the hottest issues is that of public networks
which provide members of local communities with access to computing
resources and information networking: Free-Nets.

What is a Free-Net?

Much like the primary mainframe system at the University (MTS) acts
as a hub of computing at the University of Michigan, Free-Nets act
as hubs of computing throughout local communities. A Free-Net is
comprised of a multi-user computer, or a network of computers,
which is usually accessed through the telephone system via a set
of modems. At the core of the Free-Net are its Special Interest
Groups which, much like computer conferences on MTS, act as the
center of community communication, allowing for discussion of a
wide variety of topics. Other services of the Free-Net include: e-
mail, both local and world-wide; in-depth discussion and information
on local politics; advances in computing and news on local user
groups; local events, such as art shows or community action projects;
education, such as international academic networks for students
wishing to work with others across the world; and a host of other
services limited only by the capacity of the computer and the
interests and imaginations of the community members.

The important contrast between Free-Nets and commercial networking
services is that the Free-Net system is available to community
members free of charge. The system is made possible because
individuals and organizations in the community are willing to
contribute their time and resources to establish and maintain the
operation of the computer system and its contents. This is in
contrast to systems which may charge for both the time users connect
to the computer, as well as the information the users access. Also,
because the Free-Net is organized and operated by members of the
community, rather than a commercial enterprise, the users determine
what information and resources are available on the system.

Public Computing.

The Free-Net concept is not unique to the Huron Valley Free- Net
Project, but is part of a growing movement in the computing community.
The first Free-Net was established in Cleveland by Tom Grundner in
1986. The Cleveland Free-Net began with a single computer, and has
grown to a network of over a dozen computers with over 150 dial-in
lines. Although the Cleveland Free-Net continues to operate today,
it has been joined by several other Free-Nets in the Midwest, as
well as a multitude of organizing committees in the US, Germany,
Sweden, and New Zealand.

The National Public Telecomputing Network.

The association of Free-Nets is the National Public Telecomputing
Network (NPTN), headed by Tom Grundner, the original Free-Net
organizer. The purpose of NPTN is "to make free public access to
computerized communications and information  services a reality..."
Much like that of the Public Broadcasting Service, which provides
high quality television service to community members, the goal of
NPTN is to provide hi-tech and high-quality information resources
to communities, without the costs associated with reliance on
commercial advertising or per-minute fees.

The Michigan Public Computing Consortium.

Established in June, 1992 as a nonprofit corporation devoted to
the concepts of community computing, the Michigan Public Computing
Consortium (MPCC) is bringing public information technology to the
community level. Founded in Ann Arbor, the MPCC takes as one of
its goals to expand, creating local chapters throughout Michigan,
each serving its own community. The special talents of those involved
in the project have been realized by both the board of the MPCC
and members of the community as being useful for not only establishing
and operating a Free-Net, but also in assisting community members
and organizations to realize their computing potentials by providing
consultation on computing issues and by suggesting solutions to
specific problems. A principle goal of the consortium is to share
the resources of computing expertise available in the area, which
have gone untapped until recently, with those in the community who
need assistance, and those in the state wishing to enhance public
technology access in their area. This sharing of resources is the
driving force behind public technology in general, the NPTN, and
the MPCC. It binds those diverse members of the consortium together,
with the hopes of soon establishing Free-Nets state-wide, and
providing services to the community as a whole.

Who will run the Free-Net?

Rather than limit the functionality of the system to the beliefs
and attitudes of those responsible for maintaining the computers,
Free-Nets are run by a representative portion of the community
known as a steering committee.  It is the steering committee's role
to evaluate needs by interacting with the community to discover
those needs, and recommend new services or policies.  The steering
committee essentially runs the Free-Net, while those behind the
scenes tend to concentrate on the business and technical affairs
of the system.  The steering committee is comprised of twelve
representatives from the community, including local government,
the K-12 school district, institutions of higher learning, small
businesses, non- profit organizations, citizen's groups, and others.

Who will be able to use the Free-Net?

Because the Free-Net is basically a community resource, the system
will be available for use by all members of the community. However,
in addition to maintaining applications that will be used by all,
providing shared information resources, and binding the community
together through increased communication, there will be services
which will specifically benefit sectors of the community that are
particularly in need of computing resources and assistance.

Government.

The recent Presidential election made it clearer than ever that
citizens are interested in what happens in government. The ideas
of the electronic town hall and sharing information about government
and its operation with citizens were important campaign topics. In
local communities, making information about recent political
decisions and upcoming events is an important part of public
computing. In addition, the Free-Net will enable elected officials
to communicate with their constituents to help make the electronic
town hall a reality.

Schools.

There is little doubt that the children of our nation will be
required to understand and operate computers. The students attending
schools today are required to process more information than ever
before. Likewise, teachers expect their students to become more
familiar with computer technology, if for no other reason than the
ability to wordprocess.  However, Free-Nets will enable students
to do much more than simply type their assignments in a word
processor; it will enable our schools to produce the leaders of
the future who will be more knowledgeable about the world around
them.

Local Area Small and Medium-Sized Businesses.

The "management information systems (MIS)" division of a corporation
is a rather new concept in the way businesses operate. Unfortunately,
because many smaller businesses cannot afford the luxury of such
a group of people, or even one computer expert, they often cannot
take advantage of the advances in technology which are being used
by their larger counterparts. The Huron Valley Free-Net and the
Michigan Public Computing Consortium will enable local businesses
not only to have access to an advanced computer system, but also
to place them in contact with the information professionals who
can answer many of the questions that arise in the organizational
use of computer systems.

Community Organizations.

Community Organizations are perhaps even more isolated from advances
in technology than are small businesses.  However, in addition to
providing access and information about computer systems to these
organizations, the Huron Valley Free-Net will provide a unique
feature that an MIS department or an outside consultant could not:
a sense of community. The Free-Net is a community resource, and as
such it only makes sense that it should emphasize community
organizations, providing the means to place individuals in the
community in contact with organizations whose members have the same
interests and concerns. Indeed, the Huron Valley Free-Net is a
community organization.

Citizens.

Most importantly, the Huron Valley Free-Net will allow individual
members of the community to access technology and information
resources that were previously inaccessible.  The minimum configuration
to access the Free-Net system from a home or office in today's
computer market costs less than $500, and prices continue to drop.
In addition, by using public terminals in convenient locations such
as public libraries, residents of the community will be able to
access a vast array of computing resources that would never before
have been possible. Networking has finally reached the community.

For more information.

We are all excited about the potential of the Huron Valley Free-Net.
If you would like to help in this community effort, or would like
to know more about the Huron Valley Free-Net, the Michigan Public
Computing Consortium, the National Public Telecomputing Network,
or Public Computing in general, please don't hesitate to contact
us. For more information on the MPCC, you can e-mail [e-mail],
information on the NPTN can be obtained at [e-mail], and you
can join the Huron Valley Free-Net mailing list by e-mailing
[e-mail].

For more information by Postal Mail, please write:

Attention:  Community Relations
Michigan Public Computing Consortium
819 Brown  Suite 4
Ann Arbor, Mi  48104

We look forward to hearing from you!


--
Michael Todd Glazier                 <> [e-mail]
Project Manager                      <> [phone]
Huron Valley Free-Net Project        <> [e-mail]
Michigan Public Computing Conortium  <> [e-mail]