DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY ACCESS APPLICATION
This document provides further details on three of the five criteria that
should be considered in the planning/development of a Community Access
Centre application. They include:
I) Partnerships
2) Infrastructure
A.Network Access
B.Telecommunications
C.General Access considerations
D.Access Centre Follow-up
3) Organization
A.Training Plan
B.Financial Plan
C.Sample Network Configurations
A CAC is defined as the physical location (e.g. School, Library, etc~..)
within a community where network access will be offered. The centre should
be located within the community to allow convenient access to its
residents.
ii PARTNERSHIPS
Strong partnerships will provide a platform upon which a successful
Community Access Proposal will be developed. This collaboration will
comprise the expertise of numerous sectors within the community in order to
develop and maintain the required technical, financial and management
support. The aim is to develop a plan that is viable after federal
government support is withdrawn therefore, the strength of partnerships
will be a very important factor upon which applications will be evaluated.
Applications should include letters of support from a broad range of
community groups as attachments.
Important partners should include but not be limited to:
Technical Consultant/Access Provider This partner will provide essential
technical and training support to the group. Ideally, the individual(s)
will also advise the community on issues relating to use of the network
including content development, Acceptable Use Policies and methods to
conduct business on the network.
Local Business/Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development/Entrepreneurs;
These organizations or individuals can provide the necessary financial and
organizational support and generate interest among local business. These
organizations may be looked to for guidance in developing business
opportunities. staff training and job creation using the network. Strong
involvement of the local business community in this project will open the
door to increased economic opportunities for the whole community.
Library/Schools/Community Colleges: These partners may provide the physical
locations for access centres, training and technical hardware as well as
potential training personnel.
Community Associations: Possible fundraising and promotion (eg. Rotary)
Provincial, territorial and/or municipal governments: These partners may
provide financial or in kind support.
The community organization is encouraged to register as a not for profit
organization. This will develop the necessary structure and assist in the
definition of individual roles within the organization. Community groups
with a firm organizational structure will be looked upon more favourably by
potential investors/contributors.
INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
The infrastructure plan should include the following components;
2.A.Network Access
An access provider must be identified along with the location of CACs. It
is recommended that the number of sites be kept to a manageable number. The
type of network access arranged (Dial- Up Terminal/SLiP or direct
connection) will dictate the telecommunications requirements and access
centre set-up.
Access can be obtained from various sources. Regional networks within each
province provide access to universities, colleges and increasingly to
business. The regional networks are not for profit organizations governed
by charters that state very specifically, why they will offer access to.
The Regional Networks are listed below:
YukonNet,Yukon BcNet, British Columbia Arnet,Alberta
SaskNet, Saskatchewan MBNet, Manitoba ONet, Ontario
RISQ, Quebec NSTN, Nova Scotia
NBNet, New Brunswick NFNet, Newfoundland
Several provincial governments are currently extending network access to
school boards and/or schools through the development of new or expansion of
existing provincial networks (eg. Ontario Education Highway in Ontario,
UNITE in New Brunswick). Guidelines concerning network usage should be
consulted before approaching responsible officials for Internet access.
These guidelines may state in very specific terms, what the network is to
be used for, i.e. classroom instruction and school administration only.
Alternatively, many commercial Internet access providers are also
available. Various types of network access are available. They are:
Dial-Up Terminal Emulation
This type of access provides a full-range of text-based services (mail,
telnet, gopher, USENET). This access does not provide access to graphics
based applications such as WWW. Most providers of the access (Freenets,
Universities, Colleges) offer this access for little or no charge to the
user.
Dial-Up SLlP/PPP
This access allows your local computer to "talk~' Internet with the remote
host. This allows your local computer to access Client/Server based
applications such as WWw. Access providers such as Freenets and
universities do not usually provide SLIP/PPP access.
Direct Connection
Organizations may choose to set up their own Internet node or obtain a
direct connection to a provider via Integrated Services Digital Network
(lSDN), co-axial cable or another high speed data connection.
If a community organization chooses to obtain a direct connection, costs
will include:
* line and hardware costs;
* network server configuration;
* network hardware and software upgrades; and
* system administration
Network Access Issues
Several very important issues must be addressed when an organization
considers offering Internet access to the public. Due consideration must be
given to the following:
1) Acceptable Use Policy: A community along with its access provider must
develop an Acceptable Use agreement. This document outlines the
definition of acceptable and appropriate use of the Internet and the
networking resources provided. This legally binding agreement maybe
used to revoke account privileges should guidelines be broken.
2) Access to Newsgroups: A Community Access organization and its access
provider must agree upon which of the estimated 10 0(X) USENET
newsgroups, will be accessible by clients of the centre.
3) File Upload and Download: Community Access organizations along with
this access provider must develop a policy concerning restrictions to
the uploading/downloading of files onto the network. 2.$.
Telecommunications
Data lines for Dial-up connections (Terminal Emulation and SLIP/PPP) must
be installed at both the access centre and at the access provider.
Commercial access providers supply lines/modems on their end. Community
Colleges/Universities do as well. However, it is recommended that Community
Access Sites fund modems and lines at universities and college access
points, to ensure that student access to the institution's network is not
reduced. The cost of line at the access centre is the responsibility of the
Community Access Site.
Leased Line or ISDN direct connect options must be considered carefully as
hardware and monthly maintenance fees can be considerable. Availability
will also be a deciding factor.
2.C.General Access Centre Location Considerations
The following criteria should be considered during the selection of a
suitable physical location for Community Access centres:
* convenient and universal public access;
* extended hours of operation;
* co-location with administrative and information support resources;
* close proximity to technical support services;
* secured location; and
* suitable furniture and learning environment.
Schools and libraries maybe considered ideal locations for these access
centres, however, due consideration must be given to issues such as
custodial services for cleaning centres and provision of resources such as
disks, chairs, tables, bulletin boards, printer paper and toner cartridges
to replace used resources.
2.D.Access Centre Fit-up
The type of Internet access secured for each centre will dictate the access
centre set-up. Stand-alone or lab environments maybe utilized in these
centres.
Dial-Up Terminal Emulation
Computer: Minimum DOS low-end 8086 PC/equivalent Macintosh
Modem: 1200 baud
Communication S/W: Telix, Procomm or any other reputable software
Other Software: N/A
SLIP/PPP
Computer: Minimum Windows 386 PC/equivalent Macintosh
Model: 14400 baud+
Communication S/W: provided by access provider, consult technical
consultant
Other Software: Application Client Software (Gopher, WWW Browser,
Newsreader, FTP.Mail required, can be obtained from
the access provider)
Technologies which allow upwards of 12 simultaneous connections over one
dial-up connection are available.
Each Community Access Centre must also decide whether to offer network
access to individuals from their homes via dial-up connection. The size of
the model pool at the Access provider must be sized accordingly.
After completion of this phase, community organizations should have an
action plan in place that outlines network access and access centre fit-up
arrangements including timelines and cost/revenue projections.
ORGANIZATION
A.TRAINING PLAN
It is recommended that communities use a "train the trainer" approach in the
provision of Internet and network training courses. The following elements
should be identified in your training plan:
1) Provider of initial training services (Access Provider?) and any
associated costs
2) Information on trainers to be trained (numbers, who, how they are going
to be recruited)
3) Plan for training of trainers (time commitment, costs etc...)
4) Number of hours expected
5) Nature of the training environment ic. stand-alone vs. networked lab,
lecture vs. hands-on, documentation being provided, number of
participants etc...
6) Anticipated timetable for training courses
1) Evaluation
8) Promotion of training services to outside organizations
B. FINANCIAL PLAN
A successful application must present a viable financial plan which
demonstrates financial stability during and most importantly, after support
from the federal government is withdrawn.
Applicants must show:
Revenue
Sources of revenue must be identified and secured for the duration of and
beyond the 18 month pilot period. Suggested revenue sources should include
but not be limited to:
Account/Modem access fees
Information Provider fees
Local/Regional Government funding
Training fees (optional)
Fundraising
In-kind donations:
*phone (data) lines
*modems
*computer hardware
*training services
*network access
*space
*furniture
Expenses
Expenses incurred in the development of a Community Access Site may
include:
*Computer Hardware (computer, modem etc...)
*Software (communication, other)
*Telecommunications:
*line installation (provider and access centre locations)
*monthly maintenance
*long distance
*Staffing
*Training services
*Furniture
*Other (Printer paper, toner cartridges, custodial services)
C.SAMPLE NETWORK CONFIGURATIONS
The following sections will attempt to detail several possible access
scenarios that Community Access Sites may consider for their centre(s).
I) Single dial-up modem connection with Terminal Emulation access.
This is the simplest and most inexpensive form of access. Lower end local
computer hardware is all that is required for terminal emulation (modest
hardware and software upgrades to utilize SLIP). Telecommunications costs
involve the installation and maintenance of a single phone/data line per
centre, same at access provider (ideally). Several access centres within a
community using this type of access will provide decent access for the
community, however, training workshops may prove difficult with only one
terminal per centre.
Expansion of this design to provide access from multiple stand-alone
computers is an option, however, the added cost of the telecommunications
at both access provider and centre ends must be considered.
2) Multiplexed phone line connection to a LAN.
This arrangement allows a LAN to gain network access through a single
dedicated phone line. This arrangement will involve higher initial
equipment, software and support costs (if a LAN is not already in place)
but will provide better access in comparison to that offered in Option 1.
Telecommunications costs will be similar to those of option one. This is a
relatively inexpensive solution that will provide multi-user access at a
Community Access Centre.
3) Dedicated line connection to an Internet Provider.
Community Access sites may consider an option whereby their access site has
a direct connection to their internet provider via regular leased line,
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or coax cable. This option may
be expensive due to the cost of the lines and requisite hardware. A
community considering this option should consider equipping the access
centre(s) with higher- end computer hardware, potentially adding additional
costs to their proposal.
4) Freenet Community Network
Freenets, using inexpensive software, and a number of low speed modems give
access to individuals in a controlled community-like environment. The power
of the computer upon which the community network is based strictly on a
function of the number of anticipated users. Freenets do not allow access
to open telnet (remote connection) or file transfer (ftp) to/from the open
Internet. Freenets provide access to Gopher, e-mail and USENET newsgroups
Many freenets are now beginning to offer WWW access and documentation.
Organizations such as Telecommunities Canada, which comprises of members
existing and developing Freenets in the country, are available to provide
assistance to individuals interested in developing a community network.