================================================================================ RED CIENTIFICA PERUANA NOTIRED ================================================================================ Recipients of the following conference announcement are requested to forward it to any persons or discussions that might be interested. ----------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE COMMUNITY NETWORKING: THE INTERNATIONAL FREE-NET CONFERENCE AUGUST 17-19, 1993 CARLETON UNIVERSITY OTTAWA, CANADA Community computing networks offer an open door into the Information Society. Electronic highways, interactive computer mediated communications, multimedia, cyberspace?...the real question is, how do ordinary people get connected? This is not a trivial problem. Free-Nets offer one solution. From its start in the 1980's, the Cleveland Free-Net has inspired many other projects. The concept has become an international phenomenon with Free-Nets operating in United States, Finland, New Zealand and Canada. Where do we go from here? The National Capital FreeNet,Ottawa, in association with Industry and Science Canada, is sponsoring an international conference on community networking August 17 to 19, 1993. The conference will bring people interested in community networking face-to-face to discuss four themes: 1. HOW TO START AND RUN A FREE-NET; THE ORGANIZATION OF FREE-NETS * What do we mean by community computer networking? * How to start a Free-Net * How to fund your Free-Net. * Increasing awareness about the purpose and possibilities of community computing networks. * Identifying key issues and possible responses for communities and governments in the growth of community computing networks. 2. THE SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY OF FREE-NETS * Managing FreePort software * Super users and trusted users; coordinating hands-on system development * Menu structure and page design * Security * Internet access * Software and interface standards * Programming for bilingual text * Getting the most out of Free-Net; turning members into power users * The next generation; what should the face of Free-Nets and other networks look like? 3. SUSTAINING COMMUNITY; THE USE AND IMPACT OF FREE-NETS * How do we use community computer networks as tools for community development? * Local / global? - how much internet to give members? * Censorship, privacy, copyright and other legal issues * Social issues: language, gender and cultural issues, access for the differently abled; how do we deepen participation in the life of the community? * Free-Net and the arts * Relating to governments, providing government information * Understanding Free-Net as a communications medium, not an information medium * For business and profit; commercial uses and relations * Deschooling society; learning and community networks * How to moderate online discussions; critical skills for information providers in building community 4. INTRODUCING COHERENCE INTO THE COMMUNITY NETWORK MOVEMENT. * Action planning; where does community networking go from here? * What are the necessary local, national and global links among Community networks? * Finding out who is active in the development of a network of community computing networks. * Creating learning spaces for people interested in starting and running community computing networks. * Other models for community networks and bulletin boards * CA*net and CANARIE relations with Free-Nets * Public access to high-speed networks; future telecommunications tariffs and policy * The equity issue of rural access from outside your free dialing zone * Impact research and evaluation; understanding the role of Free-nets in social change WHO SHOULD ATTEND?...ARE YOU: * Active or interested in organizing FreeNets? * Operating a FreeNet or other community bulletin board? * Interested in the social, economic, physical, and philosophical impacts of community networking? * Already a computer network user or planning to be? * Involved in community, government or public interest groups that want access to computer mediated communications and networks? * An information provider or service agent? * A private industry executive or professional from the Information Sector with an interest in broadening the base of information technology use? The agenda of the conference is action oriented. Following panel presentations by experts on the four themes, every conference participant will have the opportunity to participate in working group discussions to develop "action agendas" addressing key issues in the development of Free-Nets. The subtopics listed above are suggested as ideas for discussion, not as definitive lists of concerns. The action agendas developed by the working groups will be presented to all conference participants in a plenary session and a conference summary will be posted on FreeNet. Conference registration begins at 6:00pm, Tuesday, August 17, at the Carleton Tour and Conference Centre, University Commons Building, followed by a barbecue at 7:00pm. The official opening is 9:00am, Wednesday, August 18. Further information on program may be obtained from: Garth Graham: aa127@freenet.carleton.ca 613-253-3497 COST: Send cheque or money order for $86.25 CAD (including 15% GST/PST) to: National Capital FreeNet, International Freenet Conference Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1S 5B6 Accommodation is available at University residences for $27.95 / per night (Plus GST/PST of 15%). This includes breakfast. -------------------------------------------------------------- COMMUNITY NETWORKING: THE INTERNATIONAL FREE-NET CONFERENCE AUGUST 17-19 1993 * CARLETON UNIVERSITY * OTTAWA, CANADA PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM _________________________________ Name: .................................................................... Organization: ............................................................ Email address: ........................................................... Postal address: .......................................................... ............................................ Postal code: ............... Telephone: ........................ Fax: ............................... I require university residence accommodation for the dates of: .......... Please return this form to: International Free-Net Conference Email: freenet_conference@freenet.carleton.ca Fax: 613-788-4448 Phone: 613-788-3947 Write: National Capital FreeNet, International Free-Net Conference Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1S 5B6 ------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Garth Graham aa127@freenet.carleton.ca <<< NGL/CANIS (Community Access Network Information Services) >>> Box 86, Ashton, Ont., K0A 1B0 613-253-3497 -- Garth Graham aa127@freenet.carleton.ca <<< NGL/CANIS (Community Access Network Information Services) >>> Box 86, Ashton, Ont., K0A 1B0 613-253-3497 .