[535] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
sum 1 of 4 pubs & cost
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Smith Richard J)
Fri Jun 19 15:31:55 1992
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1992 10:11:25 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: Smith Richard J <rjs4808@usl.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Thanks to all the respondents to my query about what public librarians
would like to see in an Internet workshop. Particulars about costs
involved in connecting to the Internet will be put to good use.
The responses will help me develop the workshop, and the timeliness of the
answers proves the value of the Internet.
There seems to more respondents than there were just a few years ago.
I guess the net is growing.
(PACS-L editors--edit if this is to long)
Richard J. Smith
University of Southwestern Louisiana
rs@usl.edu
------------
Hello Richard
You may want to look at the Freenets for your workshop. I think they will
certainly be of interest to public librarians.
We publish a guide to internet resources which you can ftp from here. It
contains addresses for some of the better known Freenets (e.g. Cleveland
Freenet). Some university campus information systems also have a lot
of information that would be of interest to the public and hence public
libraries.
If you want to get hold of our guide, ftp to ftp.sura.net
The guide is in the subdirectory pub/nic and is called infoguide followed
by an extension. The extension changes every week (it contains a date) so
you should list the directory before downloading the file.
Good luck with your workshop.
Peter Liebscher
SURAnet
------------
The Cleveland Freenet would be of interest to public libraries. The first
resource that comes to mind is information about geneology resources. They
also have some full-text databases under the Library section. To access,
type fncom2.cwru.edu Then select 2 to browse as a visitor. However, I
suggest registering to be a participant in order to access the bulletin
boards. You can also spring forth to other Ohio networks/OPACS. Have fun.
From: Tamar.M.Fox@um.cc.umich.edu
-----------
From BOB@LIBRARY.CPL.ORG Wed Jun 10 09:58:49 1992
Cleveland Public Library has been accessible on the INternet
since 1989. We operate a cooperative called CLEVNET and the
holdings of some 18 libraries are reflected in the online
catalog. Through the public catalog (TELNET LIBRARY.CPL.ORG)
we gateway to other databases (mostly other libraries) in
the area with a mix of internet (academic libraries) and modem
(public libraries) connections (use the INF command to get the
Information Gateway).
CPL also uses internet for access to RLIN and OCLC, and has a
number of staff members participating in various lists and subscribe
to various e-journals.
Currently I think the most likely context for public library
access in a distributed way is a consortia or a large public
library (e.g., Cleveland, New York, Boston). The technical details
may be a little daunting for stand-alone shops; consortia may
have a dedicated technical staff. Costs are not overwhelming, but
it isn't free either, so the same environments help with the
financial aspects.
-----------
Good luck on your Internet workshop. I'll leave out any comment on
resources of interest to public librarians, since I think there are
some public librarians on PACS-L who will give you plenty of info
about that! I'll just include some connection information here. It
is necessarily incomplete as there are actually new ways to connect
every other month, literally. But hope it will help for a start!
The best and cheapest access and cost for reaching the Internet
depend mainly on what kind of connection you want.
Someone who wants a single account on a system so their organization
will have email access can use Fidonet from a local BBS in their
local community (large numbers of BBSs forward the Fidonet mail
around). You have to look locally to find out the BBSs in a given
area. BITNET and Internet mailing lists can be subscribed to from
Fidonet accounts. Unfortunately I don't have a phone number for
a Fidonet administrator on me right now. You could check before
your presentation with David Dodell at ddodell@stjhmc.fidonet.org
and he can probably give you a phone number the general public can
call for information.
Those who want a single account WITH ftp and telnet can check into
AlterNet/UUCP at (703) 876-5050 or PSI-Net at (800) 82PSI82. I
believe both these places have lots of dialups all over the country
so are probably some in Louisiana. I don't know their costs.
I think there are some UUCP sites that have email and newsgroups
but not ftp or telnet. So be sure to warn your audience to ask
exactly what services they will get!
Alternatively, one can use Compuserve Packet Network or PC Pursuit
(either is about $30 - 35 a month) to reach a public Internet service
elsewhere, such as World in Boston ($2 an hour) or Portal or Netcom
in California (about $15 a month flat rate). This may or may not
be cheaper than using AlterNet or PSINet.
Phone numbers: US Sprint (PC Pursuit) 1-800-366-5555
Compuserve Packet Network - I don't know the voice
number. Can call 1-800-848-4480 using modem.
Portal (408) 973-9111
World (617) 739-0202
Netcom (408) 554-UNIX
To get a connection for several users rather than just a single
account, it may be necessary to get a network connection running
all the way direct to the public library building itself. In this
case the library contacts the nearest regional network (for your
state that's SURAnet at (310) 982-4600) and also asks PSINet and ANS
for a quote. I'm not sure of the correct phone number to use for ANS
sales. Client services number is 313-663-2482. There are different
levels of network connections and the library may be able to start
with something that costs a few thousand dollars a year plus
equipment costs and runs somewhat faster than the speed of a fast
PC modem, then maybe eventually move up to higher-speed dedicated
lines which will cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars a
year and support hundreds of users. It is important to note for
your audience that there are now several competing providers of
almost every network service available, and there are usually several
possible levels of service. So if the library gets a quote of
hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they only have a hundred
dollars to spend, they should not give up! They should keep checking
around and they will very likely find what they need for a price
they can afford. You might also stress that step number 1 is to get
on email because that is where all the really useful advice comes
from in planning your next steps -- especially if you're in an
isolated rural library.
Genny Engel
genol@uccmvsa.bitnet
MELVYL System User Services
University of California
