From: max@underg.ucf.org (Max Cray)
Newsgroups: austin.public-net
Subject: Max Cray's Net Speech Outline
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 92 04:26:38 CST
Organization: Underground Computing Foundation

- Austin EFF does not advocate any plan, but is simply providing a forum.

- There is a newsgroup: austin.public-net

- Speakers for this forum on public Internetting include myself, Paco, Bob
  Izenberg and Chris Petrilli, Lisa deGruyter, and John Quartermain.

- I would like to start out by talking about why I believe this is an
  important project, and then follow it up with my thoughts on how it can
  be accomplished.

- This project is important because the computer/information revolution is
  not over!

     - I would like to identify two trends in the information society:

       Networking, and Convergence.

         - Networking

           Bill Gates said it best: "Information at your fingertips"

           - New Operating Systems have built in networking

              Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT, etc.

           Why is networking so important?

           - A computer is an information processor 

             Computers that are not networked only have a small subset of
             information to work with compared to a networked computer.
             A computer that is networked is much more useful because it
             has access to so much more information.

           - When we discuss networking, there is only one real network.
             the closest thing we have to a public data highway is the
             Internet.

           - The problem is that the people do not have access to the Internet
             and therefore are not being able to participate directly in the
             information revolution.

        - Convergence

          - Computers are evolving beyond the standard applications.

          - Convergence is easier to see looking backwards.

              Example: Typewriter.

              First computer was not thought of as a replacement for the
              typewriter, but now word-processors are the norm.

          - Convergence happening now, or in the future:

              Audio, Video, Networking.

          - Homes are already networked:
 
             TV, and Radio stations, Mail, Telephone, cable, etc.

          - In the future computer networks will replace these existing
            home networks, and provide the public with more control over
            these media.

          - Allowing the public access to the network allows the public a
            chance to participate in the change to society, and also will
            allow Austin to be a leader in these changes.

          - We may not know now what kinds of things can be achieved. The
            inventors of the computer never dreamed of all the things that
            are now being done with them.

          - I see this as a long term project.

- How can this be achieved?

    - What do we need?

       - Volunteers
       - Hardware
       - Software
       - Network Connection

    - How will the it be organized?

       - I anticipate having regular meetings, democratic control, creating
         a legal organization, and perhaps electing a steering committee.

       - Also use the 'just do it' principal. The organization needs to
         empower the individual.

    - Hardware

       - Depends on what we decide to do, and who gives us what, etc.

    - Software

       - Types of Service:

           - Dialup Menu (Freenet, Gopher)
           - Dialup Shell Account
           - SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol)
                or PPP (Point to Point Protocol)
           - Other (ISDN, Cable, etc)

       - Menu System
          - Advantage: Easier for beginner
          - Disadvantage: Limits what you can do

       - Shell Account
          - Advantage: More power to user
          - Disadvantage:  Must know OS (not for beginners) 
                           System is not on the net

       - SLIP/PPP
         - Advantage: Your machine is actually on the net
         - Disadvantage: Not trivial to set up
         - With SLIP there is no longer control what a person does
             with connection

       - Easy to provide all three, and I recommend doing so.

       - Keep an eye on ISDN or cable down the road to increase bandwidth.

    - Network Connection

       - The most important ingredient. Very expensive (+2000/month T1 line)

       - I have been in conversation with Steve Blair (sblair@dell.com)
          - He is very interested and wants to do it. Needs to get final
            approval.

--

One thing that I did not mention but should have, is that it will probably
not be enought to just provide the system. We will probably need to provide
training. We could provide free seminars, for example.

                                          -= Max =-

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