From: Gleason Sackman <sackman@plains.nodak.edu>
Subject: India Fido Net Needs Support (fwd)
Organization: SEND-IT Conferencing System, North Dakota
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 20:22:25 GMT
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL0]

Forwarded message:

> From: agarton@PEG.APC.ORG
> Subject:      India Fido Net Needs Support
> To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <DEVEL-L@auvm.bitnet>
> 
> From: Jagdish Parikh <jagdish@chasque.apc.org>
> 
>                         AN APPEAL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
> 
> EXPERIMENTAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS TO INDIA USING FIDO TECHNOLOGY
> 
> From: Leo Fernandes,Karen Banks & Jagdish Parikh (*)
> (*) Read Appendix I for more information about senders.
> 
> In India, as in many third world countries, computers offer the
> potential to greatly improve communications between social movement
> groups. Attempts to connect to the international electronic
> communications networks for NGOs, Geonet and APC, however, have
> proved prohibitively expensive due to the need to use packet switching.
> Furthermore, such connections are not suitable for communications
> within India (one of the prime needs identified during an earlier
> attempt to establish NGO computer communication network in India,
> known as the India-Link Initiative).
> 
> A group of people working on international computer networking have
> therefore begun to examine the potential of using fido technology,
> which has proved popular with NGOs in many African and other Asian
> countries. As we do not have any formal project within which to
> undertake this experiment, we have agreed to go ahead using our
> collective resources on a volunteer basis. (Please read Appendix I for
> more information on the main participants in this experiment).
> 
> 1. Results of First Phase:
> 
> Frontdoor software (which allows email exchange with other networks)
> was installed on a computer at the Indian Social Institute (ISI) in New
> Delhi and calls initiated from London. During this phase a number of
> attempts were made to connect to New Delhi using direct dialing from
> London. Although software was tuned to suit local phone lines, line
> noise was too much for successful data communication links to be
> sustained. It was realised that the 2400 bps Pocket modem used in
> Delhi is not suitable for noisy lines. A high speed modem with MNP
> protocol may be better.
> 
> Many groups were contacted and informed about this experiment. Some
> of them expressed their eagerness to collaborate and were given
> demonstrations of Frontdoor and Fido software (which is available
> almost free and found suitable for running electronic network of
> moderate size) by Leo Fernandes at ISI who had received the necessary
> training and familiarity to work as node and host operator.
> 
> 2. Plans for the Second Phase:
> 
> a. Install Frontdoor software at another NGO office and try to connect
> from London;
> b. Provide additional training to system operator to handle new
> problems;
> c. Procure and connect high-speed modem (9600 bps with MNP protocol
> compatibility);
> d. Install Frontdoor software in NGO offices in other cities and
> establish inter-city links.
> 
> 3. An Appeal for Contribution:
> 
> As this entire project is sustained on a volunteer basis we need
> additional support to complete it. We need, in particular, contributions
> towards the cost of a modem (about US$600) and to pay for
> international calls (approximately US$300 during the second phase). The
> cost of international calls and faxes from London to New Delhi during
> the first phase was more than the US$350 grant we received from the
> World Information Service on Environment and Development -
> Amsterdam (WISE).
> 
> All contributions will be acknowledged in our final report. This
> experiment has the potential to provide some useful insights to those
> considering large scale networking projects in India or any other third
> world country. The purpose of this approach is to be able to respond to
> expressed needs for electronic communications without waiting for a
> formal project to get started. We appeal you to consider the
> significance of supporting such an initiative.
> 
> signed by :             1) Leo Fernandes     (ISI - New Delhi)
>                         2) Karen banks       (GreenNet - London)
>                         3) Jagdish Parikh   (NGONET- Montevideo)
> 
> Appendix I
> 
> Participants of Phase One:
> 
> 
> 1. Leo Fernandes (Indian Social Institute - New Delhi). Leo has been
> actively associated with the India-Link Initiative since its inception.
> He also provides technical support and guidance to many NGOs in India.
> He agreed to volunteer as a system operator at the receiving end in New
> Delhi. He is now demonstrating fido & Frontdoor software to many
> groups in New Delhi and identifying various problems in using this
> technology for electronic networks in India.
> 
> 2. Karen Banks (GreenNet - London): GreenNet is the Association for
> Progressive Communications (APC) node in London. The APC is a
> worldwide partnership of member networks dedicated to providing low-
> cost computer communications services for individuals and
> organizations working for the environment, peace, development, health
> and public interest. GreenNet volunteered to provide all technical
> support and software necessary to undertake this experimental project.
> They also agreed to make necessary arrangements to initiate
> international calls from London to New Delhi. Karen Banks provides
> system operator services from London for this project. Karen has been
> providing similar support to many NGO small-hosts in Africa, Asia and
> Europe which use the fido gateway to APC networks.
> 
> 3. World Information Service on Environment and Development -
> Amsterdam (WISE): WISE agreed to provide an initial grant of US$350
> for international calls from London during the first phase of this
> project. WISE has expressed their interest in identifying the potential
> of this technology to connect various groups in India to international
> communication networks.
> 
> 4. Jagdish Parikh (NGONET - Montevideo): NGONET has been involved in
> attempts to use suitable technologies to improve communication links
> among NGOs in Africa working on environment and development issues.
> It is keen to support similar initiatives in Asia. NGONET volunteered to
> coordinate this experiment and provide logistic support in identifying
> interested groups in India for this experimental project.
> 


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Gleason Sackman                           BBS:       sackman@sendit.nodak.edu
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