From: ja@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Jay Ashcraft)
Newsgroups: austin.public-net
Subject: Let's do it NOW
Keywords: public net austin free
Date: 16 Nov 92 00:27:45 GMT
Reply-To: ja@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Jay Ashcraft)
Distribution: austin
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX
Originator: ja@minnie.cc.utexas.edu

CA proposal & Public Access for Austin with Internet and Local Austin
Public Common Carrier Network.

* Project Name

On the issue of Connect * Austin proposal, I have reservations about
the name in it's confusion with Connect * America here in Austin.  As
a project name in would probably work.
 
* Process and Goals

The other isssue I have is the process of stages and there order.  It
would seem to me that an Internet connection would be the primary
focus as without it we have nothing new.  There are plenty of unix or
free bbs's here in town but none that are free with a live internet
connection.  This would be why people would gravitate to such a true
public site. It is what would distinguish it from the others.

Secondly, it would seem an appropriate approach that all three stages
should be happening in parallel rather than one, then two, then three.
Perhaps even a UNIX 486 box with a few lines and a live internet
connection as a goal by the end of the year, and then be working on
getting a more powerful computer, developing the infrastucture of the
local net, the connections.

For the earlier goal we would have visabilty and could easily put this
box at UT or Dell or at the Austin, Peace and Justice building at 4th
and Congress and give public walk-in access.  From the center of town
anyone could walk in and have a gopher menu and we could begin setting
up all the links too existing data, while developing others and
placing them in an existing space, accessable to all. And anyone could
do it.  Now!.  

If Dell or UT would give us a SLIP connection, we could do it from
downtown in a few weeks and then be working on the setting up of the
infrastucture for the local net.  We could even link High Times Bar's
286 to the 486 at the public non-profit site which is about 500 feet
away.

Best yet it is do-able NOW.  In so far as the goals,

I agree wholeheartedly just think less could be done now and have
something up and running while we are putting the rest together.

George, Bob, anyone interested in opening your doors to the public and
moving your box for an interim system to a public secure space?

* Connect as many folks as possible

Yes, something now is better than nothing then.  I truly feel that as
many as possible should be able to connect and without any
discrimination.  If you breathe you can have access.

* FREE SERVICE

Yes, it must be free, free for all.  Other tiers can cost.
 
* Desseminate Info

Yes, and much is available nationally now via the Internet but only
available to the privilaged few whom have access.

* Public Forum
 
Yes with Usenet it exists and on a local level can only grow with
austin.public-net.sub-discussions.

* Non-Profit Status

Available Now under the organization I belong The Council for Public
Media in association with Alternative Networks Inc.  which has for
many years produced the Public Access show Alternative Views and
distributed to over 150 different areas weekly.  I'm sure we can go
under this for the interim and have tax-deductable status.  If you
need a letter ask and I'll get a copy.  Also, I will put together the
needed legal papers to be a non-profit this week and we can do that
now as well.

* Funding of the project

You get the box and the internet connection and I'll find a place at
the Austin Peace and Justice building, if that is the best place.  Or
UT or Dell if we could be on the ethernet from there as a physical
place to put the box.  Ideally, a public place as the Austin Peace and
Justice would work as it is a group of non-profits sharing the space.
We could maybe put it in the ACLU's space and then see someone try and
pull so government police state stuff.  That would be protection.  As
far as $$ how 'bout cost analysis on costs, phones etc. Equipment 
donations? Sources for funding? United Way?

* Access Methods

Well, downtown could provide the walk in, dial-up and internet as
well, though the big machine might be best served by finding a secure
cubbyhole at UT on the FDDI.

* City Info

The city and Capitol Metro and ACC could provide links via the I-net
and X-net if they wanted.  I have the Access TV and some computer
Images stuff already on the Bongo Gopher.

* Name of Local Net

Quite possibly we could use the name as the newsgroup
austin.public-net or Austin Public Net Inc. for the non-profit
corporation.
 
On feedback to the local network name I discovered three corporations
which have the AMNET name.

NAME:   ADVANTAGE MORTGAGE NETWORK, INC. ( AMNET) 

NAME:   AMNET,  INC.

NAME:   AMNET/ AMERICAN NETWORK OF REAL ESTATE SERVICES, INC.

The last one has disolved but brings issues about the unavailabilty
of use of the name.

Well folks all I can say is let's do it and by next weekend
who will have what done?

I will have the legal stuff and talk to the Peace Building
folks and the folks at UT about space, etc.

BTW: Where's George? as the Gov once said, I want his
positive energy in here too.  

Jay Ashcraft			voice 512.459.1366
ashcraft@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu 	WAKE UP,    
jashcraft@igc.org (peacenet)	   	BE HERE
ashcraft@wixer.cactus.org			NOW!



Newsgroups: austin.public-net