GEORGIA'S FIRST FREE-NET: HOW IT GOT ON-LINE

What is Free-Net, who has it and who can have it. Free-Net is a personal computer networked system used by governmental entities, educational institutions, community businesses and groups, and private citizens in the community. Access to the system by users is "free." It is implemented and maintained on a purely voluntary basis primarily by donations of funds, resources, and manpower. The Free-Net system is governed by a Board of Directors, which sets policy and develops standards and regulations for information to be included on the system, as well as for access to the system itself. The first Free-Net system in Georgia was developed and implemented in the City of Sylvester and Worth County, located in Southwest Georgia.

Where did Free-Net originate? The original Free-Net system was developed in Cleveland, Ohio, by Dr. Tom Grundner in 1984, primarily as a method to share medical advice with Cleveland residents. Developed as part of the National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN), its purpose was to build community computer networks which provide, free of charge, access to information on any number of community, educational, business, and governmental services. The popularity of the Free-Net program increased significantly with the advent of the proposed "Information Super Highway"- such that, by 1995, ninety cities had implemented Free-Net systems.

What are the basic components and services of Free-Net? To improve overall community relations and resources, as well as to make use of current technological advances, Sylvester and Worth County implemented a countywide computer network in 1994. The system was structured as a nonprofit organization composed of citizens from Sylvester and Worth County for use by all persons in Worth County and also by those from surrounding counties in the toll-free telephone dialing area. The purposes of this computer system are to provide timely and vital information to citizens in the community, as well as to provide a tool for communication, community organization, and community development. At the present time, approximately 400 users are accessing the system and using its resources on a regular basis. There are currently five public locations from which on-line access is available to citizens. By the end of the year, an additional 25 public access locations are anticipated. These public access points are located at the Margaret Jones Public Library in Sylvester and in various buildings in the county school system.

Examples of the information and services provided on this system include local and world wide electronic mail (e-mail), Free-Net information and help desk; community news, sports, and entertainment; local government information, issues, proceedings, and events; and local church information. Other topics provided by the Free-Net system include computer information and assistance; medical services including information on available clinics and on pediatric illnesses; national government news and proceedings; library access; agricultural news; business news; school and educational services, events, and information; and general and financial news. More detailed information on the services and information available will be presented in a later section of this article.

The underlying technological structure upon which the Free-Net system is built includes a file server, which is a multi-user high end personal computer. The file server is in a central location in the county administration building and is connected to the telephone system in the City and County through a series of modems and accompanying communications software. Anyone with a personal computer and modem in the City of Sylvester and Worth County, as well as in the toll-free telephone dialing areas in surrounding counties, can access the Free-Net system free of charge 24 hours a day. Also, ac

How did the Worth County-Sylvester Free-Net get started? The steps involved in implementing the Free-Net system in Worth County and Sylvester included:

1. Establishing a Board of Directors, to administer the over-all operations of the system and determine topics and services appropriate for inclusion on the network. See Appendix A for a list of the members of the Board of Directors. This group also is responsible for determining the type of data to be entered, its screen format, accessibility levels, and procedures for entering and retrieving data. Volunteers could be selected and trained to actually operate the network and perform the daily system maintenance functions.

2. Determining the hardware requirements and telecommunications requirements needed to implement the system, as well as the costs involved for the initial system

3. Soliciting local support from individuals, organizations, and businesses in the community. This step was critical because the basic premise upon which a Free-Net system can operate successfully involves community support, participation, and volunteerism for the operation and maintenance of the system. Several businesses and individuals in the City and County donated money for the startup costs, which were approximately $10,000 for initial implementation. Those making initial contributions and serving as sponsors included a local bank, an auto dealership and a private citizen. The continuing annual costs for system operation are approximately $4,000. Funding is obtained primarily with an annual fund drive and sponsor donations. Three levels of sponsor donations and tax-free contributions exist, each providing varying levels of support and services for use of the network.

4. Obtaining legal status as a nonprofit organization from state and federal authorities. This was necessary so that the governing board and the Free-Net could be legally identified as a valid and official not for profit organization. Consequently, the organization would obtain tax-free status and neither federal nor state taxes would be required for operational purposes.

Before the actual implementation of the system components an effort should be made to involve as many social service, human resource, and community oriented agencies as possible. These might include the local hospital and health organizations, local library, Chamber of Commerce, the school system, local churches, Extension Service, etc.

5. Implementing the system. The final step, after the installation of the hardware and communications and system software, requires all involved agencies to designate a network liaison, receive training on the use of the hardware and software, and determine the format and types of data that could be entered and accessed on the Free-Net system.

How was the system actually set up? The installation and implementation of the system were conducted by the Free-Net System Operator, after the Board of Directors had been established and the basic premises for the system were determined. An exhaustive survey of existing hardware and communications software was conducted to determine the feasibility of utilizing existing hardware. Also, the system size in terms of computing capability and communications capacity was determined. Based on these estimates the amount of funding needed for system startup was calculated.

The initial required hardware purchased and installed for the system included a Macintosh Quadra 650, with eight MB memory and 500 MB hard disk storage. The cost also included an IBM compatible monitor configured for Macintosh connecting and a keyboard. Other hardware initially used included one Hurdler card for four phone connections and four modems. Since the initial installation, the system has been upgraded with eight additional MB of memory (16 MB total). Three new 28.8 baud rate (bps) modems, one additional Hurdler card, and one 28.8 modem to replace one of the original 14.4 bps modems have also been installed. An uninterruptable power supply (UPS), lightening protectors, and a new backup hard disk drive have been added to the system,

After all the hardware was installed, the System Operator, Board of Directors, and agency volunteers collected and formatted the initial data for the system, which were then entered into the system under the Free-Net network. From project formulation through needs evaluation; hardware, communications, and software installation; and database development and data entry, a total of three months was needed before the system was ready to actually go on-line. After going on-line, system upkeep and updates, as well as providing user assistance, comprise the major activities involved in maintaining the system. Additionally, obtaining funding and volunteer services, as well as tracking user memberships and fees, also consume a great deal of time. However, as discussed earlier, this is a totally voluntary endeavor, and volunteers must be located and trained to perform these maintenance activities.

In terms of setting up a totally new system, a list of hardware, communications equipment, and software required for the installation and implementation of a "model" Free-Net system can be found in Appendix B.

What information is actually available on the Free-Net? Information and data on twelve separate topics are currently available. First, there is an Internet E-Mail service, where individuals can send and receive messages, letters, reports, etc., to and from any other person having access to the system.

Secondly, the Administration Building, a section on the administration of the Free-Net system is available. This section contains information on the Worth County-Sylvester Free-Net system, policies, and a list of supporters of the Free-Net. Also, information on using the Internet is available in this section.

A third section containing agricultural information is named the Agricultural Center. It contains information on agricultural news, rural economic development, rural trends, farm bills, extension services, rural health, gardening, and dairy science.

A fourth topic, the Business Center, contains information on small businesses, items for sale, and advertisements.

A fifth section, the Clinic, contains medical information. It includes access to many different types of medical clinics and services, such as those for cardiology, dermatology, pediatrics, pediatric illnesses, cancer education, and medical ethics.

A sixth section is called the Community Center. It contains information on local sports, news from Worth and surrounding counties, Chamber of Commerce news, and entertainment information. Also included is information on community networks and computers, computer games, genealogy, local church information, and supporters of the Free-Net system.

The seventh section is Government. It contains information on White House news, Congress and legislation, the Supreme Court, the U.S. budget, the Freedom Shrine (historical documents), and government hot lines.

The Library comprises the eighth section on the Free-Net system. It provides information on numerous kinds and types of books: the World Fact Book, the Bible, Koran, family history, the Freedom Shrine (historical documents), and the Supreme Court. These represent just some of the many books and services available through the Library component.

The Museum component, the ninth access area, includes information on museums of American history, air and space, American art, and natural history, as well as on zoos and zoological data.

The News segment, the tenth component, contains news and information concerning investing and financial investments, the Internet, and TV news.

The eleventh component, the School House, includes an extremely large database on many aspects of education and school life. Some of these subjects include special events: a teacher educational center which includes curriculum information, a middle school network, daily report cards, parent and teacher information, and others; a learning center; an educational science center; the Discovery network; leadership projects; student information, such as information on colleges, student authors, student artists, dial-a-teacher, and administrative information.

The twelfth and final major element of the Free-Net system is a Help Desk; its purpose is to assist users in operating the Free-Net and resolving system problems the users may encounter. The help desk is staffed by volunteers who donate their time and resources to the maintenance of a fully operational and successful Free-Net system. 912-776-1255

Although these comprise the current topics established and maintained on the Worth County-Sylvester GA Free-Net (WC-SGA Free-Net), any number of topics and databases can be added to the system, as long as they are approved by the Board of Directors. In fact, there may soon be a county government component which will keep citizens informed about county governmental issues, Board of Commissioners meeting activities, new county ordinances proposed or passed, roads and bridges information, and any number of other county government related issues. Also, other Internet services and data search programs are planned for addition to the system.

How does my community get a Free-Net system? Sylvester is a town of only 5,000 and was were able to find the talent to establish a Free-Net system. It helps to have planning, coordination, volunteerism, and someone with technical computer skills. The first step is to form an organizing committee composed of positive community leaders possessing organization and management skills, people with computer skills, and representatives from government, schools, and business. These are the people who will be initially responsible for planning and implementing a community network.

The second step in the development of a community computer network involves determining the size of the user base and the required hardware and the estimated costs for that hardware. Also, costs for any personnel needed to operate and maintain the system must be taken into consideration. An itemized budget should be developed, and fund raising activities should be initiated and enthusiastically carried out.

The final step in the implementation of a community computer network is actually going on-line. By this point, a group of system operators should have been selected and trained. Publicity events and the grand opening should be planned and carried out. However, you should keep in mind that public relations should be an ongoing activity to assist in the continuing fund raising events needed to ensure the continued operation of the Free-Net system.

Summary

In general, approximately six months are needed to get the system set up and operational. However, one must keep in mind the amount of commitment and dedication necessary to successfully implement the system. Planning and organization are definitely needed to ensure the successful implementation and operation of a community network system. Consequently, maximal cooperation and organization among all segments of a community - whether business, entertainment, government, education, health, or religion - do much to ensure a successful system. Also, as mentioned previously, volunteer time and services are a prerequisite for a free, or very low cost, community-wide computer system for use by all.

Community benefits derived from access to such a system are beyond comparison to any other type of information source. And, this type is just the beginning of the computing and telecommunications capabilities to become available to the general public in the future. Computer and communications industries are said to be the fastest and largest growing technologies ever experienced in the modern world. The advent of so many new and beneficial capabilities will be such as never before seen, and by the year 2000 most businesses and most of life's activities in general will be conducted using totally new and this very efficient methods such as the Free-Net.

Consequently, the implementation of a community computer network system, such as the Free-Net, is a positive effort to prepare for the technological changes, services and benefits which will become available in the next few years. A Free-Net system can provide the basic technology for beneficial use today, as well as the building blocks for future telecommunications advances. Although the implementation of a Free-Net system does require enormous commitment and resources, it may be a premium investment in your community's future.

For further information about the Worth County-Sylvester Free-Net, please contact Mr. Kent Guske in Sylvester, Georgia, at 912-776-8600 or through e-mail (Kent@peanut.org). For additional information, please contact Mr. Winfred Owens, Director, Office of Rural Development and Management Assistance, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, 60 Executive Park South, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329-2231 (404) 679-4940.

APPENDIX A

WORTH COUNTY-SYLVESTER FREE-NET BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mr. Robert Colby - President

Mr. David Register - Vice-President

Ms. Rebecca Kimsey - Secretary

Ms. Lydia Harris - Treasurer

Mr. Kent Guske - System Operator

Mr. Ross Logan

Mr. Steve Miner

Mrs. Billie Nelms

Mr. Richard Powell

Mr. Charles Sims

WORTH COUNTY-SYLVESTER FREE-NET MAJOR SUPPORTERS

Bank of Worth

BellSouth

Chamber of Commerce

City of Sylvester

Mrs. Jolane R. Guske

Industrial Development Authority (IDA)

Sunbelt Ford-Mercury, Inc.

SunTrust Bank

Worth County Board of Commissioners

Worth County Board of Education

APPENDIX B

COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE NEEDED

FOR A "MODEL" FREE-NET SYSTEM

Free-Net system file server - Macintosh, 16 MB memory, and 1

GB hard disk drive; 3 1/2" floppy disk drive; SVGA color

monitor; and keyboard.

28.8 baud rate modems (number determined by number of access lines into the system);

telephone ports (Hurdler cards) - each one supports 4 telephone connections;

Community access software.

Internet provider.

Dedicated telephone lines - one for each modem

UPS (uninterruptable power supply) - 15 minute minimum;

backup system. (optional).

REFERENCES

1. "Creating the PBS of the Internet," PC World, February 1995.

2. Guske, Kent A., Worth County - Sylvester, GA Free-Net

3. Hafner,Katie. Wired in the Woods. Newsweek, June 26, 1995.

4. National Public Telecomputing Network. Community Computing and the National

Public Telecomputing Network. September 1993.

5. Nelms, Billie P. (Nov 1995) Why Use Free-Net . Information presented at Sylvester, Ga Free-Net meeting sponsored by Department of Community Affairs, State of Georgia.

6. Sims, Charles. "Regional Telecommunications Possible Now." South Georgia

Business Journal, (September/October 1995.)