From: tmg@nptn.org (Tom Grundner) To: aa127@freenet.carleton.ca Subject: Re: Canadian Community Networks Conference, August 1994 Date: Mon, 13 Jun >>>Organizing freenets as a means of community development has become >>>a social movement in Canada. >>> >> But... er... ah... could you spell Free-Net with a capital "F", >>hyphen, capital "N"? > >Thanks Tom for the gentle reminder. I have, of course, my own "..er...ah." >I was consciously seeking for that generic term! We want Telecommunities >Canada to include any organization or model that is community based and >has community development objectives as it's purpose (David's still hung >up on the definition in the draft articles of incorporation). > Good luck trying to define ANYthing in this area. As soon as you think you have a definition some new technology or some new approach will come along that knocks it into a cocked-hat. :> >I fully recognize your need and right to "Free-Net." and will use it if you >insist. But I'm trying to avoid endless and needless circular >argument about whether participation in national issues of community >networking demands NPTN membership as the price of admission (and of >course it doesn't). Is there a way I can support your interests and meet >this objective of clarity in the purposes of TC? > I see what you are saying about the "Free-Net" confusion. I certainly don't see participation in Canadian national community networking issues as requiring membership in NPTN. Indeed, I have consistently tried to disabuse people of that notion. HOWEVER, I would URGE you in the strongest possible terms to link that dialogue to Telecommunities Canada! *Do not make the community networking development process an organizational analog to usenet news.* There must be an organization which speaks with a clear voice in Canada--and that organization needs to be Telecommunities Canada. To do THAT, however, you need a clear identity--something that is easily recognizable and which separates you and your affiliates from the background noise. (*That* is why I so zealously guard the use of the term "Free-Net.") If you wish, you could use the term "Free-Net" for your affiliates. (Although I would still insist on the consistent spelling. :> ) We would be happy to license use of the word to TC. It has worked well with our European systems and is rapidly loosing its "U.S,-only" connotation. Or, you could invent some other term which is unique to the Canadian systems. Or, you could split the difference, and come up with something like the French term for Free-Net (whatever that might be) and appropriate it for the TC systems. Either way, I don't see any harm in referring to the "Free-Net movement" etc. as you did in your announcement. In that sense it is being used as a generic term for a process--an attitude-- and doesn't really refer to any specific system or network of systems. Plus... people recognize it and (more or less) know what you are talking about as soon as you say it. Perhaps what we should do is this: 1) Obviously the first priority is to get Telecommunities Canada going. And it looks like you are well on your way to making that happen. 2) At the conference in August we hold a big formal ceremony in which we sign the "North American Community Networking Agreement" (NACNA???) The general terms would be something like: - Telecommunities Canada and NPTN pledge mutual support and assistance to each other. - Any information or communication services or features (i.e. cybercasting services) developed by the one will be made available to the other for distribution to its affiliates-- IF those affiliates CHOOSE to run them. - Any technical (hardware/software) advancements developed by the one will be made available to the other for distribution to its affiliates--if those affiliates choose to use them. - The term "Free-Net" may be used by any Telecommunities Canada affiliate--if it chooses to use it. - The affiliates of one network may be listed as affiliates of the other under a special NACNA heading. - Affiliates of one network may claim membership in the other (dual-citizenship?)--if they choose to do so. - Telecommunities Canada and NPTN pledge to engage in a series of joint grantsmanship and fund-raising projects based on the strengths and uniqueness of this mutual agreement. (And then... we publicise the hell out of this thing--a real full-court press.) I think what this agreement would do is: 1) allow us to share in each others strengths, yet not have either submerged by the other; 2) open up a ton of fund-raising possibilities on the international scene; and 3) provide a model for some of the European and Asian countries which are now developing systems. What do you think? Would there be interest in the TC side? Is it do-able by August? --- Tom Grundner President, National Public Telecomputing Network Office Address: 34555 Chagrin Blvd. Moreland Hills, Ohio 44022 Mail Address: P.O. Box 1987 Cleveland, Ohio 44106 e.Mail: tmg@nptn.org Telephone: 216-247-5800 Fax: 216-247-3328