Information About Free-Nets

NOTE:

The Calgary Community Network Association was formerly the Calgary Free-Net Association.

The Calgary Community Network Association is no longer connected to the Free-Net Associations as of the fall of 1997.

This is based on the National Capital FreeNet (Ottawa) Frequently Asked Questions file.

1. What exactly is a Free-Net?
The best way to understand the dynamic of a Free-Net is to think of it as a public space just like a city hall or a city park. It is an open place where individuals, organizations, and institutions can interact and exchange information.

2. How does Free-Net work?
The heart of a Free-Net is a central computer network dedicated to storing and retrieving thousands of files of information and to relaying thousands of messages each day among community members and organizations.

3. Does every city have a Free-Net?
Not yet is the best answer!

4. Is a Free-Net really free? Who pays for it?
Not all Free-Nets are entirely free (although many survive entirely on donations from users). They * are * all non-profit community based access providers.
Free-Nets are not, however, free to operate. The costs can run quite high. Some Free-Nets must charge a fee for membership, special services, or charge those not from the local community. All Free-Nets have active fundraising efforts.

5. Who runs a Free-Net?
It depends. Generally volunteers run a Free-Net. My home freenet is the National Capital FreeNet. It is run by a corps of volunteers (organized into a Board of Directors and a variety of subcommittees) and four employees. All members are encouraged to follow the board's discussion and contribute to the discussion. Volunteers are also needed for all of the thousands of jobs needed to keep this project growing.

6. What services do Free-Nets provide?
All Free-Nets help local organizations provide information (text files) to the public. Local discussion groups are also important for creating links between the local community groups and individuals. To registered users, a Free-Net generally provides a personal e-mail address and private mailbox.

Gopher and Usenet news are standard features. Telnet to other Free-nets and community networks is commonly available to registered users. Beyond these services, it depends on the resources of the community. Some Free-Nets are WWW based and provide home pages to each user. Others can't afford the disk space and offer only temporary file storage space. Read the information files to learn the specifics. [Reading the messages at login is a good way to quickly learn where to look for this information. Most systems include the directions in their Message of the Day which scroll past after you log in.] Almost every Free-Net offers free guest access to their text files and local discussion groups.

7. How can I learn more about Free-Nets?
The easiest way to learn about Free-Nets is to join one. If you have telnet access or WWW access, you will be able to reach a Free-Net somewhere in the world. If there is one in your local dialling area, give them a ring.

8. So where is the list of Free-Nets hidden?
National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN) is the American based association of Free-Nets. In fact they hold the service mark on the name. The group maintains a list of affiliated Free-Nets from around the world. However, not every community network is an NPTN affiliated group. There are lots of lists out there and a new Free-Net or community net comes on-line every week. Here are the best lists of sites I know of:

Assuming you have a Web browser go to this URL http://harold.usask.ca/~scottp/free.html which also has a link to this important URL http://nptn.org

If you just have gopher access you want gopher nptn.org

Via e-mail info@nptn.org

The list of NPTN affiliated Free-nets is regularly posted to both alt.online-services.freenet and alt.freenet. Search for a post by aa673@freenet.carleton.ca (it is posted weekly).

Each week the list is posted in the Newsgroup "alt.online-service.freenet".

9. It sounds like a cool idea. How can I start a Free-Net here?
Start by learning what is involved. NPTN offers a good basic information kit and support to new organizers. Check the answer above for contact information.

Santa Barbara RAIN is listed as still organizing.
E-mail Timothy Tyndall (rain@rain.org) for more details.

If you have comments, suggestions or concerns, please contact the CCNA Helpdesk

Last revised April 28 1998