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The original vision for Sussex Online,
circulated among the founding partners
in March 1998, is set out below. The ideas
described will be developed into firmer projects
by partners and others who join
in the process of developing the network.
Sussex Online vision: March 1998
Summary
Sussex Online is a new network for anyone
wishing to learn how to use new media technologies
in their community and willing to share that
experience with others.
The network will help parents and teachers,
business people and councillors explore how the
Internet can provide benefits outside home, school
and workplace - and enable computer professionals
to put some of their expertise to community
benefit.
It will be a national experiment in 'Digital Do
It Yourself' - designed and developed by the
individuals and organisations involved.
Plans for the network will be launched on May
20, the 30th anniversary of the Sussex branch of
the British Computer Society, in association with
Brighton University, Sussex Rural Community Council
and Sussex Community Internet Project.
These organisations are working with a national
organisation, Partnerships Online, to develop two
main programme areas:
- A learning network for individuals using the
Internet to share experience informally, and -
if they wish - help to pilot a new online course
leading to a certificate in higher
education.
- A means by which public, private and
community organisations can collaborate to bid
for funding for innovative partnership projects
which support community use of new
technology.
Initial development of Sussex Online has been
supported, through Partnerships Online, by funds
from the Department of Trade and Industry, IBM and
GPT. It is an experimental programme which, if
successful, will be developed in other counties and
regions.
What is already happening
The network and associated projects will grow
through a mix of demonstrations, planning events
and Internet conferences. Already, for example:
- Partnerships Online is developing a series
of 'online guided tours' to show how the
Internet can be used by different interests in
the community to gather information,
communicate, work together, or promote their
activities.
- Sussex Community Internet Project is
planning to extend its successful training
events run recently in Brighton and Hove, using
a mobile cybercafe provided by Pavilion
Internet. Brighton University also hosted
training days in its computer labs, and is
hosting the May 20 event.
- Sussex Rural Community Council is supporting
a network of resource centres in West Sussex,
and promoting Digital Villages in East
Sussex.
These initiatives are in addition to the West
Sussex SCRIPT public kiosk project, a planned
resource centre in Hastings, the East Sussex
libraries community information system, Wired
Sussex support for multimedia industries, and
Brighton and Hove Digital City plans.
How the network will develop
The May 20th event will provide an opportunity
for participating organisations to explain their
plans for the future and explore the scope for
collaboration in the network. Before and after the
event development work, led by David Wilcox of
Partnerships Online and Roy Newell of the British
Computer Society, will include:
1 Planning an audit of online initiatives in
Sussex, which will then be developed as an online
database and clickable map.
2 Securing funds for a community server in
association with Sussex Rural Community Council.
Initial Internet Web pages and conferencing
facilities will be provided by Partnerships Online;
however, a dedicated system managed by SRCC will
provide specialist services for rural projects and
members of the network.
3 Developing demonstration and training events
with both SRCC and Sussex Community Internet
Project.
4 Planning a pilot of the course in community
networking. This national course is being developed
by David Wilcox with Northern College, Dundee. It
will bring together content on community
development, partnerships, project planning and
relevent technologies. Network members will be able
to identify key issues they feel should be covered,
and apply to become early course participants.
5 Using a specialist FirstClass conferencing
system, developed in association with the National
Rural Enterprise Centre, to facilitate online
discussion, learning and collaborative working.
This will initially run on a Partnerships Online
site, and then be transferred to the community
server.
6 Collaborating with Community Colleges and
other National grid for Learning initiatives
Business strategy
The network will not - as currently planned -
become a new organisation. Instead its activities
will develop around projects developed by member
organisations. Each of these, including the
community server, demonstrations, events, and
course work, will be separately funded through
sponsorshiup, grants, revenue generation and help
in kind.
During the early stages Partnerships Online is
seeking funding to coordinate the programme and
develop components which could then form the basis
of other county or regional networks.
How you can join in - and help
The network will grow as fast - or as slowly -
as the commitment of the individuals and
organisations involved. That commitment is likely
to develop as individuals and organisations see
opportunities to:
- Follow their own agendas for learning or
project development
- Work with others on joint projects
In order to get that process started we will be
setting up a 'wants and offers' exchange. We are
also investigating development of a trading system
for the network. We will announce shortly how to
participate in this process.
Basic membership of the network will be free -
in that people will be able to participate if they
are online and if they join the network email
discussion lists. (We will recruit to the system
Internet Service Providers and trainers prepared to
help newcomers get online).
The only requirement will be that participants
provide a brief resume of their interests, and be
prepared to respond to enquiries. Any abuse will
lead to removal from the system. Again, details of
the lists will be announced shortly.
Immediate central 'wants' for development of the
network are:
1 Expertise in developing the online database
and map
2 An appropriate computer to act as the
community server, with ancilliary equipment and
permanent Internet connectivity.
3 Hosts prepared to offer facilities for
demonstrations events
4 Volunteers to assist in developing Web pages
and moderating discussion lists.
5 Volunteers prepared to undertake online
research and help develop Internet guided tours.
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