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Judy Hallman, Executive Director, RTPnet
The purpose of RTPnet (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) is to promote the electronic communication of information of public interest to
and among the general public. The organization consists entirely of volunteers, working on their own time.
E-mail Directed to RTPnet
"I think the best decision we made in setting up the [member name] site was to have
it hosted at RTPnet. It provides us with a consistent, locally significant
address and a very stable platform."
"We recently visited Triangle FreeNet [RTPnet] and were impressed by the fact
that you're still up and running, when a fourth of the sites we
surveyed in 1996 have since disappeared!"
Web Page Redesign
Several people were involved in designing more interesting and more
useful Web pages for RTPnet.
System
- Upgrades, Enhancements, and Security
Significant improvements were made in the system to reduce the danger of break-ins, prevent distribution of spam mail through RTPnet, and improve reliability, especially of backups.
- Web-Based Discussion Forums
Procedures for establishing Web-based discussion forums were completed and use of forums is being promoted. Wwwboard forums are now used for general discussion of RTPnet, to ask questions about RTPnet and to propose ways that RTPnet can improve its services,
and for public posting of events.
- Eliminated Need for Tilde in URLs
The need for ~ (tilde) in URLs for RTPnet members was eliminated.
A group with the id mygroup can now use
any of the following URLs:
http://www.RTPnet.org/mygroup
http://www.RTPnet.org/~mygroup
http://RTPnet.org/mygroup
http://RTPnet.org/~mygroup
- Domain Name Services/Virtual Hosting
Policies and procedures were established to allow RTPnet members to have their own domain names. If the userid for a group is mygroup, then the group may register its domain name (for example, www.mygroup.org) and set it up so that it accesses its Web pages at http://www.rtpnet.org/myorg.
- Additional Disk Space
The Board increased disk space for members from 5 megabytes to 10 megabytes and established pricing for additional disk space.
- Planning Additional Software
Members have expressed interest in calendar software and database software. Needs for additional software for RTPnet will be discussed and evaluated in 2000.
- Systems Staff
RTPnet is fortunate to continue to have talented, enthusiastic, responsive, volunteers to develop and enhance its services. The Systems group (with their specialties) includes:
- Granville Errol Casey, Jr. <errol@rtpnet.org> or <errol@pobox.com>, Lead System Administrator
- Charles Hall <chall@rtpnet.org> or <chall@totalsports.net>, Backup and Support
- Amnon Nissan <amnon@deltaforce.net> and
Deltaforce Technologies, Internet and On-Site Services
- Roger Austin <rda@rti.org>, e-mail list (Majordomo) maintenance and support.
- Jon Mauney <mauney@rtpnet.org>, cgi script support.
- Simon Meng Lin <meng@med.unc.edu>, Web-based discussion forums.
Hargraves Technology Center
The Hargraves Technology Center is a joint project of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation, Northside Community Organization, and RTPnet.
RTPnet purchased five computers, running Windows 98, for the Hargraves Technology Center in December 1998.
The Hargraves Center was a major focus of RTPnet efforts during 1999.
- Purpose
The purpose of the Hargraves Technology Center is to
provide a place to promote computer learning for children, teens, and adults in the Northside Community of Chapel Hill and
surrounding areas.
- Software
A variety of educational software for children, as well as applications software, was installed on the machines during 1999, including Microsoft Office 97 (Professional Edition), AppleWorks, Compton's Complete Reference Collection and Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia.
- Advisory Committee, Policies, and Web Site
An advisory committee has been established, with representatives of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation, Northside Community Organization, and RTPnet.
Policies have been established, and a Web site set up, at http://www.rtpnet.org/hargraves/.
- Schedule
The computers are available Monday - Friday from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. for use by adults, from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. for use by the Hargraves Center after-school program (ages 5 to 12), and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. for public use on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Classes
The first classes were taught in the Center in September. They were scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to noon and were attended by older adults. A donation of $5.00 per class, payable to RTPnet, is requested.
- Printers, Networking, Internet Access, Updates, and System Security
After some installation difficulties, an HP710C printer, an HP810C printer, a network hub and cabling, and a telephone line with Bell South ADSL service using an external modem were installed.
- System Administrator
Roy Crabtree <roy.crabtree@unc.edu> is the System Administrator for the Center.
Refurbished Computer to Northside Senior Center
Orange County Public Library obtained new computers for public access to the Internet and returned the machine that RTPnet bought
and placed in the library in 1996. They sent a thankyou note for the use of the machine that "...gave both the staff and public the ability to research
important information that otherwise would have been inaccessible." The computer was refurbished by Intrex for RTPnet and placed in the Northside Senior Center. The computer has a donated 2400 baud external modem and a donated Cannon Bubblejet printer.
Software on this computer includes Microsoft Office 97 (Professional Edition), CreataCard Gold, Grolier's encyclopedia (donated), and Paint Shop Pro (donated).
Birchwood Learning Center
- MEDIA2 Program
RTPnet volunteers assisted in the second Operation MEDIA (Mass Education Developing Intelligent Adults) program at the Birchwood Learning Center.
Thirteen young people, who live in the Birchwood Heights community of Durham, completed the innovative, eight-week, earn-while-you-learn program that combines learning both life skills and computer skills. The goal of this program was to provide information about positive, healthy living, with emphasis on alcohol and drug education, and at the same time develop computer literacy and Internet skills.
The program consisted of eight sessions, three hours each, held in the Birchwood Learning Center. Part of each program included discussion on topics such as job skills, communication skills, conflict management, healthy relationships, and discussion with recovered addicts, and part focused on using computers and the Internet.
During the program, students created personal Web pages containing digital photos and a table of journal entries describing what they learned. The students also created e-mail accounts. One of the highlights of the program was the construction of a computational model of their earning potential from age 16 to 65 using STELLA mathematical modeling software. The students each built the model and then they ran it, seeing graphically the effect of different numbers for some of the variables, such as rent and car payments and especially years of education, on the amount in their bank accounts at age 65.
The young adults who completed the program earned $75 to $150 for their work.
For more information on the program, see http://www.rtpnet.org/blc/media2/.
The participants' Web pages are online at http://www.rtpnet.org/blc/media2/participants.html.
- Web Skills Development Progam
The MEDIA2 program was to be followed by a second, eight-week, learn-while-you-earn program, which would concentrate on Web skills. The students would then be available to provide Web development and maintenance services on a contract basis.
The RTPnet Board provided $1,600 for the Web Skills Development program. Due to the shooting death of a young adult in the neighborhood, the program was delayed. Then it was delayed by final exams. Finally, the program was dropped because several of the intended participants had summer jobs and classes could not be scheduled when all could attend. An alternative program may be developed for Spring 2000.
Public Training
- Classes
The following classes were taught by RTPnet:
- July 26, Navigating the World Wide Web, at Orange County Public Library
- August 11, Navigating the World Wide Web, at Orange County Public Library
- September 8, Getting Started: Using a Mouse, at Orange County Public Library
- September 20, Navigating the World Wide Web, at Orange County Public Library
- September 21, Getting Started: Using a Mouse, at Hargraves Technology Center
- September 28, Using Creatacard, at Hargraves Technology Center
- October 4, Getting Started: Using a Mouse, at Orange County Public Library
- October 5, Getting Started: Running Programs, at Hargraves Technology Center
- October 6, Navigating the World Wide Web, at Orange County Public Library
- October 12, Microsoft Word, at Hargraves Technology Center
- October 19, File Management, at Hargraves Technology Center
- November 10, Getting Started: Using a Mouse, at Orange County Public Library
- November 11, Getting Started: Running Programs, at Orange County Public Library
- November 15, Getting Started: Using a Mouse, at Hargraves Technology Center
- November 22, Getting Started: Running Programs, at Hargraves Technology Center
- November 29, File Management, at Hargraves Technology Center
- Working With Other Organizations on Training Materials
Judy Hallman met (October 12) with the people who teach computer classes for novices at the Chapel Hill Womens' Center. They suggested improvements for the RTPnet handouts and they will use the RTPnet handouts for their classes.
Judy also assisted with
SeniorNet classes on Microsoft Works word processing: November 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, and December 1. SeniorNet has its own course materials, and they are copyrighted. It is unlikely that SeniorNet and RTPnet can use the same course materials.
- Web Pages
The Web page http://www.rtpnet.org/train provides information about local computer classes. Web-based discussion forums have been added to that page, but they are not being used yet. Judy Hallman is also gathering national computer training resources at http://www.afcn.net/resources/train.
General Meetings
- April 29 at Research Triangle Institute (RTI) on RTPnet Web page design
- July 6 at Lakewood YMCA in Durham, to discuss the CTCnet meeting in Chicago and how organizations in RTP can work together
- July 12 at the Hargraves Technology Center, on training
Publicity
- Public Computers and Classes at Hargraves Technology Center
An article announcing computers available for public use at the Hargraves Technology Center and the first classes (November 15, 22, and 29) was sent to several media contacts on October 29.
- Raleigh News & Observer articles by Samantha Smith, December 6
"Digital Divide: The online revolution has largely skipped the poor,
giving them only another way to fall behind. But some are fighting to keep
up" and "Some places to go online without buying a
computer." The articles mention RTPnet, Birchwood Learning Center, and Hargraves
Technology Center. The articles are online at http://www.news-observer.com/daily/1999/12/06/biz00.html and http://www.news-observer.com/daily/1999/12/06/biz00_side1.html.
Presentations and PR
- CTCnet Conference in Chicago, June 18-20
Judy Hallman attended the Community Technology Center's Network (CTCnet) conference in Chicago, June 18-20, where she participated in two panels:
- Community Networking 101: Lessons Learned About Starting Up
- Access and Training in Low-Income Communities
The outlines for her presentations are online at http://www.unc.edu/~hallman/cn101.html and
http://www.unc.edu/~hallman/access-train.html.
- RTPnet: Anatomy of a Local Free-Net, NC*SA meeting, August 9
Judy Hallman, assisted by Errol Casey and Charles Hall, described the structure and workings of RTPnet. The presentation is at http://www.unc.edu/~hallman/ncsa.html.
- Meeting with a Japanese Delegation November 30, Raleigh
Judy Hallman met in Raleigh with seven delegates from Japan and an interpreter.
They asked for a short history of RTPnet and what RTPnet is doing now, and
they wanted to know about focal points of interest RTPnet provides. They
seemed particularly interested in the fact that RTPnet does not have
funding other than from membership fees and in the services provided. There were two handouts:
National Participation
RTPnet is a member of the Association For Community Networks (AFCN) and the Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCnet). Judy Hallman participates in the e-mail lists for both organizations, and she is one of the Web-site maintainers for AFCN.
Erroll Reese (EasyWeb Inc.) and Lucy Haagen (Durham County Literacy Council) attended the CTCnet Conference in Chicago, June 18-20, along with Judy Hallman. Erroll attended as a representative of RTPnet. He was elected to the CTCnet Steering Committee where he represents the Southeast.
Erroll is President/CEO and a Co-founder of EasyWeb Inc., a minority owned
technology consulting firm.
Erroll, Lucy, Marc Siegel (a VISTA volunteer working with the Durham County Literacy Council), and Judy have had some followup meetings and are planning an RTP conference, April 15, 2000, before the next CTCnet conference in Atlanta, June 23-25.
Membership
At the beginning of 1999 RTPnet had just over 100 members. At the end of 1999, RTPnet membership had grown to about 120 members.
New members include:
- afcn, Association For Community Networks
- cell, CELL Foundation Inc.
- chccc, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Chorus
- cofthec, Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill
- encvdc, Eastern NC Lutheran Via de Cristo
- lrmspta, Lufkin Road Middle School PTA, Apex
- ncfats, NC Fats Mountain Bike Club
- ncnug, NC Nonprofit Users Group
- ncusfa, North Carolina Division of United States Fencing Association
- rotary, Rotary District 7720
- sdll, South Durham Little League
- takisuyo, Takisuyo, Música Andina en Raleigh
- tpa, Trinity Park Neighborhood Association
- tritrogs, Triangle Troglodytes
- waasport, Woodcroft Athletic Association
- wpha, Walden Pond Homeowner's Association
Id Cleanup
The following ids were deleted.
3xprods, asqc, bblair, carhar, carolina, chhs, comshare, deash, drwillia,
durhmnow, estehill, gfbc, harrison, hold, holycros, iefs, itfocus, jatacas,
jmpace, jorjohns, jusjohns, jwroton, kasa, kayohui, kdietal, kids, kt, lcv,
lhamill, lhunt, macdaddy, mimosa, mjf, nazarene, nchas, nctars, newhope,
pmacdowell, poverty, procon, pulliam, rrbc, rcm, rsa, rtcahome, rtpbpw, seeker,
switzer, tebrown, tompaine, trails, tsierra, wesley, wxsat, zao
The ids belonged:
- to organizations that changed their ids,
- to organizations that moved to another web hosting service, and
- to individuals who no longer work on web pages on RTPnet.
Administrative
- Full-Time Executive Director
Judy Hallman retired from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill effective March 1 and now works full time on RTPnet activities.
- Internet Registration
The registration for rtpnet.org was changed from Bill Evans to the following:
P.I.N. Incorperated. (RTPNET2-DOM)
1078 Lystra Rd.
Chapel-Hill, NC 27514
US
Domain Name: RTPNET.ORG
Administrative Contact:
Hallman, Judy (JH22439) judy_hallman@UNC.EDU
919-933-3931
Technical Contact:
Nissan, Amnon (AN110) amnon@DELTAFORCE.NET
919-852-2121
Billing Contact:
Eddleman, Dan (DE4492) eddleman@PRODIGY.NET
919-929-7220
Record last updated on 28-Mar-99.
Domain servers in listed order:
NS.DELTAFORCE.NET 216.27.34.11
NS.HELO.COM 216.27.10.20
Board Activities
- Board Meetings
- March 22
- May 17 (annual elections)
- Assets
Assets entering 1999: $10,979.35
4123.49 RTPnet resources
6855.86 for Birchwood Learning Center from Smallwood grants
RTPnet Income: $5,095.00
0.00 contributions
5095.00 membership fees
RTPnet Expenses: $3,528.88
1487.76 Hargraves Technology Center and Northside Senior Center:
* 155.00 Five copies of Microsoft Office 97, Professional Edition
* (1@$55 + 4@25, from www.compumentor.org)
* One copy is at the Northside Senior Center
* 104.94 One copy of AppleWorks
* 283.44 21 Educational CDs (Reader Rabbit, Math Blaster, Carmen San Diego, etc.)
* 107.17 Two copies of CreataCard Gold (one for Northside Senior Center)
* 200.00 HP710C printer
* 114.72 Network hub, cables
* 60.37 Miscellaneous
* 462.12 Upgrade 1996 Pentium 2 for Northside Senior Center
(motherboard, 450 CPU, 64 MB memory, Win 98, CD-ROM)
1600.00 Birchwood Learning Center for Web Skills Development Program
441.12 Miscellaneous
* 150.00 AFCN membership
* 100.00 CTCnet membership
* 59.34 tapes for backups
* 68.58 Hallman miscellaneous expenses
* 13.20 stamps
* 50.00 refund
Birchwood Learning Center Expenses Paid by Smallwood Grants (1997-98): $5,565.06
Assets entering 2000: $6,980.41
5989.61 RTPnet resources
1290.80 for Birchwood Learning Center from Smallwood grants
- Board Members
Current Board members are:
Granville Errol Casey, Jr.
<errol@rtpnet.org> or <errol@pobox.com>
Lead System Administrator
304 Garrison Avenue
Clayton, NC 27520
Home: (919) 550-0930
Work: (919) 991-7064
Dan Eddleman <eddleman@prodigy.net>
Treasurer
Engineering Management Consultant, CDI Inc.
3408 Lapin Lane
Chapel Hill, NC, 27516
Home 919-929-7220
Robert R. Gotwals Jr<gotwals@shodor.org>
Computational Science Educator
The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.
923 Broad Street Suite 100
Durham, NC 27703
Work: 919-286-1911
Judith H. Hallman <judy_hallman@unc.edu>
Executive Director and Vice President
Retired from Information Technology Services, UNC-Chapel Hill
1078 Lystra Road
Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Home: 919-933-3931
William R. Hutchins <hutch@RTPnet.org>
President, Future Concepts, inc.
5605 Brisbane Drive
Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Work: 919-968-4292
Home: 919-968-4292
Amnon Nissan <amnon@deltaforce.net>
President
President, Deltaforce Technologies
5421 Wayne St.
Raleigh, NC 27606
Work: 919-852-2121
Home: 919-851-7609
Michael v.E. Rulison <mrulison@unity.ncsu.edu>
President, North Carolina Consumers Council, Inc.
and Principal, DataNomics,
Economic analysis and microcomputer applications development
3256 Lewis Farm Road
Raleigh NC, 27607
Home: 919-782-9576
Jane Sparks <jlsparks@co.orange.nc.us>
Retired from Orange County Information Systems
PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
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