[rtpnet-tact] News release to go out this afternoon

[Judy Hallman]

To TACT list:

With help from Bobbie Crockett, I've got a news release ready to go out.
Please let me know right away if there is anything you'd like
changed. I hope to send it out this afternoon.

Judy
----
June 10, 2003

	Contact: Judy Hallman
		919-933-3931
		hallman at rtpnet.org

Online RTPnet Conference Materials Provide Valuable Information

Chapel Hill, NC - Posting conference materials online is an important last
step in RTPnet's conference procedures, says Executive Director Judy
Hallman.

RTPnet, a community network for the Triangle area (www.rtpnet.org),
successfully concluded its 4th annual conference: Bridging North
Carolina's Digital/Human Divide May 30 in Chapel Hill. All conference
materials, including PowerPoint presentations, speakers' notes,
evaluations, and attendees' comments are online at:
http://www.rtpnet.org/rtpconf/.

"While it isn't as good as being there, online materials allow those who
couldn't make it to the conference to view the content and make valuable
contacts," Hallman says, adding that the information is available to
anyone using search engines, such as Google.

According to Hallman, a highlight of this year's conference Web site is a
description of the day's events and observations of Afi Osakwe,
Founder/CIO, Osakwe Associates International, in Raeford, NC. Osakwe
concludes, "These last two sessions have provided lots to think about and
work on for the next twelve months.  That's due in part to the structure
of this conference.  It's the yearly dance of collaboration,
relationship-building and resource gathering made possible by the colorful
people of CTCNet, RTPnet, and supporting casts."

Osakwe's remarks about relationship-building reflect one of the strengths
of RTPnet's conferences. In response to the evaluation form question "What
did you like best about the conference?" many respondents wrote
"networking," "sharing info & ideas," "making contacts," and "the
information given."

"Since RTPnet's ad-free hosting services are available to any North
Carolina-based noncommercial organization, other organizations could use
RTPnet (www.rtpnet.org) to make their conference materials available to
the public," Hallman says.  "RTPnet can also host an organization's home
page, e-mail lists, and Web-based discussion forums."

RTPnet charges a small annual membership fee which supports community
technology efforts. For membership information, visit
http://www.rtpnet.org/membership/  or e-mail  info at rtpnet.org.