DATABASE: One of the important functions of a community based Freenet service is to develop, maintain and upgrade a database of the activities of the community. Anon-commercial and public supported Freenet has a unique opportunity to gather and distribute information which the public needs, free from the pressure ofcommercial interest.
In order to achieve the goals of the Freenet, proper planning is essential. The activities of the various organizations in the community have to beclassified and grouped so that the public can easily search and reach the desired information.
CONTENT: The Edmonton FreeNet started the preparation of the database of the activities of the community organizations, before the FreeNet was born. I ama charter member of the FreeNet and I followed the development of the database. By careful and deep consideration of the interests of the community, seventeen sections were created for the database. There was provision for creating subsections for topics that were not explicitly covered in the main menu. A committee was created, called the Information Content Committee (ICC), to gather information and develop the database. Each member of the committee was responsible for the development of a selected section of the database. There are periodic meetings of the ICC to discuss the contents of the database.
BUDDIES: The members of the ICC need volunteers to make personal contact with the office bearers of the various organizations in the community. They gather the desired information. The volunteers were called Buddies by the Edmonton FreeNet. They form the front line for gathering information. They learn the technique of formatting the information for input to the database and help the information providers.
INFORMATION PROVIDERS (IP): The information in the FreeNet Database is provided by the organizations in the community. It is the responsibility of the FreeNet to make it easy for the information providers to enter data and periodically upgrade the information. The success of this work depends upon developing mutual cooperation between the FreeNet volunteers and the organizations in the community. The information providers need to learn the technique of inputting information in the FreeNet database. This requires organizing workshops and seminars for training the information providers.
TRAINING: The Edmonton FreeNet runs training sessions for the information providers. The information providers have different background knowledge of computers and the technique of inputting data in the FreeNet database. The FreeNet organizes four levels of training for the information providers.
1. A basics course starts with teaching how to use a computer and about the FreeNet. This session is open to all users of the Freenet.
2. The second course is for the information providers to get basic training on the principles of database management for the community.
3. The third course teaches the special technique required to input data for a text based browser.
4. The fourth course is for those Information Providers who wish to use HTML language and create links to other pages on the Internet.
The courses require the help of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers. There is an increasing public demand for more courses. It would be good if the FreeNet had access to adequate number of terminals and telephone lines so that its users and the Information Providers could get hands on experience of connecting to the FreeNet and inputting data into FreeNet Database.
HELP: The Information Providers need help during the preparation and updating their information on the Database.
1. Buddies are the first line of contact for help. They are familiar with the format of the input of data and are expected to be known to Information Providers.
2. The Information Providers use a dedicated telephone line to get help from other volunteers
3. The Edmonton FreeNet has a discussion group dedicated to solving problems of the Information Providers. The volunteers from various technical committees try to help the Information Providers.
DISCLAIMER: The responsibility of the contents of the FreeNet database is the responsibility of the Information Providers. There is no censorship or monitoring of the contents of the Database. But if complaints are received from the public users, it is necessary to establish a procedure to investigate and take appropriate action.