The Big Move
So much has happened at VCN since issue two that it's hard to know where
to begin! Perhaps with the physical move from UBC to the new Vancouver
Public Library building last spring. This has resulted in many
improvements in service; moreover in the case of the occasional but
inevitable technical problems our Sys-admin has ready access, since the
Library building is only a short walk from our headquarters, which
continue to be at 411 Dunsmuir. At the same time as the move our phone
lines were increased from 26 to 33, making it a little easier to dial in.
Some of the operations that were becoming painfully slow, once one did
manage to get on line, - such as composing a message whilst in Pine -
improved dramatically.
Charitable Status
The good news in June was that our appeal of the government's 1993
decision not to grant us charitable status has been granted. We are still
waiting to hear if the the government is going to appeal this decision.
If they don't we hope before too long to be able to issue 'charitable
donation' receipts for tax purposes. This, of course, will be an enormous
help in fund-raising.
The Name Change
Although our new name was approved at 1995 the Annual General Meeting,
its implementation has been a gradual process; at last, however the few
remaining references to the old "Freenet" - VRFA or Vancouver Regional
Freenet Association have been replaced by VCN - Vancouver Community
Network. Most of us are now comfortable with the new name.
The New Menu System
Not everyone is quite as comfortable yet with the new menu system
(shell), although it has already found favour with most users, who are
finding it much quicker than the old Freeport system (now that all of the
bugs seem to be out of it!); the Web based system makes it easier to
access all the different menus - it's even quicker to sign off now!
New Members
At the other end of things office procedures at 411 Dunsmuir have
continued to be upgraded and streamlined. Now there is usually only two or
three days between registering and having an account - no longer the delay
of weeks in the processing of membership applications, as was once the
case. Credit for this should go in part to the many volunteers who staff
the office and maintain the 'help' line, and also to Jason and Peter,
whose energy, imagination and hard work are paying off. The registration
menu can be chosen from 'guest' main menu.
Every Monday, from 11 a.m. to 11.30 we are now holding short info. sessions at 411 for 'novice' new users who have questions about how to get on line, use of e-mail, changing passwords, etc. These are becoming increasingly popular, and in addition we are starting to hold similar sessions at libraries and community centres on request.
Community Organizations
The list of Community groups who have become information providers
continues to grow. Almost 75 Community Organizations have come on board
since our last newsletter, covering a wide range of important local
information. Some of our most popular sites are:
The Vancouver CommunityNet is now hosting Special Interest Groups. Which allow for discussion and exchange on topics of shared interest. There's a group for finding new pen-pals, one for tennis partners in Queen Elizabeth Park and of course some lively discussion on Star Trek for any Trekkies who happen to warp by vcn.bc.ca en route to other galaxies.
Board of Directors This year's Annual General Meeting was held on October 9, here at 411 Dunsmuir Street. Sid Shniad of the Telecommunications Union talked to us about some of the crucial issues facing the public with the rapid rate of technological change. Other presentations focussed on the financial state of the CommunityNet. Finding stable funding is the priority for the coming year. New Board members were elected; the current Board of Directors is:
Penny Goldsmith - President Neil K. Guy - Vice-President Larry Kuehn - Secretary Margaret Coates - Past President Lorne Gray - Volunteer Co-ordinator Ann Travers - Community Content Chair Jack Vickery - Fundraising Chair Greg Sturk Susan Bryant Carolyn Saunders Gil Evans Ryan Hung Katherine Shipley