National Capital Freenet Office Annual Report for 1993 Prepared by Kyla Huckerby, FreeNet Office Manager Introduction: ------------ Since June of 1993, the National Capital FreeNet administrative office has been located in the Arts Tower of Carleton University (1409). From the inception of the project, Carleton University has been involved with the National Capital FreeNet. Although NCF is an independant organization, the support and contribution of Carleton's Computing and Communication Services has been instrumental to NCF's ability to respond to the incredibly rapid growth. The FreeNet office has 3 main functions: 1) Process registrations 2) Serve as the intial contact between the community and NCF 3) Respond to querries on the telephone Help-Line 1.Registrations --------------- At the offical launch February 1,1993, National Capital FreeNet President David Sutherland predicted that FreeNet membership would surpass 10,000 members by April of 1994. We reached 10,000 users in early October of 1993!!!!! While almost 90% of the users are from the local area we do receive registration from all parts of the globe. The number of registrations received (via Canada Post) in the office has averaged 100/day since October of 1993. There is every indication that NCF is the fastest growing FreeNet in the world and that we will reach 20,000 registered users by May 1994. FreeNet Membership Growth # of users 15000 * 14000 * 13000 * 12000 * 11000 * 10000 * 9000 * 8000 * 7000 * 6000 * 5000 * 4000 * 3000 * 2000 * 1000 * _________________________________________________________ jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec jan feb (1993) (1994) # 76.5% of FreeNet users have logged in at least once # 56.5 % of FreeNet users have logged in recently (between Dec12 and Jan27) # 36,739 calls a week to the FreeNet machine # 22% of the users are using gopher or connecting to other systems (for more statistics on the FreeNet please type "go toolbox") The number of accounts created does not correlate exactly to the number of users on the system. There are some inactive, cancelled or spare accounts. We plan to do some "account housecleaning" as soon as human resource and task priorities allow for it. 2. Contact with the Community Growth of the FreeNet must also be measured in terms of the information available on the system. The menus continue to exand, and new ones are created to meet the needs of organizations wanting to have a "space" on the FreeNet. The number of requests from organizatios and government agencies wanting to become "information providers" has almost tripled in the last three months. An especially exciting growth area has been the Embassy Area. The National Capital FreeNet is a natural forum for international cooperation as Ottawa is the home for government representatives from all over the world. We are very fortunate to have the commitment and support of the French, Italian, Spanish and Israeli Embassies. We hope to have all the Embassies represented on the FreeNet by the end of 1994!!!! 3. Information/Help line ------------------------ As FreeNet becomes more of a household word in the region, the number of telephone calls to the office has increased, as well as the nature of the information requested. We currently average 30-50/day. The increasing number of "neophyets" and "computer shy" individuals whom are expressing interest and wanting more information about FreeNet indicate that NCF is well on the way to achieving to one of it's founding objectives: to introduce the concept of community networking; and to create a computer communication literate public. Examples of Commonly asked questions I just bought a modem, now what? How can I connect to FreeNet? What is the difference between InterNet and FreeNet? What can I do on FreeNet? How will FreeNet help me as an individual/organization? Since September of 1992, the FreeNet INFO/HELP line has been staffed almost entirely by volunteers. The dedication and energy of these individuals is essential to maintaining an effecient and cost effective office. The volunteers come to the office once a week for a four hour period. Their duties include: answer the Help line return phone calls open mail help out in other administrative tasks. I would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge all the past and current office volunteers. Their commitment to, and support of, the FreeNet demonstrates the spirit of what a FreeNet is all about and what makes it successful. Past office volunteers ______________________ Tun-Chern Yang (ai031) Frank Tilya (ae847) Bill BowHuis (ag226) Ramesh Fernando (aa393) Mark Skaff (aa389) Derek Payne (ae162) Current office volunteers _________________________ Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri ______________________________________________________ AM Jim Bench Dana Echner Leo Molinas Wjotek Pezco Rob Hawley (aj020) (al300) (ag581) (aj672) (al326) PM Jim Bench Bill Dentry Arie Valstar Dan Gallant Raj S. (aj848) (aj020) (aj341) (aj218) (af891) F. Crapeau (aa996) David Petite (aj086) is both a volunteer and part-time "registrar". NCF and Volunteering -------------------- Over the past month Andrew Patrick and myself have been working with Lisa Donnelly and Brian Monkman (two volunteers) to implement a volunteer strategy for the FreeNet. We will keep you posted on the developments. -- Kyla Huckerby NCF Office Manager aa309@freenet 520-9001