Annual Report of the System Design Group, Jan96-Dec96 ======================================== 1) Mandate and/or reason for being formed The "System Design Subcommittee" was created in the Big Bang of NCF's genesis. Its task was to determine the best technology to achieve the broad goals of the National Capital FreeNet (NCF), within constraints selected by the NCF and its members. System design is also concerned with usability, presentation, and services. Issues are discussed from a human interaction perspective; how things 'look and feel'. Discussion of FreeNet hardware and software technology, though often related, is hosted in the Hardware-Software discussion area. 2) Members and contact information Everyone is welcome to participate in the system design discussion area and work spaces. Jim Elder (aa456) is current caretaker of the system design menus. 3) Processes used for carrying out duties The NCF relies on volunteers for the system design function. Volunteers use the "go sys-design" system design work space to: * coordinate activities * communicate to each other and to help newcomers get up to speed so they can contribute * provide a forum for review of proposals and feedback on initiatives No general meetings are held; a general discussion newsgroup serves that purpose. When a significant 'sub-task' is identified (such as the NCF menu improvement project), a sub-menu is created within the system design menu to house the new task. Most work gets done offline by individuals and at task-oriented meetings held on a as-needed basis. 4) Overview of 1996 activity, accomplishments and if possible figures Some of the discussions in the sys-design workspace in 1996: * Issues relating to NCF's new web-based services "FreePlan" * Changes to the expiry times of articles in NCF newsgroups, to extend the life of articles in low-volume newsgroups. * Newsgroup naming. * The design of the new access menu (the one that greets dial-in users). * The design of the new wildly-popular shortened post-login sequence. In August, NCF was looking at serious financial figures. To develop a response, an in-depth study was conducted of a week of usage data. Also, a questionnaire was developed to increase awareness of how NCF operates, to get a general feel for members' attitude toward the existing level of services, and to get a feel for how many members might be able to use PPP-based services. About 20,000 people participated. The results are attached below. The system design discussion group had about 250 postings in 1996. See 'go sys-design'. 5) Any suggestions for 1996 goals and objectives for your volunteer group The system design workspaces function well as low-cost, low-effort communication channels and discussion space. Attachment: This posting contains results from a recent NCF questionnaire developed by NCF staff and volunteers. All members using the system during late August to November were presented with the questionnaire upon login and invited to participate. Of 20,107 invitations, 18,604 members (93%) replied to at least one question. Questionnaires are one way for the board and staff to determine how to best serve members. Information helps members also, so below is a summary of the questions and responses. Questions were asked in english or french, for the convenience of the member. The following summary combines all responses. Here is the text of the questionnaire and responses: ******************************************* ** National Capital FreeNet ** ** Libertel de la Capitale nationale ** ******************************************* Please take a moment to help with planning for new services, and to review a summary of your FreeNet connection and donation history (we thought you might be interested). This won't take long -- and it will not subtract from your session time. Veuillez prendre un instant pour nous aider a planifier de nouveaux services et aussi pour revoir le resume de votre historique de connexion et de dons au Libertel (nous pensions que ca vous interesserait). Ce ne sera pas long et ne sera pas soustrait de votre limite de session. What is your prefered language? 18604 (100%) Respondents 17976 (97%) Select 1 for English 628 (3%) Selectionnez 2 pour obtenir le francais Have you ever used a graphical 'web browser', such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer? 17827 (96%) Respondents 12300 (69%) Yes 5527 (31%) No (or not sure) Do you have regular access to a computer capable of running a graphical web browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer? 17528 (94%) Respondents 12026 (69%) Yes 4152 (24%) No (or not sure) 1350 (8%) No, but planned upgrades will soon give me access to a grap... Shown below is the record of your usage this year, including your number of sessions (log-ins) and number of hours:minutes connected, per month. [usage data shown here, personalized] Does the information seem correct? (sometimes data is lost) 17546 (94%) Respondents 16992 (97%) Yes 554 (3%) No [if the person answered 'no', text was displayed to explain how errors occur and ask for an estimate of typical monthly usage] The National Capital FreeNet is owned by the members. Tens of thousands of people in the national capital region have used FreeNet as a low-risk way to learn about online networking. FreeNet helps facilitate vibrant community interactions. The range and quality of services at FreeNet depends on how much we, the members, donate (in dollars and/or volunteer time). Shown below is the record of your monetary donations to NCF from October 1995 to August 1996 (very recent donations may not be shown here). [donation data shown here, personalized] Does the information seem correct? 17343 (93%) Respondents 16422 (95%) Yes 921 (5%) No [if the person answered 'no', text was displayed to explain how errors occur and ask for an estimate of recent donations] Here are rough costs of some communication services: Cable TV starts at $19 per month Telephone starts at $14 per month Newspaper about $18 per month FreeNet about $2 per month, per member The range and quality of FreeNet services depends on total donations. We could all donate more and get more, or donate less and get less. Which do you prefer: 16485 (89%) Respondents 1891 (11%) Reduce services and costs (average donation less than $2/month) 7544 (46%) Maintain current services (average donation of $2/month) 3771 (23%) Improve services (average donation of $3/month) 3279 (20%) Improve services considerably (average donation of $4/month) * * * New Services in September (adding to what exists) * * * FreeMail Use graphical e-mail tools such a Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or Eudora. FreePages Personal homepages for members and organizations. FreePlace Full-text searches and NCF newsgroups accessible by internet. Also coming: Graphical web browsing! Plus, six more lines will be added to the Express Pool (520-7835) and 64 lines upgraded from 2400 baud to 14.4K baud. Donations and volunteer efforts make this possible. If you haven't made a donation recently and value the effect NCF has on our community and the services that NCF provides, please consider making a donation at this time. Will you make a donation? 16286 (88%) Respondents 2737 (17%) Yes, tell me more (briefly) about how to donate 2042 (13%) Perhaps; tell me more 1382 (8%) I donated recently 8072 (50%) Some other time 2053 (13%) I do not plan to make a donation [information was then displayed appropriate to the answer provided, eg., on how to donate, etc] Thank you for your assistance. Comments? Send e-mail to: comments@freenet.carleton.ca [end of questionnaire]