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Grex > Coop6 > #30: "Coffeehouse" Connection to Grex? | |
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rcurl
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"Coffeehouse" Connection to Grex?
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Nov 7 07:06 UTC 1994 |
Discussions within the Computer Rehabilitation Committee - and the
availability of some equipment - have led to the suggestion that Grex
consider installing a "Coffeeshop" or "Lunchcounter" connection.
This would be a terminal permitting calling Grex *only* from a
public site. It is suggested that the owner of the location pay for
the phone line, and we would support the terminal and associated
hardware.
This would be a public-service "outreach" program, for computer
conferencing and other computer resources access, through Grex.
Having an open terminal for public use/abuse would necessitate some
posted-paperword and PR flyers. People could create personal accounts
for themselves, or use some sort of "public" loginid that is already
created for them.
What do you think of this idea?
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| 86 responses total. |
srw
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response 1 of 86:
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Nov 7 08:01 UTC 1994 |
This is an incredibly avant-garde idea for Ann Arbor.
I think it has potential, but I'm not sure what the risks are.
Basically, I like this idea (cautiously). Is there a champion for this
plan, who would oversee all the aspects of its implementation if we
decided to try to make it happen?
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carson
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response 2 of 86:
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Nov 7 11:37 UTC 1994 |
Risks! Risks! Headaches!
Sounds great!
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steve
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response 3 of 86:
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Nov 7 14:25 UTC 1994 |
The risks aren't any worse than what we already have: open access
dial in lines (and domain address) that seemingly every vandal in the
world knows about.
The "risk" we run is getting bombarded with really clueless people;
people who haven't any understanding of computers or bbs's, etc. but
who are real people. I'd like to get them on, myself. What we need
is a system of documentation that will help them. I know Misti is working
on a booklet, which is really what we need to help them out.
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pegasus
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response 4 of 86:
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Nov 7 18:49 UTC 1994 |
You know where I'd suggest we try this? At the Barnes & Nobles coffee area
or the Borders coffee area. These places have tons of Internet handbooks
available in the computer books section, and it could fit right in.
Pattie
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chip
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response 5 of 86:
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Nov 8 01:06 UTC 1994 |
What a neat idea! Why not look at doing this in small communities that
are a local call from Ann Arbor, too?
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remmers
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response 6 of 86:
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Nov 8 03:32 UTC 1994 |
*Splendid* idea, Pattie. I wonder if the fact that some Borders
employees are Grexers gives us an inside track...
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kentn
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response 7 of 86:
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Nov 8 04:42 UTC 1994 |
Yes, cool idea, Pattie.
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rcurl
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response 8 of 86:
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Nov 8 05:32 UTC 1994 |
Then, what we need is the Champion, called for by Steve (#1). The
person should be someone with a contact with management at the site,
plus the knowledge (or can find the knowledge) to set up the system.
The site should be willing to support the phone line.
I think some discussion is needed on how this would *work*. Should
there be limited time slots for users? On site help? Should users
log in as individuals, or use a common id? Would it be OK for the site
to hold demonstrations and tutorials? At the moment I think Yes, Yes,
Yes, Yes...(I think positively... ;->).
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cicero
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response 9 of 86:
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Nov 8 06:24 UTC 1994 |
I =think= I saw something like this in use in the San Francisco Bay Area back
when I lived in CA. There were these terminals in I guess coffee shops etc.
which were hooked in to a network of linked BBSs.
I never really investigated the thing because all the dialins were long
distance for me me.
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rcurl
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response 10 of 86:
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Nov 8 07:27 UTC 1994 |
CNN has been carrying a report this evening about a chain of cofeehouses
in Europe with computers linked to the internet, called "On-Line Cafe".
It appears that their computers have IP/TCP connections. It may be a
little difficult to interest sites in our humble offering, at least
at sites looking for a bigger show (at a higher price).
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kentn
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response 11 of 86:
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Nov 8 07:39 UTC 1994 |
Even so, party would be a good attraction here in Ann Arbor, I'd think.
And the books cf. of course.
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tsty
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response 12 of 86:
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Nov 9 20:38 UTC 1994 |
I have enough confidence in some of my call-killers to warrant, and
be respoonsible for, any untoward telephone calls, which would
be the primary "danger" as seen by the site(s) in question.
Also, these sites +shoud be+ (imnsho) terminals only with 1200 (max)
baud modems. This makes them useless for local storage and slow
interactivity, thus choking any hi-speed "neat ideas."
Also, it permits learners to acclimate better, I think.
The call-killers I install, do cost some bucks, though. There
are two varieties, programmable and non-programmable. Both will
prohibit 0perator and long-distance calls (more than 7 digits).
The programmable models can be restricted to allowing ONLY one
phone number to be made. These are more expensive, however.
The non-programmable call-killer allows +any+ 7 digit number,
meaning that "other" systems can be contacted - including
Merit/MichNet/Hermes.merit.edu .... etc.
The only way to get around call-killers is to hard-tap the
phone line, which, of course, is also the way to make any
type of call from any type of phone service anyway ....
Thoughts?
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tsty
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response 13 of 86:
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Nov 12 05:52 UTC 1994 |
I approached the REndevoux Cafe on So.U last night. At that initial
stage, the idea was acceptable and worth considering farther.
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rcurl
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response 14 of 86:
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Nov 12 08:04 UTC 1994 |
The response to this idea sounds generally favorable. Does anything
more need be done to "approve" doing it? I don't see why, as anyone
anywhere can install a computer to connect to anything they can. The
only point that might require at least a "blessing" is the use of
the name Grex (and Cyberspace Comm.) in connection with it. Just so
that we can get that taken care of, in case anyone thinks it requires
anything official, I'd like it put on the agenda for the baord meeting
on 16 November.
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gregc
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response 15 of 86:
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Nov 12 11:17 UTC 1994 |
Actually, as far as preventing the phone from dailing unwanted numbers,
that's something the phone company can do. You can just specify that only
local numbers can be dialed on the line, and I *think* you could even
limit it to 1 specific number with a modern switch.
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tsty
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response 16 of 86:
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Nov 13 13:51 UTC 1994 |
that is an improvement - but you still have to pay for that LD hookup.
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tsty
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response 17 of 86:
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Nov 13 13:52 UTC 1994 |
If it is restricted simply to the Grex number, we would have a greater
obligation than if we arranged for any-7-digits.
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rcurl
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response 18 of 86:
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Nov 13 21:26 UTC 1994 |
A couple of questions: re #13: would you describe the Rendevoux cafe,
briefly, TS? Clientele? Alcohol served? Who did you speak to and what did
they say (in general, e.g., willingness to install a phone line)? re
#15-16: RS sells an "Outgoing Call Restrictor", which is sold to stop
"900" calls, but I think it is more versatile. Something like that would
be an option for just an ordinary line. re #17: what is the "greater
obligation" for a line restricted to the Grex number? (Having it entirely
open defeats our purpose to some extent, which is to provide a local
window to Grex: if its open, Grex might not be the main use.)
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raven
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response 19 of 86:
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Nov 13 22:25 UTC 1994 |
The Rendevoux cafe seems like a fine place for the terminal from
what I remember of it, I'm pretty sure they don't serve alcohol.
One question I have is that maybe we would want to contact
someone at m-net and see if they want their # on the dialer as well?
Maybe they could even help defray the cost of LD hookup?
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rcurl
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response 20 of 86:
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Nov 13 22:34 UTC 1994 |
I was thinking of this being a particularly unique Grex program, though
I would believe it if M-Net jumped on the band-wagon too. What if we
started it, and then consider any interest of M-Net to be on the same
terminal (if they don't simply start there own elsewhere).
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raven
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response 21 of 86:
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Nov 13 23:00 UTC 1994 |
I guess I don't see non-profit BBSs as being in competition. I
have accounts both here and on m-net that serve different purposes
(though I'm far more active here and this is where my membership $$
goes). It just seems like if we got other non-profit BBSs involved
it would give people on the recieving end more choices, and would
help defray costs for all involved.
Just my $0.02 worth. Whatever choice is made I would be psyched
to have espresso with my BBSing!
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tsty
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response 22 of 86:
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Nov 14 10:08 UTC 1994 |
Rendevoux is a coffee/veggie-juices/fruit-smoothie study shop with
two floors, an outdoor deck and smoking/no-smoking areas.
It;'s also a campus hangout (aren't they all) that is fairly well
populated every day. They are open till 3am .....
Nice glass front, good perns working there, space for a terminal
or two on both the 1st and 2nd floors.
the bit about "greater obligation" has to do with the ultimate
destination of a phone call. If it's a Grex-only arrangement, no one
could call Merit or any other location. That would (imo) lead to
serious objections from the general public who would consider
that Grex and the REndevoux were running a VeryLimited PR campaign.
If the instructions are only available for Grex (and other stuff is up
to the user) then we have promoted adn directed new and old to
come over here and join us .... and without restricting (censoring)
the opportunities to enter all/any of cyberspace.
Since my recommendation was for a 1200 baud modem, beginners would
not be too swamped, and the crackers would go elsewhere. If the
modem were to be a 14.4 Kbps, there is the opportunity for theft as
well as devious ideas at hi-speed. But who wnats to crack stuff
at 1200? Who would steal a 1200? Who would steal an old terminal?
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tsty
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response 23 of 86:
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Nov 14 10:09 UTC 1994 |
Oh, REndevoux also has sandwiches and desserts .....
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rcurl
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response 24 of 86:
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Nov 14 23:13 UTC 1994 |
General local access would be fine with me, though it wasn't (I thought)
the original idea. It is still in keeping with Grex's purposes to make
any computer link access available to the public. General access would also,
as TS indicates, defuse thoughts of this as a PR effort.
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