devnull
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outgoing internet access for non-members
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Mar 14 08:34 UTC 1999 |
I don't really remember exactly where the discussion of allowing people
who aren't paying members outgoing internet access from grex, but it
seems to have died out without there being any good reason that I remember.
Anyway, I'd like to make this motion:
Outgoing internet access from grex will be allowed to any Michigan
resident who provides suitable proof of identity. The exact definition
of `suitable proof of identity' will be determined at the discression of
the board of directors.
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remmers
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response 3 of 127:
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Mar 14 20:04 UTC 1999 |
All users have access to outgoing http via lynx (or anything else that
uses the http protocol). Only members have access to outgoing telnet and
ftp.
Re resp:0 - Why Michigan, specifically? People in Michigan who are a
long distance phone call from Ann Arbor need an ISP to get to Grex,
which usually means that they already have access to the services which
you propose to provide for free. It makes more sense to talk about
providing free outbound services to validated users in Grex's local
calling area. That would make services available for free that people
currently have to pay for. Since Grex is a 501(c)3 organization with a
charitable mission, this is certainly something worth discussing.
If we did this, we'd be in "competition" to ISP's to an extent. But we
already are, to an extent - we offer free internet email and
(non-graphical) web access. Presumably we'd never be able to offer the
level of service in terms of bandwidth and resources that a commercial
ISP would have, so any competition would be at most partial, just as it
is now.
I'd love to see Grex do this if it has the resources. But does it have
the resources - computing power, staff time, money? That's the real
question.
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cmcgee
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response 4 of 127:
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Mar 15 00:32 UTC 1999 |
As one of the people who would benefit from this, I suggest that we _not_ do
it. Grex does have ongoing financial needs. And far fewer people abuse any
service when they have to pay a nominal fee for it. I see no reason to
suddenly change Grex into a free service by unlinking the two most
"abuse-prone" commands from membership.
The benefit is so minor in comparison with the new demands on volunteer time
that would ensue, that I think we should leave them as that small nudge that
helps people decide to support Grex.
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