On Fri, 16 Sep 1994 07:32:12 +0100,
Guy Hermann  <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
 
>It is easy to forget that the vast majority of institutions (especially
>smaller ones) have no direct Internet connection and little likelihood of
>having one in the next few years.  Sure, we can contract space on other
>servers and leach on to other institutions, but this requires a fairly
>sophisticated understanding of Internet services and of Unix.
 
Guy, Two good models: Max Anderson at Emery University set up AAMD-L for
art museum directors--in just 4 months it has 1/3 of the 200+ membership at
no cost (other than his sweat puting us on-line); Tom Trow, AsstDean
College of Liberal Arts, U of Minn, has set up an on-line Artsgroup for
Twin Cities arts administrators--many are one- or two-person shops--for $50
per year. It includes free software (SLIP, MINUET, etc), access to the
internet, expert assistance from U of M Computer Labs, and each of us gets
low cost ($10 per 2 hrs) training through the U of M.--all for a local
phone call. A bit of creativity goes a long way--check out local resources.
Granted, these examples may be exceptional--just good educational
organizations fostering their respective missions--but I'm always amazed at
what's there, often just for the asking!
 
>Sure, we _should_ be on the Internet, but for many of us it is the Holy
>Grail.  Commercial Services are excellent way for some us to learn the
>benefits of online as we move up the on ramps.  Experiments like this are
>the best way to find out how we can best reach our audiences.
 
I think it will depend on *who* your audience is, or could be . . .Best, Jim