03-25-94 Columbus free-net will begin operation in May

                                                       3-25-94

FREE-NET WILL OFFER ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO COLUMBUS AND THE WORLD

     COLUMBUS -- Sponsors plan to launch the Greater Columbus
Free-net in May, opening a new world of electronic mail,
electronic discussion groups, and access to computer databases
for thousands of people in central Ohio at no charge.

     The free-net is a community electronic information service
with free access from computer terminals at libraries and
schools.  People with home computers will dial into the free-net
over local telephone lines.

     The first free-net was organized in Cleveland in 1986.  Its
success led to creation of similar services in many major cities
across the country, including all of the major cities in Ohio.

     Professor Steven I. Gordon, associate director of academic
computing at The Ohio State University, has represented Ohio
State as the lead organizer of the free-net.

     He says the effort has received $65,000 in cash and donated
services to purchase the computer hardware and software and
telecommunications equipment.  He estimates $100,000 annually
will be needed to operate the free-net.

     Ohio State's Office of Academic Computing and Academic
Computing Services will house the free-net equipment and will
train community volunteers to operate the system.

     E. Gordon Gee, president of Ohio State, is pleased with the
progress made toward establishing the Greater Columbus Free-net.
"This effort demonstrates the ability of Ohio State and the
Columbus community to work together for the benefit of central
Ohio," he says.  "University faculty and staff have applied their
know-how to develop this service as a new community resource that
will be supported by and, eventually, operated by the community."

     Financial support for the free-net has come from Ameritech,
B and B Computer Inc., City of Columbus, The Columbus Dispatch,
Columbus Metropolitan Libraries, Franklin County Commissioners,
Ohio Department of Development, Ohio State University Hospitals,
Ohio Supercomputer Center, PINNACLE Data Systems, Warner Cable
Inc., Westerville Public Library and Worthington Public Library.

     Steven Gordon expects that many community groups, local
agencies and individuals will contribute information that will be
available on the free-net.  For example, Ohio State University
Hospitals will place public health information on the free-net,
while CALLVAC Services will post information about local services
to people in need.

     Other agencies which will contribute information include all
seven public library systems in Franklin County, all the public
school districts in Franklin County, Franklin County and Columbus
city governments, Metropolitan Human Services Commission, Ohio
Historical Society, local chambers of commerce, the WOSU stations
and The Columbus Dispatch.

     Additional information providers are expected to join as the
system develops.

     Gordon plans to open the free-net to the public in May.
Information on the free-net and registration for electronic mail
accounts will be available at the public libraries by May.

     Through the free-net, people in Columbus will be able to
send and receive electronic mail across the nation and around the
world via Internet, a network of government and university
computers.  Electronic mail also will be exchanged with people
subscribing to private computer networks, such as CompuServe.

     In addition, access to Internet will permit users to read
news, weather, government documents and other information from
across the nation and to read information posted by universities
and other agencies around the world.

     "The Greater Columbus Free-net will expose the people of
central Ohio to the kinds of information that will be available
on the 'national information superhighway' that President Clinton
has proposed," Gordon says.

     He notes that school superintendents in Franklin County have
each appointed staff members to help organize school
participation in the free-net.

     "While the free-net will have many educational uses, it also
will permit folks to check weather forecasts for travel
destinations, to read and exchange information with groups of
people sharing the same interests, and to keep up-to-date on
what's happening around Columbus.  In other words, it will be
fun, too."

     Those interested in contributing to the free-net or
volunteering may contact Gordon at the Office of Academic
Computing, 1224 Kinnear Road, Columbus, Ohio 43212; or call 292-
4132; or by electronic mail at sgordon+@osu.edu

                                #

Contact: Steven I. Gordon, (614) 292-4132.


[Submitted by: STERRETT  (sterrett@ccgate.ucomm.ohio-state.edu)
               
Fri, 25 Mar 1994 08:49:37 -0500 (EST)]
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