| Learn |
Site
Index |
Connections
archives
DANEnet
by Toni Canfield,University of Michigan School of Information
What is DANEnet?
DANEnet is a non-profit, volunteer organization. Its mission is to build and sustain a public/private community information resource that uses accessible and affordable information systems and networks to inform, connect, and empower Dane County's citizens and communities.
DANEnet's policy and goals
Mission statement:We live in a diverse community, made up of people from many different backgrounds, and we face many complex challenges and opportunities. Computer networking can be a powerful new way to communicate, and as more and more people become acquainted with networking this and similar sites can serve as a new kind of public forum where we can communicate about issues that are important to us, and see these issues from many different perspectives.
Who Runs DANEnet?
DANEnet is operated by a non-profit volunteer-led organization known as the Dane County Community Information Partnership, Inc (DCCIP). The governing board is an elected body of interested community members. Therefore, the community runs DANEnet. As DANEnet grows, it is likely that full-time staff will be hired to manage day-to-day operations. The technical staff is composed of one paid employee and a group of technical specialists at UW-Extension. Administrative staff includes one paid employee and committee volunteers from civic and business organizations from throughout Dane County.
Who are the key people in DANEnet?
The Steering Committee, which consists of many people that decided that they would assist with the upkeep and administration of the DANEnet system, is listed on the server in the "about DANEnet" area of the server. Their names are highlighted, and anyone visiting the page can click on any of the names, which provides the ability to email them directly from the page. Ten of them are members of the Board of Directors (indicated by a red ball image next to their names) and one is the DANEnet President and Board Chair (indicated by a yellow ball image next to the name).
The WiCIP project
DANEnet is the public name for DCCIP, the Dane County Community Information Partnership, Inc., and is part of the Wisconsin Community Information Partnership (WiCIP). WiCIP is a concept for the creation of community information networks across Wisconsin, and is a multi-level project of the University of Wisconsin-Extension and the Educational Communications Board, currently involving both Dane County (DANEnet) and Grant County (GRANeT). Its development has also been supported by Ameritech.
What can be found on DANEnet?
The emphasis of DANEnet is on the local information that is available, local being defined as Dane County (which includes Madison, the state capitol). Links are provided, as available, for the individual communities' pages which may provide more information about the specific area you may be looking for. It includes cities, villages, and neighborhoods that have information online and are linked to the DANEnet server (or are on the DANEnet server).
How is information selected for presentation?
The information that is provided on the DANEnet server is provided solely by the information provider that has purchased space on the server. The requirements that must be fulfilled to be present on the server are very general, and if a person or organization wishes to present information for the general public on the server all that is needed is a signed form agreeing to the policies of the server space provider (the DANEnet organization) and the yearly fee. The emphasis is on local information, for the Dane County area, and anyone with information regarding that region is welcome to sign the agreement form and provide others access to their information.Some organizations that have elected to lease space on the server are: human services (Madison Literacy Council, Computers to Help People, etc.), recreation organizations and clubs (The Madison Wordplayers, Madison Scottish Country Dancers, etc.), religious organizations and churches (Freedom from Religion Foundation, Eastside Lutheran Church and School, etc.), senior organizations (North East Senior Coalition, East Madison/Monona Coalition of Aging, Inc., etc.) and youth services (Briarpatch, Dane County Youth Commission, Stoughton Youth Center, etc).
How is DANEnet accessible?
DANEet is in the process of equipping several community centers with a computer for public access. In addition, DANEnet is working to develop links with South Central Library System. Each site will have access to all community information, however as yet there is no list of access centers.Instructions for the general public to access the information is on the server, and is possible with any web browser and Internet access, by going to the address "http://danenet.wicip.org/" and manoevering through the menus as desired. Getting there by a non-graphics-able program or machine is available as well, by using a lynx or telnet application which will give access to text-only information. If the user is a subscriber of the email applications at the server, the user can dial in with a modem from home and have access to their email. The ideal access hardware and software, which will give the user the best results, is mentioned.