Chapel Hill Technology Advisory Committee

[Terri Buckner <tbuckner AT ibiblio.org>]

IT Members,

The school system already makes internet appliances (free) and low cost 
ISP access available to all students. They have devoted a great deal of 
effort into ensuring that all students have equal access--that was their 
basis for implementing a Citrix network. They would need to agree to 
install Citrix (and maintain) on any 'free' computers in order for 
students to use them for schoolwork. Then there's the wireless card 
issue. We need to make sure Doug Noell is going to be present before we 
schedule this as an agenda item.

There are also significant barriers involved in re-distributing 
state-owned computers. The town (and the university) cannot give 
computers purchased with tax dollars to any individual or non-government 
entity. I've been trying to figure out how to transfer 5 of the Town's 
surplus computers to a teen center in Carrboro and am not having much 
luck. The town can only give them to another town approved agency, such 
as Empowerment or the Friends of Parks and Rec, who can then distribute 
them. I've contacted a couple of other agencies before I learned about 
these two and they agreed to be the conduit, but required that their own 
groups had first choice ahead of the teen center. I suggest we invite 
Delores Bailey in for this discussion also.

As for the wireless network, the Downtown Economic Development 
Corporation is in the final stages of hiring a new executive director. 
Setting up a downtown wireless network will be one of the earliest 
priorities for that individual. According to their preliminary plans, 
part of Northside would be included in the downtown range. That 
individual and Andrea Rohrbacher should also be included in the discussion.

It's kind of a drag when something so simple turns into such a pain, 
isn't it? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I'm not sure whether its 
so complicated to give computers away because its such a new idea or 
whether it will continue to be problematic every year.

Terri


Gregg Gerdau wrote:

> On tonight's (June 15th) Council Business Meeting Agenda,  Item 
> 15(a)2 was a recommendation from Council Members Wiggins and Greene to 
> act on a citizen’s recommendation to create a wireless Internet access 
> environment in the Northside neighborhood and make old computers 
> available for use by persons who otherwise would not have access to 
> computers and the Internet. “We believe this idea merits further 
> consideration and could be of value in both the Northside and Pine 
> Knolls neighborhoods.” wrote the Council Members.
>
> The discussion was brief, but Mayor Foy said “it’s a good idea” and made 
> a motion to refer it to the Manager for a follow-up report. Council 
> Member JIM WARD stepped in and said “and the Technology Committee?” and 
> Mayor Foy said “yes, and the Technology Committee”. The motion passed 
> unanimously.
>
> This links to the whole document:  
> http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/ca050615/15a(2)-petition_to_consider_establishing_wireless_internet_access_in_the_northside_and_pine_knolls_neighborhoods_and_program_for_use_of_old_computers.htm
>
> Thank you, JIM WARD!
>
> Bob Avery - we must include this on the June 21st TC Agenda being 
> published tomorrow...I will send over an amended draft.
>
> With best regards,
>  
> Gregg
>  
>  
>  
> Gregg Gerdau
> Chair
> Chapel Hill Technology Committee
> mobile 919-593-0037
> office  650-302-3500
> home  919-932-5202
> e-fax  650-618-1578
> gregg AT gdgerdau.com <mailto:gregg AT gdgerdau.com>
>  
>
>  
>
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