SEORF, a grassroots computer network run primarily by community volunteers, is the brainchild of teachers Damien Bawn of Federal Hocking High School and Tom Stork of Athens High School. The two had experience with other computer networks and wanted to bring the same on-line access to their students and others in Southeastern Ohio. Working with the Department of Computer Science and the Telecommunications Center at Ohio University, Bawn and Stork helped to enlist interest from other educators and community organizations who want to use computers to deliver a wide range of local information, as well as to provide access to the array of information available on the global Internet.
SEORF went on-line last December for public school teachers and students. So far nearly 2,500 users have registered to use the service. With this year's public debut, SEORF is now expanding access to the community-at-large. Individuals and organizations throughout the region who have access to a computer with a modem will be able to access SEORF services which include electronic mail, information about regional schools, religious organizations, local governments, social services and community organizations. Access will be limited at first, since only a few phone lines will be available. SEORF organizers are planning a campaign to raise funds from the community to expand the number of dial-in lines and to fund additional computer capacity to handle the anticipated increase in users.
Those involved in the launch of this new service stress that it will not replace commercial on-line services, such as CompuServe or America Online. SEORF will emphasize local, regional and state information, and will concentrate on giving area organizations a place to provide information to citizens. While Free-Net users will not be charged for connect time, file space and time spent online will be limited. Despite the name, Free-Nets are not free. Organizers will seek a mixture of grants and community support to sustain the service.
Ohio University President Robert Glidden, a frequent electronic mail user and computer enthusiast, has endorsed plans for the Free-Net and its mission. Glidden introduced SEORF during his Inaugural Address on October 1.
Area resources on SEORF will include news and information from The Athens Messenger, The Athens News, Ohio University Public Radio and Television, city and county governments, area libraries, economic development agencies and social service organizations. Nearly all of the material that will appear online will be produced by volunteers or representatives of various agencies. As SEORF develops, organizers hope to attract volunteers to host new information areas that will be of interest to area residents.
Among SEORF's goals is to provide public access to the service for those without their own personal computers. Organizers are working with area libraries, community centers and schools to see how to extend access to the service. Public terminals already exist at the Athens Public Library and the Athens Media Access Center (AMAC).
Additional virtual groundbreaking sites included the Athens Media Access Center, Health Recovery Services, Athens High School, Morrison Elementary School, the Washington County Public Library, Crooksville High School, Logan Middle School and Hocking College.