MINUTES OF ROCKVILLE COMMUNITY NETWORK MEETING
June 12, 1997
The meeting was called to order by Bob
Skinner at 7:40 p.m. In attendance were Tom
DeGeorge, Bob Ekman, Randy Gentry, John
Herman, Jane Jacobs, Dave Mays, Gail Wisan
Muren, Roald Schrack, Barbara Skinner, and
Bob Skinner.
The minutes of the May 8, 1997, meeting were
read and approved.
A. Report by Tom DeGeorge and Dave Mays:
1. FTP access to WWW server is in
place.
2. List server status: installed but
not available for another week or so;
documentation is available which Bob
Ekman will review.
3. Threaded discussion group software:
Dave will assess Perl Script information
forwarded by Stan Klein; other threaded
discussion group software suggested,
such as Web Crossing, Podium. John
Herman and Bob Ekman to check for
promotional literature, make phone calls
to Charlotte, Boulder, Davis to
determine their threaded discussion
options. Stressed by group that
software be feature rich, secure, user
friendly, interactive. Discussion on
membership, mail accounts, membership
payments. Group interested in both E-
mail and list server access.
B. Dave Mays reported that City's budget,
to be voted on by Mayor and Council on
Monday, June 16, 1997, supposed to
include $2500 in-kind donation to
Rocknet (postage, printing, graphics,
etc.) and a share of a Webmaster's time.
C. John Herman commended unanimously by
group for his presentation on Rocknet's
behalf at budget hearings.
D. John Herman queried if City had somehow
received an invoice for Rocknet's domain
name; Dave Mays to check with Thomas E.
Thomas and City's accounts payable.
Group determined that Rocknet needs a
"mailbox" at City Hall.
E. Bob Ekman relayed thanks from the
Rockville Consortium for Science for
Rocknet's participation in the Science
Fair.
F. Political candidates discussion:
1. Roald Schrack provided definition
of a recognized candidate for a City
election: must present 100 signatures
endorsing candidacy 45 days before the
election; or, if money has been
contributed for a campaign, must make a
financial report to the City and is
thereby recognized. "Either - or"
triggers: First 100 signatures or first
financial report of money collected.
Bob Skinner to check Davis to determine
if they have a criteria for identifying
political candidates.
Discussion also included working up a
questionnaire for potential candidates;
check with League of Women Voters to see
if they have a standard questionnaire
format.
F. Group re-visited and voted to modify the
resolution adopted in the May 8, 1997,
meeting.
MAY 8, 1997 RESOLUTION:
"Move that Rocknet will provide the
following capability to political
candidates: a menu of an alphabetical
listing of candidates by office with a
pointer to each name to be a link to one
meg of space, the content of which is to
be defined by each candidate, and
containing HTML, text and graphics
supplied by each candidate, with two
updates allowed, one on September 1,
1997, and one on October 1, 1997."
MODIFICATIONS:
1. Candidate criteria: Either 100
signatures or first financial report -
YET TO BE DETERMINED;
2. Strike statement about the
dedication of one megabyte of space per
candidate;
3. Each candidate's responses to a set
questionnaire (provided by Rocknet and
with the length of each question having
a defined limit) will be posted;
4. In addition to having his/her
questionnaire responses posted, each
candidate will have one link to a Web
site of the candidate's choice, with
candidate providing HTML, ASCII, text
and graphics;
5. Included with each candidate's
questionnaire responses will be a
specific disclaimer by Rocknet that the
views expressed by the candidates are
their own and do not reflect the views
of Rocknet.
Modifications voted on and approved
unanimously.
G. Discussion determined that Rocknet
request suggestions to be included in
political questionnaire. Bob Ekman to
post, quick time turn-around required -
various avenues suggested, such as press
release to Gazette. Responses to come
to account set up on City server.
H. Discussion re Bob Ekman's proposed
criteria for link on Rocknet pages:
1. Add that criteria can be amended in
the future;
2. Agree to specifically exclude
businesses without Web sites;
3. Add that Rocknet will not link to
individuals at this time;
4. Add words "such as" to examples of
non-profit organizations that may be
listed without a link; and
5. Add that Rocknet "will not
knowingly link to a Web page where the
organization promotes or engages in
illegal activities."
Gail Muren-Wisan moved to accept
criteria with modifications; seconded by
Roald Schrack; motion passed.
I. Presentation by Jane Jacobs: due to
illness she was unable to attend meeting
in Blacksburg for the Consensus
Democracy conference. However,
following testimony before Mayor and
Council on June 2, 1997, she was asked
to prepare more detailed information on
a pilot "community innovation support
center" and sought Rocknet input. Bob
Skinner, Bob Ekman both indicated it was
their belief that Rocknet could take an
active role in supporting such an
endeavor and that Rocknet could be an
iteration of Wheel Knowledge. Jane will
keep group apprised of developments as
they occur.
Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
