TFN - Financial Picture
Bruce Becker
FYI - reposted...
,u, Bruce Becker Toronto, Ontario 1 416 699 1868
a /i/ Internet: b...@gts.org Uucp: ...!gts!bdb
`\o\-e "What is mind? ...no matter... What is matter? ...never mind..."
_< /_ - Funk Lord of the Universe
--------- 8< --------- 8< --------- 8< --------- 8< --------- 8< ---------
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 1996 18:19:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: Sam Lanfranco <lan...@yorku.ca>
Subject: Re: TFN - Financial Picture
This is an "outsider's" view since I am no longer on the board of TFN. I
do not know what TFN can do in the short run but, if it is to survive in
the long run, It will have to increase CERTAIN services and cut costs.
That means probably re-focusing no so much on its mission but on its
vision of how to achieve that mission.
It has not partnered in with -for example- the Social Development Network
initiative. It probably had not connected at the right level with the
overall public library system. It is unlikely to survive as a strict
low-grade internet service provider. It has not been able to build
content. I know first hand that offers to provide information - made using
the on-line 'form' go unanswered. It does not appear that TFN has looked
at what is working - and not working - elsewhere.
One can go only so far looking inward and taking the status quo for
granted. So that this does not sound like a broadside against the TFN -
which it is not intended to be- let me describe what a successful TFN will
look like in 5 years. First, it will solve the access problem in
partnership with others (community centres, libraries, etc.) and not by
maintaining a bank of modems and phone lines. Second, it will be a content
rich site (with information about local things that is not present
elsewhere). Third, it will be a service site for groups who need a server
space but cannot afford one elsewhere. Fourth, it will be a venue for
public discussions about things having to do with Toronto. People with
access will come to TFN for what TFN has in the way of content and action.
They will not be coming to it as a low-grade ISP with heavy overhead costs
for modems, phone lines, routers, etc. and a poor suite of server
services.
That is what a successful TFN will look like. The call for a vision at
this time is ....how to get there... and that will be consistant with the
original mission.
Sam Lanfranco <aa...@torfree.net>
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