THE AmIUG BULLETIN local electronic publication of the Armenian Internet Users Group ---------------------------------------------------------------- December 20, 1998 Vol. 3, No. 6 hostmaster@amnic.net ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE AmIUG BULLETIN is a bimonthly electronic newsletter of the Armenian Internet Users Group composed of timely information about Internet-related events and services in Armenia, Armenian Internet Users Group updates, summaries of Internet news from Armenia, the international press, and announcements of relevant conferences, seminars, and workshops. THE AmIUG BULLETIN is on the Web. You can visit the AMNIC www server, www.amnic.net to find the AmIUG Bulletin there. In this issue: The first free public access information service in Armenia By Tigran Nazarian ARM/96/002 Internet Project Co-ordinator UNDP, Yerevan, Armenia http://www.freenet.am The Armenian Freenet (http://www.freenet.am) has been established in the framework of UNDP Armenia Internet project. This first free public access information service became operational in February 1998, and since then has been providing services and corresponding training to over 1,000 organisational and individual users (for the current number of users and trainees, please see www.freenet.am/Users.html and www.freenet.am/Training.html respectively). The Armenian Freenet provides low-cost and free Internet access and training services for non-profit, governmental and educational organizations, as well as individuals who accept the Armenian Freenet User Agreement. The Armenian Freenet pursues the following objectives: (1) help universities, schools, libraries, public, scientific, religious and other non-profit organizations and individuals in using and benefiting from today's information technologies; (2) encourage creativity and free exchange of ideas on national cultural and scientific achievements in contemporary information medium; and (3) contribute to the development of National Information Infrastructure (NII) and national information resources in Armenia. The services under the Armenian Freenet include: web hosting, email account, access to national WWW resources, training, and others. The relations between the users and the Armenian Freenet are regulated by the Armenian Freenet User Agreement. Registration is on-line. Each user is provided an account name, restricted UNIX shell which includes almost all basic opportunities, POP3 access, web mail interface and WWW space. The resources provided to the users are restricted to the established quotas. Armenian Freenet is not providing technical support. User help information is available under a corresponding FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) at www.freenet.am. Connectivity to the Armenian Freenet can be established through any available network. The dial-up connectivity is available through the following nine telephone numbers: 56 90 21 through 56 90 29 using PPP (point-to-point protocol). The Armenian Freenet has a large developed hardware base that includes VSAT satellite communications equipment, CISCO routers (7000 and 4000 series), SUN servers (450, 250 and netra i), radio modems, access servers, modem pool for connectivity via local telephone lines, two Freenet training/public access sites each equipped with 10 network-integrated PCs, printers, projectors. The Training component under the Armenian Freenet is implemented at two training sites located in the UN House in Yerevan and in Parberakan Building (2 Arshakuniatz Ave., Yerevan). The Training Site in the UN House is open on continuous basis, but group training sessions should be arranged in advance; the second training site at Parberakan Building is open every working day from 11:00 to 15:00 as a public access site providing Internet access from every workstation (except Tuesdays and Thursdays which are the days of regular ArmFN training sessions; for more info, please visit http://www.freenet.am/Training.html). A paramount concern of the ArmFN is to have educated and capable users that are able to effectively use the opportunities offered and enrich the Freenet with their ideas and information. Since May 1998, the Armenian Freenet has been implementing the Freenet Training Programme - a comprehensive set of tailor-made training courses on the Internet from basics to advanced subjects like SQL and Network Administration. The Armenian Freenet operates several domain names: freenet.am that contains Freenet and user websites, mirrors and user mail domains; undp.am for UNDP Armenia host server; gov.am for information and connectivity services of the Government of Armenia; numerous secondary domain names for the users' needs. The Armenian Freenet has established websites on important issues of national concern upon request from corresponding organisations. Among these are the United Nations websites, the 1998 Presidential Elections website, the Armenian Government Website, etc. The Armenian Freenet operates two mailing lists. The first is Mailing List on Armenian Standards that provides a forum for discussion on issues of national language support and implementation on the Internet. The second is a mailing list entitled "Armenian Webmasters' Club". This virtual club brings together experienced webmasters from Armenia and outside, and provides a forum for discussion on all aspects of WWW sites in Armenia and about Armenia. The Armenian Freenet provides technical assistance to selected Government ministries in setting up and configuring their electronic communication and information systems. The Armenian Freenet is working on the development of local inter-connectivity to other large networks operating in Armenia and ISPs in order to save limited outside bandwidth capacities and ensure more speedy and reliable connection of the users at least within Armenia.