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Minutes of the April 17, 1996 meeting of the
School and Library Network Advisory Board
Members Present: Joanne Steneck, Phil Lindley,
Linda Lord (for R. Poulin), Gary Nichols, Barry
McCrum, Reginald Palmer, Bruce Larsen (for J.
McCarthy), Wayne Jortner (for W. Black) Absent:
Stephen Gilbert
- - - - -
1. Minutes of 4/3/96 meeting approved with no
changes. No old business.
2. Training Sessions Report
The packet of materials distributed at
the Technology Planning Workshops was passed
out. 368 attended in Ellsworth, 410 attended
in Portland. Presque Isle session changed to
4/30; +100 signed up so far.
Reviews of training positive; people
very appreciative. Ms. Steneck queried
mailing materials to people who missed
workshops - if it would be of benefit. NYNEX
will mail packets to those with inquiries
about preparing for the network connection.
It was suggested another round of
workshops be held in 4 to 6 months. It was
also suggested that schools and libraries be
required to sign a contract or statement of
understanding upon connection of service.
Further discussion of this matter at next
meeting.
3. Pricing of Equivalent Value Services
Interpretation of Commission's order
should be resolved. Methodology should be
developed and presented to the Board for its
approval. Method needed within two weeks
which will then go to the Commission for its
approval. The same method will be used for
costing out EVS as will be used for
calculating spending toward the $4 million.
Mr. Larsen stated that following
discussion with the Commission staff, his
interpretation of order was to cover
incremental costs. $70 to $100 for 40-mile
circuit; could be as low as $30 and as high
as $200 per month. 98% of all locations
possibly in $35 to $40 per month range.
A sub-group will meet and bring
something definite back to the next meeting.
Mr. McCrum, Mr. Lindley, Mr. Palmer and Mr.
Larsen agreed to be in this group.
4. Other Equipment Substitutions
Routers being substituted for FRADs was
discussed. NYNEX feels customer should pay
the difference if this choice is made. Ms.
Steneck's concern is if substituting is
started, it goes against the intent of this
program. If the prices were the same, no
problem. If it is a security difference, it
is worth it.
Security will be major issue on network.
Routers are better than FRADs in security
area.
Board to revisit question of routers
versus FRADs and price differences. Mr.
Graul from NYNEX, Mr. Jortner, Karl Beiser
and Gerry Dubay to consider
advantages/disadvantages, costs, question of
more network requirement, security issues,
timing, impact and band width optimization
and report back with a recommendation at next
meeting.
The issue was raised of whether schools
and libraries should have the additional
option of taking a T-1 connection for a group
of schools being networked rather than 56KP
lines for each location. Another sub-group
will explore this topic and report back at
the next meeting. The group will include
Mr. Black, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Palmer, Ms.
Steneck and Bob Roy (for NECTA).
5. Help Desk
Susan Winch of the Scarborough Library
discussed implementation as a NYNEX test
site. An area not covered in the proposed
training is support for configuration of
software to work properly. She feels help
desk support is more important than end user
support.
She endorses another tier of training
concurrent with training of trainers that
covers technical aspect of software. Getting
applications working together very important
but it does cost money. Two levels of
knowledge is critical.
On the table: The help desk issue and
supplemental training for technical
coordinators. The training cap in the Order
may need to be changed to higher amount.
Costs need to be firmed up so the Board knows
how much of the $4 million ($20 million) will
likely be spent.
Mr. Larsen stated training costs could
probably be doubled with no problems.
Supplemental training -- how much is
enough? One day? Technical site management?
Training for people with some experience
should be addressed.
Karl Beiser, Linda Lord, Ray Poulin, Jim
McCarthy and Gary Nichols will meet to
redefine Karl's draft proposal (for a help
desk for libraries) and present it at next
meeting. This should cover help desk;
additional site coordinator training;
hardware installation training; and separate
prices for each part of the proposal.
6. Other
At next meeting, NYNEX will report on
number of applications received and summary
of questions asked. All computer application
forms to go to NYNEX and then to
Ms. Steneck at the PUC. After 5/15 computer
applications will be reviewed. Ms. Steneck
will present to the Board for approval of
applications.
It was agreed that a flow chart would be
useful on how NYNEX will handle applications,
including requests for alternative services.
Concern expressed again that the
$500,000 for computers may be inadequate
based on results of Linda Lord's survey. The
number of requests for computers versus
upgrades is still not known but there should
be some numbers by next meeting.
Next meeting scheduled for May 1 at 1:00
p.m. in the Commission's Hearing Room.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:55 P.M.