The Internet - Hype or Help?
You've probably assumed that the Internet is like most new technologies - 50%
hype and 50% irritation. However, with an increasing number of large
organisations using it, the bugs are being sorted out - fast! And as more people
use it, prices come down, and the Internet comes within the reach of smaller and
smaller organisations. Connecting is cheap and fairly easy, and with an
increasing number of UK and worldwide government and voluntary organisations on
the internet, the advantages are growing fast. So here's your guide to what it
is, what it offers, and how you get on-line. To download the whole guide, see
the jargon page.
One word of warning: Start with our pages explaining the jargon - so that
you understand the rest!
What do I Gain? - The Benefits
Getting connected is cheap and relatively easy, with step-by-step
instructions provided, but what do you actually get for your connection? Most
people use three basic services: Email, the
World Wide Web, and
FTP.
Email
Imagine a system that works at the speed of a phone call, allows you to send
detailed or complex information in writing, send pictures and diagrams like a
fax, and takes messages like an answerphone. With the right setup, it leaves you
with a copy of everything you've sent, lets you know when the person receives
it, and allows them to reply just as easily, and allows you to collect your
email from anywhere in the world. With some set-ups, it can set up an automatic message to say
you're on holiday, or redirect email to someone else while you're away, or to
your new address when you move. And each message costs the price of a local
phone call - far less than a stamp!
Sounds ideal? It's called Email, and its the most commonly used service on
the web. You'll benefit if:
 | you need to send detailed or complex messages to committee members or
other members, government officers, other organisations, etc. |
| you need to send messages very quickly (response time typically 1 minute
to 1 hour worldwide), or to send messages at times when phones aren't staffed,
people aren't in the office, etc. |
| You need to pass documents to other people in electronic form - much
easier and quicker than posting floppy disks! |
| you need to pass documents around for others to edit in other offices, and
then for them to return to you for further editing |
| you need to be kept up to date with regular information that's available
on the web (you can sign up for news bulletin services to be sent via email)
|
| you want to be able to contact others in your field in other places -
including people you've never met - the internet has "newsgroups" where
specialists in a field can chat, raise problems, and discuss topical issues |
It's reasonably secure, (but not recommended for credit card numbers, or very
valuable information without additional protection) and there are special versions you can buy which are very
secure.
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a network of computers storing documents in a format known
as web pages, which may contain text, graphics, video, audio, on-line programs
and databases, etc. etc. Using software called a Web Browser, you can read many
of them for free, or opt to pay a small charge for others. There are literally
millions of different documents available. So what do you get?
| Governments publish details of parliamentary procedings, proposals, action
programs, and grant funding schemes |
| Academics publish research reports and on-line library catalogues. |
| Voluntary groups publish details of what they're doing - you can see what
ideas others have had for tackling your problems. And you can browse round it
to see who else is working in your field. |
| Local groups and individuals publish a wealth of information about their
local area and community from maps to What's On guides to crits of the local
food! |
| Local communities of all sorts create directories of organisations for
people to look up - getting yourself into these is a valuable source of
publicity |
Get a friend to help you search the web for your own field, to get a feel for
what's available.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol
Do you need to exchange technical drawings, specification documents, data for
computer models, etc. on a regular basis with people elsewhere? Then FTP is the
service you need. It's a quicker file transfer mechanism than Email, and takes
much larger files. However, be warned:
| if your files are large, it'll tie up your computer and phone line, so it
may be worth getting a fast line to reduce the tedium |
| you will have to get space set up so that both you, and the person
communicating with you can get at it |
| it won't necessarily be confidential. |
Talk to your service provider first.
Getting Onto the Internet
There are three senses in which your organisation can get onto the
internet:
| You can get a listing in directories
on the internet so that people looking for your organisation can find your
contact details - even if you haven't got a connection to the web or a website |
| You can get a website for your
organisation where people can read about you in more detail |
| You can get an internet account to send
and receive email and browse the web yourselves, so that your staff can take
advantage of the Internet's facilities and people can communicate easily with
you. |
Getting Listed on the Internet
As the internet becomes more and more widely used, many people are turning to
directories held on the World Wide Web, rather than to the Yellow Pages etc. to
find organisations when they need help or advice, - or simply something to do!
This means that it's getting more and more important to make sure that you are
listed in the directories on the web that cover your local area.
At present, there are a few free directories and individual's sites covering
voluntary organisations in MK on the web. There are also lots of commercial
directories, but, since they typically charge £250 pa each, they'll be out of
reach of most voluntary organisations. See our list
of other listings websites for a few good ones covering Milton Keynes - and
let us know if you find any others please.
Some databases only accept entries if you've got a website of your own - and
then they link to that. Others list organisations names and addresses, but not
their websites even if you have got one! And some listings are in pages on the
web, so that search engines will find you when someone enters your
organisation's name in a general search, and some are in a database - your entry is dug out
of a database when someone consults the directory, so search engines can't see
it. So check what you're getting!
Whether you have a website or not, GET YOURSELVES ONTO
COIN NOW! COIN is Milton Keynes' Council's directory of all sorts of
voluntary sector organisations in Milton Keynes. You don't have to have a
website to be on it. It's available on the web or through libraries now, and
it really is the universal resource for locating groups in MK.
Getting a Website of your Own
A website of your own gives you space to store information that the public
can get at, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For small voluntary
organisations, it's invaluable. It also gives you a reasonably permanent web address that you
can quote on stationery, or get linked into national websites in your field, and
that will be indexed by the web directories so that people will find it.
A website can vary from very small and basic, with the equivalent of perhaps
an A4 leaflet of information that will rarely change, right up to complex full
information about all your activities that changes every week, with pictures,
sound and even video. The more complex it gets, the more skills you will need.
If you're doing it yourself, start simple!
Creating a website of your own means
locating someone with a variety of skills, and with internet access, or learning
the skills and purchasing your own internet account, and maintaining the site
yourselves. The skills to do a simple website aren't difficult - and they're
getting easier all the time as technology changes, but they will take a little
time and a little help to master.
How do I actually get an Internet Account
If you have a reasonably up-to-date computer, then getting email and the
ability to browse web pages for a year takes just £80 for equipment, an
ordinary PC, and five steps:
| check that your PC is compatible with the internet
New Windows PCs are. |
| read the whole of this page, so that you understand a little of what
people are talking about when they ask you questions! |
| Get a Modem - an electronic device to
connect your PC to the phone system (around £80). Get the fastest you
can, and get help from the modem supplier to actually connect up and test your
modem - this is the tricky bit. If you're buying a new computer, order the
modem with it so it'll come installed |
| Check with the phone company or equipment supplier that your phone line is
suitable, (most are) and what type it is - some exchanges can't deal with
modems, or need special settings on the modems |
| Ask friends (and see our list of questions)
to find a helpful, reliable Service Provider
and get an account - some are free, others
charge up to £150pa or combine it with phone services - to provide services including:
 | the phone number to connect into the actual Internet, ideally at local
call rates |
| basic software for you to use for email and searching and looking at web
pages (browsing) |
| detailed instructions (and usually a CD) for setting up the standard software on your computer and
dialling in to the Internet |
|
And that's all.
You don't need a specialist. It doesn't take weeks.
If you want to create a website of your own, then
you'll need a little more: web space, FTP
software and the skills to do it
Trying Out the Web
There are many types of centre now offering the chance to try out the
Internet before you pay for a permanent connection. These allow you to assess
for yourself whether it's any use to you. However, be warned: you will need some
help the first time you log on, so before you take a session, check that they
can provide an assistant to help you find the material you want and to answer
your questions. In many places, you'll have to pay for that service, but it's
well worth it - unless you can find a friend who knows your field to help you,
of course!
Places to try include:
|
ISI Local Support Centres for small businesses - see
Getting Help. These will offer you a guided
session by a specialist, and lots more advice as well.
|
|
Local libraries, particularly business libraries may offer you
the use of a terminal for a small fee, but an assistant to advise you may or
may not be available.
|
|
Internet Cafes will offer you the chance to use a terminal for
an hourly charge, but the availability of advice varies, and their staff will
probably be more geared to leisure users than to businesses.
|
|
Your local service provider may offer an introductory service,
but obviously they won't tell you much about their drawbacks, or their
competitors!
|
Getting Help
There are several good sources:
| For voluntary organisations in the MK area, mkweb (at the Chamber
of Commerce, tel. 01908 660002)
will offer help on getting a small website on their site. |
| MK College tel. 01908 684444 offer regular courses introducing the internet, and on
creating a website |
| The UK Government (in the form of the Department of Trade and Industry) is running a major project to try to encourage all UK organisations and individuals to get connected to the Internet, and as part of the project, they offer a range of useful publications and locally-based advice. Check out their website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/infoage/ |
| Of course, once you're connected, your service provider should
be a useful first port of call. |
|
