The project consists in changing one of the important regional distribution list for LAyC researchers and networkers (REDALC) into a modern tool which incorporates the essence of the evolution of the Internet. The project includes the analysis of the first year field experience and the elaboration of a guide document usable for other analogous lists.
"[email protected]" is a list, with some 200 direct
members, which exists since 1989. It has become one of the
regional reference for large public information on regional
research and networks. The REDALC list, which is managed by
FUNREDES, is estimated to reach an indirect audience close to
5000 persons. The list is characterized by:
Two parallel phenomena call for a drastic change from the actual
way of functioning.
The REDALC list users will profit of the introduction of a new concept where the list is moderated and coupled with an electronic archive. Only the very short contributions are posted unmodified to all participants of the discussion. The lengthy contributions are unambiguously named and then placed, by the moderator, into a coupled and otherwise accessible electronic archive (REDALC Archive). The moderator sends to all the participants the announcement of the arrival of this potentially overwhelming amount of information, and provides, together with the characteristics of the information (author, subject, length) the precise instructions of how to get a copy of them.
This new model suppress the inconvenient of the multiple reposting phenomena (the posted message are stored, and only the referential information is broadcasted), and bring an implicit and pedagogical training toward the new form of information management in the Internet: users will progressively get used to selectively and voluntarily access files rather than to passively receive messages they will eventually erased.
Half of the project budget (mainly the coordination and the writing of the reports) will be provided by FUNREDES. The required budget counterpart includes a fixed cost for migration (estimated at 4,000 US$), plus a monthly cost to cover the part-time salary of a person responsible for technical management and moderation (750 US$/month). The first year external budget is then estimated at 14,000 US$. FUNREDES is forecasting to take care of the following years costs.
FUNREDES is looking partnership with LASPAU to conduct an experience whose interest goes beyond the scope of the specific REDALC list. In one hand, some of the LASPAU lists could benefit from the experience and, in the other hand, the evaluation of the result of the experience could be an extremely valuable input in term of user behavior models for the preparation of user training and user support programs.
Daniel Pimienta Dir. Fundacion Redes y Desarrollo (FUNREDES) (ANTIGUA Ofc. REDALC de la Union Latina) Aptdo 2972 tel: (1-809) 535 2422 / 6614 Santo Domingo fax: 535 6646 Republica Dominicana [email protected] Pimienta Daniel Telephone: (xx) xx xx xx xx [email protected] Fax : (xx) xx xx xx xx Address : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx