Gary and I have been in touch regarding this subject in the past, and I
have stated a willingness to help with this endeavor.
The main area where I would be able to help is in installation and training
for computer systems on the reservations. I know this is the main obstacle
to getting such a network going. Being a professional computer consultant,
I often have to work with people who are afraid of, disinterested in, or
just plain not knowledgable regarding computers, so I think I'm pretty good
at explaining them in a down-to-earth way and programming systems that are
easy to use.
Of course, my main problem in getting such a project going is funds. It
does take money to travel to reservations and install computers. I do
anticipate doing some business travel next year, and I may be able to
squeeze in a few places as part of my trips. However, I would also need
specific names of people to contact. I don't just want to show up and
offer to "help" (smirk).
It wouldn't take too much to allow reservations to access Internet -
software exists to allow a cheap PC to communicate with UNIX machines,
and I can probably get hold of such software as a donation. So, really
what is needed are some cheap PC's. If anyone is getting rid of their
old XT clunkers at the office and would like to donate them for such a
project, please let me or Gary know.
[ Actually, I'm busy enough with other aspects of the project that I
wouldn't mind letting Lee take care of handling information about
possible sources of inexpensive PCs, if she doesn't mind. --Gary ]
Also, if anyone knows of specific tribal groups who would like to get
involved with such a project, but don't know how to go about it from a
technical standpoint, please let me know. Anyone who lives near a
reservation may wish to make a trip out to talk to the tribal office
about this, and try to drum up some interest. Most reservations I
have visited have at least one (usually young) person interested in
learning computers. If we could find one person on a given reservation
who is willing to be a network liason for the community, that might
help expedite things. This person could be responsible for reading
mail and disseminating it in printed or oral form to others who aren't
computer-literate.
Any other ideas or suggestions are welcome, and I am willing to volunteer
my services for any such projects.
= Lee =
Lee A. Flier
lee@cavern.vortex.com