The Upper Valley will soon be connected to the Internet as a result of the combined efforts of the Montshire Museum of Science and Dartmouth's Computing Services.
For the last six months, John Hawkins, director of community computing at the College, has been working to establish ValleyNet, a computer network that will be operated and managed by the Montshire Museum.
Individual households will pay approximately $15 per month for unlimited access to public information -- such as Dartmouth College Information Services and electronic mail -- as well as the variety of offerings across the Internet
"We're encouraging schools, non-profit social service agencies and town governments to get accounts, and we're sort of underwriting the cost by charging businesses somewhat more," Hawkins explained.
The Montshire Museum, located in Norwich, Vt., is counting on volunteers from the community to help keep its costs down.
"So far support from the community has been strong," said Alex Dohan, administrative coordinator of ValleyNet. "Several area residents have expressed an interest in helping to educate new users; others are willing to help in marketing."
Dohan will handle subscriptions and billing for the network, while Dartmouth graduate Eric Loring '93 will be in charge of the system's technical up-keep. The Montshire expects the network to be ready for full operation by Nov. 1.
ValleyNet will operate out of the Kiewit Computing Center, using old hardware donated by the College. It will not have any effect on the Dartmouth Network because it will be an entirely separate system, Hawkins said.
But it may have some positive effects on the Dartmouth community.
Information about artistic performances and athletic events could become available over the network, encouraging area residents to become more involved in the College. In addition, local businesses will be able to set up electronic mail accounts, and thus be able to communicate with Dartmouth students via BlitzMail.
