RAC Application - Step 1

Application information and submission-form

Use this form if you need DCN's help to get your not-for-profit group launched on a useful project that uses Internet technologies (such as email and the web) to serve Davis and the surrounding area in ways that advance your organization's mission and goals. DCN’s Simple Site, Mailman List and Calendar offerings are free and do not involve a DCN Internet account but do require access to the Internet by some means.

The Application procedure:

You need to submit the form below with your best assessment of your organization's needs.

The DCN Resource Allocation Committee (RAC) Chair will respond by email.
You will then need to present your proposal at an RAC monthly meeting (first Wednesday evenings) where details are worked out and guidance given to those applicants who are not yet very familiar with the technologies.
The RAC may makes its decisions after applicants have left the meeting. The results are emailed within 24 hours.


THE FORM

Please Note RE Political Projects: The RAC can provide a DCN Web Calendar to a political group but not other free resources. Such groups requiring a Mailman List can apply for a List at $5 per month at http://www.dcn.org/dcn/access/services/network.html#lists

Please see the reference section at the end of the page for explanations of the various resources available.

Reference: Definitions & Explanations

What Is A DCN "Simple Web Site"?

This is an option originally made available as of late 2002. The current version is Simple Sites v. 2.0. Access to the Internet via a business or home computer is necessary. This option is for groups wishing to build a web page without needing to know about HTML coding or learning how to upload files to a Web server. This option provides a group with a free, "Simple Web Site" account that has a <http://groups.dcn.org/yourgroupname> web address, a user ID and a password. Information is entered into the Web Site template by a DCN Webpage interface. In the Simple Sites 2.0 option a WYSIWYG editor is available to those using recent versions of Mozilla Firefox (Windows and Mac) or Internet Explorer (Windows.) See documentation at http://groups.dcn.org/mpdocs

What Is A Mailman Mailing List?

A Mailman List keeps, on the DCN server, the list of email addresses for those who are subscribed to your List. A single email address is used to send messages to everyone on the List simultaneously. The addressees do not see the name of any of the other subscribers on the message they receive. A List is a very effective and efficient way of communicating with an unlimited number of members of an organization.

What Is A DCN Calendar?

The calendar provides a place for an organization to publish its own events on its calendar and to mark certain events so that they appear on both the group‘s calendar and on the Davis Community Calendar.  See http://events.dcn.org/   The Calendar management is by web interface.

What Is A Shell Account?

This is an arrangement made with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for a certain amount of space on the ISP's web server to be set aside for your use for receiving e-mail and/or as a web site. The RAC can authorize a shell account for use for email and web-files storage. In order to use this space you do need to have an existing dial-up account with an ISP.

What Is A Dial-up Account?

The RAC authorizes the use of free dial-up accounts for limited periods of time only. A dialup account inolves an arrangement made with DCN’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) and allows you to use a modem and certain software/applications on your computer to access the Internet (for email and web browsing etc.).
Normally you pay a monthly fee to the ISP for this dial-up connection service but DCN's RAC projects are allowed to use the service without charge for a limited period.

What Is A NonProfit Dial-up Account?

The NonProfit Dialup is not a free resource. It is a discounted Omsoft Lurker account with a dcn address available only to nonprofit groups who apply to DCN's Resource Allocation Committee.
See http://www.omsoft.com/services/dialup/dialup.shtml

Applicants are required to have a Davis or Yolo County residence or business address for their DCN subscriber's billing address.
The discounted Lurker account subscription available to eligible nonprofit applicants includes:
a) One additional email address (providing total of two addresses)
b) Five additional MB of storage (providing a total of 15 MB)
c) Additional prime time hours to bring the monthly maximum to 30 hours.

What Is Web Team Help?

DCN's goal is always to get you started. By giving you a push start so that you can race off on your own probably returning to DCN as you need additional help. Questions can always be addressed to the Web Team's resident expert(s) at msmosaic@dcn.davis.ca.us

What Sort Of Training is possible?

DCN offers occasional sessions on Mailman, Simple Sites and the Calendar.

Eligible community projects are those that:

a) Are of a not for profit nature - but need not be incorporated as 501(c)(3).
b) Are of local/regional and beneficial character.
c) Fit DCN purposes and goals. (See below)
d) Intend to maintain the same intent and character as when first approved.
e) Involve updating and other online activity during each year of resource use.
f) Are non–political (i.e. do not endorse a candidate for political office nor a local or national ballot issue.)

NOTE:

1. DCN does not edit or censor any community content hosted on its Web site but ongoing projects with Web sites are reviewed annually to make sure that they have the same basic character as when approved.

2. If an ongoing project‘s traffic and bandwidth become an issue the project owners will be notified and some steps might need to be taken to ease the pressure. Perhaps some fee will be needed if traffic and or bandwidth usage are extreme.

3. The RAC can provide a DCN Web Calendar to a political group but not other free resources. Such groups requiring a Mailman List can apply for a List at $5 per month at http://www.dcn.org/dcn/access/services/network.html#lists

6. Server space will be awarded in modest increments as needed but may not normally ever exceed 50MB

Davis Community Network purposes and goals that relate to this application: (selected extracts)

Purposes and Scope:

The Davis Community Network, a non-profit regional organization established in 1994, creates public- benefit partnerships with government, education, business and the community in order to:
a) Ensure that people in the region benefit from opportunities the information age brings.
b) Promote access to electronic information and communication resources for all, protecting individual privacy and supporting free expression.
c) Develop and maintain public information resources that build a sense of community and reinforce democratic ideals.

Principles:

a) Shared knowledge is a foundation of democratic society.
b) Information technology can enhance civic discourse and thus support democratic values and practice.
c) Universal and affordable access to information resources and tools is essential to meaningful, equal, public participation.

Goals:

Increase and improve the ability of individuals and organizations to access, utilize and contribute to information necessary for effective participation in community and civic life.
Ensure the on-line availability of public-domain information.
Promote cultural preservation and enrichment through the use of appropriate telecommunication technologies.
Increase civic participation in democracy.
Assist teachers, parents and students in using the Internet to enhance education.
Serve as a vehicle for noncommercial communication and publishing.

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