From: Justin Mason (jm at domain netnoteinc.com)
Date: Mon 14 May 2001 - 14:19:01 IST
["OT" is in the subject header for ILUG, it's not really off-topic on the
other 2 lists ;) ]
Hi all --
as some of you have probably seen, some ie.comp people have proposed a new
internet users' organisation, and we had the first (physical) meeting on
Sunday.
I went along, and it was very worthwhile; there's a good degree of
interest and energy, and it's well-focused as a campaigning organisation.
I'd say, if you're interested in an active group which will campaign to
improve the internet access situation in Ireland, this is a good one to go
for.
Here's the minutes/notes from the meeting...
--j.
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Subject: Internet Users 13th May Meeting Notes
Formation meeting of the Internet Users Campaign Goup
13th May 2001
Drury Court Hotel, Dublin
Attendance 17. 9 messages of commitment were received by e-mail.
Agenda:
For the purposes of the founding meeting, Howard Brittain acted as Chairman.
1. Objectives:
All attendees were invited, in turn, to express their opinions and
recommendations for the objectives of the organisations. During the
discussion Howard contributed comments made in e-mails by members unable to
attend, including some submissions concerning more aggressive action
against Esat and the possible adoption of the .ie domain complexity as an
objective.
A clear consensus was evident and agreed upon by proclamation.
a) Flat Rate internet access for all.
b) The complete unbundling of the Local Loop of the telecoms network
in Ireland.
c) Roll out of broad band access to the greatest number of users at
the earliest date.
d) Esat to retract their letter terminating customer accounts and
offer alternative flat rate services to all customers.
2. Strategy
Another round robin discussion on the strategy the organisation should
adopt to attain it’s objectives
It was agreed by proclamation that within 7 days a meeting should be sought
with Esat to communicate our strong objections to the manner in which the
Esat2000 are being treated and to demand that they do not terminate any
user’s account; rather that they modify their flat rate services and offer
this modified service to all users.
It was agreed by proclamation that we make contact with appropriate
journalists in national media and communicate to them our objectives and
reasons - and urge them....
i) To cover these objectives in a more energetic manner.
ii) To highlight the poor comparison of the state of internet access in
Ireland as compared to other EU countries.
iii) To be more proactive in asking questions as to why progress is so
slow, why business is not bringing more pressure on the Government and the
ODTR, why the government appears indifferent.
iv) To highlight the disastrous affect this situation is and will have on
the growth of the Irish economy in a period where the Internet is becoming
a crucial conduit for business.
v) To inform them of our existence and availability for comment.
It was also agreed by proclamation that popular Radio shows on the main
stations be contacted with suggestions to cover these topics during their
shows, and to alert them of our availability for comment.
It was agreed by proclamation that the organisation must adopt a strategy
of encouraging other organisations and companies to take up these
objectives through their own organisations who appear to us to be
suspiciously placid in their stances. It was agreed that we make contact
with appropriate companies and organisation, put the facts to them and
encourage them to act aggressively to achieve these objectives.
It was agreed that it is crucial to have a web site up and running as soon
as possible.
3. Name:
It was agreed proclamation that a catchy name be desirable and that this
name include the words “Campaign for.....”. None of those attending had a
definitive suggestion and it was agreed to defer the choice for a maximum
of two days. All members and contributors to ie.comp etc. be free to make
suggestions.
4. Finance:
Howard suggested that over the coming weeks/month it may be necessary for
small amounts of money to be spent on name registration, bank fees and
possible newspaper advertisements. In order that such, admittedly small,
monies be required it was agreed that the web site should invite visitors
and members to make a small donation. It was agreed that a cap be put on
monies collected in case the invitation be too successful. A figure of
£250 was broadly agreed.
It was agreed that should it become necessary to raise additional funds, it
would be inappropriate to take significant funds from any one company.
5. Meetings:
It was agreed by proclamation that this is the kind of organisation that
does not rely solely on physical meetings to draw it’s influence. It was
agreed that the web site incorporate a membership application facility as
well as petition signing facilities.
It was also agreed however that an open public meeting be consider for
between 2 and 4 weeks time.
6. Committee:
It was agreed by proclamation that a committee be formed, but that the
committee as formed at this meeting not necessarily be full and final. It
was agreed that it be free to adopt additional members should they have
been prevented from attending today.
Howard urged people to join the committee, saying that having 5 - 8 members
would mean that individual members would not be burdened by having too many
tasks.
The following were adopted to the committee:
John Marcus
Howard Brittain
Brendan Kehoe
Justin Mason
Niall O’Keeffe
Dermot Frost
Martin Harran
Marco Heine
David Long
Antoine Briand
7. The £70 cost of the room hire was covered by the attendees
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