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Benefits
Cost - our fees for
information providers are very low and for the basic CCN Information
Provider package organizations can contribute what they can. Compare this
with the high rates of commercial Internet Service Providers (ISP's). We
also offer a premium IP package (see below) including such things
as custom user logins, virtual domain names and additional majordomo
mailing lists for very low rates.
Training - We have one of the best training programs available
anywhere -- for both Users and Information Providers --
all for free! We make sure your website works correctly before launching
it into cyberspace. Most commercial ISPs offer no training at all.
Support - Our mailing lists (a small assortment):
Offer a wide variety of support mechanisms to answer virtually any
question you can throw our way on any aspect of CCN functionality. These
are run by volunteers, however, turn-around time for requests is often
very prompt. Support by many commercial ISPs is much more
limited.
On-line Editing: We offer on-line editing running in tandem
with RCS (Revision Control System) allowing Information Provider Editors
sophisticated control of documents on-line. Most commercial ISP's offer
nothing like this.
CGI Routines: We offer IPs access to an ever-growing library of
CGI (Common Gateway Interface) routines including:
Bilingual Service: We offer a bilingual service in both French
and English. WWW functionality, text-editing & EMail -- with most
associated menu, help, documentation, etc. are available in both
languages. IPs have the option of running sites that are fully bilingual
with complete CCN support. Most commercial ISPs offer nothing at all like
this.
Full Internet Functionality: We offer full World
Wide Web, EMail, Usenet, FTP (to your own
home directory) and Telnet (e.g. to
your CCN account) functionality - just like all other ISPs. We have also
offer full FTP functionality directly to IP
directories.
All our on-line materials work fully with graphical and textual
browsers. The CCN can host virtually any kind of WWW materials that exist.
We also feature on-line Text-editing & private file areas something which most
commercial ISP's either don't offer or (the latter) only at extra cost.
Internet Utilities: We support Internet functions like
compress, zip, gzip & file conversion utilities as well as Weblint, an HTML checkers, and
kermit & zmodem protocols for uploading & downloading material. Support
for these by commercial ISPs is patchy at best.
Connectivity: Looking for speedy connections to the backbone of
the Internet? We are connected through ISInet via a 10 megabit/second
connection to both CA*Net and CA*Net II. There is no better connectivity
in Nova Scotia at any price! Many commercial ISP's don't have this level
of connectivity.
A Rich and Diverse WWW Site: The CCN has hundreds of its own
well-design, attractive & fully-functioning pages of valuable materials
containing links to local, regional, national and international
organizations on a huge variety of topics - pages that focus on links to
resources which have content and not just form! Compare and contrast this
with what others offer.
A Community of Information Providers: The CCN has over 200 Information Providers, 7,000+ local users,
receives almost 4 million URL 'hits' per month and its materials are
linked to tens of thousands of sites world-wide. The CCN is a good place
to place a website if you are looking for exposure in a context that looks
professional and competent.
An Excellent Track Record: The CCN is up and running virtually
100% of the time with excellent Internet connectivity and an ever growing
technical proficiency. We have lots of server space and 72 dial-in lines.
Contrast this with some commercial ISPs that have functionality that
regularly is down for days at time. We've been on-line for almost four
years. Commerial ISPs spring up at the drop of a hat -- and some disappear
just as quickly!
Premium Service: Interested in more? Would you like your own
Virtual Domain Name (www.your-group.ns.ca)? Do you want visitors to be
able to send EMail to <webmaster@your-group.ns.ca>? Besides our
off-the-shelf standard package the CCN offers a Premium Service. Check
for further details.
Listserver Support: On the CCN we offer a full-featured
implementation of majordomo, the finest listserver software. We
support lists which can be open or closed, public or private, moderated or
not and archived or not along with documentation and commands which can
help you effectively manage
your list. Most internet service providers offer no listserver
implementation or support.
Being Part of a Community: Finally, being a part of the Chebucto Community Net is more than just
renting some server space -- its being a part of an on-line community of
hundreds of Information Provider Organizations that share the
community spirit which is part of our name. We are not a commercial
organization and we're proud of it! We are about other values than just
selling things or propagating material bereft of meaningful content.
Want to find out more? Visit the Information
Providers Committee page, our IP Support and Training home
page or register to
become a CCN Information Provider.
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