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History
AuroNET! started more than 5 years ago as a
DOS-based BBS system riddled with technical problems and frequently
bogged down by erratic telephone lines. Subsequently, it was migrated
to a WinNT based server with Microsoft Exchange server package in
order to provide the Aurovilians with e-mail facilities.
In June 2001, we have migrated the AuroNET!
Mail Server and Remote Access Server (RAS) from Microsoft to Linux.
For the time being, both Intranet and Proxy servers are still NT
based. At present AuroNET! handles more than 800 users in Auroville
and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry.
The AuroNET! team has held several seminars
about usage and utility of the system. We provide our users with
customer support and trouble shooting, help with the installation
of modems, provide client software, and give a brief introduction
in handling free of cost.
Internet facilities
Since the Internet Cafe at Auroville's Solar
Kitchen and the Browsing Centre in the neighbouring village of Kuilapalayam
have been opened, we have solved a lot of problems for users who
have no personal computers. Anyone - Aurovilians, guests, Newcomers
- can come to the Solar Kitchen and the KBC (Kuilapalayam Browsing
Centre) to check their e-mail or browse the Net from 9 a.m. to 9
p.m. Experienced staff are available to help the users in case they
need some quick guidance or other assistance.
We have established a wireless radio link with
VSNL, one of the main Internet service providers in India, for e-mail
and limited Internet access to the schools and several other community
services.
Intranet
AVNET, Auroville's local Intranet site, has
been around for about 3-4 years. Although it has changed its looks
quite a few times, as yet it has never really been used as the community
tool it could be. It is more or less a mirror image of the AV News
with a few additional features, like some discussion forums, share
ware, news and events, etc.
Some months ago, a few Aurovilians who think
of AVNET as an undiscovered bonanza, decided to explore various
options and present the AVNET site to the community as a tool to
help shape its progress towards becoming the township we all want
it to be. The time seemed right to set things in motion. A project
formed, so did a team, and funds were found to start it off.
The team is presently gearing up to make the
AVNet site as interactive as possible so that users can write their
articles or feed back straightaway into the site. The site will
be password protected, and may provide the residents with a potent
communication method among themselves, thus enabling faster and
clearer exchange of ideas within the community so as to more rapidly
reach collective decisions.
Pulse
'Pulse' is a facility to feel out the 'mood
of the house' and gauge the community at large regarding certain
sensitive issues. It has been working since more than a year and
is, essentially, a feedback system based on computer networks, which
has the aim of increasing the awareness and understanding of the
collective body.
We are aware that better understanding leads to better collective
decisions.
For a more detailed
overview of what is envisaged here, you may wish to read an article
on ‘AuroNET! and the Internet’
as it appeared in the March ’98 issue of Auroville Today.
AuroNET!'s main office is based at
Aurelec,
Prayogashala
605101 T.N. India
Ph. 0091-413-622084 or 622262
AuroNET! is a unit of the
Auroville Communications Group of CSR; Auronet-Connect is a unit
of ADPS Trust; and AVNET is a project funded by 'Gateway'.
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