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KAN-ED LISTSERV MAILING: 08/39/2002
Recently you should have received from KAN-ED a mailing consisting of
application for KAN-ED Consortium Membership. I am writing this to
provide a bit more insight into the KAN-ED mailing in hopes to answer
some
questions that you may have.
On August 29, I called Jerry Niebaum, KAN-ED Planning Coordinator, and
inquired about several issues concerning this application. Listed below
you will find my questions and his response.
Further information can be found on KAN-ED’s website at:
http://www.kan-ed.org/
FAQ section:
http://www.kan-ed.org/new/questions.htm
Questions I have asked and the response:
* Please NOTE
Update to question # 10. [11-15-2002]
1. When does one have to become a KAN-ED member by?
a.There is no deadline. You do not need to sign up this year
either. Consider it an open enrollment type of thing. However,
the earlier you sign up the earlier you will be accepted.
2. What if I do not want to participate? Do I have to do anything?
a.No. If you choose not to participate do nothing. If you change
your mind in a year or two you will still be able to apply.
3. Will KAN-ED become my Internet Service Provider?
a.No. Your selected ISP will remain your provider.
4. What about the connectivity subsidy? Is there money for us this year?
a.No. The connectivity subsidy is not available during this first
year, so each library that participates in KAN-ED this year will
be responsible for their ISP charges. The estimated cost for
those libraries that would need to switch to a dedicated high
speed connection is listed on the application as $4,500 per year
and is subject to vary per; ISP, service chosen, library
location and year to year pricing adjustments. The goal of KAN-
ED is to subsidize all or a portion of this fee according to the
grid they provided in the mailing. Please remember, this does
NOT apply for this year. Also, please note the final paragraph
on the KAN-ED application that states: “… will receive the
corresponding subsidy when and if funding becomes available.”
5. What about e-rate? I already apply won’t this mess my application
up and who is going to fill out the extra paperwork?
a.KAN-ED will complete the e-rate paperwork in regards to
Internet2. You will continue to address your e-rate application
as you always have at the local level.
6. What information resources licensed for KAN-ED users will we have
access to?
a.This has not yet been determined. A committee has been
established and they will make their recommendations to KAN-ED
in November of 2002.
7. What about sharing of inservice between libraries? How will I do
this?
a.If you develop some type of distance learning classroom at your
location you would be able to utilize this aspect of KAN-ED.
However, if you do not have the needed equipment for an
Interactive Classroom you would need to travel to a location
that was setup for this type of interactive audio/video
delivery.
8. What are the benefits of Internet2?
a.It will mesh together the KAN-ED network.
b.State resources will be able to be accessed directly.
c.Availability for quality services such as Interactive Learning
(ITV)
9. Southwestern Bell provides us with a T-1 line for a minimal fee
per year. How will KAN-ED change this?
a.Your services with Southwestern Bell would remain the same. You
would continue to pay your ISP charges but would get any KAN-ED
| benefits at no extra costs to you. You may also be able to
secure some subsidy money to lower your ISP costs if funds
become available.
10. I use COX Project KIDS and they provide to me, at no charge, high
speed Internet access. How would KAN-ED change things?
a.THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. WAIT FOR OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM COX.
11. I use a dial-up service provider and I have a very small budget…
less than $600 for Internet per year. Should I sign up for KAN-ED
now?
a.Unless you are able to pay the estimated $4,500 ISP fee for high
speed access for this first year it is in your best interest to
wait until a subsidy is available.
12. Once I receive an Internet Service Provider (ISP) subsidy I will
not need to worry about Internet connectivity costs again.
a.Wrong, the subsidy program will be a year-to-year program. If
KAN-ED is unable to secure the needed subsidy, each library will
be responsible for their ISP costs.
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