SASKATOON – The Centre for the Study of Co-operatives is idling on the on-ramp to the information superhighway, poised to launch its new bulletin board system (BBS).
The impetus for Co-op Net came from a visitor from a developing country, a most unlikely source, said Byron Henderson of the centre.
While touring the University of Saskatchewan facility last year, the president of the national co-op union in Mozambique expressed a need for training material and basic management information on co-ops. Co-ops in Mozambique are taking on a large role in reconstruction.
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The centre had some experience assisting co-operative organizations in other countries, but had found the process to be costly, said Henderson. It usually required at least a plane trip to deliver the information and provide instruction.
“It struck me that a lot of what we do with those people in the developing world, is a bit costly for what they need at an early stage.”
It dawned on Henderson they could send information faster and cheaper electronically. Once the seed was planted, the project blossomed into a full-fledged computer bulletin board.
Users of Co-op Net are able to post, read and respond to articles or messages on the network, just as they would to articles on a conventional wall-mounted bulletin board.
People from all over the world will have access to the information, which Henderson is in the process of gathering. He’s been in contact with some of the pools and larger co-ops to see what material they could provide, in addition to the centre’s publications.
“It’s up and running. I can slap on information as soon as someone gives it to me,” said Henderson.
He said he’d like to have more material on the service before he starts developing the clientele.
When the service is officially launched, users will be able to access the BBS free, except for long-distance tolls for those who call from outside Saskatoon.
The accounts and software required to access Co-op Net will also be provided free for the first 100 users who phone in to sign up for this pilot project.
People with DOS or Macintosh computers will be able to access Co-op Net. Once hooked in, they’ll see a graphic user interface much like the Windows or Macintosh environment.
Henderson would like to see an organization like the Canadian Co-operative Association take over the BBS if the pilot proves a success. He said the university doesn’t have the manpower to oversee the project if it really takes off.
Call Byron Henderson at (306) 966-8508 for more information or to obtain free client software.
