Agenda - 11-19-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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pitj 5 PUBLIC INFORMATION NETWORK, inc. PIN SYSTEM DESCRIPTION The Public Information Network initial system for Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County will consist of a large, high -speed personal computer, with two or more large hard disk memories and a number (8 to 40) modems hooked to telephone lines. Multi -user communications software will permit each caller to communicate with all the facilities of the system as if he were the only user. The following capabilities will be provided: Data files on a wide variety of topics of local interest. A listing of data being considered currently includes 69 data sources.Relatively compact data which changes infrequently, such as bus schedules, will be kept in the PIN data banks. Rapidly changing data, such as news, and massive data, such as land records, will preferably be accessed directly on their native. computers through data gateways. There will be provisions for searching this massive data base. Notices of events. These may be posted by registered users, as well as by the operations staff. Conferences on topics chosen by users. These will be moderated by volunteers. Only registered users will be able to participate, but any caller may read the postings. Messages and comments. Akin to physical bulletin board messages, these postings may be on any topic, perhaps including notices of items for sale by individuals. E -mail, either public or private. Limited to registered users. Question and Answer facilities will be provided which may be tied to any of the above. Any registered user may address a question to any public official and expect an answer in a reason- able time. There also will be a general question service, where the staff will locate the proper indi- vidual to give an answer. Poll- taking capability will be available to get informal opinions from users who care to participate. Privacy facilities will permit groups of users, such as public employees, to have password - protected E -mail and data transfer capabilities which will be invisible to the general public. Acces- sible from anywhere, this can be a valuable supplement to regular internal communications systems. The system will be set up for remote operation; so that an attendant is not necessary at all times. It is estimated that the staff should include a system administrator and a system operator. Volunteers will be important for monitoring different functions and for adding and removing data and messages as needed. Fa