UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 19, Page 3
February 8, 1996
Diamond.net; Community communication via electronic mail

     Delaware's nonprofit and community-based organizations now have a
new on-ramp to the Information Superhighway and an electronic way to
communicate with each other and government agencies, through
Diamond.net, an electronic bulletin board system.
     Premiered Feb. 7 at the Delaware Association of Nonprofit
Agencies annual conference in Wilmington, Diamond.net allows
registered users to exchange information via electronic mail, file
transfer, local newsgroups and online conferencing and also connects
users to the Internet. This "virtual community" will provide a forum
for the free exchange of ideas, thoughts and data to assist agencies
throughout the state in developing new and dynamic strategies for
change.
     Using seed money from the Delaware Community Foundation, the
University's Center for Community Development purchased the hardware
and software for the system's server and will serve as the host
organization for the network.
     With the click of a mouse button, organizations can coordinate
service delivery between agencies and automated client referrals;
collaborate and plan with other agencies; advertise events and
available services; pursue fundraising and advocacy activities; and
conduct online discussions with other  agencies on relevant and timely
topics. Because the easy-to-use electronic bulletin board is
accessible from all points in the state, individuals can use it
without making a long-distance call.
     "It's a simple, efficient and cost-effective way for agencies to
communicate with each other," Steve Peuquet, Center for Community
Development, said. He and Jason Alexander, urban affairs and public
policy, set up the network.
     "For the most part, in fact, the program is free," Peuquet said.
The only equipment needed to link to Diamond.net is a computer with
either a modem or access to the Internet. Agencies can receive-at no
cost-an easy-to-install program that gives them access to Diamond.net.
     There are five areas within Diamond.net itself:
        * Mailbox, which allows members to communicate with each other
          or the entire group through e-mail;
        * The Commons, serving as a town square where people can talk
          about whatever they want, divided into several topical areas
          such as housing, health issues and environmental concerns;
        * Main Street, which has "offices" for individual agencies to
          put information they want others to see or where they can
          establish private offices with limited access for such items
          as minutes of meetings, tentative agendas or preliminary
          reports;
        * Resources, including a catalog of all documents on
          Diamond.net, funding opportunities, a statewide calendar of
          training classes and conferences, job opportunities and
          more; and
        * System News & Help, which provides information and
          instructions on the system itself.

     All of Diamond.net is free to the users, except Main Street,
where the offices have a minimal fee, based on an agency's
administrative budget.
     Diamond.net is being developed cooperatively by a partnership of
several nonprofit and government agencies. Currently, nine
organizations serve collectively as the Diamond.net steering
committee, charged with developing and adopting formal network
policies and procedures.
     For information, contact Peuquet or Alexander, by e-mail at
administrator@diamond.net.udel.edu, or call 831-6780.