About GLFN (What is it?)

The Great Lakes Free-Net (GLFN) is an electronic community information system -- a fun and innovative way to communicate through your computer, or a public computer if you don't have your own.  It's designed to work like the Internet, but it's very different.  Except for its e-mail capability, which is global, the Free-Net is a local service... and therefore it's a specialized tool for the citizens of the Battle Creek area.

GLFN is a community network of users, people of all ages and from all different places in our community.  Our Free-Net offers something for everyone who lives in Calhoun County!

Our Mission (Why?)

GLFN is dedicated to sharing the power of knowledge by providing quality information through interactive technology.   Our goal is to assist individuals, organizations, and businesses in disseminating and gathering information by inclusive, electronic means.

Funding (Who pays the bills?)

In essence, you do.  GLFN is a user-supported system, much like public television or radio.  Our growth depends on your contribution.  That's what makes it a Free-Net.   Grant money got us started, but to keep going and growing, GLFN depends on the contributions of its users.  All donations are greatly appreciated and tax deductible.

GLFN is a private, non-profit corporation which has been granted 501(c)3 Federal Tax-exempt status.  Its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are registered with the State of Michigan.  This project was funded in part with a federal Library Services and Construction Act grant administered by the Library of Michigan.

Information (Who provides it?)

Local organizations, businesses, educational institutions and special interest groups all contribute to GLFN's content.   Additionally, any user can provide information or participate in more than a thousand public discussions.

Features

Free Access

• Public terminals at Willard Library and other area locations
• Dial in directly with a modem
• Connect through the Internet
• Accessible 24 hours with a 2-hour/day limit
• Online Help

Free Electronic Mail

• Local & global
• Multiple recipients
• Multiple carbon copies
• Replying, forwarding, attachments
• Formatting with custom fonts, type sizes, styles
• Special message forms
• File transfers (upload/download)
• Text files
• Graphical files
• Sound files

Online Community Conferencing

• Local information
• Message threads and hierarchies
• Auto-Open messages
• Read-Only messages

Contact Information

Laurie Walter-Hadley
Coordinator, Great Lakes Free-Net
(616) 968-8166, ext. 502

You can email Laurie here for information.

c/o Willard Library
7 W. Van Buren Street
Battle Creek, MI 49017

Instructional Information

Help sheets are available at the Media Desk at Willard Library.  They include:

• FirstClass installation and setup
• User agreement form
• FirstClass menu items
• How to send electronic mail
• The Help Conference
• Trouble sheet
• Strategic Plan
• Moderator agreement form and Information Provider application
• Tips for Information Providers
• Information on how to connect to GLFN using an Internet provider is available here.

FirstClass Client software

The FirstClass client is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which may be installed on any Windows PC or Macintosh.  It allows information to be manipulated graphically in multiple windows using a mouse.  The software is available on disk at Willard Library, free of charge.

Additionally, GLFN provides a command line user interface (CLUI) for users who do not have the GUI client software.  CLUI users can connect with any conventional communication software and even download the client software free of charge.

GLFN supports baud rates up to 28,800 bits/second.

If this reads like a foreign language to you, you're not alone.  Communicating through a computer is a new experience for lots of people.  The good news is... GLFN is easy to use, and there is plenty of help to get you started.  If you ask the question, your fellow users will search for the answer!

How to Start Using GLFN

1.  If you want to use the FirstClass GUI, you need to install it on your hard drive and then configure it so it is compatible with your system (port, modem, etc.).  Instruction sheets are available at the Media Desk at Willard Library.  If you want to use the CLUI instead, set your software to VT100 and/ or ANSI emulation, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no (0) parity.

2.  Dial (616) 969-4536 (that's 969-GLFN) -- or connect via Internet to fc2.glfn.org, port 510.

3.   When the login screen appears, create your own ID and password combination.  You must log in the same way each time.

Note: this registration form will appear only once unless:

• It has been 90 days since you last used GLFN, in which case you should complete the online registration again and then call the GLFN office.
• You typed your user ID or password incorrectly, in which case you should cancel the online registration screen and log in again using your correct ID and password.

4.  Once you have completed the online registration you have an autoregistered account with limited access - you will not be able to send mail or read certain areas.  To receive full access you must read and sign the User Agreement form (available at the Library's media desk and on the system itself) and return it to Willard Library.  Be prepared to show some form of identification such as a driver's license.

5.  Allow two weeks for your account to be upgraded.  GLFN will not confirm your status via mail or telephone.

Hint: New users are advised to read the Help area of the Free-Net while waiting for their accounts to be upgraded.

An Electronic
Community Information System
Serving Calhoun County

Providing services such as: