Goals

Objectives

• To further improve the connectivity status of REC's local offices by establishing interactive Internet links and training LO staff to use this information technology To introduce a policy to collect fees for electronically provided information

• To develop a training module for the retrieval of environmental information through the Internet and e-mail that will be delivered by the Environmental Management Training Centers (EMTCs), and make the module available on-line

• To establish and maintain a new REC client/server relational database management system, placing all REC databases on a single compatible platform that will improve access by both local REC staff and Internet users, and to set-up a Web entry-point to the system

• To start providing WebSpace at the REC's Home Page to the REC's constituents who do not yet have Internet connectivity, (including the sale of WebSpace to businesses)

• To become a fully qualified Information Cooperative Database Node for the Consortium of International Earth Scientists Network (CIESIN), making more REC resources available to the global Internet community and improving our information research capability

• To start distributing REC's products , publications and public domain software on CD-ROM (REC-on-CD: Databases, local REC Web Home Pages, fully formatted publications, documents, training materials, public domain environmental/educational software packages)

• To establish a better CompuServe presence that would disseminate relevant CEE environmental information to CompuServe's enormous base of users

• To continue and expand collaboration between the REC and other information resource centers, such as: CIESIN, International Organization for Information Specialists (IOIS), and the InfoTerra National Focal Point coordinators (NFPs)

Product Description

The existing e-mail connection will be expanded to provide full on-line access to the REC's in-house databases and global Internet resources. This connection will also permit interactive information searches. An easy-to-use, menu-driven interface will guide the user through such features as on-line searching, browsing documents and instant file downloading. The local offices will have access to the REC's databases as well as other Internet-based resources. With these resources at their fingertips, local representatives will be able to handle most information requests locally.

During 1996 the training and evaluation of the project will continue. Extensive training and user manuals will be developed in local languages. They will provide instruction on how to use the system, give practical hints on how to search for information, list the main resources of environmental information around the world and offer strategies for providing information services.

Another important part of the REC-Net project is to continue updating RECdatabases and other resources for Internet users. Once these resources are available on-line, it will be possible to set up a subscription service. Limited or unlimited access could be provided to fee-based databases and services for certain constituents. Businesses could easily be charged for usage, providing some cost recovery. The value of our information resources will be recognized only by the people who use them.

Implementation Plan

1. Further improve the connectivity status of all the REC's local offices by establishing interactive Internet links and training LO staff on how to use it:
   1. Prepare a training manual on interactive Internet tools
   2. Set up the connection
   3. Provide training for REC local offices
2. Introduce a policy to collect fees for electronically provided information
   1. Identify a secure way to charge for services over the Internet
   2. Set up the service

3. Develop a training module for electronic environmental information retrieval to be delivered by the EMTCs, and also make it available on-line.
   1. Finalize a training manual and training process
   2. Conduct a "Train the Trainers" pilot workshops in two countries
   3. Translate and adopt training materials for local situations (EMTC responsibility)
   4. Evaluate the results of the pilot workshops
   5. Conduct workshops in the rest of the countries

4. Establish and maintain the new REC client/server relational database management system and set-up a Web entry point to the system
   1. Hire a database expert full-time
   2. Conduct an analysis for transferring all REC databases into a single relational database management system
   3. Organize the transfer by major projects and cooperate with the teams responsible for specific datasets
   4. Set up the system
   5. Set up a Web entry point to the system

5. Start providing WebSpace at REC's Home Page to REC's constituents who do not yet have Internet connectivity
   1. Identify REC constituent groups willing to make their information available on the Internet
   2. Hire a contractor on a project basis for setting up home pages
   3. Provide links to other organizations' home pages relevant to CEE environment
   4. Sell WebSpace to businesses.

6. Become a fully qualified CIESIN Information Cooperative Database Node.
   1. Prepare metadata records for existing REC resources
   2. Install the data at the CIESIN Gateway Server
   3. Provide a REC-CIESIN entry home page on REC Server

7. Start distributing REC's products, publications and public domain software on CD-ROM (REC-on-CD)
   1. Identify materials to be distributed on CD media
   2. Prepare stand-alone sets of all data to be published
   3. Publish a pilot set of CDs and evaluate user demand

8. Establish a better CompuServe presence that would disseminate CEE-related environmental information to the CompuServe's enormous base of users
   1. Prepare and set up a CompuServe forum for REC
   2. Continuously publish REC-relevant data to CompuServe

Quality Standards

• High-quality equipment will ensure the smooth running of electronic data at low communication costs.

• Extensive training (constantly improved based on evaluations) will be provided for all constituents.

• Constant quality updates of databases and public domain software will ensure that information is fresh and up-to-date.

• High-quality user support will be provided.

• Indicators of Achievement

• The following indicators will measure the success of this project:

• Volume of electronic communication traffic among local offices

• Usage of REC electronic resources by the local offices to answer information requests

• Number of times REC electronic resources have been accessed on-line

• Number of subscribers to electronic discussion lists (ratio of west/east usage)

• Amount of information requests answered automatically by the REC mail server (REC publications, NGO Directory searches, etc.)

• Internet usage among REC staff in Budapest

Assumptions

• It is possible to obtain direct Internet access in each country.

• Low speed Internet lines will be upgraded, providing more traffic capacity.

• Local users will actually use REC-Net resources and the Internet, if they are properly trained.

  http://www.rec.hu/REC/Publications/Programs1996/REC_Net.html