The DRL's Guide to CCN

What is the Chebucto Community Net?

"What is the Chebucto Community Net? Chebucto Community Net (CCN) is a community computer network for Halifax/Dartmouth/Bedford and surrounding communities. Freenets and community nets are almost synonymous - the difference is that the word "Freenet" is copyrighted and subject to a licensing fee. Both are a community resource: they provide information about organizations in the community. They often provide a connection to the Internet, which is a large worldwide network of computers. Freenets work on the principle of universal access, like libraries. CCN follows the Freenet principles. Anyone should be able access CCN regardless of income level. They don't even have to own a computer. The Halifax main branch library has a public access terminal available for anyone to use to access the Chebucto Community Net."

"The CCN is connected to the Internet. It is a part of the World Wide Web, a collection of information on the Internet which is connected by hypertext."

- modified excerpt from the Trainer's Outline for User Training 1
CCN is a community network with selected internet resources... we are not an Internet provider with selected community resources. Bear this in mind if patrons have questions about using Usenet news, FTP, SLIP, etc.

Introduction to the Internet

Here is a list of useful internet terms, as related to CCN:
Internet (See What is CCN?)
World Wide Web (WWW)
A collection of information on the Internet which is connected by hypertext. You can imagine having documents stored in computers all over the world and accessed by cross-referencing a hypertext link. Hypertext links contain the address of another (usually related) document.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
Hypertext markup language. Formatting plain text with special codes to allow documents to be viewed by Lynx, Netscape, or any other WWW browser.
WWW browser
Software on your computer that allows you to use the WWW.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
The address of a WWW site or document. For example, CCN's address (URL) is http://www.chebucto.ns.ca. Think of it as a one Dewey Decimal system for all the libaries in the world. (Side note: the numerical address is http://129.173.4.90).

CCN Basics

Logging in to CCN

Can I use CCN if I don't have an account?
At the "login: " prompt, type guest.
How do I login to CCN if I have an account?
At the "login: " prompt, type you login name, ie. aa068. Press [RETURN]. At the "Password: " prompt, type in your password exactly as it was given. Press [RETURN]. All letters are in lowercase.

The Home Page

The CCN Home Page is the first page all users will see with the exception of guest (who will see the guest page). The Home Page contains links to all major resources on CCN, such as the Help Desk, Chebucto Suite Services, Information Providers, and general information.

Using the Help Desk

The Help Desk is the source for most online help in CCN. If you are on the modem, or there is no one to ask, the Help Desk is your first resouce. If there is a question you cannot answer, direct your patrons to the Help Desk. (Go through Help Desk top to bottom, and basic movement in Lynx)

Chebucto Suite Services

Within this page, you will find links to email, reading newspapers and Usenet news, finding people on the system, and various account management tasks. (Brief overview)

Information Providers

The Information Providers (IP) are a very important resource on CCN. Without them, CCN would just be another Internet service provider with email, news, and web access (limited internet access). Local IPs have their information hosted on CCN, and remote IPs have links pointing to their sites. The IP provides a "community" atmosphere to CCN. A bulletin board of sorts for local non-profit interest groups and service providers. The Dartmouth Regional Library is an IP, as well as the Discovery Center, Metro Transit, and the Ecology Action Center, to name a few.

Tips on Dialing up

Help for Library Staff only

Top of document * Windows Basics * Working With Your Setup
Written by Carol Sin (aa068@chebucto.ns.ca) for free distribution only