From execdir@torfree.net Wed Jul 16 20:45:47 2003 From: execdir@torfree.net (TFN Executive Director) Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2003 15:45:47 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [TFN-announce] Toronto Free-Net Founding Anniversary Message-ID: HAPPY FOUNDING DAY, TFN! Toronto Free-Net Marks Ten Years of Commitment to Universal Internet Access July 16th, 2003 marks the ten year anniversary of the legal founding of Toronto Free-Net (TFN), Toronto's Community Network non-profit Internet Service Provider (ISP). Founded on principles of freedom of expression, freedom of access to online information, and equal (to commercial) opportunity to disseminate (community) information, TFN has kept up with the times to provide reliable, modern ISP services at low cost while continuing to sponsor access for disadvantaged citizens. Since opening its phone lines to the public in the fall of 1994, TFN has provided over 12 million Internet sessions to its 45,000 registered members. TFN is unique as an ISP in that it is member-directed and employs a cadre of skilled volunteers to maintain its technical and administrative systems. Over the years TFN has been supported with in-kind donations by corporate sponsors such as Velocet Communications, Cisco Systems, Rogers Communications, Bell Canada and Sun Microsystems. However contrary to popular belief, TFN has not received support from any level of government for its core operating costs, except for an initial 1994 grant during the Ontario New Democratic Party reign from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism. TFN is part of a worldwide community networking movement which believes that Internet access should be a human right. Early advocacy and grassroots organising by local citizens in Community Networks similar to TFN has in part placed Canada in the lead in addressing the Digital Divide and universal access to information. By supporting TFN as their low cost ISP, Toronto citizens are voting for the reality of Universal Access for their disadvantaged neighbours. http://www.torfree.net other related links: - Worldwide Community Networks - Telecommunities Canada -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ken McCracken, Executive Director Toronto Free-Net Inc. 600 Bay Street, Suite 406 Toronto, M5G 1M6