Speakeasy Cafe
Mission Statement, December 29, 1994
The idea of computers at a cafe is one possible answer to an
increasingly pressing question: How to provide the general public
access to the methods of communication and volumes of information now
available on the Information Super-Highway, at a cost they can afford
and in such a way that they aren't socially, economically, or
politically isolated. The goal is to provide a service that is not
simply entertaining, but educational, enlightening, and most of all
empowering. The Speakeasy will strive to set the tone at the cutting
edge of localized on-line information technologies. Our emphasis on
Seattle and the Puget Sound region linked with a network of over 20
millions users will bring new definitions to our idea of community.
We will feature on-line databases on a wide variety of local issues,
social, political, consumer education, even libraries designed and
maintained by each individual user, the subject areas are endless.
Email and a Seattle event databases will be a free service to patrons
at the cafe. The Speakeasy staff will assist individuals in
independent news-gathering, research projects, and provide them with a
set of tools in order to build entirely new facilities on-line. Rather
than embracing the technology simply, we will seek to utilize and
define avenues through which it can be applied for the benefit of
every individual. While we plan to adopt new technologies, develop and
refine interface programs, and expand our facilities, we will
constantly be analyzing the impact and results of our policies to
determine whether or not we are meeting our goal of constantly
improving service while maintaining a reasonable cost-of-access. We
are also concerned and will work to cooperate with companies and
entities interested in maintaining the "public" nature of the
internet. The first half of the twentieth century brought radio and
television, two mediums that are regulated and accessed via specific
definable resources, by both the sender and receiver. For instance,
radio and television have specific spectrums of frequenciesallotted to
them, the internet by comparison has a broad spectrum of "bandwidth"
with which to allow a platform of nearly "open access". As we move
into the 21st Century, this country and the world is having to
reevaluate the nature and implications of the resources we have
available to communicate. We must learn to allocate them in a manner
that does not discriminate or alienate any portion of the
population.
Organizational Issues, December 29, 1994
Speakeasy incorporated consists of seven shareholders in
a privately held sub-chapter S corporation. We have five board of
directors who are elected through the shareholders in a two-three
rotation yearly. The officers are: Mike Apgar, President; Sam
Foucault, Vice-President; Lou Torregrossa, Secretary; Gretchen Apgar,
General Manager; Mike Apgar, Treasurer.The Speakeasy project has
gained the participation and interest of several individuals and
organizations. To date we have gained the services of persons in
these areas of expertise: architecture, construction and contractual
law, building construction, interior design, computer programming and
operation, theater and music production, a media analysis, marketing,
and several other areas including general business consultants. We're
always looking for people with other skills or interests to join our
team. We also have occasional volunteer positions open so, if you
want to get involved and you're not sure how you could help, drop by
the cafe.The Speakeasy Cafe will be based in Belltown, a neighborhood
of downtown Seattle, Washington. With over 5500 sq. ft. of space, it
is a location that will not only put us a community in which to base
ourselves but provides us the space we will need for our many backroom
events. These include films, live music, spoken word, guest speakers,
community meetings and Internet events.As of the first of the year,
1995, The Speakeasy has five identifiable projects in the works.
These are explained in detail on the following pages. They are:
Dial-up Internet Service, Remote Access Terminal Service, the IBAG
project, and the Atlantis MUD/MOO, and the Cafe
itself.
Atlantis Project - The MOO/WOO, December 29, 1994
The Atlantis Project is intended to guide the Speakeasy
towards an on-line interface for our members that access the Internet
portion of our services. We should work towards an on-line
environment that simulates a functioning society. One such suggestion
has focused on the idea of "Atlantis" being the name of our on-line
"world" or service. We would like to see a MOO-like environment where
people can interact socially, manipulate objects while "in" the MOO
(whether those objects are email, files, graphics, etc.).While not all
members would appreciate this front-end to our system it will serve a
large number of people an opportunity to be involved with the
Speakeasy on a very direct level. We will offer an additional
interface that has access to virtually all of the same information and
services through standard applications.We are developing a truly
graphical MOO. Something similar to the computer game "Myst" in it's
interactive style. One functional possibility is providing our users
with a CD just as is provided in computer games, we would maintain the
bulk of the data certainly ALL of the graphics files at the clients
site. This would eliminate having to transmit that information across
the telephone line connection. We would merely send a message to
their computer (which would obviously be running our application) and
say something like "display courtyard - view 3" or "display user_id
living room". Through quarterly, or perhaps monthly updates we could
update the clients CD with the graphics that will be constantly added
by the users themselves. For instance, when a user updates a graphic
in the MOO it would have to be given to the other users. The
Speakeasy would distribute this change onto the CD for a nominal fee
or perhaps as part of the membership charge. We will also include a
feature that would allow minor updates to take place through on-line
downloads that would be linked into the client's application.Getting
out of that muck of details for a moment and focusing some of the
features of Atlantis, we would like to have libraries, shops, parks,
public-assistance centers and so on available in Atlantis. Users that
specialize in say, fly fishing would open a fly fishing clinic. The
population of Atlantis would be able to go to that clinic on-line and
be able to consult with the proprietor of that shop - directly if
he/she/it is willing and on-line or through email or perhaps a
bulletin board type system. Furthermore, the owner of that shop would
be expected to complete a public-domain FAQ on his/her/its chosen shop
subject. These FAQ's would be added to the library and be bundled
into an area called "Handbooks for Humans" or some such terrific name.
The library would hold a wide variety of information through WWW links
to various document and graphics servers around the net.
IBAG Project - or Internet in a Burlap Sack, December 29, 1994
Internet in a Burlap Sack is intended to provide a easy
GUI install version of a package of shareware programs designed to
enable a person to connect via PPP/SLIP to their Internet provider.
The package will feature programs that will manage and facilitate the
use of: Email, Usenet, Gopher, FTP, and the WWW. The initial offering
of this project will be similar to shareware in pricing, we are
targeting $14.95 per unit. The entire package will be bundled
together with a "hardcard" that will detail specific UNIX commands,
define some of the vocabulary a user will find on-line and in
associated media, and explain how to find an Internet provider.The
package will consist of two IBM-compatible HD disk, one "hardcard" and
a comprehensive help file. This file will aid in configuration,
walking a user through each application in detail. These items will
then in turn be packaged in a small burlap sack, cinched with a hunk
of jute twine and a Speakeasy card (similar to our business card but
w/ "IBAG" in the center and "Internet in a Burlap Sack" along the
bottom") affixed by the twine to the top of the bag. The word
"Internet" will be stenciled on the bag with spray paint, probably red
or black. The package is generic in terms of provider information but
we will provide a customized version for customers of the Speakeasy.
The Speakeasy version will be fully supported. The generic package
will rely on the support from the individual program
designers.
Remote Access Internet Service, December 29, 1994
One major goal of the Speakeasy for 1995 is to develop
and implement a remote access service. This service will enable
persons without computers and home to access the Internet from
terminals in several areas of the city. Working with cafes,
bookstores, arcades and so forth, the Speakeasy will install and
maintain computers at remote locations that have direct links into our
service. Members will be able to check their email, consult the
Seattle On-line Entertainment Guide, and participate in IRC. We will
make half-price memberships available to those who want only remote
access services. Verification will be made through login
I.D. attributes. New or renewing members may sign up through the
Cafe, or at the site providing the terminal. Users will be encouraged
to limit their access to 30 minutes at these remote sites especially
if others are waiting to use them. With enough terminals spread
throughout Seattle and the region, we should be able to provide a new
form of communication to individuals in Puget Sound. Properly
employed, this service will rival voice-mail as a messaging
medium.Further implementations of this service are planned for the
latter half of 1995. We would like to see each community of Seattle
have their own area on-line that will serve as a bulletin board and
"common area" to the people living there. People could post messages
about garage sales, ride-sharing/carpools, community issues and so on.
Commercial posting, as with all areas of the Speakeasy Network, is
strictly restricted. (Allowances are made in defined areas of the
Atlantis MOO by permission only.) Atno time and in no way will
"in-line" advertisements or allusions be allowed. In order to
maintain the integrity of the community network this policy will be
rigorously enforced. Basically anything else goes!
Dial-up Internet Access, December 29, 1994
The intention of the Speakeasy Network is to provide a broad level of
access to the Internet to any person regardless of their RL
manifestation. What this means is anyone can get onto the Speakeasy
Network. We have membership plans, low-income and senior rates,
specific programs of free-access and structured mechanism to
re-publish information through printed media.The dial-up access
portion of the Speakeasy Network is simply defined as: The latest in
technology, the best modem to user ratio, excellent customer service,
redundant systems, and innovative user interfaces. We will further be
providing specific eventson the Network designed to assist communities
and organizations in their endeavors. Independent journalists and
researchers will be provided supplemental programs of assistance.We
will provide modems with the highest speed currently available. The
system will be power initially by a Sunsparcstation with rapid
upgrades implemented when system load requires. Our initial pipe to
the Internet will be through a T1 (1.544 Megs/Sec bandwidth). The
Speakeasy intends to be at the forefront of efforts to maintain the
integrity of the Internet. Through efforts in government and the
public domain we hope to secure the Internet as the one peace dividend
we've heard so much about. We believe the Internet and the World Wide
Web provide a new level of communication and information that offers a
level of empowerment previously impossible in any socio-political
system. This means empowerment to the individual and enables new
levels of involvement in this, our predicament. We will at all times
maintain a policy of freedom of speech for all, regardless of their
political or moral beliefs. Solutions come from freedom to
communicate and discuss, not from exclusion, economic intimidation,
moral indignation, or the manipulation of the few channels of
communication the current media provides. To the commercialization of
on-line services and orchestrated attempts to extend that scepter of
maximizing the contrast between the smallest of differences in order
to paint a picture of scarcity and consequently arbitrarily raise the
price of access, we do not subscribe. Don't worry, we're not
kidding.
The Cafe, December 29, 1994
Like the Cafe's of Europe in the earlier part of this century, The
Speakeasy will be a place for conversation, and discussion, and
entertainment.The Cafe will feature several terminals that will offer
free email service to our clientele. An on-line Seattle "what's
happening" guide will also be available at no cost. We will also be
providing several terminals that will feature common word processing,
design and layout, spreadsheet, and other applications. This will be
coupled with a scanner, high quality B&W and color printers, and copy
machines. We will also have services such as binding, research
assistance, and reduced rates for organizations such as bands and
theaters to produce informational flyers at reduced rates.Several
other terminals will feature full Internet Access and all of the
associated applications such as Mosaic and Email. We will specialize
in custom interfaces for our users, allowing people to setup their own
areas and databases. This will be largely based around our Atlantis
MOO.Our backroom, will open April 1st, possibly under the name "The
Wasteland". We will feature young Jazz, Blues, and R&R with an
"unplugged" feel. We will also feature movies, spoken word, and
Network events in this space. Any inquiries regarding booking or
reserving this space should be directed to him.The Cafe will have an
atmosphere of casual, a kind of living room feel. Anyone is welcome
and can stay as long as they like (no overnighters though, sorry).
It's been said we are in the midst of an "information revolution". We
believe it's only just begun and as the line goes "The best business
to be in during a revolution is a cafe".
Mike Apgar / mike@speakeasy.org
Last modified: Sun Jan 29 17:08:10 1995