For apologies re title change see "send your DNA into space +
sexual innuendo etc"
Thanks to everyone for the helpful replies.


Adrian Midgley wrote:
" The only thing I could possibly say against MDIntranet is that
there is no off-line reader"

This and also I am inclined to agree with Ahmad's comment that it
was not the easiest setup for a newbe. I use MS IE4 only as my
web browser and so just did a "straightforward" install of
Netscape as a second browser with it's own DUN connection. I
imagine that if you already use Netscape there could be a number
of configuration problems. I have been connected to MDIntranet
for a month or two now. It certainly seems to have impressive
potential, but I am puzzled by the fact that there do not seem to
be many postings. The library is a useful means of getting access
to documents and HSCs. What I did not see was a live PCG forum at
work (although there is a test forum which looked as if it might
be very functional). Is this because the PCGs that you mentioned
Mike are not yet up and running, or is it because they are
private forums? If the latter is the case would it be possible
for me to have a look inside one, or can you put me in touch with
someone who is currently up and running a forum. Chris, would you
be the person to ask about this? Are you using it for email only,
or in other ways?


and " if (snip) your PCG/HA is going to adopt gives you a
permanent connection to the Internet"

Fat chance! - although I will try for this. Do you know what the
setup costs for a fibreoptic T1 connection are? Sounds expensive!


and "If you can get a diary/scheduling application running, used
by the members and networked then the secretary can book meetings
without the time consuming diary shuffle that takes up so much of
meetings."
I am particularly interested in setting this up (it has just
taken us 20 mins to agree on the time of our next meeting!) But I
wonder about the practicalities. I use outlook 98 in conjunction
with a palm 111 from home only - which is very functional, but I
have no experience in networking calendars and appointments. I
suspect it is a bit ambitious to start of with this when 3 of our
PCG board do not yet have email addresses although I would love
to try. Does anyone have experience with this or other networked
contact software?

There was a brief thread re MS Net Folders a month or so ago. I
have it installed, but have yet to try it out, but am willing to
do so if anyone fancies a go. There is little in the way of
security, but it is quite simple to grasp, and free which is a
big bonus! I presume each document would be mailed from a
centrally "shared" folder on my PC to all parties given access
rights. I might work for us if the network were small and the
number and size of documents were not prohibitive. Would it be
possible to implement this through NHS net? If so the lack of
encryption would pose less of a problem from the point of view of
administrative mailings. I am thinking of this as quick, simple
and cheap means of networking, before setting up either an
internet based website or NHS based intranet.
Any experiences welcomed and all other options considered!


Laurie Slater
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-----Original Message-----
From:	[log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Sent:	31 October 1998 13:13
To:	[log in to unmask]
Cc:	[log in to unmask]
Subject:	PCG IT for the uninitiated!

Good advice so far......



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