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Implementing the IT Strategy

Disk Subscription Service

Modem Deal

Concessionary Prices On Microsoft Software

Headquarters Goes On-line

AOL Offer Special Deal for Scouts

UK Scouting On The World Wide Web

Previous editions of Talking Points have outlined some of the developments taking place following the adoption of an IT Strategy for The Scout Association. The Strategy, adopted by Committee of Council in March 1995, aims to ensure that the Association's use of IT is seen as capable of delivering real benefits to young people in the Movement and to their volunteer Leaders at local level. Benefits to Headquarters, although both desirable and necessary, are insufficient in themselves.

Talking Points No. 38 (June/July 1995) offered advice on IT arrangements which Counties/Areas and Districts might like to adopt concerning computer hardware. In December, 1995 (Talking Points No 41) further advice was offered concerning software.

The hardware suggested included: A 486 or Pentium processor, 200 Megabyte hard disk or better, VGA monitor or better, 102 key keyboard, mouse and 3.5" disk drive. At the time 4Mb of RAM minimum was advised but now at least 8Mb is strongly recommended.

The Recommendations were produced in response to many requests for basic guidance before investing money in systems. The aim has been to try and ensure that some degree of compatibility is achieved throughout the Association in readiness for further IT Implementation.

This special supplement to Talking Points No. 44, is designed to move the implementation process along by announcing some special offers, some new services and some intentions for the future.

One of the new services is an initial launch in mid September of some Resource Material on Disk as an alternative to paper. The intention is to offer this on a subscription basis at £10 + VAT for each disk.

There are two disks to be offered in the first instance -

There are a number of different Activities Factsheets on this disk. A complete index can be obtained from the Resource Centre at Gilwell Park.

The annual Subscription will be £10 + VAT to include an update service of at least one disk for a period of 12 months from launch date. Any subscriptions entered in December 1996/January 1997 will still pay £10 + VAT and be due for a renewal in September.

This disk is comprised of two items.

a) Administrative Forms

This section contains regularly used forms such as WE (for Confidential Enquiries) or Form LS (Leader Warrants) or the heavily used application forms for Awards for Good Service'. A total of 13 commonly used forms are on the Disk.

b) 1996 Campsite Directory

The second section on the disk is a copy of the 1996 National, County and District Campsite Directory.

This will only be reissued/updated annually when the Camp Site Directory is usually prepared.

The service will be launched at the Gilwell Reunion to run from mid-September, 1996.

As a special Introductory Offer, both disks can be ordered together at an inclusive price of £15 + VAT if ordered before 1 September.

Please note the following ESSENTIAL information: You will need a Personal Computer capable of running Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Word documents to use the disks. The information on the disks is provided in Word 6 format.

Send your orders or requests for more information to -

Disk Subscription Service,

Resource Centre,

The Scout Association,

Gilwell Park,

Chingford,

Essex E4 7QW

Tel (0181) 524 5246

Fax (0181) 529 0994

One of the hardware recommendations given in Talking Points No. 38 was that, if required for electronic communications such as E-mail, a modem capable of at least 14,400 baud should be considered.

Negotiation with a supplier of modems has resulted is a special deal for Members offering very realistic prices for leading brand equipment. Comtech Computers Ltd of Slough are offering Sportster 14.4 VI external modems for £86.00 and the Sportster 28.8 VI external modem for £135.00. These prices EXCLUDE VAT. The special offer includes a choice of seven different types of modem, internal and external versions with a 5 year Warranty and one year technical support by telephone.

To take advantage of the special deal, all orders to Comtech must be on the official Scout Association Modem Order Form. Telephone the Public Relations Department at Baden-Powell House (0171 584 7030) during office hours, fax (0171 590 5103) or write for a copy.

Special prices for some Microsoft products have been negotiated with Phoenix Software in York. This company have agreed offer concessionary prices to Scout Groups, Districts and County/Areas.

Please note that this does not extend to copying the software onto machines not used primarily for Scouting administration purposes (i.e. you cannot load it onto your PC at work).

One attractive feature of the purchasing arrangements is that you can buy the Software Licence, the disks or CDs and the manuals separately. For example, if you are a County wanting four copies of MS OFFICE you can purchase one set of disks, one manual and four Licences.

Sample prices are -

Note: To use Access, it is necessary to have 12 Mb of RAM in your PC.

A comprehensive list of products, prices and an application form can be obtained from the Public Relations Department at Baden-Powell House

Telephone (0171) 584 7030; Fax (0171) 590 5103

Baden-Powell House is about to go officially on-line with its own email address sponsored by AOL (America On Line) the world's largest Information Service Provider. This is a first step in providing email links to the Headquarters' sites at Lancing, Gilwell Park and Baden-Powell House.

Later this year, local area networks will be commissioned connecting the three main Headquarters sites and direct email facilities will also be available to them.

In the interim, members wishing to send email messages to any Headquarters Department are welcome to do so via central points at Baden-Powell House, at Gilwell Park and at Lancing.

Please note that in the short term these messages may have to be printed-out and sent on to the relevant Department by internal mail, so for some communication you may prefer to use fax or old fashioned mail.

All incoming messages will be acknowledged on receipt. In some cases, responses may have to be delivered by mail, telephone or fax. Wherever possible, email will be used to reply.

The email address will be:

These addresses will be operational from 1 July.

SCOUTING Magazine has its own email address which is:- scoutingmag@enterprise.net

Choosing a service provider giving email facilities and access to the Internet can be as difficult as selecting best value tariff on a mobile telephone.

The 'right' service for one user may not be the best for someone else's pattern of usage. Whilst spending hours browsing the World Wide Web and its millions of pages of information may be ideal for a research scientist, other people may simply want to send email messages, faxes, and look for the latest news headlines or a weather forecast. They might also want to look for latest news and information about a hobby, special interest or activity (like Scouting)

Members of the Association looking for a Service Provider might like to take advantage of a special offer negotiated with AOL (America On-Line) an organisation rapidly building-up its UK membership and services. AOL currently has 5 million members in the U.S.

AOL has offered to provide a special area for Scouting with links to the World Wide Web, customised software and all the normal benefits of an organisation with over 6 million subscribers worldwide. This includes the friendly telephone Customer Helpline, invaluable to those of us who are apprehensive of technology and have only just mastered the Cash Machine at the Bank. The service offers full email facilities worldwide.

Subscription rates will be £5.95 a month (including 5 free hours on-line) which, unlike some Service Providers, does not attract an additional VAT element, often only mentioned in the small print and spotted when your first Credit Card Statement arrives!

As a special offer for Scouts, AOL has DOUBLED their normal introductory offer by giving the first TWO months subscription, (including 10 hours each month on-line) free of charge.

If you would like more details of the special AOL Service and an application form, these are available from the Public Relations Department at Baden-Powell House.

Finally, a brief word about how The Scout Association hopes to develop its own Web Site such as that run by the World Scout Bureau in Geneva (http://www.scout.org/)

The recent meeting of the IT Steering Group devoted much of its time to this issue. It is hoped, following a series of discussions, that an Association site will appear early in the new Scout Year.

Watch this cyberspace!