FREE COMPUTER NETWORK TO LINK CAPE TO INTERNET

While some rural Missourians zoom along the information superhighway, others sit in the dust on outdated gravel roads.

Supporters of Show-Me Net want a few road improvements.

By now, most people have heard about the Internet -- the world's information superhighway. This computer system links government agencies, universities, medical centers, newspapers, private companies and other organizations through one huge computer network.

For a fee -- usually paid to an on-line service that provides Internet access -- plus, in some cases, the cost of a long-distance call to reach the on-line service, an Internet user can access information from all over the world.

There also are companies providing local pipelines to the Internet, alleviating the expense of long-distance calls. For a monthly fee, users can access both local network and Internet information with a local number.

That's how Show-Me Net will work, minus the fee.

Charter members of the network should be on-line by the start of the month, said Larry Loos, president of the Show-Me Net's board. Technical jargon aside, these members will need a fairly powerful computer with a modem to participate.

But as the network gets established, even the most computer-illiterate person in Southeast Missouri will have the opportunity to use Show-Me Net. Cape Girardeau Public Library and Riverside Regional Library in Jackson will have computers on-line for public use.

Besides accessing information from local organizations, individuals will be able to set up e-mail boxes to communicate with other users.

And people from other communities can take an off-ramp into the Show-Me Net to find out more about Cape Girardeau County.

Riverside will house the Internet connection and the basic phone equipment needed to let hundreds of people communicate through computers.

The Cape Girardeau County Health Department, Community Caring Council, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center, along with a host of other organizations, will provide information for the network.

While lots of people seem willing to provide information, Loos said, only the two hospitals and a few individuals have donated money. Because Show-Me Net is a not-for-profit organization, it has to have contributions to survive.

"We plan to provide access much like National Public Radio or public television," Loos said. "We'll give access away and then beg for money to maintain it."

Some people are helping by donating equipment and expertise. Loos, who runs a computer consulting firm, said he hasn't received any compensation for the hours he has invested in establishing Show-Me Net. Neither has the rest of the board, a diverse group that includes Councilman Melvin Gateley, library director Elizabeth Ader and banker Craig Wells.

If the network thrives, its board of directors may advertise for a part-time manager to oversee it, and Loos said he might apply for that job. Right now, his main concern is getting Cape Girardeau County public access to the Internet.

"I like living here in Cape County and want to stay, but at the same time, I don't want to be behind what they have in St. Louis," Loos said. "I think the Show-Me Net could help change the way we do business."

A paid service similar to the Show-Me Net is already up and running. LDDnet, which serves Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, Sikeston and Dexter in Missouri and Murray and Hopkinsville in Kentucky, provides local-call access to the Internet.

Shirlene Krewson, LDD's new products expert, said LDDnet's June launch date had nothing to do with the Show-Me Net. She and Loos have discussed their individual projects and don't see a conflict.

"These two services may complement each other like a bookstore complements the library," Krewson said. "The books at the library are free to check out, but you may have to get on a waiting list. You can get exactly what you want at the bookstore."

For example, LDDnet plans to have a phone line for every 14 users, but Show-Me Net will have one for every 50 users. On a busy day, only so many people would be able to get on Show-Me Net.

LDDnet also offers better access to Internet programs. Loos compared the two networks to pipelines. LDDnet's pipe can fit more information through faster.

"At the same time, we can get people on and they can see whether it makes sense," Loos said. "Later, if they want, they can go commercial. And we're focusing on local information."

LDDnet's monthly fees are $10 a month for 10 hours of use, $25 for 25 hours, and $35 for 200 hours.