Computer-related infrastructure

International Organization Information / Research: 2000 (Part #11)

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In-house The UIA computers continue to require replacement or upgrading, notably to provide web and e-mail access from workstations. This upgrading process was also a response to problems potentially associated with the Y2K issue. Only minor problems resulted at the time.

Despatch of e-mail proofs to organizations has been successfully undertaken in large quantities (2100 organizations) for the first time. This will significantly reduce postal and handling costs and appears in some cases to generate a better response rate. It will also ensure more direct and continuing contact with organizations.

The possibility of making partial use of Linux-based systems has been successfully tested and a Linux server will be installed operationally to take the load off the dynamic NT-based server. "Obsolete" machines are also being adapted for this purpose. A sophisticated workstation was donated (as a long-term loan) to UIA by HP-Belgium following solicitation to several computer manufacturers.

Dynamic server The NT server operations have raised issues about back-up facilities should the system crash in response to an excessive number of queries. This is linked directly to the external server through which its use is charged. A back-up server has been acquired to handle such crashes.

External / Static server This facility has proved remarkably successful with an average of over 10,000 hits per day.

The UIA web and e-mail facilities survived the bankruptcy (in July-September 1999) of the Agora cooperative (of which the UIA was a founding member). The facility was taken over by XS4ALL (in turn taken over by KPN), and transferred to computers in Amsterdam -- all in a four month period. Whilst service has been maintained throughout (not without moments of anxiety), communications with the new service provider are "technical" rather than "commercial". This means that the basis on which UIA is to be invoiced for the past 8 months of service has not been established. Essentially, over that time, usage has been free of charge. In principle the charges should only be at the rate the cooperative was charging – rates that were themselves unclear (and the cause of its bankruptcy). A worst case scenario suggests an invoice for 1999 of 300.000 BF. Efforts to gain clarity on this have been unsuccessful and are essentially against the UIA's immediate best interests.

[See Annexes in PDF format]

• Annex 1 Statistics on access to UIA websites
• Annex 2 Marketing report by William Martin
• Annex 3 Visualization of problem networks (example)
• Annex 4 UIA Strategic dilemmas
• Annex 5 Reframing the UIA role
• Annex 6 Degrees of fulfilment of UIA operational and strategic objectives
• Annex 7 UIA Initiatives and services

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