The Commercial Channel is where organisations will for the first time, be able to represent themselves within NERDS>, for, customer support purposes. It has been awaited and is morally required, its purpose to recognise the moral right of organisations to respond to critique made within the NERDS> community. The companies who represent themselves within this channel, will be able use their presence to:

• support their consumers/users
• aid their product development
• respond to editorial content, and user's discussion (within the channel!)
• maintain a support site and download centre
• run software trials/beta programs

However, the community (members as a whole) will be able to:

• post comment on materials, columns or responses made by the registered organisations
• send a complaint to any registered or non-registered organisations
• hold a campaign, or trial against any registered or non-registered organisation

Organisations whether registered, or non-registered can only be represented within the commercial channel after approval by the NERDS> Council. The NERDS> Council can fine any represented organisation where and when materials are deemed not suitable under the terms of the represented organisation's contract. Specific details of the NERDS> Council's new responsibilities, rights and powers are detailed on their website.

With the new arrival of high-bandwidth local loop technologies like ADSL, Cable Modem, G3, etc. video and audio communication becomes a practical communication solution via the Internet, we intend to provide solutions to allow and fulfill the use of these technologies. As discussed within Kyle's editorial (13/12/99), there are some practical limitations which remain - however we are working on some innovative solutions.

These new communication mediums will not be available during the initial launch, and we have yet to a find a financial balance for running these services. However, for direct communication, we are running a NetMeeting Directory server, and members files will contain fields for a 'directory server' and 'e-mail alias'. As you probably know, video and audio streaming is already available under each channel's publishing and download areas.

We have also extended the news forums, by allowing you to receive posts by e-mail, and be notified when your discussion is replied to - perhaps months later. The IRC Operator management tree has also been revised - and is in effect now.

We have allowed channel moderators to create 'private sub-channels', where only registered users can enter - with the exception of the NERDS> Council. Private sub-channels have all the facilities of an ordinary channel, except you can't create sub-channels from them. All users can see the existence of the private channel, and can request registration. Private sub-channels moderators' are the same as the channel they inherit from - this cannot change! Private sub-channels can be constructed, distrusted, opened and closed on the fly, ideal for holding meetings and such forth. The existence of private sub-channel membership can be seen within user's files by level4+ operators and moderators.

Yes, this was possible in the past, but only by the Editorial Team - not very easy, or flexible. As you can see, there are many restrictions - this is to enable to concept of a private channel, while ensuring illegal or distasteful activities are not made on our network.

Don't be daft, we have not gone mad yet! However, we were considering.. ;-)

The Editorial Team have often scouted the community for potential 'redbox' members, and the honour of being chosen has hit home. Much like being accepted to Mensa, the NERDS> Certification Scheme allows members to become registered nerds, whether nerds remain anonymous, or exploit their certification is up to them.

Certified nerds have 'no privileges' within the community. However, there are separate, normally invisible channel for each certification level, that act much like the private sub-channels. Nerds are also gathered together on projects, and form part of an exclusive social club, where they share in similar interests.

Certified nerds can use us as a reference for a potential employer, and we are closely working with eight multinational companies to produce a recognized certification - and even potential employment opportunities.

There are currently three certification levels proposed:

• NERDS> Green Chip - (IT Professional)
  The examinations will be run quarterly, and sent to participants individually by e-mail, to be returned within a set period of time. One-to-one interviews, and aural testing.

• NERDS> Blue Chip - (Genius, Guru)
  Choice on a range topics, project work and testing over a couple of months. One-to-one interviews, and aural testing.

• NERDS> Red Chip - (???)
  One-to-one interviews, and aural testing, essentially proving that you are the foremost best. You can be nominated directly for certification, or make your way up through green and blue schemes.. Redbox membership is not guaranteed, although v-likely.

More information will be available during the start of the scheme, including detailed specification and guidelines, as to what a defined nerd of level x has proven, and shown. We must point out, the stereotype often considered of a nerd, geek, etc.. will not make it! - Social interaction, communication and moral standing play high importance.

I think that the nature of the Job Centre is self-explanatory, however, we have many unique features. The employers will be able to search for all present and past materials created by members who apply for their position - except private channels... Yes, this includes the log files of the IRC server, mailing lists and news forums - and observation in real-time.. This gives employers the unique ability to judge the quality of potential employees in action, before interviews are even scheduled!

Since posting a job anywhere else on the network is currently prohibited, commercial seekers will be charged for this service, prices to be quoted and agree individually - contact Tony Fallow.

(Note: any full-member can search by member)

Full-members are able to vote. We have addressed the potential use, and dramatically extended the power of vote:

Often we see members complaining about an issue, the editorial content often raises issues and members respond with anger against organisations, and people who bring about unfair or immoral acts. Other than sharing our anger, and our possible ideas for improvement, there was nothing we could do about it..

The secret is power in numbers, and we shouldn't sit back and just accept unfair conduct of large corporations within the IT sector. We are a mammoth society, with typically common moral beliefs, we know when we are being treated unfairly.

Members can now run a campaign against an organisation or issue, and members individually (there is no block vote!)can support those campaigns. We are even willing to support externally run campaigns where the NERDS> Council feel it is appropriate.

Campaigns can be attached to organisations within the commercial channel, or as a sub-channel else where. However, there is a set of guidelines (rules) for campaign holders, to ensure everything is conducted in a peaceful and legal manor, and to ensure those members who support the campaign are aware of all action taken on their behalf.

Campaigns that members support are listed within their user files. More information about campaign system is explained in the 'Commercial Channel' description above..

The NERDS> Council voting system has also changed, due to the decreasing number of voters, and the current inability to display a member's intent to stand. To stand for the NERDS> Council, go to the NERDS> Council's website (currently available from a link in the middle of the front page) - which will explain the process, and your responsibilities if you go ahead. During next October you will be listed as standing... During October members will be asked during login: "would you like to vote for your NERDS> Council Rep now?", every time until they have voted!!!

Please note: This is a summary of the proposed features of the next generation of NERDS> community, the ‘NERDS> Millennium Edition' - it is not designed to reflect any failures within the current software or online community. Notably, this summary is rather ‘vague' in some areas, this is either my lazy streak, or we haven't reached that part of the design yet, or due to industry pressure we are not releasing the details of the system architecture. However, if you have any ideas, or you've spotted an emission, error, or fault in our design - we welcome your input.