Objectives and Tasks

Specifications of Work to be Performed by the Circuit Rider

The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) will contract with one full time Circuit Rider Service Provider whose sole responsibility shall be to complete tasks for Maine School and Library Network (MSLN) Sites as described below. The overall goal of the circuit rider will be to provide advice and assistance in solving local MSLN site technical problems. This assistance will be provided by phone, e-mail, and in person. THe following list of tasks is representative and not meant to be all inclusive.

1. Evaluate a site's network environment (NOS version, wiring plant), MSLN connectivity and workstation configuration (OS version, memory, disk storage, processor speed) and make recommendations for optimizing MSLN access.

2. Install, upgrade, configure and/or optimize commonly used software, as necessary, and in the process instruct local staff in why and how this work is done.

3. Configure and demonstrate configuration of e-mail accounts on the shared MSLN e-mail server.

4. Configure and demonstrate configuration of mechanisms for posting pages to the shared MSLN web server.

5. Provide advice on bandwidth optimization techniques as appropriate to a given site.

6. Review with site staff a checklist of steps that will lead to local Technical self-sufficiency.

7. Instruct staff briefly as necessary in the basics of client software use and MSLN connection management.

8. Provide advice on considerations associated with creating local e-mail, file and web servers.

9. Provide monthly reports detailing the work done by the Circuit Rider.