58 | Illinois Parks ond Recreation

Let's face it, even when we are away from our friends, family and the office attending the IAPD/IPRA Conference, some of us are never really away. We wouldn't think to come to Chicago without having our cell phones. But they can only do so much. What about those can't-miss e-mails?

You could bring a laptop. Of course, then you'd have to connect to the Internet from your hotel room, and you'd find a charge on your bill. But you can avoid all that.

For the third straight year, the IAPD/IPRA Conference will feature its own Cyber Cafe, where you can check your e-mail, learn more about computers, try new programs and talk to information technology experts. And, best of all, it's free.

Not tied to your cell phone or e-mail just yet? The cyber cafe is a great venue to take some time to become more comfortable with technology. (Or you can take the time to just be comfortable: one of my coworkers told me that last year the cyber cafe was her opportunity to grab a few minutes to herself without having to trudge all the way up to her room.) You can browse the Internet at your leisure (maybe check out the IAPD or IPRA's web sites). You can ask the specialists running the cafe any technology-related questions you have. Plus you can see and try out the latest hardware and software advances that can benefit both your professional and personal life.

Computers Yes; Coffee Yes (sort of)

According to the International Association of Cyber Cafes, the world's

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first cyber cafe opened in 1984. The idea was to offer a comfortable, coffeehouse-type environment for people to come in and use the Internet or try out the latest computer applications. Today, the association estimates that there are thousands of these cafes worldwide. Popular vacation guides now routinely list their locations so travelers can surf the web after visiting the Roman ruins or e-mail their significant other after a few pints at the oldest pub in Dublin. And at least nine major cruise lines have them aboard their ships so passengers can get connected even while they are getting away from it all.

The IAPD/IPRA Conference is on top of this trend. Look for the cafe around the corner from the conference registration desk (Grand Suite 2, East Tower, Ballroom Level). The Cyber Cafe will be open to the conference public Thursday, January 22nd, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm; Friday, January 23rd, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; and Saturday, January 24th, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

ICS Advantage, LLC is sponsoring and operating the cafe. ICS Advantage is a full-service network provider. With a team of professionals with Microsoft, Citrix and Cisco certifications, ICS Advantage has helped clients design, implement and support their network infrastructure. Having implemented solutions for several Park Districts in Illinois, ICS Advantage is well qualified to address this unique environment. But they aren't on hand to give you the hard sell on equipment or services. They are there to serve up help and information to make your experience at the cafe fun and informative. They don't, however, serve coffee.

Unfortunately, it is too costly for the Conference Committee or the IAPD or IPRA Technology Committees to offer coffee service, but you are certainly welcome to bring your own. In lieu of coffee, you might walk away with a great prize. ICS has offered to raffle 3 MP3 players, one for each day of conference. All visitors should remember to sign up for the daily raffle.

In 2003, traffic through the room was busiest between sessions, says Scott Wegner of ICS. "Most people really seemed to visit the cafe to check their e-mail and stay in contact with their office." But Wegner promises that visitors can come in and see a demonstration of such applications as remote office connectivity utilizing Citrix Metaframe and Virtual Private Network (VPN) and learn how these tools could work for their own agencies. The PCs will be loaded with the latest Microsoft Windows and Office Suite of products; which visitors to the cafe can explore or use as they need.

Networking: A Hands-On Experience

This year, ICS will offer a unique opportunity for both hardcore techies and neophytes to get a taste of what it takes to be a network architect. As a Thursday morning pre-conference education session offering, the "If You Build It, They Will Come" class will build the Cyber Cafe network.

Participants will connect the room of ten PCs via a local area network (LAN) with access to the Internet. They will be responsible for troubleshooting network errors and learn how best to detect and resolve issues, all under the watchful eye and instruction of ICS Advantage certified instructors. This hands-on class is an ideal opportunity to expand your knowledge of technology in a safe learning environment. Understanding that not all agencies have the professional IT staff on hand to manage their network, this class will give users at any skill level a better understanding of building, troubleshooting and managing a network so that they can be prepared to adapt to what is happening with the technology in their own agencies.

Susan Hoster-Suggs is the Business/Finance Manager for the Bolingbrook Park District. She also serves as Chair of the IPRA Technology Committee, which, in addition to being responsible for the Cyber Cafe, also recommends and oversees technology sessions at conference and puts on an annual technology workshop each fall. She is a graduate of Lewis University, where she majored in public administration.

Top 10 Reasons to Visit the Cyber Cafe at Conference

10. Network with fellow colleagues

9. Surf the Internet

8. Take a moment to escape from conference; take some personal downtime for yourself; stay in touch with friends and family

7. Sign up to become involved in IAPD or IPRA Tech Committees

6. Visit your state association web sites: www.il-ipra.org and www.ilparks.org

5. View other park and recreation agency web sites; especially those voted as the IPRA Agency Showcase Best Web Site

4. Check out the JOB on line

3. Ask the tech: certified staff from ICS Advantage will be on hand to answer your technology questions

2. Enter into the daily raffle to win fun technology toys

1. Gain access to your e-mail

60 | Illinois Parks and Recreation