Welcome to CoNet ...

WHAT IS IT?
CoNet is a series of information screens in Rothbury and the Coquet Valley, displaying information on community events, activities and opportunities.

Screens are located in prominent areas with internet access, and can be updated remotely. They check for updates every few minutes - so slides can be updated with very short notice. For instance, slides appeared on the screens within a minute two after the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

HISTORY
The project arose from a similar scheme in Glendale, where they had a number of screens like the one shown here, and are part of a Newcastle University research project into how technology can help rural communities.

Development was by Stuart Nicholson who gave a presentation to interested groups and individuals in the Parish Hall back in the autumn of 2016, and it was decided to see what the system could do for Rothbury and Coquetdale.

The project funded development and initial implementation costs, and because there is already a well-established information flow through the Upper Coquetdale News Group (which publishes the local "Over The Bridges" magazine), it was decided to have CoNet work with the group.

PROCESS
Information is displayed as a series of slides which cycle through and anyone who would like to host a screen is welcome to contact us. Funding from the University for the physical hardware is no longer available from the University. Anyone who feels that they would like a screen should contact admin@conet.uk.

At the present time (January 2025) CoNet does not have funds to provide screens, but is happy to work someone who would like to host a screen.

Total cost would depend on installation, but may be around £300. And must ...

• be in a safe place in a public area
• have a nearby power socket
• be switched on whenever the public can see it
• access to a permanent and direct internet connection (wired is preferred, but most screens are wifi).)

By "direct" we mean being able to access the internet without needing to go through a gateway or proxy page, and with a login that rarely changes (host password changes require a visit to update the screen). We recently updated the RSPCA screen so that it doesn't use WiFi, and that has proved very successful, but adds about £30 to the installation.

The first screens were up and running in July 2017 for the Rothbury Traditional Music Festival, although the first few months were not without lots of teething problems (and patience on the part of those hosting the screens). As of January 2025, the current screens are:

• RSPCA window, Rothbury
• Turks Head pub, Rothbury
• Jubilee Hall, Rothbury
• United Reformed Church [URC, Rothbury]
• Collie Dog Computers, Rothbury [however, this hasn't been operational for some time]
• The Gate Pub, Forestburn Gate
• The Star Inn, Harbottle

If you have any questions, would like to host a screen, would like information displayed or would like to volunteer to help (either assisting with the editorial work, liaising with those who would like to host a screen or with installing screens) please get in touch via email to admin@conet.uk.

If you'd like to have an event promoted, contact the editor editor@conet.uk for details of how this can be done. However, please note that CoNet has a strict policy of no political or commercial advertising, although hosts may have slides uploaded to their own screens to promote their own services or events, provided that these are limited to one or two at a time.

3rd January, 2025