2007
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An update on the BBC Intranet access issue - by David Allen
Readers of the Newsletter will remember that a couple of years ago we began pressing BBC management to allow retired staff direct continued access to the Intranet. The justification for the BBC was 'holding on to knowledge' as much as for us keeping in touch. Although this idea was received sympathetically it was ruled out on security and cost grounds. The problem lay in the perceived dangers of penetrating the 'firewall' between the outside world and the BBC's Reith network. However last year we made the alternative proposal to set up a thing called an 'Extranet' site where old members could enter from the public Internet using some kind of ID and password (eg our staff number). This would create a 'family space' accessible both by retired and by current staff but without compromising security. Specialist areas such as journalist or engineering bulletin boards could be set up so that knowledge or information could be exchanged without the public having access. This idea seems now to have borne fruit since the BBC is proposing a new 'Memories' website (working title). Robin Reynolds , who is currently setting it up with colleagues, very kindly came to the AGM to explain how it might work and to welcome our help and our ideas.
As reported in Prospero, the 'Memories' website (alternative titles welcomed by Robin) is probably going to be part of the BBC's public website and would contain anecdotal stories about the BBC's past, photographs and even films. The question is whether it could also do what we want and be more than a nostalgia site. I had a very useful meeting with Robin a day or so after the AGM and we discussed the possibility of partitioning off a part of the site as a closed-user group. Thus by typing in something like www.bbc.co.uk/memories/staff, up would come a page where you'd be invited to put in ID and password in a similar way to accessing many other specialist sites.
Robin explained that any money used to establish a closed user group area on the site would have to pass a 'public value' test but that this ought to be possible since the site would be potentially of great value to - for example - programme makers. Questions could be posted: 'Is there anyone out there who worked on Blue Peter in the 60s?' 'Does anyone remember the name of the chap who ran the BBC's Adult Literacy Campaign in the 1970s - we want to make a programme about it.' And so on. But there are many other examples where direct staff-ex-staff contact could be useful but where we would like to keep the information 'within the family'.
Robin would welcome ideas and also volunteers from the Association who might help test-drive the site as it develops. In the long run there might also be a need to find someone retired who might be prepared to help run the site - for a small remuneration.
Robin also said that he would make sure there is a link on pensions to the Association's Website and of course we would reciprocate.
So - if you'd like to send in your ideas, or would be prepared to help in trials, please contact Robin Reynolds directly. And it would be helpful if you also sent me a copy to fjdallen@blueyonder.co.uk . We do want this to work and to grow into something really organic and well-used.
