The Durham Free-Net, serving the residents of Durham Region, just east of Toronto, Ontario, officially opened on September 5, 1995. As of May 31, 1997, a shut-down became necessary as funding came to an end. I established this page so that people who had Internet access (outside of the Free-Net) could be kept informed of news on the possible restarting of the Free-Net.

Some key documents showing the progress of the shut-down and the aftermath:

• 16 APR 1997 18:18 EDT An Important Notice sent to all members informing them of the impending shut-down
• 16 MAY 1997 05:45 GMT Agenda and notice of a "Save the DFN" Users' Group Meeting
• 26 MAY 1997 17:54 GMT Report of the results of the Users' Group meeting
• 30 MAY 1997 01:13 GMT Report of the preliminary proposal of the Action Committee formed at the Users' Group meeting
• 31 MAY 1997 16:52 EDT Message to DFN members [from Admin]
• 31 MAY 1997 11:10 GMT The SAVE DFN efforts continue
• 01 JUN 1997 17:01 GMT Why the DFN is still operating
• 04 JUN 1997 11:00 EDT From the phone line:

  "At 7:30 on June 2nd, the Durham Free-Net ceased to operate its online network. The administration is currently dialoguing with a membership group to Save the DFN. We are unable to report any progress in these discussions at this time."