VCN provides groups with a sub-domain (eg. vcn.bc.ca/yourgroup or yourgroup.vcn.bc.ca for WebGUI installations) as part of its standard package of services. However, some groups prefer to register their own domain name (eg. yourgroup.com).

If you want your own domain name, you'll need to pay for registering it with a domain-name registration company.

Note: You must buy your domain name from a third party before we can host it.

Once you've bought your domain name, VCN can host it for non-profit groups for the .bc.ca, .ca, .net, .org and .com top-level domains. While there is no charge for VCN to host registered domain names, we do ask for donations that helps us to continue providing all of our services.

Community Groups wishing to have VCN host their domain name must register for a VCN non-profit group account. Also, included in this service are up to 10 POP3 email accounts.

Additionally, to have VCN host your domain name, go to our Domain Registration section below and fill out the necessary paperwork.

Presently, VCN hosts Domain Names for non-profit Community Groups for the .ca, .net, .org and .com top-level domains. VCN does not charge this service but we do request that groups that are able to do so, make a donation as a Subscriber Supporter.

Community Groups wishing to have VCN host their Domain Name must have registered a Community Groups account.

There are third party charges for registering any domain name and the Community Group is responsible for these charges. VCN will host and take the role of technical contact for the domain name.

Included in this service are up to 10 POP3 email accounts.

The following is an outline of the present policy and procedures followed by VCN:

1. Register as a Community group at VCN

2. If your organization doesn't already have one, register your domain name at a registrar such as: Webnames or Internic. Charges vary for registering domains, and the group is responsible for paying these fees and maintaining the account with the registrar.

3. Submit the application form.

4. Fill out the Memorandum of Understanding and fax or mail it to VCN (contact information below). The Community Group is responsible for supplying the Administrative contact and all other group related information.

   • Fax it to our offices 604.257.3808 or

   • Mail it to:
     Vancouver Community Network
     2nd Floor, 411 Dunsmuir Street,
     Vancouver, BC V6B 1X4

5. Register email accounts and set up webpages for your Community Group. For groups switching from another ISP to VCN, this must be done prior to the points below, otherwise there maybe a disruption in service (i.e. email will be undeliverable or webpage will be unavailable)

6. Change the Nameservers for your domain to point to the VCN Nameservers. There should be a web-based facility for doing this where your domain is registered. This information will take several days to propigate. The VCN nameservers are the following:

   • Primary nameserver:
     Hostname: ns1.vcn.bc.ca
     IP Address: 207.102.64.2

   • Secondary nameserver:
     Hostname: ns2.vcn.bc.ca
     IP Address: 207.102.64.1

If you have questions regarding this service please call the HelpDesk at 604.257.3811.

Non-profit groups that have a domain name (ex. www.groupname.org) hosted with Vancouver Community Network are entitled to 10 email accounts (ex. info@groupname.org, staff@groupname.org) for their organizational use.

To create an email account for your group:

• Register for an individual VCN email account (skip step 4), for each email account you want under your group's domain name. Use an enumeration of your group's main login for each account's login (ie if your group's main login is cup, use 'cup1', 'cup2', etc, as the login id). For the address, you can use your organization's address.
• Print out the Letter of Agreement and make sure one of your group's representatives fills it out.
• Fax or mail in the Letter of Agreement to Vancouver Community Network.

  Mailing Address:
  Vancouver Community Network
  411 Dunsmuir St.
  Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1X4
  Fax Number:
  604-257-3808

VCN, along with 411 Seniors Centre Society, offers a regular internet access with shared ADSL. Regularly, this lab is used for practices and by adult groups. This lab can also be rented to non-profit organizations that need to use it.

The lab is located at 411 Dunsmuir St. near Homer St. Fore more information about prices and availability contact Carol 604-684-8171.

Free CMS Websites

The often difficult and time consuming task of making your website interactive is much easier if you use a Content Management System (CMS). We offer registered community groups the use of a CMS we host called WebGUI. You can see a CMS Matrix for comparisons.

WebGUI is an open source CMS that is compatible with multiple languages and allows you to simply generate and manage many interactive elements. You will still need to create a design for your site but you can modify some simple themes (templates).

If you would like to have a custom design for your non-profit organization, VCN has a webteam with designers and developers to help you build an online presence. To learn more go to www.webteam.vcn.bc.ca. Also, before you request a WebGUI installation from us, you can view WebGUI videos or the online WebGUI wiki to see how it works or even try it out on the WebGUI Demo (instructions-tba).

With VCN your default URL will be in the format yourgroup.vcn.bc.ca, but we are able to Host a Domain Name if you wish(see section above). To request a WebGUI installation for your group, you can email us or come in to our office at 411 Dunsmuir.

WebGUI Features

1. Message Boards (Flat, Nested, and Threaded views)
2. SQL Report (Drill down enabled)
3. Polls
4. Download Manager
5. User Contribution System
   • Classifieds
   • Web Log (Blog)
   • Photo Gallery
   • News
   • FAQ
   • Link Directories
   • Job Postings
6. Syndicated News
7. Events Calendars
8. Surveys and Self=Grading Tests
9. Articles
10. Indexed Search Engine
11. Web Services Front End

Free Mailing Lists

We offer a mailing list manager with a web and email interface called Sympa to enable you or your group to manage email lists and communication strategies. It is highly configurable and can provide a fully searchable archive, act like a message board, and provide many mailing, receiving, moderation, and permission options.

• Go to the mailing list manager front page.

• Follow some basic instructions to get started.

• Get more help on setting up and administering mailing lists at the VCN help pages under Mailing Lists

Sympa provides a number of advanced features:

• Weekly digests or "nomail" option with weekly notification

• Internationalization (translated to 15 different languages)

• Automatic bounce management

• S/MIME support for both signature verification and mail encryption

• Service messages and web pages defined by templates

• Virtual robots management

• External antiviral plugin

• Web interface with user and admin features

• Web document repository fombers