Computer Systems and Website Planning

C. General Public's Access to Website

Updated on January 22, 2012

THNC's website (thnc.org) will have two levels for the public:

1. outer level for nonmembers; and
2. inner level for members with active IDs and passwords.

This section describes the outer level for nonmembers.

The web site is only in English. All services and products are also in English. One possibility is to eventually introduce other languages. Nonmembers may also use a dialup service to let them learn more about memberships.

1. Home page – displays a welcome and brief introduction to THNC. In the future, there may be language selection buttons here. Nonmembers will read how, in the future, local centers (LCs) may be built where members and the public can go to see the latest developments in home networking. This web site is designed as a virtual LC. Much that a visitor would see in a physical local center will be seen online. There will also be other basics about THNC including contact services and a site map.


2. The Same Opportunities for Learning -- THNC offers a range of services for the benefit of members. These perquisites of membership help them to answer questions and pursue ideas about home networking. When a nonmember purchases Educational Presentations (EPs), THNC's goal is help each nonmember have the opportunities as members do. THNC makes them temporary members and endows them with almost all of the benefits given to members. This situation continues for a number of weeks after the nonmember activates each EP.


3. History of THNC -- will display our Scope, Statement of Purpose, Mission and Vision statements, and more. You will learn about our Quality-Empowerment work environment, our research, and about the quality and ethical standards we apply both to ourselves and to every product and service we offer to members and the public.


4. Explanation of member services and benefits -- nonmembers will learn about all of the features of membership including tax-deductible benefits of contributions and our money-back guarantee and voucher system for all purchases. This includes the cost of memberships.


5. Member application screens -- personal data collection, merchant services for collection of dues, and ID and password registration on secured, encrypted pages.


6. Employee and volunteer application screens -- there is only one way for prospective employees to apply for work. This online method of application is used by all applicants and helps to determine which candidates may be compatible with the Quality-Empowerment environment at THNC.


7. Explanation of home networking -- will display a brief description of home networking and show how this evolution of technology is affecting our lives. Here will also be a brief explanation about why this phenomenon will continue to be so powerful in the evolution of technology and in our lives. There will be a link to a list of 100-plus industries currently involved with home networking.


8. Retail store -- offers an assortment of products related to home networking. Educational Presentations (EPs), books, and other information are available in the most popular e-learning formats. Cable, installation and termination tools, games, other educational items, and THNC memberships may also be purchased. There will be secure, encrypted pages for protecting credit card transactions, including paying for memberships. Website must support appropriate merchant services features. Nonmembers pay retail prices. Members are entitled to a 20% discount on everything in the online store while temporary members receive a 10% discount.


9. IRS Form PF-990 -- Sections of THNC's current PF-990 will be displayed on the web site. This complex document is presented to answer questions the public may have about THNC.