Arbornet and M-Net Records, 1985-2002
2 linear feet
Arbornet and M-Net were early computer conferencing services based in Ann Arbor. Founded as separate platforms, they merged in 1992 to provide bulletin board conferences, live online chat, free email, a homepage, and learning resources to members of the Ann Arbor community. The collection includes material related to the development and administration of the systems, including records of board meetings and organizational finances.
The records of Arbornet and M-Net (2 linear feet) are arranged in three series: Administrative Files (0.7 linear feet), Background and Development (.6 linear feet), and Treasurer's Files (0.5 linear feet). The material in the collections reflects the challenges of cooperative management of an internet-based nonprofit, and the changes in online communities during the 1990s.