JOIN THE WORLD DEBATE NETWORK!
[OLD - FROM 2000 - NOT CURRENT]

It is time to create a global debate community using inexpensive Internet video technologies so that we can debate against any location on the globe connected by the Internet Debate Central and the University of Vermont have been leaders in this effort and we ask you to join us as we implement the World Debate Network through Debate Central Broadcasting [DCB].

Now that three national tournaments have had their final rounds webcast, now that debate institutes have been webcast, now that 24 hour a day program webcasting is a reality, and now that Internet "distance debates" [Vermont-Cornell, USA-UK] have demonstrated the effectiveness of this rapidly improving technology, the time for demonstration has passed. Now is the time to begin using this technology to allow us to engage in the first truly global debates.

Debate Central and the University of Vermont have the current server capacity to provide the streaming video to a global audience. We have the expensive hardware it takes to stream videos to a global audience and what we need now is content. We offer that capability to organizations which are willing to affiliate with the World Debate Network on Debate Central Broadcasting.

You are invited to affiliate with DCB. When you do so:

• DCB will provide you with technical information and configurations needed to broadcast from your campus or organization.
• DCB will then attempt to schedule you in mutually acceptable debates against opponents from other debate programs throughout the world, possibly including judges from third locations. While we encourage you to gain technical support in implementing these technologies at your school or organization, we can provide limited technical assistance. In the past Apple has been very helpful.
• DCB will then webcast your debates and debate events to a global audience.
• Document and keep a record of these events.
• DCB will promote and publicize your events as well as provide you with a promotional packet for use in your institution and community.

When you affiliate with DCB, you agree to:

• Investigate the technical aspects of creating a broadcast site in your organization or on your campus. Usually schools already have everything they need except for a few pieces of inexpensive software. The least it could cost you is $110 [Sorenson Broadcaster software], the maximum would be $3500 if you had to purchase everything you need [laptop, USB camera, video capture card, Sorenson Broadcaster software].
• Investigate organizing a mutually acceptable debate against opponents from another debate program.
• Investigate the possibility of providing judging for the events of others.
• Commit to holding and webcasting specific events you have agreed to schedule and hold with another group.
• Allow us to publicly list you as an affiliate of the World Debate Network on DCB.
• Have input and suggestions on the future guidance of this process.

If you would like to examine supporting documents and materials, we urge you to consult the following information:

If you wish to affiliate, please e-mail me at asnider@zoo.uvm.edu and include your mailing address.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this, and we look forward to working together with you on these exciting developments.

Best wishes,

Alfred C. Snider

Alfred C. Snider

Edwin W. Lawrence Professor of Forensics

University of Vermont