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− | <pre>
| + | Review of Community Networks, by Ken George ( [email protected]), MC503 Communication Research, Emerson College, Dr. H.H. Frederick |
− | This document is from the WELLgopher: gopher.well.com
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− | URL: http://gopher.well.com:70/
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− | MC503 Communication Research, Emerson College, Dr. H.H. Frederick | |
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− | INTRODUCTION
| |
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| + | INTRODUCTION |
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− | This report is a cursory review of community networks. I was
| + | This report is a cursory review of community networks. I was |
| introduced to the latter only recently and quite by accident. After | | introduced to the latter only recently and quite by accident. After |
| hours of 'surfing' the 'net' for inspiration for a topic, I stumbled | | hours of 'surfing' the 'net' for inspiration for a topic, I stumbled |
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| common to many communities across this nation. | | common to many communities across this nation. |
| | | |
− | I've conceived of this report as a 'guide' for those unfamiliar
| + | I've conceived of this report as a 'guide' for those unfamiliar |
| with community networks. I've endeavored to explain this phenomenon | | with community networks. I've endeavored to explain this phenomenon |
| with a minimum of the jargon common to the social sciences. My | | with a minimum of the jargon common to the social sciences. My |
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| are actual articles that were published in electronic form. | | are actual articles that were published in electronic form. |
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− | COMMUNITY NETWORKS: AN OVERVIEW
| |
| | | |
− | In order to understand the bulk of the following review of
| + | COMMUNITY NETWORKS: AN OVERVIEW |
| + | |
| + | In order to understand the bulk of the following review of |
| community nets, it is important that the reader have a basic conceptual | | community nets, it is important that the reader have a basic conceptual |
| understanding of the technology involved. I found the following to be | | understanding of the technology involved. I found the following to be |
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| community networking: | | community networking: |
| | | |
− | "A multi-user computer is established at a central location in a
| + | "A multi-user computer is established at a central location in a |
| given area and the machine is connected to the telephone system through | | given area and the machine is connected to the telephone system through |
| a series of devices called modems. Running on the machine is a computer | | a series of devices called modems. Running on the machine is a computer |
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| would like to place on the machine."2 | | would like to place on the machine."2 |
| | | |
− | All across the country communities are being wired to these
| + | All across the country communities are being wired to these |
| "multi-user computers." Networks are sprouting in small hamlets and big | | "multi-user computers." Networks are sprouting in small hamlets and big |
| cities alike. The National Telecomputing Network has 46 affiliated | | cities alike. The National Telecomputing Network has 46 affiliated |
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| fueling the growth in community nets all over the world. | | fueling the growth in community nets all over the world. |
| | | |
− | A good starting point for considering the significance of
| + | A good starting point for considering the significance of |
| networks, is to think of the latter as critical components of what | | networks, is to think of the latter as critical components of what |
| Richard Civille, of the Center for Civic Networking, calls the | | Richard Civille, of the Center for Civic Networking, calls the |
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| cable, libraries and a host of other informational necessities. | | cable, libraries and a host of other informational necessities. |
| | | |
− | Community networks can address some of the more egregious
| + | Community networks can address some of the more egregious |
| disparities within the information infrastructure. They are in many ways | | disparities within the information infrastructure. They are in many ways |
| similar to public libraries. The latter provided generations of | | similar to public libraries. The latter provided generations of |
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| empowering capacity: | | empowering capacity: |
| | | |
− | *Homeless individuals in California connect with and successfully
| + | * Homeless individuals in California connect with and successfully lobby the local government to fund public showers and other basic amenities.8 |
− | lobby the local government to fund public showers and other basic
| + | * Public libraries in Youngstown, Ohio provide low income individuals access to a local community Free- Net that contains information about area services. No prior computer experience is required to access the system.9 |
− | amenities.8
| + | * The Big Sky Telegraph Company in Montana connects school children in rural localities to educational resources at MIT.10 |
− | | |
− | *Public libraries in Youngstown, Ohio provide low income
| |
− | individuals access to a local community Free- Net that contains
| |
− | information about area services. No prior computer experience is
| |
− | required to access the system.9
| |
− | | |
− | *The Big Sky Telegraph Company in Montana connects school
| |
− | children in rural localities to educational resources at MIT.10
| |
| | | |
− | The following pages contain brief profiles of two community
| + | The following pages contain brief profiles of two community |
| computer systems that are on the cutting edge of community computing. | | computer systems that are on the cutting edge of community computing. |
| One, is the Cleveland Free-Net, a standard bearer in the community | | One, is the Cleveland Free-Net, a standard bearer in the community |
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| evident in the ethos of each respective network. I've dichotomized | | evident in the ethos of each respective network. I've dichotomized |
| these differences (perhaps unfairly) as the 'civic' orientation vs. the | | these differences (perhaps unfairly) as the 'civic' orientation vs. the |
− | 'commercial' orientation. Certianly, this is an oversimplification, as | + | 'commercial' orientation. Certainly, this is an oversimplification, as |
| both networks contain a range of applications, utilizations and | | both networks contain a range of applications, utilizations and |
| activities that intersect both orientations in one form or another. | | activities that intersect both orientations in one form or another. |
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| challenging to powerful economic interests. | | challenging to powerful economic interests. |
| | | |
− | The Civic Paradigm: The Cleveland Free-Net
| |
| | | |
− | The Cleveland Free-Net(CFN) is in the vanguard of public
| + | The Civic Paradigm: The Cleveland Free-Net |
| + | |
| + | The Cleveland Free-Net(CFN) is in the vanguard of public |
| community computing. What started as an experiment in making medical | | community computing. What started as an experiment in making medical |
| information publicly accessible over an electronic bulletin board | | information publicly accessible over an electronic bulletin board |
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| President and Chairman of the NPTN.12 | | President and Chairman of the NPTN.12 |
| | | |
− | The influence of the NPTN is manifest in everything from
| + | The influence of the NPTN is manifest in everything from |
| language--it popularized the term "Free-Net" (now a legally protected | | language--it popularized the term "Free-Net" (now a legally protected |
| "service mark" of the NPTN)--to the "electric city motifs" universal to | | "service mark" of the NPTN)--to the "electric city motifs" universal to |
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| users.15 | | users.15 |
| | | |
− | As the CFN represents the 'crown jewel' of community networks,
| + | As the CFN represents the 'crown jewel' of community networks, |
| it is unreasonable to expect other networks to duplicate its success. | | it is unreasonable to expect other networks to duplicate its success. |
| The smaller, rurally based systems lack the institutional and | | The smaller, rurally based systems lack the institutional and |
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| crucial to civil society there should be no doubt. | | crucial to civil society there should be no doubt. |
| | | |
| + | <pre> |
| ***The Cleveland Community Free-Net*** | | ***The Cleveland Community Free-Net*** |
| Telnet: freenet-in-a.cwru.edu | | Telnet: freenet-in-a.cwru.edu |
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| 14. The Communications Center | | 14. The Communications Center |
| 15. NPTN/USA TODAY Headline News | | 15. NPTN/USA TODAY Headline News |
| + | </pre> |
| | | |
| Some Noteworthy Features: Under the Medical Arts Building see "The Byte | | Some Noteworthy Features: Under the Medical Arts Building see "The Byte |
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| in which practicing attorneys answer legal questions. | | in which practicing attorneys answer legal questions. |
| | | |
− | The Consumer Paradigm: Blacksburg Electronic Village
| |
| | | |
− | Blacksburg is a tiny village nestled in the shadow of the
| + | The Consumer Paradigm: Blacksburg Electronic Village |
| + | |
| + | Blacksburg is a tiny village nestled in the shadow of the |
| Appalachian Mountains in Southwestern Virginia. The "electronic | | Appalachian Mountains in Southwestern Virginia. The "electronic |
| village" is the result of a collaboration of a number of parties | | village" is the result of a collaboration of a number of parties |
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| community."18 | | community."18 |
| | | |
− | The "critical mass" of users accrue the typical benefits
| + | The "critical mass" of users accrue the typical benefits |
| associated with a network such as e-mail, discussion groups, and other | | associated with a network such as e-mail, discussion groups, and other |
| services. Many of the latter are applied to consumer applications--at | | services. Many of the latter are applied to consumer applications--at |
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| intrigued by the possibilities of one-stop electronic shopping. I'm sure | | intrigued by the possibilities of one-stop electronic shopping. I'm sure |
| there is a healthy amount of social intercourse and stimulating | | there is a healthy amount of social intercourse and stimulating |
− | discussion in the various conferences. Still, the vistor acclimated to
| + | discussion in the various conferences. Still, the vistor acclimated to |
| Free-Nets may find this village cluttered with an inordinate amount of | | Free-Nets may find this village cluttered with an inordinate amount of |
| commercial 'stuff'. Obviously, this is one of the costs of this type of | | commercial 'stuff'. Obviously, this is one of the costs of this type of |
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| partnerships were established to alleviate. | | partnerships were established to alleviate. |
| | | |
| + | <pre> |
| ***The Blacksburg Electronic Village*** | | ***The Blacksburg Electronic Village*** |
| | | |
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| 12. Health Care Information | | 12. Health Care Information |
| 13. Virginia Tech Gophers and VTLS | | 13. Virginia Tech Gophers and VTLS |
| + | </pre> |
| | | |
| Noteworthy Features: The medical clinic provides an extensive database | | Noteworthy Features: The medical clinic provides an extensive database |
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− | Additional Information
| + | Additional Information |
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− | For those interested in learning more, I suggest consulting the
| + | For those interested in learning more, I suggest consulting the |
| following. This list is far from comprehensive, but the various items | | following. This list is far from comprehensive, but the various items |
| listed should contain information that will point the way to other | | listed should contain information that will point the way to other |
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| | | |
| I also recommend accessing the following networks. All are NPTN affiliates: | | I also recommend accessing the following networks. All are NPTN affiliates: |
− | | + | <pre> |
| Alabama: Mobile Area Free-Net | | Alabama: Mobile Area Free-Net |
| Telnet: ns1.maf.mobile.al.us | | Telnet: ns1.maf.mobile.al.us |
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| Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to telnet to and I have | | Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to telnet to and I have |
| yet to get through. | | yet to get through. |
| + | </pre> |
| | | |
| | | |
− | Notes
| + | Notes |
| | | |
| <I had some difficulty with putting these notes in the proper format. | | <I had some difficulty with putting these notes in the proper format. |
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| gopher gopher.well.sf.ca.us. | | gopher gopher.well.sf.ca.us. |
| | | |
− | 2Community Computing and the National Public Telecomputing
| + | 2Community Computing and the National Public Telecomputing |
| Network, p. 3, published on-line by the NPTN, Cleveland, Oh, 1993, I | | Network, p. 3, published on-line by the NPTN, Cleveland, Oh, 1993, I |
| Accessed this article via the Colorado Free-Net, Telnet: | | Accessed this article via the Colorado Free-Net, Telnet: |
| freenet.hsc.colorado.edu. | | freenet.hsc.colorado.edu. |
| | | |
− | 3National Public Telecomputing Network: Affiliate Systems and
| + | 3National Public Telecomputing Network: Affiliate Systems and |
| Organizing Committees, an on-line publication of the NPTN, April 1995, I | | Organizing Committees, an on-line publication of the NPTN, April 1995, I |
| accessed this article via the Colorado Free-Net, Telnet: | | accessed this article via the Colorado Free-Net, Telnet: |
| freenet.hsc.colorado.edu. | | freenet.hsc.colorado.edu. |
| | | |
− | 4Community Computing., p. 8.
| + | 4Community Computing., p. 8. |
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− | 5Richard Civille, Building Community Information Infrastructure:
| + | 5Richard Civille, Building Community Information Infrastructure: |
| Universal Service in the Information Age, p. 3, an on-line publication | | Universal Service in the Information Age, p. 3, an on-line publication |
| of the Center for Civic Networking, Washington, D.C., (no date given), | | of the Center for Civic Networking, Washington, D.C., (no date given), |
| gopher gopher.civic.net 2400. | | gopher gopher.civic.net 2400. |
| | | |
− | 6Ibid. 7Starting A Free-Net Community Computer System, an
| + | 6Ibid. 7Starting A Free-Net Community Computer System, an |
| on-line publication of the National Telecomputing Network, Cleveland, | | on-line publication of the National Telecomputing Network, Cleveland, |
| Oh.,(no date given), p. 2, I accessed this via the Colorado Free-Net, | | Oh.,(no date given), p. 2, I accessed this via the Colorado Free-Net, |
| Telnet: freenet.hsc.colorado.edu. | | Telnet: freenet.hsc.colorado.edu. |
| | | |
− | 8Richard Civille, Miles Fidelman, John Altobello. A National
| + | 8Richard Civille, Miles Fidelman, John Altobello. A National |
| Strategy for Civic Networks: A Vision of Change, p. 3, an on-line | | Strategy for Civic Networks: A Vision of Change, p. 3, an on-line |
| publication of the Center for Civic Networking, Washington, D.C., | | publication of the Center for Civic Networking, Washington, D.C., |
| October 1993, p. 3, gopher gopher.civic.net 2400. | | October 1993, p. 3, gopher gopher.civic.net 2400. |
| | | |
− | 9Ibid., 5.
| + | 9Ibid., 5. |
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− | 10Ibid., 10
| + | 10Ibid., 10 |
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− | 11Community Computing., 4.
| + | 11Community Computing., 4. |
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− | 12Ibid., 1-2.
| + | 12Ibid., 1-2. |
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− | 13Ibid., 4.
| + | 13Ibid., 4. |
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− | 14Ibid., 3.
| + | 14Ibid., 3. |
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− | 15Ibid., 4.
| + | 15Ibid., 4. |
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− | 16Blacksburg Electronic Village, Vision Statement, Chapter 1,
| + | 16Blacksburg Electronic Village, Vision Statement, Chapter 1, |
| Blacksburg, Va.,1995, gopher.bev.net. | | Blacksburg, Va.,1995, gopher.bev.net. |
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− | 17Ibid., Chapter 8.
| + | 17Ibid., Chapter 8. |
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− | 18Ibid., Chapter 5.
| + | 18Ibid., Chapter 5. |
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− | 19Blacksburg Electronic Village, "What Can I do?" Blacksburg,
| + | 19Blacksburg Electronic Village, "What Can I do?" Blacksburg, |
| Va., 1995, gopher.bev.net. | | Va., 1995, gopher.bev.net. |
| | | |
− | BIBLIOGRAPHY
| + | |
| + | BIBLIOGRAPHY |
| | | |
| The Blacksburg Electronic Village. A System of interlinking computer | | The Blacksburg Electronic Village. A System of interlinking computer |
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| Francisco, Ca., June 1992. gopher gopher.well.sf.ca.us. | | Francisco, Ca., June 1992. gopher gopher.well.sf.ca.us. |
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− | This document is from the WELLgopher: gopher.well.com
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− | URL: http://gopher.well.com:70/
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− | </pre>
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| [[Category:Essays]] | | [[Category:Essays]] |