Environmental Changes and (US) Community Networks
Early Days How Did We Respond?
Technological Infrastructure
Latter Days
- Internet without web
- Commercial activity banned
- Common platform -- Freeport (menu-based) software
- Restricted access to Internet
Community Networking Services
- Free e-mail
- Access to local information
- Access to the Internet
- training
Organization
- Local Free-Net affiliate
- National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN)
- Unpaid staff -- reliance on volunteers
General Zeitgeist
- Exciting opportunities for community & civic minded geeks
- "90's" antipathy to government support
Technological Infrastructure
- Web Omnipresence (promotes lack of common community network platform)
- Individual "branding" vs. home on community networks
Community Networking Services
- Hotmail (etc.) usurped community network services
- Inexpensive broadband (for upper & middle classes)
Organization
- Little or no money for equipment or staff -- reliance on volunteers
- Desultory leadership - no new projects, so maintenance mode?
- NPTN gone, AFCN filling the need?
General Zeitgeist
- Internet portals -- web becomes 95% commerical (est.)
- E-commerce triumphs over "electronic democracy" (and virtual communities)
- Diverse and evolving socio-technical environment for social change, civic and community activism
- Community networking without community networks?
- Community networking movement in disarray?