Topic  22:  Using existing resources to build tele community
By: Telluride InfoZone (teluride) on Sat, Jul 24, '93
	2 responses so far



 
 There are many existing resources: computer systems, networks,etc. How can
 these resources help communities grow and prosper?
 

2 responses total.


Topic  22:  Using existing resources to build tele community
#  1: Matisse Enzer (teluride)      Sat, Jul 24, '93  (10:30)      71 lines

 
 Notes from Breakout session......
 
 Matisse: How can existing systems help?
 Lee:  What can be done differently?
 
 Distinction made between systems where people use computers at home or office 
 vs. systems where they walk up to public terminals.
 On systems like the WELL alm ost everybody uses their own computers or 
 computers at work or school.  On other systems there are public access 
 terminals, such as Community Memory or SFNet.  SFNet has coin-operated 
 terminalds in the San Francisco area in cafes. Community Memory has free 
 terminals in Berkeley.
 
 
 Patrick - what hardware and software is available now?
 
    Big: Pico & Caucus are software for big conferencing systems
    Small: There are many many options. Read Boardwatch magazine.
 
 Jennifer: Libraries do "Community Analysis" to learn about the community
 
 Libraries as centers of culture:  some want to keep knowledge etc in the 
 libraries
 
 What is cyberspace:  place where people interact in a machine created 
 environment... 
 
 Lee: Libraries may be good place to start - logical custodian of "commons of 
 information"  Has to managed as a commons is managed... librarians are one of 
 the best and ignored resources for building tele-cmmunity.  There is a bias 
 towards print...
 
 Jennifer: role of library- 'creation diffusion and utilization of knowledge' 
 librarians see themselves as *advocates* rather than "custodians" of knowledge
 
 At present time the community of librarians *are* often stuck in being 
 'custodians', protecting books.
 
 Biggest problem in information systems is training.
 
 Patrick: just got a new card catalog system - shiny new wood cabinet etc, so 
 he wonders how to transition to new model that includes telecommunications.
 
 Jennifer:  Do a needs assement - ask what people here want, that starts the 
 transition from Library as "possesion" to Library as "utility"
 
 Library boards are a good place to try and influence your local library
 
 Re: CARL (Online library system) - complaints that it isn't interactive.  It 
 is old technology.
 
 Lee: you need someone who knows how to help people get the information out of 
 the computer system...  so ask "Who will be performing the function of helping 
 people?"  How does someone become a gatekeeper?
 
 Patrick: Communities need someone to say: Here is what you need, get to this 
 point then call us....  a cookbook.
 
 Drew: Denver FREENet... ghetting lots of calls "How do we get on the 
 internet?" They are developing more training material
 
 Being on the Internet is not the same as having system where people can have 
 conversations. Internet is a system of "pathways", that connects various 
 "destinations"
 
 These telecommunities can create a marketplace that would not exist otherwise. 
 For example, because people are able to meet each other who would otherwise be 
 too busy (working parents for example), and of course information based 
 businesses can thrive in these environments.
 

Topic  22:  Using existing resources to build tele community
#  2: Matisse Enzer (teluride)      Sat, Jul 24, '93  (10:31)       3 lines

 There was also a general consensus that people would like a "cook book" -
 a process by which they can set up a telecommunity in their area.
 
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