David Miller of the Department of
Information Studies, Sheffield University, developed the first Web
site listing UK community information networks (http://panizzi.shef.ac.uk/community/).
Here he distinguishes the different types of site under development.
In the last few years development of the Internet has led to a
massive expansion of interest in the provision and use of electronic
community based information networks. The Internet provides a method
whereby information providers (i.e. local voluntary groups etc.) can
take control of the content and form of the information they wish to
provide.
The Internet also allows access to a wide range of information that
is not specific to the local area but which also may be of interest,
and allows for the information provided locally to be accessed by
users outside the specific geographical location.
In the early days, before widespread use of the Internet, Community
Information Networks (CINs) were usually based on video-text or
stand-alone PCs with the information content collated and updated in
some central location. Publicly accessible sites were made available
from which users could access this information. The information
provided covered topics from the opening times of local council
offices, contact points for various services to a detailed analysis
of the performance indicators of the local Health Authority.
A small scale example of this type of system which we are all likely
to be familiar is the touch-screen systems developed by many local
tourist boards. These screens could be accessed from the local
tourist board office and would provide details on local hotels, sites
of interest, local entertainment etc.
These systems were in the control of some local centralised
authority, and the decisions as to the information content, the
frequency of updating, the points of access etc. were made by the
owners of the system not by information providers or the user
population.
In my view the information provided in good CIN systems:-
We have now seen an expansion in the number of CINs available internationally and nationally and can begin to offer a typology of such systems. They may be initiated and developed by different interests:
These can be seen as a development of the earlier video-text type systems, where the information is provided and controlled by a central administration and the user is perceived as a `passive recipient'of the information provided. This type of system aims to provide information on the services provided by the authority, as an extension of information also made available in `dead tree' format. Funding for these CINs usually comes from the local authority central budget.
Small local internet companies which see a commercial advantage in developing CINs and seek to provide such information as a way of attracting visitors to their web site. These system are usually funded by advertising revenue. Also in this category are the systems initiated by the economic regeneration agencies (City Challenge etc.) which aim to provide such systems as a way of assisting in the economic regeneration of the region.
These are a new and exciting
development. These systems are characterised by a user-led, `bottom
up', development, with an initial `technology led' drive. A group of
enthusiasts from various sectors of the local community who perceive
the benefits of a CIN, and understand the potential of the use of the
Internet as a delivery mechanism, join together to form partnerships
with other local information providers and users with the aim of
providing a local information service. One of the many challenges
facing CINs of this type is the securing of long-term funding to
ensure a sustainable and developing future.
It is in this third type of CIN that the most innovative and exciting
developments are taking place. Cross sector partnerships are being
developed which bring benefits, both economic and social, and allow
for the active participation of the total user population. The
information content available on such systems is owned and controlled
by the providers themselves, as opposed to being mediated through a
third party and the providers are responsive to the requirements of
the user population.
All of the CINs of this third type are in the early stages of
development. Different CINs have different sets of partners and
different forms of `ownership', some charitable based and some as
public limited companies. There are many models of development of
CINs of this type, but they can be seen to have a similar set of
`core values' around the issues of `openness', `access' and
`participation'.
Many of the more forward-looking local authorities and regeneration
agencies are actively supporting the development of CINs of this type
as a way of servicing their own information provision requirements
and ensuring community participation.
Developments of this type form the basis of the Information Society.
They allow and encourage the active participation of individuals as
part of the local community and thus as part of the wider community.
They provide a vehicle for the provision of training and support in
the skills required to operate successfully in this new society. They
aim to be inclusive and thus address the issues of `information rich
vs information poor'.
They give a concrete reality to the oft expressed need to ensure that
individuals from all levels of society are the beneficiaries of the
development of the Information Society.
email:- d.miller@sheffield.ac.uk
http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/~is/home.html
List
of UK community networks
www.partnerships.org.uk/articles/types1.htm