Local Internet - Our Criteria

Criteria for the Communities Online list

In developing our list we have included electronic networks (usually Internet) which are people-oriented but place-focussed. We have chosen those which include some or all of these features:

• Offer a diverse range of information - not just 'official' material
• Seek to involve all sectors of the community
• Offer and encourage some level of interaction, from email feedback to full-scale conferencing.

These networks, many at an early stage of development, may be run by local government, a charity, a regeneration agency, a private individual or by multiple partners. We have tried to give an indication of where each started. Community networks often provide:

• Training and support to users
• Free public access at a wide range of venues (libraries, community centres, leisure and recreational facilities, electronic village halls and other public places)

We have generally not included systems that are:

• Chamber of commerce or business directory web pages
• Tourist promotional sites
• Local authority sites that are strictly informational and not interactive
• "Community of Interest" sites

Those sites may be found through the other UK and international lists

More Information

There are longer discussions of criteria and different types of networks in articles about Community Internet, particularly

• Types of community information networks by David Miller.
• A charter for Community Internet by Debbie Ellen

Adding Sites

In order to suggest a network or other Community Internet initiative, please mail us at info@communities.org.uk with the URL and a brief description of the project.

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www.communities.org.uk/comline/criteria.html
Prepared by Communities Online May 27, 1997