Frameworks for thinking about Online Communities

The aim of the these pages and the start up process is to help create online communities for localities which provide social, economic and environmental benefits - that is sutainable communities in the Information Society. Here are some first draft frameworks for thinking about

Community Internet ladder. This 'ladder' suggests there are a number of 'rungs' to achieve community benefit.

Awareness of the potential benefit
Access to the Internet - public, at home or at work
Ability to use the technology
Appropriate content
Applications (software) to manage that content

When taken together this could lead to 'real world' benefits like online learning, economic development, improved information services.

Sustainable communities and ICT. This diagram starts to explore the components of sustainability; the main actors; the ICTs; the issues.

The delivery dilemma How can we create Community Internet everywhere, fast, and designed for those it serves? By combining public, private and community sector strengths.

Thanks to Chris Yapp <Chris.Yapp@icl.com> of ICL, whose contributions to an Inventing the Future seminar in February 1999 inspired the diagrams cited above on real world benefits and the delivery dilemma. Responsibility for more detailed interpretation is mine.

David Wilcox <david@communities.org.uk>