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HAVING completed the model of the area at present,
the meeting now looked at a selection of possible IT projects that might
improve things. The following projects were presented on cards: Each group selected projects within a given budget.
This resulted in a lively discussion on the relative merits of each project
and how they might link together. The projects selected by the groups were as follows
(figures in brackets show the number of groups selecting this project): The general points made in discussion after were: Young people are much more familiar with the technology
and how to use it and could teach older people. Libraries or schools may not have the right 'style'
to be the best venues for community IT. Community centres might be better. A concerted effort should be made to involve those
already online through similar workshops. This group could then be used
to create momentum amongst those not online. Most households will be online within the next few
years and the technology will change to suit this mass market. How can we
ensure that the community is strengthened and not weakened by this process? At the end of the session a group who already had
online access agreed to exchange e-mail addresses and to develop further
ideas for the community use of IT through setting up a local online discussion
group and through involving other online members of the community. It was also agreed to hold a community demonstration
day so that local people could gain hands on experience of the technology.
This was to be set for some time in June. Finally there was an (optimistic!) discussion of how
all this might be funded from local and central government sources . One group reports back on how they see their neighbourhood.
