COMMUNITIES ON-LINE: COMMUNITY-BASED COMPUTER NETWORKS by Anne Beamish B. Arch., Carleton University Ottawa, Canada June 1979 S.M.Arch.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts June 1993 Submitted to the Department of Urban Studies and Planning in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master in City Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology February 1995 @Anne Beamish 1995. All rights reserved. The author hereby grants to MIT permission to r eproduce and to distribute publicly paper and electronic copies of this thesis document in whole or in part. Signature of Author: Anne Aealnish, Department df Urban Studies and Planning January 12, 1995 Certified by: William J.Mitchell Dean, School of Architecture and Planning Professor of Architecture and Media Arts and Sciences Thesis Supervisor A ccepted by: tLa l K Langley Keyes Chairman, MCP Committee MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TF"HNPi0(O.%y APR 2 6 1995 I IRRARI:R COMMUNITIES ON-LINE: Community-Based Computer Networks by Anne Beamish Submitted to the Department of Urban Studies and Planning in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master in City Planning ABSTRACT A community network is a network of computers and modems that are interconnected via telephone lines to a central computer. The system provides local information and a means for community residents to communicate electronically. Unlike the similarly named "on-line communities" and "virtual communities", community networks are located in and support a specific physical place. Community-based computer networks have only recently appeared in North America. Their goals are to strengthen the community, increase democratic participation, and ensure that all members of the community have access to the "information highway". Most community networks are rich in local information, ranging from job opportunities to minutes of the city council meetings. But, surprisingly, in spite of the intention to increase a sense of community and democratic participation, many community networks provide limited opportunity for public debate and discussion. In addition, most community networks do not provide electronic access to elected officials or municipal government staff. It may be too soon to evaluate community networks on their long-term goals, but it is certainly appropriate to monitor their progress towards these goals. In the short-term, they must concentrate on finding workable and sustainable models. If community networks are to fulfill their long-term goals, it is essential that more effort be placed on designing systems that encourage public discussion and debate. Further research, involvement of the business community, identification of successful models, improved software design, and a greater emphasis on ensuring access for a wide cross-section of the population, is also needed. The future of community networks is not assured. However, if they continue to tap the energy of their users and volunteers, develop flexible and sustainable mbdels, and stay focused on their long-term goals, they may make an important contribution to their communities. Thesis Supervisor: William J. Mitchell Title: Dean, School of Architecture and Planning 91M-31i>|J|FrWIMMPE'4]Esi|J!cijp:emesip-le-eyew-masi:Wesee:.mirmsuemana-vasskispearasilm-id-esismiigun-,saias..isi-"nya.F-a-lui-:m-is/gas-;a.,y.--:s;. r,."igi.r'/r--r-.-.9:-;@%-.,->.<-->'..9.---%1..-:-,..a-2.:-..-+.y...1.:4-.e.,.-w.,e:1:-year-,W., :taja.-.1-ag...w:dar--M.--a.-.. Acknowledgments I would like to thank a number of people for the help they provided during this thesis. * Bill Mitchell, my thesis advisor, for his encouragement and guidance. Working with him during the past two years has been a pleasure. * Mel King, my thesis reader, for his interest and support. I look forward to seeing the Community Fellows Program on-line. - Mitch Kapor, for being an honorary reader and making his library available. e The Digital Communities class, taught by Bill Mitchell and Mitch Kapor. It was a great class and I learned a lot from them all. * Lee Meinicke and Joanne Potter for their excellent editing skills and Debbi Edelstein for her suggestions on structuring the thesis. e The participants of the COMMUNET mailing list who were an endless source of ideas and leads. * A number of people have contributed to this thesis by answering my questions, sending papers, making comments, or suggesting readings. They include: Steve Cisler, Apple Computer; Joe Ferriera, MIT; Miles Fidelman, CCN; Kaye Gapen, Morino Institute; Garth Graham, NCF, Ottawa; Tom Grundner, NPTN; Frank Odasz, Big Sky Telegraph; Andrew Patrick; Alan Shaw, MIT; Larry Vale, MIT; and Rosyln Wythe, PEN, Santa Monica. - But most of all, I'd like to thank my husband, Will Donovan, who graciously and good naturedly put up with being an MIT widower for another two years. I'm grateful for his support and encouragement as well as his knowledge and willingness to discuss networks and the world on- line. -. ,. ......-.-.- .- -ix.-6..u-..-<....ran,...,.x,;,.--:.>,,.:a;..,:p,.no...,.--.....'-:.,..c.,.--..:..- ;..,.:<,4 , .::,:--,- -a.,.- - NMMW' ''a-' 'r-v:- - --.- - -rt::-.--..ys:.-wis::<.-:_,4&.<-...& w--..':.3.r-,.,,.-:res. 3%.y'- .sa..)p p.g.;ggipe u Table of Contents A bstract .................................................................................... ...... ... .. .3 Acknowledgments............................................................................ .... 5 Preface ................................................................................................... ... 11 Chapter 1: BACKGROUND Introduction Community Networks..................................................................15 Distinguishing Characteristics .................................................... 16 Goals of Community Networks .................................................. 18 A ssum ptions ......................................................................... ...... 19 Brief H istory ..................................................................... .... 19 Criticism of Networking .................................................................. 21 Definitions C om m unity .......................................................................................... 23 Attachment to Neighborhood as an Aspect of Community ....... 25 Access ........................................................................... ....... ........ 27 Access for Whom?....................................................................27 What are the Barriers to Access? ............................................... 29 Universal Service and Open Access .......................................... 32 Democracy and Democratic Participation ........................................ 34 Types of Democracy ...................................................................... 34 Governance and Networks ......................................................... 36 Electronic Voting ........................................................................... 38 Chapter Bibliography ................................................................................. 39 Chapter 2: COMMUNITY NETWORKS Introduction ......................... 45 Four Types of Community Networks ....................................... 45 A Framework for Future Classification ..................................... 46 Network Design ................................................................... 47 Factors That Influence System Design ............... 49 A Fram ew ork ......................................................................... 49 1. Free-Nets and the NPTN ......................................................................... 52 Cleveland Free-Net .............................................................................. 56 National Capital Free-Net .................................................................... 63 Public Discussion and Government on Other Free-Nets ............... 71 2. N eighborhood Bulletin Boards .............................................................. 75 M U SIC .................................................................................................... 75 3. Government-Sponsored Networks ....................................................... 77 PEN , Santa M onica .............................................................................. 77 Public Discussion and Government on Other Government-Sponsored Networks .................................................... 81 4. W ired Cities ............................................................................................ 84 Blacksburg Electronic Village ........................................................... 84 New Models for Community Networks ...................................................... 86 FreeSpace ........................................................................................ 86 Plugged In ..................................................................................... 88 CitySource ..................................................................................... 89 CityN et .......................................................................................... 89 Commercial Networks and Public Discussion ........................................ 91 ECH O ............................................................................................. 92 The W ELL ..................................................................................... 93 Channel O ne .................................................................................