Questions:

1. What does Public Space on the internet look like?
2. How can community groups use the internet?

Question 1:

• It's a place for ideas gathering.
• "Many way" communication - not simply one-way, or even two way
• Public space is a communicational space
• Each individual is a broadcaster - producing as well as consuming information
• It's a playground for spontaneous dialogue.
• It must be easy to get to, friendly and safe - difficult balance between access and safety
• Distance from words can be positive by allowing a new honesty.  Space is defined,  so you know who the users are: helps create an identity, ameliorates against vast anonimity
• Language and thoughts are less a problem than actions  - on-line vandalism
• Information networks are one more sphere of communication still being worked out. We are still making the path as we walk it.
• The metaphors for using the Internet come from the office and business - we need others.  There is a Latin-American metaphor of the hammock - the shape is created through its use.  From Gustavo Esteva "Regenerating People's Space"
• It can network the community together. So that we are aware of  what everyone is doing.  Providing a rolodex of activities in the community, an opportunityies for groups other than business.
• It means people getting the information they need to make changes in their lives
• Coordinated activity amongst proximate groups turns turf into team - sharing not competing.
• It can equalize groups through using standardized access forums - hides the difference in resources.  An analogy would be of a doorway - an engraved sign or post it note.
• Public space should be approachable and visual. (wary of stereotypes)
• Success of the online space requires bridges with physical space.

• Using the internet to provide more information
• Supports more services.
• Provides a listing of services.
• Public notice board.
• Potential public meeting place.
• United Way Fraser Valley
• Database for nonprofits.
• Web page for each organization.
• Consciousness raising.
• People see what community is like.
• Giving upgraded computers to non profits.
• Sustainiable Commuities Resource Network (SCRNet)
• Cooperative space.
• Environmental organizations working together.
• Share resources.
• Communicate.
• Countering isolation.
• Community opens up.
• Network of isolated cooperatives.
• Sharing problem solving.

Question 1

• Public space - like a library.
• Go there to get specific information.
• Have interactive/action.
• Add one's own views (bulletin boards).
• Connect with people in other times/places with no money to travel.
• Public access and public creates own information.
• Need access to equipment for reasonable access.
• Downtown East side:
• Many community groups in a small space.
• Not enough communication between groups.
• Develop a safe environment, sensitive to language, how things are said.

• Connect three reservations together.
• Stimulate local industries.
• Training, distance learning, a tool for lobbying
• Involve and engage youths.
• Different levels of public space.
• Including local space.  Need to have a choice to use.
• Put together a useful site that is not an add on.
• Legacy project - use a website to engage people.
• Small business support for people starting up.
• Keep alumni of a program together.
• Fifteen groups in two blocks.  Need to share information despite face-to-face meetings.

Internet is not accessible.

•     Being on-line requires a computer and training.
•     Challenge of linking.
•     Need to put more computers in the community.

•     Transportation
•     Geography.
•     Lack of knowledge.

•     Volunteers are necessary - to decrease intimidation (literacy issues).
•     Training and support.

•     Promotes broader discussion.
•     People can come together who would not otherwise meet.

•     City.
•      Allows for personal power, plus knowledge for the individual.
•      Easier to gain information once you have the skills and tools to use the internet.
•      More fun than going to the medical texts.

•      Takes away jobs.
•      Information is not printed.
•      Phones.