Free-Nets & Community Networks

Free-Nets and community networks provide alternative, low-cost Internet access with an emphasis on resources that are located in the local communities that they serve.

Key Concepts:

• "Final Letter to the Fourth World"
  is an open letter by Tom Grundner, founder of the Free-Net movement.
• "Community Networking Movement"
      at the Seattle Community Network
• "Communities On-Line: Community-Based Computer Networks"
  by Anne Beamish
• "Civic Networks: Building Communities on the Net"
  by Scott London
• "Free-Nets
  by Malabika Das
• "Public Libraries and Community Networks: Linking Futures Together?"
  by Malabika Das

History of the Free-Net Phenomenon:

• "History of the Los Angeles Free-Net" (1996)
  by Avrum Bluming, M.D., founder of the Los Angeles Free-Net
  Updated History of LAFN (2003)
• History of the Southeast Ohio Regional Freenet
• "History of RTPnet"
  of North Carolina
• History of the National Capital Free-Net
  of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• FAQ about the Hamilton-Wentworth Community Network (was the Hamilton FreeNet)
  of Ontario, Canada
• "Assessment and Evolution of Community Networking"
  by the Morino Institute
  

"Superlists" of Information on Freenets:

• "Freenets and Community Networks"
  by Northern Lights Internet Solutions
• "Community Networks and Regional Development"
  by Paul Baker (Note, stand way back, the text is huge)

Additional Information:

• "Community Networking and Implementation Planning Guide"
      by Frank Odasz (Note, stand way back, the text is huge)

Last Updated 28 August 2003 1600 pdt
jtm