The Vision of the Community Internet
by P Weatherby
The Cheadle Community Internet is born of a new vision of
the way in which the Internet will be used in the future.
Up to now, the Internet has been largely the preserve of
enthusiasts who can create and maintain their own web sites, or very big companies who can
pay hundreds or even thousands of pounds for a spectacular web site to be developed for
them.
People also see the internet as a global, rather than a
local resource. Everything in the world is available to everyone in the world, almost
instantly.
This marvellous technology does not seem to have much to
offer the small organisation or the local community. It does not - perhaps - seem relevant
or useful to the non-expert. And if you can't afford an expensive web design, and if you
don't know how to develop your own site, you can't get onto the internet.
All this will change. Many people already have access to
the internet and with digital television this will become more and more common. Already
schools and public libraries have internet terminals. Internet technolgoy is commonly used
now in many places for information terminals. Using the internet will become a common way
of gaining information about all kinds of things, not just global or national, but also local.
Already it is possible to go shopping on the internet. It is only a small step to order a
take-away by the internet. The phase of the development of the internet will be local,
into the small world.
This is the vision of the Cheadle Community Internet.
Local news, local information, local clubs and activities, local businesses and local
councils will all be instantly accessible to those who can tap in to the internet. A Small
World will be accessible to the whole world. In fact, not only will information about
the community be there for everyone in Cheadle, it will also be there for anyone, wherever
they are - away on holiday, or living away, yet still wanting to be informed about home.
