SCN: Re: your mail

[Doug Schuler]

Thanks for your note Patrick.  

To me each statement in the principles suggests quite a number
of possible things that SCN could do.  I realize that limited
resources (money, time, personel, etc.) doesn't allow us to
do everything it could but I don't think that should prevent
us from thinking creatively about new projects, etc.

I do want to point out something in your note that I think
I'd quibble with.  YOu say, what "specific technologies
do you suggest?" To me that's not quite the right question
because it suggests that SCN addresses problems with 
technology alone.  I hope that we never forget that SCN
looks towards addressing things in ways that are SOCIAL +
TECHNOLOGICAL!  That is the only way that we could ever make
any progess with our principles.

-- Doug

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   *          Patterns for Participation, Action, and Change        *
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   * Tomorrow's information and communication infrastructure        *
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On Sun, 31 Mar 2002, patrick fisher wrote:

> Doug,
> 
> Thank you for the feedback. Those are great principles, however what
> specific technologies would you suggest for implementing those
> principles? For instance, on the town halls idea, we will have Discus
> discussion software up and running soon.
> 
> And: As for providing access to information, does that mean to
> continue with text dial-up service, or have PPP access like the
> freenet in the Tampa Bay area? How about FTP access for all?
> 
> I love the principles: They are very general, but they point in a
> great direction. Kind of like our constitution: It is written on
> principles, but laws are enacted to put those principles into action.
> 
> Of course, we have a town hall forum with this mailing list. It works
> great.
> 
> Thanks,
> Patrick
> 
> 
> 
> --- Doug Schuler <douglas at scn.org> wrote:
> > 
> > Patrick,
> > 
> > Here is how I'd answer your question.
> > 
> > I'd just think that we'd want to keep working on these commitmentss...
> > 
> > Without in any way denigrating our past and current efforts
> > I think we could go further (*much* further) than we have so
> > far.
> > 
> > 
> >                          Seattle Community Network
> >                                       
> >                                  Principles
> >      _________________________________________________________________
> >                                       
> >      The Seattle Community Network (SCN) is a free public-access
> >      computer network for exchanging and accessing information. Beyond
> >      that, however, it is a service conceived for community empowerment.
> >      Our principles are a series of commitments to help guide the
> >      ongoing development and management of the system for both the
> >      organizers and participating individuals and organizations.
> >      
> >   Commitment to Access
> >   
> >      Access to the SCN will be free to all
> >      * We will provide access to all groups of people particularly those
> >        without ready access to information technology.
> >      * We will provide access to people with diverse needs. This may
> >        include special-purpose interfaces.
> >      * We will make the SCN accessible from public places.
> >        
> >   Commitment to Service
> >   
> >      The SCN will offer reliable and responsive service
> >      * We will provide information that is timely and useful to the
> >        community.
> >      * We will provide access to databases and other services.
> >        
> >   Commitment to Democracy
> >   
> >      The SCN will promote participation in government and public
> >      dialogue
> >      * The community will be actively involved in the ongoing development
> >        of the SCN.
> >      * We will place high value in freedom of speech and expression and
> >        in the free exchange of ideas.
> >      * We will make every effort to ensure privacy of the system users.
> >      * We will support democratic use of electronic technology.
> >        
> >   Commitment to the World Community
> >   
> >      In addition to serving the local community, we will become part of
> >      the regional, national and international community
> >      * We will build a system that can serve as a model for other
> >        communities.
> >        
> >   Commitment to the Future
> >   
> >      We will continue to evolve and improve the SCN
> >      * We will explore the use of innovative applications such as
> >        electronic town halls for community governance, or electronic
> >        encyclopedias for enhanced access to information.
> >      * We will work with information providers and with groups involved
> >        in similar projects using other media.
> >      * We will solicit feedback on the technology as it is used, and make
> >        it as accessible and humane as possible.
> >        
> > 
> >    ******************************************************************
> >    *     SHAPING THE NETWORK SOCIETY                                *
> >    *          Patterns for Participation, Action, and Change        *
> >    *                  http://www.cpsr.org/conferences/diac02        *
> >    * Tomorrow's information and communication infrastructure        *
> >    *   is being shaped today.                                       *
> >    *                              But by whom and to what ends?     *
> >    * Questions: diac02-info at cpsr.org                                *
> >    ******************************************************************
> > 
> > 
> > On Sat, 30 Mar 2002, patrick fisher wrote:
> > 
> > > Funny, no one has clarified, or even mentioned, what specific mission SCN could
> > > have. Also, no one has mentioned what SCN lacks, or whatever, to reason why it
> > may
> > > partner elsewhere.
> > > 
> > > I didn't intend to imply anything for SCN with mentioning other organizations.
> > > However, I've been pretty clear about having low-cost or free internet access
> > > similar to that offered by "regular" ISPs.
> > > 
> > > This would mean something similar to the freenet in Tampa Bay, Floriday. They
> > have
> > > something good going. 
> > > 
> > > Patrick
> > > 
> > > --- "J. Johnson" <jj at scn.org> wrote:
> > > > On Thu, 28 Mar 2002, Doug Schuler wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > > "Being" SCN doesn't mean staying exactly the way we are now!
> > > > 
> > > >    For sure.  But would this experiment really be a success if it required
> > > > changing our purposes, fundamental values, and every key element and
> > > > characteristic--everything but the name plate--beyond all recognition?
> > > > 
> > > >   It seems to me that we should not be jumping onto some business model 
> > > > because it seems to be successful.  Rather, we should inquire into what it
> > > > takes to make _our_ model successful.  Other examples can be illustrative,
> > > > but each case is different, has different factors, and it can take a bit
> > > > of careful study to tease out just what the correct lesson is.  And as
> > > > successful organizations often have no idea what makes them successful, it
> > > > is necessary to also study unsuccessful organizations.
> > > > 
> > > > === JJ =============================================================
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
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> 
> =====
> Webmaster
> Seattle Community Network
> http://www.scn.org
> "Powering our communities with technology"
> 
> __________________________________________________
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