New Community Networks: Wired for Change (Acm Press) [Paperback]

Douglas Schuler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996 | ISBN-10: 0201595532 | ISBN-13: 978-0201595536 | Edition: 3

"Doug Schuler has been a crusading pioneer in the community network arena and it will help the cause to have a significant book available that presents his views. His breadth of knowledge, personal experience, and the numerous examples he presents are the strong parts of this project. His enthusiasm shows and there are many appealing anecdotes. This has the potential to be an important book that gains national attention."-- Ben Shneiderman, University of Maryland Author of Designing the User InterfaceIn an era when many communities are declining, activists at the grassroots level all over the world are building community networks that are designed to reinvigorate communities by encouraging dialogue and providing a forum for voices that too often go unheard. Via the new computer networking technology, new communities can now connect electronically to pursue various activities including: community and public health projects, long-distance learning, performances, and "virtual spaces." This book should be read by government officials, librarians, policy analysts, educators, journalists, social service administrators, students, social and political activists and -- in fact -- by anyone concerned about our communities and the uses of technology in our society.Highlights: * Provides a helpful reference for people trying to develop and sustain their own community networks. * Details issues critical for the success of a community-based network. * Includes case studies from the Santa Monica PEN project, Community Memory in Berkeley, the Cleveland Free-Net, and the Big Sky Telegraph system in rural Montana. * Explains short- and long-term issues about community networks. * Includes an extensive reference section and numerous appendices providing handy access to a plethora of information related to community networks. "Doug Schuler brings us the good news about the Internet: many-to-many communications can be a rich and powerful tool for community-building. Schuler tells us why and how community networks are a promising new technology for revitalizing not just community, but democracy. This is not just a manifesto. It's an invaluable and deep sourcebook for grassroots activists."Howard Rheingold, Author of The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier Interview by Howard Rheingold with Doug Schuler, (Salon, Issue #11, Apr 6-21, 1996) 0201595532B04062001

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This wise and informative book explains how grassroots networks can be implemented at little cost in a socially directed way. As a founding member of the Seattle Community Network--one of the first and most innovative free networking projects in the world--Schuler provides great practical advice with a refreshing dose of social conscience.

(Note that this is actually a paperback edition of this volume -- Amazon.com)

Review

Doug Schuler has been a crusading pioneer in the community network arena . . . . His breadth of knowledge, personal experience, and the numerous examples he presents are strong parts of this project. His enthusiasm shows, and there are many appealing anecdotes. This has the potential to be an important book that gains national attention. -- Ben Schneiderman, author of Designing the User Interface

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub (Sd); 3 edition (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201595532
• ISBN-13: 978-0201595536
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,474,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Like it or not, we all must rely on society's civic intelligence. The books that Douglas Schuler has written and the books that he's co-edited are devoted to the development of that elusive capability.

Although Doug's educational background focused on computer science, he has spent much of the past two decades looking at the opportunities and risks of information and communication systems in the social realm. Doug has given presentations around the world on democratic, equitable, and sustainable uses of technology. Locally, Doug co-founded the Seattle Community Network, an all-volunteer, free public access computer network. In 2008 Doug was awarded a Safeco Community Hero award for his work. Doug is a faculty member (Evening and Weekend Studies) at The Evergreen State College where he teaches interdisciplinary programs such as Community Information Systems and Global Citizenship.

Over the last eight years Doug coordinated an online, participatory "patterns language" for social change project. Doug and 85 co-authors developed 136 patterns for "Liberating Voices: A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution" which is being published by MIT Press. Doug is also the author of "New Community Networks," co-editor of six books, and author of numerous articles and book chapters. Doug is former chair of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, a public-interest organization concerned about the impact of computers on society, and organized 11 CPSR conferences. He is the director of the Public Sphere Project where he is working on projects such as e-Liberate, a web-based application that supports distributed meetings using Roberts Rules of Order. Doug is continuing to explore the idea of "civic intelligence," the collective capability of society to address its problems, with his teaching, learning, and organizing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Doug Schuler's Landmark Text Stands the Test of Time, September 18, 1997

By 

Richard Hayward - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Community Networks: Wired for Change (Acm Press) (Paperback)

This book after a year and a half since publishing remains a valuable guidebook for communities stepping out onto the telecommunications scene. There are some inspirational examples of community spirit described.

Schuler's fundamental principals are a solid beginning for any community network. This book will save your community money, time, and will lay the foundations for a successful transition into the digital age.