Item Subject: Message text >In response to the discussion about access to Internet and "have and havenots". I believe it is just a matter of time before there is more equitable access to the Internet. It will soon be available via the TV and Cable and also at community libraries and other community resources such as Community Health Centres. In the mean time ... our efforts should be directed in "speeding up" the more equitable access to Internet, by supporting and initiating community efforts to make Internet access available in community settings. For those involved in research, their efforts could include proposals to test the use of this medium in community settings (some work has been done already in this area Nancy Milio). Those involved in or with schools, could be advocating for "community time" on existing computer equipment in schools as they will soon (if not already) have Internet access. Those working in community settings and agencies could also be advocating for "community time" on existing computers which have Internet access. More equitable access to the Internet is possible if we call upon the greatest lesson we learned ... way back in kindergarten ... and "remember to share". Deb Bang St. Joseph's Community Health Centre Consumer Health Information Service Hamilton, Ontario [log in to unmask] re Shawn's query, I fear that increasing reliance on the internet as a > medium of organizing, exciting as I find it to be, will only serve to > further differentiate the "haves" and "have-nots" in our society, given the > heavy investment in hardware, software, connection charges involved (not to > mention investment in education as precursor to it's use as a hp/CD tool). > Latest figures from Stats Canada indicate only 7% of Canadians are on the > internet. Like other consumer innovations of advanced capitalism, > information technology is an incredible boone to a few, while > systematically excluding the many. > > I'm afraid this is something we should be concerned about, rather than > being entirely seduced by the medium. > > Blake Poland > Behavioural Science > University of Toronto > [log in to unmask] >