ComNet, Lindsay Reynolds

Community Network 1

Name of network: Park Ridge Community Network

Web address: Click here

Place it serves: Park Ridge, IL; a community on the Northwest side of Chicago

Mission: None given

Sponsor: Park Ridge Public Library

Volunteer run, paid staff, or both: It doesn't say, but I would imagine that it is both, considering it's sponsored by the public library.

Services offered and costs: Events calendar, becoming a network partner (as long as the business, organization, church, etc. is in Park Ridge), and Guest Book. All services are free.

Categories of informaiton provided: It offers numerous categories that gives so much local information. This information is helpful to both residents and outsiders. It provides the following:

Does the network convey a "sense of place"? That is, do you get a sense of some of the unique qualitites of the place and the people it serves? If so, how? Yes, I believe the network conveys a “sense of place.” It serves its people in such a good way. This website is so helpful, even for me. I actually only live about 3 miles away from Park Ridge and I would consider going to this website to find information on something if I were to go there. For instance, if I wanted to go to a specific business located in Uptown Park Ridge, say a hair salon, I would without a doubt come to this website first to get more information on the various hair salons in Park Ridge. An example is here:Hair salons in Park Ridge

Is there anything that you find particularly interesting about this network? If so, what is it? The only thing I find interesting is that there are links to virtually EVERYTHING in Park Ridge--links to businesses, stores, volunteer oppurtunities, churches, etc. I would provide a link, but it is the same link that I have already provided for you in the web address section above.

Community Network 2

Name of network: Mendocino Community Network

Web address: Click here

Place it serves: Mendocino, California

Mission: To provide high-quality, personal Internet services to our school district, our customers, and the communities that we serve.

Sponsor: Mendocino Unified School District

Volunteer run, paid staff, or both: It does not say, but I would imagine paid because it says on the site: "The Mendocino Community Network is a business owned and operated by the Mendocino Unified School District..." If it is a business, it is most likely a paid job then.

Services offered and costs: E-mail, online billing, Cable internet, DSL and dialup services, Domain services, listserves, photo gallery, blogs, and web hosting. The only prices I could find was a domain starting at $19. As far as other prices, I would imagine some of the services are free (such as e-mail) and others would cost money (like internet services and domains).

Categories of informaiton provided: There is information provided about contact info, services, etc. Most of the categories seemed similiar to me. They are:

Does the network convey a "sense of place"? That is, do you get a sense of some of the unique qualitites of the place and the people it serves? If so, how? The only thing I have to comment on this is that I feel this business truly does serve its people in a good way. Through this site, there are plently of ways to contact the company if you need help or have questions. The business seems to genuinely care for its customers.

Is there anything that you find particularly interesting about this network? If so, what is it? No, to be honest, I do not like this community network at all. I find it very unhelpful to me, unlinke the Park Ridge network discussed above.

This information is collected by: Lindsay Reynolds