World Congress of Citizens Network, Buenos Aires, 5-7 December 2001 (Global CN2001) Global CN2001 Workshop 5 Virtual technologies and open source software and hardware for communities. Information management Call for participation Deadline: June 30th 2001 Coordinators: David Wortley (UK) Gareth Shearman (Canada) Larry Stillman (Australia) Background to the Workshop Information Communications Technology (ICT) is increasingly seen as a vital component in facilitating sustainable community networks. The range of hardware, software and telecommunications technologies becoming available to communities can be bewildering to experienced ICT professionals, and since the majority of community initiatives are driven by individuals and groups whose background is not in technology, there is a need to share knowledge and experience of those best practices in hardware, software and telecommunications solutions which support sustainable community networks. Global CN 2001 Workshop 5 aims to provide a framework for sharing of Information Communication Technology best practices. We are seeking solutions which engage and empower ordinary, non-technical citizens to develop the social and economic wealth of their community. What hardware, software and telecommunications solutions provide this empowerment and contribute to sustainability ? We are inviting contributions from both providers of technology solutions to community networks and those who have direct experience of implementing technology in community technology, learning and media centers as well as virtual networks. Potential Issues for debate Windows vs Unix - which platform offers community networks the most manageable and sustainable future ? Virtual Community Development Tools - what tools are available to help community groups develop their aspirations ? Open Source Software - is there an opportunity for global community networks to develop hardware and software toolkits for community networks ? Virtual Conferencing Technology - what technologies are available to support real-time collaboration and knowledge sharing ? Community Media - what role can streaming media and community radio play in community development ? Software for Sustainability - is community commerce a practical reality for developing revenue streams and what other revenue earning applications are available ? Community Broadband - how can communities ensure access to the full potential of broadband technology ? Mobile media centers - what hardware, software and telecomms solutions are available ? We invite citizens, ICT professionals working with community technology, social entrepreneurs, managers of community technology centers, researchers, etc., to contribute to the presentation of documents, videos, and other multimedia formats that can be included in the Workshop. The reception of Abstracts of no more than 400 words (Arial 11, 1.5 space, A4 page size) must be sent by email no later by June 30, 2001 to :- <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> with copy to the Workshop Coordinators, David Wortley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Gareth Shearman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, and Larry Stillman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Abstracts should include the title, author's name, institution, address, telephone, e-mail and URL and will describe clearly the proposed presentation, paper or activity. ------------ ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.globalknowledge.org>