July 1982 RAIN Page 7 Commimication Arts Department 6035 Vilas HaU University of Wisconsin Madison, W153706 (contact: Tim Haight). They are compiling a profile of community groups using computers. Commimity Computer/Altemet 9498 Argorme Way Forestville, CA 95436 707-887-%76 A locally owned and worker/member operated computer access center, they also publish an extensive directory to community computer activities, "The Com- puterists Directory." Community Computers 137SSt.,N.W. Washington, DC 20001 This group is developing computer services for community-based organizations. Community On-Line Information System do Roy Kaplow Division for Study and Research in Education Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 02139 The Communty On-Line Information System is being developed for the Cambridge Public Library and includes the development of a community database and computer-assisted educational instruction. Computertown PO Box E/1236 El Camino Real Menlo Park, CA 94025 415-323-3111 Over a period of two years Computer- town has run many classes, playdays, learning fairs and on-going study groups, as well as making computers available in public places such as libraries, all in an attempt to provide computer literacy for p>eople of all ages. More recently, with a grant from the National Science Foundation, they are offering support for others to establish similar programs in other communities. Each issue of their newsletter lists yet more affiliated (and other) computer literacy projects around the country. COMPUTER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS (COMMUNITY) Dallas Public Library 1954 Commerce St. Dallas, TX 75201 214-748-9071 The Dallas Public Library has used a computer in providing community information to the local community for seven years. They have expanded the database to include information about community resources in a 16-county area, and now provide access to on-line databases (dialog). Food for Thought 1834 East Speedway Tucson, AZ 85719 Food for Thought is an example of the growing number of computer access centers in local communities. Membership allows one to use a variety of computers and computer programs. Hands- on classes are offered to get p>eople up and running. Lower West Side Resource and Development Corporation 266 W. Tupper St. Buffalo, NY 14210 They collect information about the structural condition of housing, and neighborhood opinion information, using a small computer to analyze the data. Microcomputer Information Support Tools Peter and Trudy Johnson-Lenz 695 5th Ave. Lake Oswego, OR 97034 Peter and Trudy Johnson-Lenz have applied computer tools to the needs of neighborhoods, communities, and small organizations for seven years. They begin with a group's needs and then find or develop the computer tools appropriate for the situation. For the past five years, they have worked wdth the Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES), a computerized conferencing system for networking and group work. They have also developed a microcomputer system for networking and communication. MIST 2.0 (Microcomputer Information Support Tools) is "the networkeris electronic toolchest," combining word processing, document formatting, telecommunications, remote use, and database management in one integrated package. MIST can be used to prepare newsletters and directories, to manage mailing lists, to maintain community calendars and talent banks, and through remote access, as a local electronic message center, as a "network commons" of community information resources, and as an intelligent terminal to other computers. Midwood Kings Highway Development Corporation 1410 Avenue M Brooklyn, NY 11220 They are conducting a street inventory of the condition of existing trees and evaluating sites suitable for new plantings using a computer to sort and analyze the information. New York Public Library 8 East 40th St. New York, NY 10016 212-790-6161 The library uses a computer to compile a directory of over 2000 organizations in the Midtown area of New York. One 1105 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL 60640 312-769-3232 ONE is a coalition of 50 community-based organizations in a part of Chicago. In 1981 they received assistance from the Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research at Norhwestem University to procure a micro-computer for the neighborhood. The Apple II they acquired with a grant from the Joyce Foundation is being used to develop a graphic mapping system which will track and display the neighborhood's demographic information. They are also considering using the computer for developing a skill bank, and to use it as an electronic bulletin board. Open Network (Network Resources) PO Box 18666 Denver, CO 80218 OPEN uses a computer in managing an information and idea exchange that has users in 37 states and nine countries. An account on the system costs $30 a year. Through the network one may locate individuals and sources of information to answer questions and needs. Users have found plumbers, writers, babysitters, mathematicians, anthropologists, consultants, cooks, and husbands. An information packet is available for $4.00; or their book. Network Game, explains the philosophy that guides the operation. Pikes Peak Library District 20 N. Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80901 The library's computer "Maggie" has organized the community information files that are made available to the public. The database has over 750 agencies and organizations. The computer is offered to library patrons with information about education opportunities and events. They
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