The Technological Basis of Networking

Abstract

This chapter pursues the following themes: • The extent to which telecommunications technology can serve as a platform for economic and social change; • The role that broadband communication can play in community collaboration and networking; • The specific technologies (networks and terminal devices) and their relative advantages and limitations; • The community applications that offer greater user access and user control; • The adverse and dysfunctional effects that can accompany technological change; • Some ideas about measuring and evaluating outcomes.