Community networks or networked communities?

The article provides an overview of the state of the art in community networks. Forty community networks were reviewed. A protocol was developed to guide the evaluation of each site. The protocol covered the types of information currently provided and whether the network contributes to the social capital of the community. It was found that communities are now served by several types of Web sites: nonprofit community networks, those administered by local governments, and various commercial sites. It does not appear that either individually or in combination the Web sites are working to strengthen the social capital of the communities they serve. It is recommended that a community's information networking organizations work together to provide integrated resources and programs that foster community dialogue and help people better meet their citizenship responsibilities, as well as up-to-date information on community events and real-time information about traffic, weather, and the like.