Taking a grass roots approach, and using the resources of the people who are already working in “E” world, building on the present OneNet Member concept is the best way to grow an organic global nervous system. At last count, there were 60,000 public Bulletin Board Systems in just the United States. Most were run by individuals and organizations who believe in creating community through the use of technology. These people are willing and ready to help form this network.
A. A non-profit organization or foundation
The OneNet Member network organization probably will become a non-profit organization of some sort, either as a stand alone entity or as part of another organization of foundation that sponsors it. We feel we need, eventually, to reach this goal; either though spending the time and effort to create a separate organization or through teaming up with an existing non-profit group. Although we are talking to several non-profits we might team up with now, if you feel you know of a group that is appropriate, we would like to hear of it.
B. The energy of Global Nervous System Thinkers
Tens of thousands of people want to see this network created and are willing to expend time and energy on helping in the effort. Just the fact that you’re reading this means, most likely, that you’re one of these people.
1. User Groups
User Groups by definition are communities of people that have come together to help each other, to learn and to share knowledge. Most larger user groups already run small to medium sized Bulletin Board Systems with a reasonably professional approach and reliable record of uptime. Likely, some of these user groups could drive much of the creation of the basic hub structure needed to tie together enough systems to make The OneNet Member network begin to be real.
2. Individuals with a mission
Many men and women run BBSes out of their homes (the author of this document is one of them) because of a desire to contribute to their community. These people—in the thousands and possibly the tens of thousands—are all candidates for helping to provide access points and infrastructure for the OneNet Member network.
3. Businesses
Many businesses understand the need to provide electronic support for their customers and already run semi-public BBS systems. By drawing these businesses into the OneNet Member family and expanding their horizons, both the business and the OneNet Member system emerge in a win-win situation.
4. Schools
Schools are natural places to set up hubs of communication and learning. If each school district in the US put up one server, and allowed those servers to be tied in with other servers and to provide some backbone services to other OneNet Member servers, it is likely that no other infrastructure would be needed to cover the world with low cost and easy to access networking.
5. Libraries
If every library in every town in the world were to take their computer and hook in two phone lines to it, the basic infrastructure for the OneNet Member network could be in place almost overnight.
6. All of the above
Most likely, all of the above will happen in a combination of possibilities within the OneNet Member network and its infrastructure.
C. Through contributions
It is probable the OneNet Member network organization will exist as a fund collecting entity and will solicit contributions from various organizations to help pay for the cost of personnel and equipment necessary to run the day to day coordination of the system.
1. Grants & Contributions
a) Foundations
The OneNet Member network will apply to the appropriate foundations for help in funding the base Hubs of the network (see “joining the Global Nervous System” Section IV, 3 below).
b) Government
Large amounts of money in the government are available for setting up and running systems of this nature. This plan is based on going after as much of the available money as we can justify.
c) Business
Many businesses, especially large corporations, have grant programs for projects like the OneNet Member network; especially when it’s tied to a specific function such as hooking up to sick children in hospital beds. This plan calls for asking businesses and industries (entertainment, etc.) to contribute to relevant areas within the overall OneNet Member network effort.
d) Individuals
There are always individuals who are willing to help a good idea along and who are fortunate enough to have the money to do it. This plan will be seeking help and contributions from various people in the computer industry and other appropriate or related industries in helping to get this effort started.
