Successful businesses have been created around selling tumbleweeds, home crafts, and other products which would never sell locally in enough volume to be profitable. Global niche markets are now accessible to all of us. Cisco Systems has demonstrated a successful mastery learning training program through their Cisco Academies. During the last 15 years, Cisco has become the third largest corporation in the world. This year, Cisco will train over 150,000 students in 74 countries.
Cisco relies on peer mentoring to deliver a significant percentage of their technical support.
Since rural communities share many needs, at issue is how best to avoid the expense of unnecessary duplication and how best to benefit from potential economies of scale, in the ongoing creation and dissemination of best practices and resources for Internet awareness, training, collaboration, and Ecommerce. Starband systems are limited to single PC's, but Tachyon systems, using wireless modems, can serve multiple users across a community. Community networks have continually redefined themselves. Many community networks today are becoming social engagement programs focused on creating ongoing collaborative-innovation training programs. As communities worldwide gain such access, they will eventually share equal opportunities with your community.