Community members interact with community networks in various ways. Community network terminals can be set up at public places like libraries, bus stations, schools, laundromats, community and senior centers, social service agencies, public markets, and shopping malls. Community networks can also be accessible from home via computers and, increasingly, from the Internet. The actual services on a community network vary from system to system but there are some typical ones, such as providing information about nonprofit organization and government agencies. Community networks also offer on-line discussion capabilities on a limitless number of topics.
Community networks are thus far local and independent projects.
In general, community-network developers have not explored just what the nature of a stronger or closer relationship between them would mean. Historically, community network systems have had a difficult time financially, but increased public interest and some financial infusions from the government, businesses, and foundations have at least temporarily relieved some of the problems with some of the systems. Even so, very few of these systems have much in the way of paid staff. Regardless of whether that forecast turns out to be true, community networks offer an important and rare opportunity for communities to develop and manage democratic technology. From Internet World .