Network and software support can be provided to make it easy for students to create their own applications, and applications for others. For example, students can help an agency that provides food and shelter to needy people to categorize its records, allowing the agency to organize its activities more efficiently. Library services can be accessed, including those that help with finding how to locate the library materials. Electronic buddy system facilities can be made available, including mentoring programs, for example between elementary students and university students. Progress monitoring and encouragement by parents is practical and time-efficient, with monthly, weekly, or as necessary daily reports on progress in particular problem areas, or for congratulations on the students' academic achievements.
Information can flow from teachers to the parents or from parents to teachers, or both.
Business and professional uses Businesses and professionals already have made use of computers and network services. In Blacksburg, more than a third of the businesses are already advertising on the net with Web or gopher listings. Services available range from modest listings for professional services like lawyers and accountants to full blown color catalogues for local florists, bookstores, and clothing vendors. Specialty services like a local air charter company use sophisticated Web features like clickable maps to create a customer oriented charter flight planning tool. The medical area provides one of the most compelling application areas, because intelligent use of the instant information transfer capabilities of a network can be used to directly save or improve lives.