It features high speed links between city hall, local schools and libraries, an easy to use software package, and even wireless access using advanced wireless modems. Because Cupertino is home to many technology companies, CityNet developed with generous equipment and money donations, purchasing discounts for citizens, and knowledgeable volunteers. CityNet was the vision of Cupertino councilman Wally Dean. Mr. Dean brought local leaders together to form a task force to design, fund, and implement the system over a period of years. CityNet is a non-profit, all volunteer organization.
Volunteers operate the system to keep expenses at a minimum.
A neighboring city, Los Altos has a group trying to create its version of CityNet. The City of Chicago and a private group, the Chicago Coalition for Information Access, are working separately to bring an electronic information network to this area. The Internet has a long and successful history that proves the value of data sharing. It is also a source of information about community networks and it can be used to logon to and sample existing community networks. The U.S. Defense Department created the forerunner of the Internet in 1970 when it built the ARPAnet, an experimental network designed to operate even if some system computers are destroyed.