Internet Public Commons Platform Cooperative
We are rebranding (previously wifiSherpa).
Mission
Our platform cooperative works to increase Digital Equity by fostering fundamental systemic changes that restore the Internet as a Public Commons, vs bandaid approaches taken by many that will expire soon.
Before the privatization of the Internet during the 1990s, as discussed by Ben Tarnoff, there was NSFnet, which existed as a Public Commons.
We have built a platform cooperative, to be governed by our teachers. Over time a student can become a group leader, and a group leader can become a teacher. Our goal is to help communities with crossing the digital equity gap and making a move towards Community Ownership of Internet Networks.
Register and sign in at the top right side of this page to see more and collaborate with others as an active member.
Digital Equity Definition
Digital equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.
NDIA
Experienced professionals are welcomed to join us as a partner after a brief interview.
A student can grow to becoming a group leader, then a teacher, and even a partner.
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We asked Chat GPT4
How does Commons-based peer production relate to the possibility of community owned Internet networks (COIN)? In particular, consider how althea.net enables what Yochai Benkler refers to as converting consumers into prosumers, with Blockchain software on the router that enables people to purchase bandwidth from upstream and sell bandwidth to people downstream.
The answer explains the benefits of a new regenerative economy replacing the older extractive model of the incumbent ISPs.
Beta Testing Courses
Courses will formally begin in January, 2024. Until then, please test and provide feedback.
Map with Miro
Learn about visual whiteboard tools, when using the product Miro for Stakeholder Mapping.
Get Funding Workshop
Course is under development until launching in January 2024
Build your own ChatGPT
ChatGPT has introduced a new option called GPTs. You can basically create custom ChatGPTs and train them with your own…
Commons Intro
David Bollier has written extensively about the Commons and the following Topics, in a video playlist, while not specifically about…
Equity
How do we close the equity gap? Video and readings from the Kapor foundation.
Make Code – Contractor Chatbot
Voiceflow, Zapier, ChatGPT Tutorial and more …
Write Proposals
Help write lessons about collaborating on Digital Equity Coalition grant proposals. AI created sample, lesson titles! Let’s write new proposals…
Notion 101
Navigate Notion, add blocks, create databases, and share with groups of teammates.
Notion AI & Projects
The Notion tool offers an easy way for a team to use AI for collaborative projects. This course is included…
Using the Community ISP Handbook
At the Pacific Northwest Rural Broadband Alliance we believe that providing universal access to modern internet service is not just…
Collaborate in a Cooperative
As this course evolves, it will include both abstract theory and practical stories of use cases.
Digital Inclusion for Navigators
This course converts each chapter of the “The Digital Inclusion Start-Up Manual” (NDIA Creative Commons) into lessons, adds quizzes and…
Community Technology Field Guide
This course uses Creative Commons licensed materials, developed by New America, Open Technology Institute, and available here. They are copied…
Systemic Innovation in the Broadband Ecosystem
Our goal is change to improve the future. We begin with a few books that will provide you a background…