Fergus Cassidy

From little acorns

IT was the Easter bank holiday weekend that it really struck me. I went to the RDS to have a look at a big gaming convention called Megalan. It was a well-organised and looked like a lot of fun. But because I know one of the organisers, I was aware of the amount of time and energy that went into running an event like this.

I also found out subsequently that there was a slight financial loss for the organisers. So they stumped up the money from their own pockets. As a former voluntary worker myself, I know that this is par for the course. You believe in something enough to commit not just time and energy, but money as well. Some things don't change.

But what really hit home for me at Megalan was the amount of energy and enthusiasm that exists throughout the country for building and maintaining the internet as a public service. Leaving aside the commercial aspects to the net (the dotcom stuff etc), there is a strong public service dimension in putting this phenomenal communications technology to use for the benefit of all.

Since the mainstream media lost interest in the 'sexy' side to the net following the collapse of the tech stocks and dotcom crash, the net only seems to get headlines when something bad happens. People and organisations engaging in volunteer work are used to being ignored at best or patronised at worst. The internet in Ireland is not different on that score.

But there is a big difference in terms of organising. The voluntary sector in Ireland is reasonably well-organised with many groups having a solid and professional structure. Many are formed into companies and/or societies. There's a strong history in this country of volunteerism: agricultural co-ops, meitheals, credit unions, tenants and residents groups etc. Many of these have changed a lot over the years and some have disappeared altogether.

On the other hand though, the internet in Ireland and the people who contribute to its development, doesn't have a long history on which to build upon. It's still a very recent occurrence.

My first real insight into the green shoots was about two years ago, when I read a post on Boards.ie from someone who wanted to try and set up a wireless internet connection in his local area.

I was fascinated by this then very new technology and even more delighted that someone was experimenting with it in Ireland. That person was Brendan Kehoe and when I contacted him to arrange an interview, he said that the best time for him was after school! He was just turning 16 at the time and was very helpful and courteous in dealing with questions from a Doubting Fergus.

That initial posting by Brendan to Boards.ie led to the formation of IrishWAN.org, which is now one of the leading expert groups on matters wireless in this country. That an group like IrishWAN.org now exists is testament to the spirit of volunteerism that seems to have become 'unfashionable' in a post-Celtic Tiger Ireland. The values and contribution to any form of public service has not been part of society's overt values (with some honourable exceptions) for quite some time.

But it is volunteerism that really makes the internet tick here. From people who build and maintain web sites, write code, contribute to discussions, offer help and/put their hands in their own pockets, there is a wealth of talent and energy going into keeping the show on the road and moving it along.

I know from talking and corresponding to people that it's not always an easy or pleasant thing to be doing. It can be extremely frustrating and wearing to feel that it's two steps forward and one back or that you're chasing your own tail.

But that's not to lose sight of some really good things that have happened over the last couple of years. The birth of Ireland Offline and the role it has played in fighting for decent internet access has been crucial. A way to go yet, but I've no doubt that without such a collective lobby group, individuals would have been ignored and wrung their hands in disgust.

Building an internet community from the ground up is easier said than done. It's still so new and there isn't really any road map to follow. Internet penetration being as low as it is, also means that only a minority are aware of how the net and communications technology impacts on society. The woeful lack of leadership provided by the state is a disgrace. It's not just the government. Organisations charged with education and policy development just aren't up to the job. Sad but true.

But as before, we can do this ourselves. From the ground up. For all the reasons I mentioned, there is ample evidence of energy, enthusiasm and commitment (not to mention humour) to suggest that what is needed most right now is to co-ordinate and harness that energy. And there's an opportunity this week to take the first step, when an Irish branch of the Internet Society (Isoc) is being proposed. Isoc is one of the most important groups in the world in terms of what it calls "keeping the internet going".

It is a non-profit, non-governmental, international, professional membership organisation. With more than 150 organisation and 14,000 individual members in over 180 nations worldwide, its aim is to "assure the open development, evolution and use of the internet for the benefit of all people throughout the world".

In addition to the technological, education, and standards issues, Isoc is involved in a variety of initiatives stemming from social, economic, political, ethical, and legal sources that can and do exert influence on the direction of the net.

Having been a member for a good few years and attended the last two international conferences, I genuinely believe that an Isoc chapter in Ireland could have great potential. Isoc is by no means perfect, but it is what's there right now. If we so choose, it can bring together isolated or stranded individuals and groups involved in developing the net.

The meeting is this Thursday 15 May at 6pm in the Board Room of the Dublin Institute of Technology in Aungier Street, Dublin 2. More information on the Internet Society below.

---------------------------------------------------------------

LINKS


ISOC IN IRELAND
The mission statement of the Irish Chapter in formation

Proposed bye-laws of Irish Chapter

ISOC IN GENERAL
Frequently asked questions about the Internet Society

Online application form to join ISOC. Membership is free.

The Chicago Chapter's web site provides a good example of the activities of an ISOC Chapter.