1997 Guided Tour

The tour is dated, of course, and some links have been removed because they are obsolete. Otherwise the "Tour" is as it was in 1997.  Some links in the articles may also be obsolete.

• 1)  "Group Spreads word on Tri-City Life"  Published Thursday, October 1, 1998 in the Tri-City Herald.
• 2)  "Connecting the Last Mile?. The RECA Foundation was one of 10 "successful, cutting-edge.." projects and the only community network selected to present at the "Connecting All Americans for the 21st Century - Telecommunications Links in Low Income & Rural Communities" conference in Washington, D.C. in February, 1998. This trip report questions the prevailing assumption that the "last mile" of connectivity is an infrastructure problem. We don't think so - read on! by Bruce McComb.
• 3)  Realizing Every Community Asset (RECA) Foundation: "Dream became reality for RECA Foundation"  Published Saturday, February 15, 1997 in the Tri-City Herald's annual Progress '97. by Bruce McComb.
• 4)  The Columbia Free-Net (TCFN):  A detailed history of the The Columbia Free-Net, previously known as Tri-Cities Free-Net (established, September 1992) can be found at: Community Networking '96 Report. by Bruce McComb.
• 5)  Columbia Basin Public Information Network (CBPIN): A network of organizations dedicated to providing the widest possible access to the Information Superhighway. Our goal is to ensure everyone has access appropriate to their needs - business, educators, students, children, non-profits, the rich, the poor, the disabled.
• 6)  Public Assess:   Local, Regional, and Pacific Northwest public Internet access sites, locations, hours of operation, and contact information.
• 7)  Community Technology Centers (CTCs): Beyond public access, community technology building requires Community Technology Centers to assist with the "have-nots" of technology. Some of these folks include the non-English speaking, sight impaired, disabled, low income, struggling families, migrant workers, and seniors citizens.
• 8) CBPIN Computer Recycling Center: The RECA Foundation solicits donations of used computer equipment, refurbishes systems, and provides computers to those in need (low income families, disabled, non-profit organizations, and other "have-nots").
• 9)  The Information Age - Volunteers Helping People, Schools & Organizations:   and those who work in the labs, set them up, and use the computers to get better jobs, get better grades, get off of public assistance, and stay out of trouble.
• 10)  TCFN Information Centers: The centers provide resources of the community starting with local, then regional and finally national and international resources. Ones of particular interest include: Disability, Senior, Non-Profit Resource, and Education.
• 11)  Youth Programs:  Started as a summer youth hire program in 1997 is support of "youth at risk". The program has been expanded beyond the JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act) to include volunteers and year-round programs.
• 12)  The Columbia Free-Net:  Come visit and say hello!