Hello!  I'm doing a research project on the Cleveland 
Free-Net and similar community computer systems.  I'd like 
to interview you about the way you view the Free-Net; I 
chose you on the basis of some posts you made.  Below are 
some of the topics I'd like to ask you about.  You can 
either respond to them by e-mail or write me back to 
arrange a time and place where we could conduct the 
interview in person or over the phone.  If you do not 
respond to this message I will attempt to contact you by 
phone.

	During my research I've found a lot of published theories 
and hypotheses that are sometimes unsupported, and a few 
even contradict each other.  Please let me know what you 
think about these statements.  Please be honest; there's no
need to pretend to be someone else.  Your name will not be 
associated with your answer in the paper I write, but I may
keep your username in case I have further questions.  Thank 
you for your help!

____demographic information_____
sex or gender:
age:
in what city, suburb, or town do you live?
how long have you been using the Cleveland Free-Net?
how long have you been using online services of any type?
how long have you been using computers?

_____theories, hypotheses, and opinions_____
Please comment on *why* you agree or disagree with the 
following statements.  You do not need to respond to every 
one, but naturally I would appreciate as many responses as 
possible.

*  E-mail is more convenient than other forms of 
communication, even for contacting people who live in the 
same city.

*  Community computer systems in general have the potential
to improve neighborhood communities by helping people get to
know their neighbors better.

* Cleveland's mass transit system is adequate, in terms of 
speed, convenience, and cost.

* Community computer systems tend to attract people who are
not normally social; they don't like to talk to others in 
person.

* It is easier to say what you mean with e-mail than when 
speaking in person, because you can take the time to think 
about what you're saying.

* E-mail and bulletin board systems tend to foster 
communication between people who live far apart, not close 
together.

* Community computer systems such as the Cleveland Free-Net
provide people with opportunities to increase their personal
autonomy, enhance their sense of connection to others, and 
enable greater accomplishments and self-fulfillment.

* E-mail is not effective or appropriate for some types of 
conversations.

* If a community computer system is successful at enhancing
existing neighborhood communities, it will only accomplish 
this by replacing existing institutions (such as local 
newsletters) and therefore lead to a loss of employment.

* Community computer systems such as the Cleveland Free-Net
contribute to personal isolation, increased dependency, and 
the loss of privacy.

* Communication by e-mail is more direct and "to the point"
than other forms of communication.

* Women and minorities are underrepresented in online 
communities; the typical user is a young white male.

* Community computer systems allow small, locally-owned 
businesses to cooperate with each other and pool their 
resources in order to compete effectively with large, "
chain" stores.

* A sense of community is necessary for maintaining a safe 
and pleasant neighborhood.

* Bulletin board systems allow more equality of 
participation than face-to-face discussions; that is, it is
less likely that one or two people will monopolize the 
conversation based on their charisma or status.

*  The Cleveland Free-Net succeeds in bringing *neighbors* 
closer together and enhances their sense of community.

*  With e-mail or bulletin board systems, it is easier to 
get yourself in trouble by saying something you don't mean;
if you were talking face-to-face you would notice the other 
person's reaction and correct yourself.

* Using computers tends to make people less patient with 
other people when they talk face-to-face.

*  The Cleveland Free-Net is only accessible to people who 
are educated and moderately wealthy, and so it fails to 
help the people who need help most.

* The impressions you get of people you meet over the 
computer are not the same as you would get if you met the 
same people in person, because it is very easy to represent
yourself differently on the computer.

*  Community computer systems such as the Cleveland 
Free-Net provide better-quality and more wholesome 
entertainment than television or radio.

* New, more convenient forms of technology for 
communication will make people so individualistic that 
community will eventually be distroyed altogether.

*  People are more likely to use foul language in e-mail or
bulletin board systems than when communicating face-to-face.

* The Cleveland Free-Net would be better overall if it had 
a graphical interface like America Online (TM), Prodigy
(TM), or even Netscape (TM).

_____Request for references_____
Do you know someone else whom I should be sure to interview
about the topics above?  Who is it, and why does his/her 
name come to mind?

Thank you again for your help!  --Ben