Web on Wheels
From ELOST-Info
A number of services and initiatives in Europe offer mobile public access, usually by putting a number of PCs on a bus and having it tour through the country or through the cities.
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Austria
In Austria, Seniorkom.at organized 'tours' across Austria in 2004 (15.000 participants) and 2005 (over 5.000 participants), inviting seniors to a complimentary "Internet Introduction Day" (which were held at local district offices). In 2006, an "Internet Security Tour" organized jointly with Microsoft Austria took place at which over 1.000 seniors were trained in computer use.
Seniorkom also uses various opportunities to set up internet cafés, for example at the "Day of the Older Generations" festivities, which took place in the Vienna City Council on September 29 and 30, 2005, with 10.000 visitors.
--NikiR 17:23, 26 November 2007 (CET)
Belgium
In Belgium the Cybernibus brings Internet services and especially Internet Training to youngsters as well as Senior Citizens. The bus offers 10 workstations (PC) for IT-Training, one for the trainer ("Formateur", see picture) plus one table for group talks ("Table reunion" or meeting table).
This offer is part of the Espaces Publics Numeriques strategy of the Wallonian government.
--Deabreu 10:55, 15 August 2007 (CEST)
Finland
Web on Wheels or Netti-Nysse as locals call it, promotes internet usage in Tampere region. Netti-Nysse put the Web on wheels, i.e. put a set of computers in a bus, and took it to the people. The purpose of this mobile service is to encourage the residents of Tampere, Finland to start using the computer and the Internet and give them the initial guidance to be able to do that. Basic instruction is free of charge.
The Netti-Nysse can be booked for groups of citizens or individuals can sign up for open tuition groups. Clubs, societies, groups of neighbours - any group of people who wants to learn to use the computer and the Internet can book the Netti-Nysse for their use and have it come to their neighbourhood. One group meets four times for 2 hours at a time. First, the group gets acquainted with the mouse. When the mouse has been tamed, it is time to start working on search engines. Free e-mail accounts are opened for everyone and people are helped with web banking and services.
There are always two tutors to help the group of ten. Extra attention is paid to the clear language of guidance and to creating a relaxed atmosphere. The Netti-Nysse is part of the Tampere City Library.
--Aerschot 2007
France
As a part of the national initiative Espaces Publics Numeriques there are also busses touring to offer IT-Training and public access.
--Deabreu 16:13, 17 August 2007 (CEST)
Germany
In Germany there is a Media-Bus available that tours the whole republic.
Usually it stays at one location for two subsequent week-ends offering IT-Training courses on the use of Internet, Office software (Microsoft) and Linux.
The Media-Bus offers twelve workstations plus one for the trainer, a beamer, a scanner and a printer for free use. All workstations also have the IBM Home Page Reader installed, a speaking web browser which reads text content to persons with challenged eye-sight.
--Deabreu 2007
An offer of the local government of North-Rhine Westfalia, the so-called Linie i, which was specifically targeting women and girls, apparently has been stopped at the end of 2006 (regular project duration).
A specific eGovernment offer is available in Berlin. Under the label of Mobile Services for Citizens (Mobile Buergerdienste) Berlin's administration sends authority staff to the citizens, e.g. to homes for senior citizens but also to shopping malls.
--Deabreu 2007
Further Information
Relevant Publications
Relevant Links
- Tampere's website on its web on wheels offer: http://www.tampere.fi/kirjasto/nettinysse/english.htm (in Finnish, Swedish, English)
