Joan: Joint Online Access Network

in 2005 a handful of private citizens (with the generosity of corporate donors) put together an internet café for the red cross joint resource center in lawrenceville ga for katrina. see video at the link provided http://video.yahoo.com/watch/492494/2632139 the client online area, nicknamed the internet café opened with 24 pcs staged for client access to critical online registration and disaster websites. below is an overview of the operation and a few case examples of services provided. katrina changed the rules regarding disaster support. victims no longer remained in their homes or hometowns. they were mobile, and needed a mobile solution to reconnect to loved ones. manned by independent volunteers, 24 pc’s were staged in four rows of six, networked through two hubs and connected to the internet with a wireless adapter. all computer equipment utilized was preloaded with critical software and the general public was invited to sit down, surf and reconnect their lives. a beautiful thin