"WACCO" tethers the cloud to the ground

September 5, 1:12 PMSF Boomers ExaminerSuzanna Stinnett

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In my conversations with others about online communication, I am often confronted with the misperception that "the Internet is making us more isolated." People seem to expand on this idea by adding the assumption that because of the ability to experience so many things online, our entire culture will soon refuse to leave home, and we'll never have another face-to-face interaction.

I understand why people go there. But take another look, folks. People who tend to isolate are going to do that anyway. At least with the Internet, they're encountering some corner of our world - as opposed to television which is utterly and insidiously passive. Beyond that group, what I see is an ever-increasing use of technology to connect: Online and onground. As more of our community-minded Boomer generation learns online communication, I predict we will see this trend expand. (Stay tuned, in the next few days we'll look at what social media means.)

Meanwhile, Barry Chertov, the owner of WaccoBB.net, performs the fine shepherd’s work of hosting an online bulletin board for a large, active, regional community. I know first-hand how integrated this website is into the face-to-face encounters of west Sonoma county residents.

He’s seen his share of the dark side and the long hours it took to build a functional community resource out of the thin air of cyberspace. I’m betting the challenge continues. I’ve asked Barry to chime in and let us know what he finds most challenging about his work as a bridge-builder between the worlds online and onground.

Barry will come add his comments shortly.

Suzanna