System Design for Community Information Utilities.

A discussion of the system design aspects of a Prototype Community Information Utility (PCIU) in terms of: (1) the system requirements implied in the services offered and within the context of the system design task; (2) the major elements considered in the system design--i.e., people, consoles, communications, computers, software and databases, and economics; (3) a phased system development plan for the PCIU that highlights the technological problems and those involved in management; and (4) exceptional design considerations that would make the development of a PCIU significantly different from the developments of other large online systems. The major problem in developing a PCIU will be institutional, not technical. It will be necessary to create a consistent incentive structure so that those who have a legitimate stake in our existing society--including commercial broadcasters, newspapers, elected officials, financial institutions, and consumers--will be favorably disposed toward the establishment of a PCIU. (Published in H. Sackman and B. Boehm (eds.), [Planning Community Information] [Utilities], AFIPS Press, 1972.) (See also P-4781, P-4895, P-4897, P-4898, P-4900, P-4908.) 26 pp. Ref.