Most people using the Net are familiar with one-to-one email and finding information by searching the web. Some may be creating websites. Often, however, the most useful tools like email lists are overlooked or used inefficiently. In this study we have reviewed:

• Email. Basic one-to-one communication.

• Email newsletters. Emails with news items which may include links to websites, sent by one person to many but without a facility for subscribers to respond to each other.

• Email lists. Systems which enable subscribers to send an email to an email postbox which then 'starbursts' their message to all other subscribers, creating the potential for an online forum.

• Text messaging. One-to-one and one-to-many by mobile phone, and computer to phone.

• Chat. Real-time 'me-you-them-me-you' etc. text exchanges on a website with a number of people, which may or may not be moderated.

• Instant messaging. One-to-one real-time chat with the ability to see whether nominated users are online and available for exchanges.

• Online forums on websites, also called message boards. These can work if there is a lot of traffic on the website and keen interest in issues. Otherwise email alerts may be useful to remind people of the opportunity for discussion.

• Intranets - in effect private Internet. Systems which provide users with a range of integrated tools for publishing and retrieving information, communicating, collaborating and carrying out other online activities. These are increasingly deployed within large organisations and - with appropriate development and management - become an integral part of the organisation's day-to-day operations. They provide organisations with enormous internal benefits, and are sometimes extended as extranets to include clients and suppliers (with differing degrees of access).

• Enhanced email lists. A number of commercial suppliers (e.g. http:// www.yahoogroups.com, http://www.smartgroups.com) offer email list facilities together with a website for the list which archives messages, and also offers calendars, polls, file libraries and other facilities for subscribers. These services are free to subscribers, supported by advertisements. They allow subscribers to create a communications platform which has some of the characteristics of an intranet or extranet. However, added features require registration which can be complex. If technical expertise is available, an alternative is to assemble the tools from different free or ad-support sources.

• Audio and video files. Given access to an appropriate server (computer permanently connected to and accessible on the Net) and audio/video equipment, it is possible to publish files which users can download and play or 'stream' (that is, play as soon as they are accessed online). A number of community technology projects and media centres are showing the way, and UK online centres are increasingly likely to develop these capabilities.

• Websites. Because websites are easy to understand for non-users of the Net, or those with limited experience, they may be cited together with one-to-one email as 'the solution' rather than as part of the mix. It is rather as if all print communication were seen as letters and magazines. Websites are relatively easy to publish, but require careful planning to be effective and considerable maintenance if they are to be more than static brochures or snapshots of information. They can at one level be a simple collection of pages (which might otherwise appear in print), or a portal or gateway to a wide range of other communication tools.

• Search engines. While search engines don't index everything on the Net (and may give prominence to those who pay for the privilege) they do allow those seeking information to find an incredible array of content and contacts.

• Video conferencing and Net meetings. Private and public sector organisations are increasingly using a mix of video, audio, graphic and text environments to hold virtual meetings. Most tools are available free, and usable with a fast connection.

There is more about basic tools at http://www.makingthenetwork.org/ tools/nettools.htm.