Chairman and Managing Director of the Gleaner Company, Oliver Clarke (left), makes a point to Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Technology, during the company's launch of the Go-Kingston website yesterday. - Michael SloleySAY THE words "internet" and "worldwide web" and immediately you think of windows being opened to the outside world.
However, the new Go-Local Jamaica internet project, co-sponsored by the Gleaner Company, Jamaica National Building Society and Sangster's Bookstores, is using the internet to highlight communities across the island and encourage participation in their day-to-day activities.
Go-Kingston (www.go-kingston.com), the first of five local websites to be published this year, under the project, was launched yesterday at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library.
Chairman and Managing Director of the Gleaner Company, Oliver Clarke, said the websites should help to build a greater sense of community across the island.
"It is our hope that these go-local sites will get the people in these communities to take a greater interest in their community," he said.
In endorsing the project, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Technology Phillip Paulwell commended its corporate sponsors for their initiative.
"The fact that IT now is the back on which so much depends means that you have to get on board. What you've demonstrated today by the launch of the go-local web sites is to enable community people to have a greater appreciation for community life and involvement in their community life, and I believe that this is in sync with what we as a Government have been doing towards this plan for IT," he said.
Go-Kingston.com, managed by Anne-Marie Asher and designed by Sandor Panton, showcases the people, places and goings-on in the island's capital.
There is frequently updated news about Kingston, information on service clubs, NGOs, churches, schools and colleges based in the Corporate Area, a business directory and brief history of the city, compiled by the third member of the team, Lisa Nicely.
Visitors to the site can also browse the lively photo gallery and family page, speak their minds on the discussion boards, and link up with others in the chat room or through their free go-kingston e-mail account.
Yesterday's public viewing of the site was met with warm applause from members of the audience who were especially impressed with the photo gallery, currently featuring the Trench Town community and Parade area of downtown Kingston.
"It's very interesting. I think little children and older people especially will learn a lot from it," said 16-year-old Latoya Morgan of Alpha Business College following the launch.
Go-Local Jamaica sites for Montego Bay, Mandeville, Ocho Rios and Portmore are to be launched later this year.
