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SF NET Coffee House Network was created by Wayne Gregori in San Francisco, CA in July of 1991. The network consisted of coin operated, public access computers installed in 25 Bay Area coffee houses. SFnet was a ground breaking idea in a number of ways; First, it brought computer technology to local public venues that served a less affluent urban population that had little or no access to technology. Second, those individuals who owned home computers or had access to them at work were able to connect with cafe goers via simple communications technology (modem and Bulletin Board System technology) creating a vibrant and diverse local community. Although SF NET is widely seen as the start of the internet cafe phenomenon it was more about community building than providing access to technology. The idea was a tremendous social success, allowing thousands of Bay Area residents the opportunity to come together, not only to converse in a new and exciting electronic forum, but to follow-up these cyber meetings with face-to-face get togethers, called Net-Gets, at local coffee houses. SF NET discontinued service in August of 1997. SFnet Press Archive

[edit] References

• John Flinn (1991). "High-Tech Small Talk at City's cafes", San Francisco Examiner, Front Page.
• Katherine Bishop (1992). "The Electronic Coffeehouse", New York Times.
• John Boudreau (1993). "A Cuppa and a Computer", Washington Post, Front Page.
• Marian Salzman (1995). "SFnet Leads Cyber Revolution", San Francisco Examiner.
• SFnet Press Archive