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Error processing SSI file			Clubhouses Unite to Launch Virtual Magazine When the Intel Computer Clubhouse opened in Mexico City in October 2002, one of its first projects was to create a newspaper. El Palacio de la Informacion proved so popular with members that it prompted a few to set their sights on a loftier goal: joining forces with other Clubhouses in the region to create an online magazine. This goal became more accessible when coordinators from all six Latin American Clubhouses met at a workshop in Costa Rica in May 2003 and elected to participate in the project. Participating Computer Clubhouses include: Dom Bosco from Sao Paulo, Brazil; Museo de los Ninos and Suba Compartir, both from Bogota, Colombia; CEDES Computer Clubhouse from San Jose, Costa Rica; Planetario from Guadalajara, Mexico; and Palacio Postal Mexico from Mexico City, Mexico. Adán, the Mexico City teen who founded his Clubhouse's newspaper, was appointed as magazine editor for the first year and put in charge of organizing key members from each location for the project. Adán, "Latinclub" newsmagazine editor and Intel Computer Clubhouse member, at Palacio Postal México. "The beginning was chaotic," says Luis Lach, coordinator of the Mexico City Clubhouse, explaining the difficulties of organizing so many youngsters in so many locations at one time. The first exchanges took place via a series of online chats. "The first chat was very difficult, because the kids didn't have a clear idea of how to work together," Lach says. "The problem grew until two kids from Guadalajara and Mexico City-yes, both from Mexico-started to argue. But Adán became a good leader. He solved the problem and, in the end, organized all the people." In the next series of chats, members selected a name for the publication, Latinclub, and agreed on editorial content. Specific sections of the magazine would include Editorial, music, comics, stamp collecting, outstanding member of the month, Clubhouse projects, historical places in Latin America, technology, sexuality, my neighborhood, problems of society, and literature. Members from all of the participating Clubhouses were invited to submit stories. For technical help, the students worked with Marco Monroy, a student from the Media Lab at M.I.T., who was working nearby with Fundacion Telmex in Mexico City. Monroy trained the students to use HDL, a software tool for uploading information to a server for display on a Web page. Latinclub was officially launched on October 15, 2003, and "launch day" was celebrated at each Clubhouse. The premiere issue includes an impressive collection of student writing on topics ranging from how to spot valuable postage stamps to political issues surrounding marijuana usage. Lach observes that the first issue may be a bit serious in terms of content. In the next issue, he says, members hope to incorporate more humor and design. "But," he stresses, "the most important thing is that we decided to create a magazine, we set a deadline, and the magazine is currently on the Web." In the process, students have learned valuable technical and life skills. "We are seeing, possibly," Lach says, "the beginning of future journalists in our countries. I think a few members are very excited with the idea of sharing between countries, and this could be the beginning of more ambitious plans in life." The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is an after-school technology learning program that enables youth in underserved communities to acquire tools necessary for personal and professional success. Clubhouses provide safe environments where students have access to technology equipment and to supportive adult mentors to guide them.
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