During the First Generation phase, the project used as its main platform old transport recycled containers that included a wide variety of technological applications, some times costly. The Second Generation phase does not emphasize infrastructure in the same way and focuses mainly on community and educational aspects, using information technologies as a tool to achieve global sustainable community objectives.

Services encouraged within this Second Generation approach are:

1. Economic sustainability

One of the most complex challenges of most community centers based on digital technologies is economical sustainability.

LINCOS Second Generation is working with very prestigious academic institutions such as the Central American Institute of Business Administration (INCAE), the MIT Media Lab, The Media Lab Asia, and the Sloan School at MIT, in order to find creative models that can help different communities make their community centers economically sustainable.

2. Health and environment

Health and environment become one of the most valuable components of development given the social impact involved. Access to water and preventive medicine are among the most important priorities found in communities. For instance, one of the services usually required in these locations is the need for networks of health promoters that use technology as an effective tool for education and communication.

3. Permanent education and community life

Non-Formal Education services offered through the LINCOS network are based ON the constructionist methodology proposed by MIT´s Media Lab. This approach suggests that users construct –with available computer tools- meaningful products and new knowledge in order to guarantee long lasting effects in the learning process.

This methodology has the advantage that users are not only passive recipients of technology, but pro-active actors in the intelligent and constructive utilization of available tools.

Permanent education is offered to all members in the community and is aimed at stimulating creativity and innovation in the use of available technologies. Thus, it includes also entertainment and socialization.

Project-based learning with the use of technology, production of local videos, radio programs or electronic newsletters, robotics, animatronics, videoconferences, movies, sports, and cultural theater plays, are vivid examples of some of the Permanent Education and Community Life components.

4. Communication

Linking the community to the rest of the world is an immediate source of development, wealth and progress. Therefore, the local center needs to be equipped with conventional telephone systems (public phones) or well with more advanced technologies such as “voice over IP” in far remote areas.

5. Business platform

The uses of an E-commerce platform inside the community will not only benefit the advance of various groups, but will also contribute to generate new leaders for change; capable of implementing innovative business alternatives, creating networks of local producers, etc. In addition, the community itself will be perceived as a very pro-active group in search of efficiency, wealth, and technology-based development.

One of the ultimate goals of this service is to improve the business capabilities of small and medium enterprises at the community level.

6. Information

The use and handling of information within the communities is a vital component of the overall operation, and therefore, requires information services suitable for the local population thanks to the presence of a technological platform in the project.

Some suggested uses are:

• Specialized search of information (Internet based).
• Sending and receipt of documents via Fax.
• Photocopy services.
• Community office for Electronic Mail.
• Support to local population in the use of on-line governmental procedures

7. Technology and infrastructure

LINCOS, Second Generation can help communities develop the services they need and want, possibly with the technology already installed and most likely inside the physical facility already chosen for the community center. Otherwise, LINCOS can also provide assistance in relation with the most suitable technologies for each service, and/or provide the actual hardware, software and other technological devices, as well as consult and/or provide the appropriate infrastructure for the community center.