Allison's post effectively synthesizes various visions of cyberjournalism into a mutualistic system for the future. Allow the "mass media" to construct mass home pages, jumping off points for delving deeper into the net. At the same time, rely on the low cost of information storage and transfer in cyberspace to cultivate niche media and alternative viewpoints, breaking the monopoly mass media currently hold on "the truth." Such a vision accommodates conventional journalists as information gatherers and interpreters, while democratizing the net to include anyone who wants to put his or her ideas out there for public debate and discussion.

Someday, the netpaper will probably replace print newspapers , as more and more members of communities begin to move on-line for the information they need to know in order to act. Yet the demise of newsprint does not mean the demise of journalists - in fact, the shift will make good reporters even more crucial as intelligent guides to the overwhelming world of available information. But to become cyberspace guides, journalists will first need to be pioneers and explorers, learning what information needs to be filtered and where to find it. For ultimately, as McPhail puts it, "In an world where everyone has access to information, wisdom will become the differentiating commodity."

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