“The Tacoma Network and Tacoma Technology Consortium, an affiliate of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, will host an Internet basic training boot camp on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m., at the Landmark Convention Center, to help local businesses understand the fundamentals of technology. A panel of experts assembled from local technology companies will educate the public on computer basics. Bruce Greene, general manager of the Washington branch of ATG (Advanced Telecom Group), is one of the speakers who will describe parts of a basic personal computer, what a network is, how the Internet works, and how to use a web presence to your fullest advantage.Speaking to the divide between traditional businesses and the technology industry, which received much attention in Tacoma during the past few months, boot camp event founders state there is no real divide. This event will demonstrate how technology is already involved in many traditional businesses, and provide suggestions on how new technology can be used to further productivity, said Jim Crabbe, co-founder of the Tacoma Network, who conceived of the event.Companies participating on the panel include Datec Inc., ATG and Web-X Inc. Announcements about the event will be distributed jointly via email from the Tacoma Network and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.Tacoma Network will also collect food for the Salvation Army, and encourages event attendees to bring a canned food. The Tacoma Network will donate one dollar of each $10 admission fee to the food drive. The company with the most food or money donated to the Salvation Army will receive special mention on the Tacoma Network web site. For more information about this event, please visit the web site at http://www.tacomanetwork.com or contact Jim Crabbe at 253-219-7194 or jim.crabbe@tacomanetwork.com. “