Mirra_ Jun 23, 2009:

un conto è dire 'mettere in rete' riferito all'iniziativa di un singolo, come nel caso riportato da Jim. In questo csao si intende come da lui detto "far conoscere" e generalmente, inoltre, Internet è il metodo più efficace per mettere in rete questo tipo di informazioni.

Un altro (e *completamente* un altro, intendo) è dire che si vuole mettere in rete lE azionI localI. In questo caso si intende dire che si crea una connessione tra diversi gruppi/associazioni/etc, ovvero, si crea una "rete" che unisce (in maniera generalmente paritaria) diverse iniziative sociali.

James (Jim) Davis Jun 20, 2009:

I met this term some time ago (4-5 years). The architecture department of a large city asked me to translate their general plans about five years ago. When I asked why, he replied "vogliamo mettere in rete". He wanted to let the architects in cities throughout Europe and other people with an interest know what they were doing in his city. He wanted to broadcast the information in his professional community. Around that time I asked a trade unionist friend what it meant. The answer was to let everybody know, everybody being other organisations, groups, committees and what have you, with whom you have contact, either directly or indirectly. It is closely connected with the phrase "fare rete", another can of worms to translate.
I always connect "mettere in rete" with the very similar (clearly not with the same purpose) phrase to "battere cassa".

I think that when people talk about the internet, the word "online" is very popular in Italian, although obviously "in rete" is also used to refer to the web.

Meg Mullan Jun 20, 2009:

Having seen the other answers, I'd definitely check with your client! I can't be sure if it means "to make known" or "to create a network" in this context either could make sense, but mean completely different things.

Nadia Ayoub (asker) Jun 20, 2009:

Mirra This is exactly why I posted this question. I had researched the term, and found out that it could have a different meaning than "put on-line" but could not pinpoint the exact meaning. I was going to post it as a "non-pro" question! Thank you all for your help :)

Mirra_ Jun 20, 2009:

Tom everyone, when reading 'mettere in rete', is sure it is something dealing with an upload of files
but
if you read the rest of the Italian text, the idea of an uploading is reduced to a probability of 1% or even less.
Since it says "mettere in rete le azioni locali dirette all’accoglienza e all’inserimento abitativo degli immigrati" and it clearly deals with connecting different groups that care about migrants and their difficulties. Just this :)

Joseph Tein Jun 20, 2009:

various translations possible I wasn't familiar with this term, so when I check "per mettere in rete" on the internet I find millions of uses of this phrase. Some of them indeed look like they have to do with putting things on the internet; others appear to have the meaning of connecting or linking things (thus creating a different type of 'network'). Examples: " Parte il progetto per mettere in rete gli ambiti sociali." "E' on line un sito internet per mettere in rete le associazioni di Altamura: " ... and so on. There are many more.

Tom in London Jun 20, 2009:

I removed my suggestion ....since everyone seems to think this has nothing to do with the internet. I happen to think you're all wrong, but good luck to Nadia, who may still want to consider my suggestion anyway.