EDTECH
Deficits Hit Edtech Programs in Texas & California
DIGITAL DIVIDE
Bridging Baltimore's Digital Divide
Push to Raise Online Rates Hurts Blacks
OWNERSHIP
The Trouble with Corporate Radio
TELEPHONY
Will the Bells Crush Net Calling?
EDTECH
DEFICITS HIT EDTECH PROGRAMS IN TEXAS & CALIFORNIA
The governors of Texas and California have outlined plans to scale back
funding for educational technology in response to dwindling state budgets.
In California, Gov. Gray Davis is cutting $1.1 million from the Digital
California Project (DCP), a statewide initiative to bring high-speed
Internet access to public schools via the Internet2 program. DCP already has
already sustained an $11 million reduction in funding. Texas Gov. Rick Perry
has proposed a restructuring of the state's Telecommunications
Infrastructure Fund (TIF) - a $1.5 billion initiative that has helped equip
hundreds of Texas schools, hospitals, and libraries with technology. Many
other states are contemplating changes in education funding as a way to meet
increasing budget deficits.
[SOURCE: eSchool News, AUTHOR: Corey Murray]
(http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStory.cfm?ArticleID=4256)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
PUSH TO RAISE ONLINE RATES HURTS BLACKS
[Commentary] Federal Communication Commission Chairman Michael Powell's
plans could slow the bridging of the digital divide, according to Thomas W.
Dortch Jr. Last week, Powell unsuccessfully tried to push through rules at
the FCC that might have raised prices and driven out of business small phone
companies -- the ones most likely to cater to African-American communities.
Dortch fears that the chairman is "responding to the special-interest
monopolies, not to the needs of communities."
[SOURCE: Detroit Free Press, AUTHOR: Thomas W. Dortch Jr.]
(http://www.freep.com/voices/columnists/edort26_20030226.htm)
BRIDGING BALTIMORE'S DIGITAL DIVIDE WITH HP'S DIGITAL VILLAGE AWARDS
The Baltimore Digital Village, sponsored in part by Hewlett-Packard, will
award a computer and all-in-one printer/scanner/fax machine to five
residents of the city's East Baltimore Empowerment Zone, making them the
first of 300 residents to receive awards through HP's Residential Access
Program. "We are pleased to present these residents with their new computers
today, because it is their dedication to the Baltimore Digital Village that
empowers the rest of the community to engage in technologic advancement,"
said Shelonda Stokes, Baltimore Digital Village program manager. The
empowerment zone focuses on community and economic development by building a
community network of participants and providers, supporting education, local
businesses and community services.
[SOURCE: Baltimore Times]
(http://www.btimes.com/News/article/article.asp?NewsID=23149&sID=4)
OWNERSHIP
THE TROUBLE WITH CORPORATE RADIO: THE DAY THE PROTEST MUSIC DIED
[Commentary] Brent Staples wonders who will play the protest music now that
large media corporations have bought most small and independent radio
stations. Staples remembers the powerful Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
antiwar anthem, "Ohio," that responded to tragedy at Kent State University
in the spring of 1970. Today, he speculates, a similar song would not get
played on the corporate radio stations that dominate the dial.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Brent Staples]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/20/opinion/20THU4.html?ex=1047232807&ei=1&en
=a686845b97376e5c)
TELEPHONY
WILL THE BELLS CRUSH NET CALLING?
[Commentary] Internet telephony has increased in popularity, comprising some
10 percent of all international calls. Despite the existence of this
low-cost, high-quality alternative, not everyone is excited for its future.
The local Bell companies are lobbying the FCC for regulations that would
impose a hefty charge for Internet calls, also known as "voice over IP." Sue
Ashdown argues that this would set a "chilling precedent" since the Bells
only show interest in new Web technologies when smaller start-ups and
entrepreneurs enter the market. Instead of using their market share to offer
a cheaper alternative, however, the Bells choose to eliminate their
competition through political influence.
[SOURCE: CNET News, AUTHOR: Sue Ashdown]
(http://news.com.com/2010-1069-985856.html?tag=fd_nc_1)
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