Corporate
WSJ: US West to Split Into Two Companies
NYT: Fight Tests Boundaries On Software Operations
FCC
Telecom AM: Burns Red Lights Vote On Nominees
Technology
NYT: Plan Calls for Computers To Run New York Subways
NYT: Net Day Volunteers Back to Wire Schools for Internet
** Corporate **
Title: US West to Split Into Two Companies
Source: Wall Street Journal (A3)
http://wsj.com/
Author: Steven Lipin
Issue: Convergence
Description: The one Baby Bell that has expanded aggressively into cable --
US West -- will reportedly split their cable and telephony ventures into
separate companies with separate boards and operations. Solomon Trujillo,
CEO of US West Communications, will head the new telephone business to be
called US West, Inc. The cable company will be called MediaOne Group and
will be headed by Charles Lillis. Lipin writes that the split underscores
that "the much-sought-after convergence between the two industries failed to
materialize."
Title: Fight Tests Boundaries On Software Operations
Source: New York Times (D5)
http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/102797soft.html
Author: Laurie J. Flynn
Issue: Legal Issues
Description: At the heart of the Justice Department's complaint, filed with
Microsoft last week, is "Just what features do belong in a computer
operating system?" The answer to this question could have a far-reaching
impact on not only Microsoft's fundamental strategies for improving its
software systems, but on the software industry as a whole as it works to
improve connections between systems and to the Internet.
** FCC **
Title: Burns Red Lights Vote On Nominees
Source: Telecom A.M.
http://tpg( at )cappubs.com
Issue: FCC
Description: Due to concerns about the opinion of FCC chairman nominee
William Kennard concerning the universal service fund, Sen. Conrad Burns
temporarily delayed approval of the four nominees. Burns concern is the
25-75 split of the burden on the service whereby the states will be
responsible for 75% of the fund, with the fed. gov't. taking up the
remaining 25%. Burns said in a statement, "I strongly believe that it was
not the intent of Congress that the structure of the universal service lead
to higher telephone bills. A 25-75 split to me is unacceptable."
** Technology **
Title: Plan Calls for Computers To Run New York Subways
Source: New York Times (A24)
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/national/nyc-subways.html
Author: Andy Newman
Issue: Technology
Description: In an effort to improve New York City's subway system, "the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to buy a communications system
that would allow computers rather than people, to drive and dispatch the
trains." With less opportunities available for human error, the authority
hopes that the trains will be able to run faster and more frequently.
Title: Net Day Volunteers Back to Wire Schools for Internet
Source: New York Times/CyberTimes (10/25/97)
http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/102597netday.html
Author: Amy Harmon
Issue: Education Technology
Description: Oct. 25, 1997 is being observed as "Net Day", a volunteer
effort to wire the nation's schools for Internet access. It's also a chance
to experiment with the effects that Internet access can have on student
performance and the graduation rate. 150 hi-tech companies have donated $27
million to connect 450 schools to the global computer network. The
educational value of the Internet is being called into question at a time
when many of the nation's students can't solve basic math problems.
Supporters say that the benefits will be realized, only if teachers have the
time and financial backing. They also argue that the Internet can foster a
more constructive approach to learning. The issue, according to some
educators, is how an educational system must change to teach the skills
required for the age of information. Larry Cuban, an education professor at
Stanford Univ. who's scorned the 'Net as the classroom filmstrip of the
'90's, said, "All the hoopla around the Internet obscures the deeper and
more important issues of learning, about how you teach kids to acquire the
basic skills to think independently."
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