DIGITAL DIVIDE
U.S. Program Takes Technology to Underdeveloped Nations (Cybertimes)
A Family Bridges The Digital Divide (WP)
EDTECH
Fairfax Schools Seek More Computer Technicians (WP)
INTERNET
States to Consider Flurry of Internet Bills (Cyber)
Start-Up Pitches Free High-Speed Net Access (USA)
Indie Films Find the Web a Good Ally (Cyber)
RADIO
CNET Expected to Announce Major Deal With Radio Concern (WSJ)
CABLE
An Open Letter To WTTG-Fox Channel 5 Vice-President and General
manager, Laureen Ong(WP)
TELECOMMUTING
OSHA Covers At-Home Workers (WP)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
U.S. PROGRAM TAKES TECHNOLOGY TO UNDEVELOPED NATIONS
Issue: Digital Divide/International
The Global Technology Corps (www.globaltechcorps.org), a small division of
the State Department, is taking on the technology gap between third world
and developed countries. The program runs mostly on donated equipment and
volunteers. Working through embassies, in less than two years the small
staff has engaged in more than a dozen projects. In Poland, for example, two
volunteers from North Carolina spent two weeks training officials on how to
use technology to better plan for and respond to disasters. Neil Chase, a
journalism student in Northwestern University, worked in Honduras helping
the National Autonomous University of Honduras develop a plan for
integrating the Internet and computers into its journalism program by
writing a plan to bring the Internet both to the college and the country
through computers in public places. "Basically, I left them with a proposal
that said for a reasonable amount of money, you can get started. Here is how
you do it," Chase said. While the program has had little trouble finding
experts to volunteer their time, getting equipment is more of a challenge,
officials running the program said.
[SOURCE: CyberTimes, AUTHOR: Jerry Clausing]
(http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/01/cyber/articles/04volunteers.html)
A FAMILY BRIDGES THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Issue: Digital Divide
Bianca Floyd is credited with paving the way online for her family. Bianca's
orientation to computers in the 1980's led her from participation in
electronic bulletin boards to building Web sites and her own weekly column
in the Chronicle of Higher Education. But she has also translated her
experience into a benefit for her extended family - nine siblings, 18 nieces
and nephews. She buys computers at discount stores, performs the needed
upgrades and gives them to family who have subsequently found their own
outlets and interests on the Internet. Kathy Floyd, for example, is getting
her master's degree in organizational management via University of Phoenix
online classes.
[SOURCE: Washington Post (E1), AUTHOR: Jacqueline L. Salmon]
(http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/feed/a1899-2000jan4.htm)
EDTECH
FAIRFAX SCHOOLS SEEK MORE COMPUTER TECHNICIANS
Issue: EdTech
Under a proposed ruling Fairfax County schools would buy fewer classroom
computers and instead spend more money on hiring technical specialists to
keep the machines running and to assist teachers in using the technology.
The district's technology plan for the upcoming fiscal year calls for
purchasing only 2,700 new computers, compared with the 8,000 the school
system bought in the current fiscal year. The number of technology
specialists would increase from 41 to 114. The shift is deemed necessary by
the county because the increase in the number of school computers is
outpacing schools' ability to install and maintain the equipment and to
ensure that it is being properly used in classrooms, school officials said.
[SOURCE: Washington Post (B1), AUTHOR: Victoria Benning]
(http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/feed/a1934-2000jan4.htm)
INTERNET
STATES TO CONSIDER FLURRY OF INTERNET BILLS
Issue: Internet
When state legislators return to work in the coming weeks, Internet policy
debates are likely to take place in capitols across the country. The
Internet Alliance predicts that there will be more than 2,000 state-level
Internet-related bills in the coming session. Many of the debates will
mirror those that have been going on in Congress for the last year. "But at
the state level, they tend to move much faster," said Jeff Richards,
executive director of the Internet Alliance, a Washington-based trade
association. A top issue for many states will be discussing how to protect
their tax bases from electronic commerce. Another popular issue for both
state and federal lawmakers is Internet content, specifically attempts to
limit access to adult sites. "State legislatures often feel they want to
challenge federal lawmakers on constitutional issues," Richards said. "So if
there is a place in America where the content issue is debated, it tends to
be in the states. They want to push the envelope."
[SOURCE: CyberTimes, AUTHOR: Jeri Clausing]
(http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/01/cyber/articles/04capital.html)
START-UP PITCHES FREE HIGH-SPEED NET ACCESS
Issue: Internet/Broadband
Broadband Digital Group says it will offer the service known as digital
subscriber lines (DSL)--the fast Internet connection offered by phone
companies--for free. Such broadband services permit fluid video, better
audio and faster connections. They typically cost at least $40 a month
compared with $20 for regular Internet access. This marks the first free
high-speed Internet access in the growing but still unprofitable market for
free Internet hookups. The company expects to generate revenue by having
consumers fill out surveys and targeting them with personalized, pricier ads
in addition to showing TV-style ads. Consumers nationwide can register at
www.freedsl.com and the service is expected to launch in April.
[SOURCE: USA Today (1B), AUTHOR: Paul Davidson]
(http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20000104/1812059s.htm)
INDIE FILMS FIND THE WEB A GOOD ALLY
Issue: Internet/Film
Many independent filmmakers are hoping that the Web will allow them to
bypass Hollywood and reach viewers directly or drum up huge publicity, as
seen with "The Blair Witch Project." While most filmmakers will never see
the kind of success of "The Blair Witch Project," some experts predict that
the Internet will have a profound effect on the movie business. New digital
video technology and Internet distribution sharply reduce the cost of making
and distributing independent films. "As you lower the bar, more voices can
be heard and be profitable," said Ray Price, president of American Zoetrope,
the studio owned by Francis Ford Coppola. One way around the technical
limits of the Internet is to use it to sell videocassettes. "We're
sidestepping the whole movie business," said Sam Sokolow, a fledgling
filmmaker who has sold more than 800 copies of his first film on Amazon.com.
"I don't need Hollywood anymore to have 35 million people take a look."
[SOURCE: CyberTimes, AUTHOR: Andrew Pollack]
(http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/01/biztech/articles/04indi.html)
RADIO
CNET EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE MAJOR DEAL WITH RADIO CONCERN
Issue: Radio
CNet, a San Francisco-based technology news company, is expected to announce
a deal with AMFM to create an all-tech radio format designed to extend its
reach well beyond the Internet. The radio deal marks the latest chapter in
CNET's push to combine the Web with more traditional media outlets. CNET is
best-known for its network of Web sites that focus on technology news and
reviews. "The Internet part of the company has been a home run, because
growth has been on the side of Web businesses," said co-founder and chief
executive Halsey Minor. "But I have never been a purist . . . and have never
ruled out any medium."
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal (), AUTHOR: Kara Swisher]
(http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB946946999852223389.htm)
"AN OPEN LETTER TO WTTG-FOX CHANNEL 5 VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER,
LAUREEN ONG"
Issue: Television
[Open Letter] In an open letter to WTTG-Fox Channel 5 Vice President and
General Manager Laureen Ong, Gary McCullum points out that Cox
Communications has not received permission from WTTG-Fox Channel-5 to carry
its local station on Cox's cable system. By law, Cox must have Fox's consent
to carry Fox Channel 5. "I Think it is absolutely shameful that your
Corporate Fox office would penalize our customers in Northern Virginia and
hold them hostage in order to satisfy their national business interests.
These interests are centered on Fox's unreasonable demand that every Cox
Cable system across the nation carry two new Fox channels regardless of what
the customers in those systems want. It is equally shameful that they have
rejected every reasonable and flexible Cox offer. We have repeatedly
requested an extension of the existing agreement so our customers would not
be penalized. Your Fox corporate officers have continues to say NO!"
McCullum sees an easy solution, "There is a simple remedy: Let's get
together and handle this for what it really is: A local issue. I want to
work with you directly instead of dealing with Fox corporate officers in Los
Angeles or New York who appear unconcerned about our local customers. You
Want carriage of Fox Sportsworld and Fx Movies on our digital line up and I
remain willing to commit to this in Northern Virginia, assuming these are
channels that out local customers want and are willing to pay for."
[SOURCE: Washington Post (C7), AUTHOR: Gary McCullum, vice president and
general manager of Cox Communications Northern Virginia]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com)
See Also:
FAIRFAX SUPERVISOR URGES COX, FOX TO TRY 'COOLING OFF'
[SOURCE: Washington Post (B1), AUTHOR: William Branigin & Peter Pae]
(http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/metro/A654-2000Jan3.html)
TELECOMMUTING
OSHA COVERS AT-HOME WORKERS
Issue: Telecommuting
Companies are responsible for federal health and safety violations that
occur at the home work sites of telecommuters--employees that work out of
their homes--according to a Labor Department advisory. The decision covers
an estimated 19.6 million adult workers who regularly telecommute from their
homes, in addition to millions more who work at home occasionally. The
advisory, while not a proposed rule, is a declaration of existing policy the
agency deems already to be in effect. The decision means that employers are
responsible for equipping an employee has ergonomically correct furniture;
proper lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems in the home
office; any needed training to comply with OSHA standards, including making
sure the home work space has emergency medical plans and a first-aid kit.
Gail Martin, executive director of the D.C.-based International Telework
Association, which promotes telecommuting, said she worries that the new
OSHA interpretation could pose "one more barrier" to telecommuting. "This is
nuts. They're trying to match a 30-year-old law with a year 2000 work
force," said Pat Cleary, vice president of human resources policies at the
National Association of Manufacturers.
[SOURCE: Washington Post (A1), AUTHOR: Frank Swoboda & Kirstin Downey]
(http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A955-2000Jan3.html)
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