DIGITAL DIVIDE
Internet Access Gap Closing, But Other Inequities Remain (SJM)
Digital Divide Deepening in UK (BBC)
INTERNET
Political Meddling in the Internet Is on the Rise and Needs to End
(WSJ)
Pew Survey Shows Internet is Becoming Part of Everyday Life (NB)
ANTITRUST
Microsoft Outlines Next Move in Microsoft Case (WP)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
INTERNET ACCESS GAP CLOSING, BUT OTHER INEQUITIES REMAIN
Issue: Digital Divide
While recent research shows that more Americans than ever are online, those
numbers can be deceiving. Much of the focus so far has been on getting
Internet access to schools, libraries and community centers. Federal
programs like e-rate, funded through a telephone surcharge, have helped get
more than 95 percent of public libraries and 98 percent of public schools
wired. But a new study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project finds
that 12 percent of Internet users can only log on from work, a library or
some other place away from home. While overall home access reached 44
percent of the U.S. population in 2001, minorities and lower-income
Americans were less likely to have it, according to a recent Department of
Commerce. For example, half of blacks and Hispanics who use the Internet at
public libraries can't log on from home, compared with only 30 percent of
whites and 22 percent of Asians. The current criteria of measuring the
digital divide through access alone grew out of comparisons between the
Internet and the telephone -- a device with fewer functions, noted Andrew
Blau, a technology consultant who advises nonprofit groups. A better
approach, he said, is to compare Internet use with literacy. Comparing
access ``does a real disservice to understanding and seeing the real
issues,'' he said. ``We don't think, 'If everyone had a book, they would be
literate.'''
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury, AUTHOR: Associated Press]
(http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/2785589.htm)
DIGITAL DIVIDE DEEPENING IN UK
Issue: Digital Divide
A joint study by IBM and Local Futures reveals that new technologies are not
uniting Britain. Rather, the technologies are deepening divides between
urban and rural and rich and poor Britons. Paul Revell, IBM e-business
consultant, suggests that government imposed universal service mandates
could help alleviate the deepening divide. Another finding of the study is
that mobile phones, teleworking and laptops are often not a blessing for
employees. While many employers use technologies to encourage their
employees to work smarter not harder, there are companies taking advantage
of the fact that employees are always available. The authors of the study
suggest that it is time for the UK government to take bold action to ensure
that new technologies do not prove too disruptive to society. For further
information about this study see Local Futures at:
http://www.localfutures.com/.
[SOURCE: BBC News]
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1849000/1849343.stm)
INTERNET
POLITICAL MEDDLING IN THE INTERNET IS ON THE RISE AND NEEDS TO END
Issue: Internet
[Commentary] The Wall Street Journal's e-world columnist, Thomas Weber
points out the dangers in a recent flurry of proposed regulations for the
Internet and computers. Last week the House passed the Tauzin-Dingell bill,
legislation that would free the Baby Bells from having to give competitors
access to their networks. At the same time, the Copyright office is
considering a proposal that would penalize independent Web broadcasters by
forcing them to pay twice what traditional broadcasters pay in royalties to
record companies. Lastly, Sen. Hollings has proposed requirements that would
force computer makers to build copyright-protection into all PCs to protect
large entertainment and media companies. Weber is troubled that these
proposed regulations would have an important impact on the consumer, but it
seem consumer opinions are not being included in the debates.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR, Thomas E. Weber]
(http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB1015192154381628400,00.html?mod=todays%
5Fus%5Fmarketplace%5Fhs)
(Requires subscription)
PEW SURVEY SHOWS INTERNET IS BECOMING PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE
Issue: Internet
A new study released by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (PIP)
reveals that the Internet remains important to Americans. The novelty of
many applications, however, is fading. As Americans become more familiar
with the Internet, their use becomes more sophisticated and serious. Over
time, the Internet is simply integrated into the normal rhythms of life. The
survey also found little growth in "fun" activities. Searching for hobby
information, games and other diversionary activities are what most Internet
newcomers try first. The Internet is cutting into "real world" activities,
most notable in the decline of newspaper readership and shopping in stores.
Net users are instead choosing to conduct these activities online. Full
report is available at:
http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/toc.asp?Report=55.
[SOURCE: Newsbytes, AUTHOR: Kevin Featherly]
(http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/174928.html)
ANTITRUST
MICROSOFT OUTLINES NEXT MOVE IN MICROSOFT CASE
Issue: Antitrust
Microsoft is claiming that it will be impossible to create separate versions
of its newest consumer operating system, Windows XP, and the
business-oriented Windows 2000 according to demands of nine states. The
antitrust sanctions, sought by state prosecutors would require Microsoft
offer products with and without programs such as Internet Explorer.
Microsoft will argue that if these sanctions are granted, Microsoft will be
unable to develop new systems and will be forced to take its Windows XP and
Windows 2000 products off the market. Microsoft plans to argue that the
antitrust sanctions proposed by the states are designed to help Microsoft's
competitors, not to simply end the practices that Microsoft and a federal
appeals court agreed were anti-competitive. The states filing could pose the
greatest threat to Microsoft since the federal government attempted to break
up the company two years ago.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR, Jonathan Krim]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33198-2002Mar3.html)
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