UNIVERSAL SERVICE & ACCESS
Program To Wire Schools To Internet Gets Support (WSJ)
EdLinc Story Shows E-Rate Is a Success (EdLinc)
E-Rate Funding (FCC)
E-Rate Funding (NTIA)
Guidelines Aim To Make Web Accessible To The Disabled (CyberTimes)
INTERNET
Parents To Get Help Screening Out Internet's
"Dark Corners" (ChiTrib)
Forbes Campaign Site Offered Too Much Interactivity,
Report Says (CyberTimes)
The ABCs of Web Hosting for Business (WP)
Hello, You've Got Phone! (WSJ)
Online Auctions Set Up To Help Kosovo Aid Effort (SJ Merc)
FIRST AMENDMENT/FREE SPEECH
For John McCain, Mum's the Word on Free Speech (ChiTrib)
MERGERS
AT&T Poised to Regain Long Reach (WP)
Consumers Wonder If AT&T Deal Will Cut Prices (WSJ)
MCI WorldCom Won't Acquire Nextel (WP)
SATELLITES
International Satellite Reform Bill Approved by Committee (Senate)
BUDGET/LEGISLATION
Federal Budgets for IT Are Expected to Climb (WP)
NTIA Reauthorization Act of 1999 (House)
Access to Buildings and Facilities by Telecommunications Providers
(House)
TELEVISION
Residents Watched On TV as the Tornadoes Neared (NYT)
NEWSPAPERS
USA Today To Run Ads On Front Page (NYT)
ARTS
Touring the Museum with A Small PC to Serve As A Guide (NYT)
UNIVERSAL SERVICE & ACCESS
PROGRAM TO WIRE SCHOOLS TO INTERNET GETS SUPPORT
Issue: Universal Service/Erate
It appears that William Kennard, Chairman of the Federal Communications
Commission, has received sufficient support to push through a plan to
increase funding for a program to wire schools and libraries. Two of the
other four commissioners -- Susan Ness and Gloria Tristani - are likely to
back the chairman's plan to raise the program's budget by about $1 billion a
year. The E-rate program, as it's called, uses tax money from telecommunications
companies to help school and libraries in underserved areas get connected to
the Internet. Congressional Republicans, who are eager to reduce the
program's spending, claim that customers will have higher phone bills as
result of the increased tax. A FCC official, however, explained that phone
companies will soon receive a $1.1 billion cut in the access charges they
pay local phone companies and should not have to raise customer charges to
pay for the E-rate
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal (A6), AUTHOR: Wall Street Journal Staff Reporter]
(http://wsj.com)
See also:
SCHOOL INTERNET DISCOUNTS SLATED FOR MORE MONEY -- AND DISSENSION
[SOURCE: Washington Post (E3), AUTHOR: John Schwartz]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/feed/business925984996584.htm)
EDLINC STUDY SHOWS E-RATE IS A SUCCESS
Issue: Universal Service/ERate
From EdLinc News Release: The E-rate program is playing a pivotal role in
bringing technology to the nation's children and lifelong learners and is
supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans, according to a new poll
commissioned by the members of the Education and Library Networks Coalition
(EdLiNC). The poll was included in a new report entitled, "E-rate:
Connecting Kids and Communities to the Future," and demonstrates the
important catalytic role the E-rate is playing in bringing affordable access
to telecommunications and advanced services in schools and libraries.
Eighty-seven percent of the public support the introduction of information
technology into the nation's schools and libraries, according to the poll of
1,000 households by Lake, Snell, Perry & Associates and the Tarrance Group.
An overwhelming majority of respondents (87%) support continuing discounts
to needy schools and libraries and think that Internet access in schools and
libraries will improve educational opportunities for all Americans (83%).
The study was presented to FCC Chairman William Kennard at a press briefing
by representatives from national education and library associations.
More information is available from (http://www.edlinc.org)
(http://erateaction.policy.net/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=17200)
E-RATE FUNDING
Issue: Universal Service/Erate
Two related items: Chairman Kennard's Announcement on E-Rate Funding
(http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Miscellaneous/News_Releases/1999/nrmc9025.html)
and Chairman Kennard's Remarks at the EdLiNC Press Conference in Washington
(DC) (http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Kennard/spwek917.html). Noting the receipt
of 32,000 applications seeking over $2.4 billion in e-rate discounts for the
coming year, William E. Kennard, chairman of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), announced his recommendation to the Commission to fund the
second year of the e-rate to the established $2.25 billion cap. In his
remarks, Chairman Kennard made three points. Funding to the recommended
level: 1) Will allow the FCC to fund all eligible applicants at some level,
while keeping the prioritization of e-rate funding on the poorest and most
rural schools; 2) Will protect rural schools and libraries requesting
funding for internal connections; 3) Will not raise consumers' bills, if
balanced against access charge reductions which go into effect July 1. "With
the increase in demand, funding to the cap will enable us to continue the
work of this past year," Chairman Kennard said. "Just as in Year One, all
schools and libraries that apply this year will receive funding for Internet
access and telecommunications services. And just as in Year One, we are
keeping the focus on funding for internal connections on the poorest and
most rural schools. By following this course, we will be able to wire over
528,000 classrooms to the Internet. If we meet this high demand, we will be
able to help schools that teach 40 million American children." "The only way
to make sure rural schools are not left on the other side of the digital
divide is to fund the e-rate to the cap," Chairman Kennard added. Sixty-five
percent of rural schools and libraries that applied for e-rate funding for
Year Two are in the 70 percent discount level and would not receive
discounts without funding at the $2.25 billion level. "It is also important
to note," he said, "that this effort is one that we can afford. As we have
done over the past two years, we are both restructuring and reducing costs
borne by America's long-distance carriers. So, even with funding the e-rate
to its cap, they will have almost a half-billion dollars which can be - and
should be - used to further reduce long-distance rates. I would expect that
companies will flow these reductions through to their customers." Chairman
Kennard announced his recommendation to the Commission at an event sponsored
by EdLiNC, a coalition of education and library organizations, and attended
by telecommunications and computer industry representatives. At the event
EdLiNC presented Chairman Kennard with a report which documented the
e-rate's success in connecting both urban and rural schools and libraries to
the Internet. Last year, $1.7 billion in e-rate discounts went to over
80,000 schools and libraries.
[SOURCE: FCC]
(http://www.fcc.gov)
E-RATE FUNDING
Issue: Universal Service
Statement of Sec of Commerce William Daley: I applaud Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Chairman William Kennard's announcement that the Commission
will consider full funding for the E-rate program for schools and libraries
during this second year of the program. We cannot overestimate the
importance of access to the Information Age tools required to succeed in
this global economy, not only for K-12 students, but also for adults who use
libraries and schools after-hours. Tomorrow's economy will demand
technological literacy - the E-rate is an important step to ensure that our
economy grows strongly and that in the future no one is left behind. I am
pleased to hear that Chairman Kennard has also announced that the FCC will
be looking at the Department of Commerce proposal to tie E-rate funding to a
requirement that a plan be in place to protect children while accessing the
Internet. The Commerce Department's own "Falling Through the Net" studies
have demonstrated that a growing "digital divide" has arisen between
Americans with access to new technologies and those without it. The E-rate
program will help address this gap. The Commission's continued emphasis on
priority funding for rural and poor schools and libraries will also help
bridge this divide. Greater access to the Internet creates more users with
better skills and greater demand for services. An American public that is
increasingly skilled in and knowledgeable about technology can translate
into increased business opportunities, as well as a more skilled workforce
for telecommunications and information companies. The specialized provision
of these E-rate services also generates new market opportunities for small
and established telecommunications and information technology businesses.
The telecommunications and information technology industries are among this
nation's most important and fastest-growing economic sectors.
Telecommunications service and equipment revenues alone have grown by more
than sixty percent between 1993 and 1998. Clearly, the E-rate program for
schools and libraries is a small investment that will yield a large dividend
for the future of America's children.
[SOURCE: NTIA]
(http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/erate5599.htm)
GUIDELINES AIM TO MAKE WEB ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISABLED
Issue: Accessibility
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), an international Internet standards
group, has just announced guidelines
(http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/WAI-WEBCONTENT-19990505/) on how to develop Web
sites that are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The guidelines,
which contain 14 major principles for accessible design for Web designers,
emphasize the importance of making a text alternative available on sites
that contain audio or images. This is essential for browsers for the blind,
which can only read words, and not pictures, on a page. "The Web is such a
critically important information resource that we have to make sure it does
not shut people out," said Judy Brewer, director of W3C's Web accessibility
project. The W3C guidelines are only voluntary recommendations, but the
group hopes they will have a broad impact on the industry.
[SOURCE: CyberTimes, AUTHOR: Pamela Mendels]
(http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/05/cyber/articles/06access.html)
INTERNET
PARENTS TO GET HELP SCREENING OUT INTERNET'S 'DARK CORNERS'
Issue: Media & Children
"We understand that the Internet, this stunning technology, gives children
and families access to an incredible world of information. Like life itself,
most of it is great. But there are some dark corners, some free-fire zones
and red light districts in cyberspace from which children must be
protected," said Vice President Gore in unveiling the Parents' Protection
Page, a feature developed by a coalition of Internet companies that will
help parents provide children with a safer online experience. The page will
provide tools to parents so they can filter what their kids see, report
online trouble, find good content, and protect their children's privacy.
"When it comes to the Internet, too many parents now feel like they're faced
with a false choice, between unplugging that computer in the family room or
spending every single moment looking over their child's shoulder to make
sure they're not wandering into some dangerous on-line alleyway," Vice
President Gore said. He called the "one click away" resource a "third
choice, a better
way." The Parents' Protection Page is expected to be available in July.
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune (Sec 1, p.4), AUTHOR: Frank James]
(http://chicagotribune.com/textversion/article/0,1492,SAV-9905060174,00.html)
FORBES CAMPAIGN SITE OFFERED TOO MUCH INTERACTIVITY, REPORT SAYS
Issue: Politics
Laura Painter, content manager at political publication evote.com, found a
slip-up in Steve Forbe's Web site when she was researching a story. A heading
on the site labeled "Bulk E-Mail" linked to a form letter designed for the
campaign staff to send as bulk e-mail to Forbes supporters. Although the Forbes
campaign reported that the page was inactive, Painter claims that anyone with
rudimentary Internet skills could have sent an email to Forbes supporters in
the campaign's name. Juleanna Glover Weis, a spokesperson for Forbes's campaign
said Web designers had moved the page from their secure section to the public
area in order to test software. The "Bulk E-Mail' page was taken offline on
Wednesday.
[SOURCE: CyberTimes, AUTHOR: Rebecca Fairley Raney]
(http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/05/cyber/articles/06forbes.html)
THE ABCS OF WEB HOSTING FOR BUSINESS
Issue: Electronic Commerce
Yes, Mr. or Ms. Business Owner, you need guidance on where to start when you
want to create a site on the Web. This article offers some personal advice.
Issues to explore with potential Web hosting companies (or more likely with
a consultant who helps a business choose) include the price, the amount of
capacity the company provides to each site it hosts, the extra services and
breadth of features offered, and the scope of the host company's connection
to the Internet. You may need information on: 1) Local Internet service
providers, 2) Free business pages, 3) Cyber-malls, 4) Basic Web hosting, 5)
Advanced Web hosting, and 6) Dedicated hosting.
[SOURCE: Washington Post (E4), AUTHOR: Leslie Walker]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/feed/business925984998594.htm)
HELLO, YOU'VE GOT PHONE!
Issue: Internet
Most residential Internet users must juggle their Web wanderings and
telephone use over the same single phone line into the home. An Oregon-based
company, eFusion, is providing a new technology that could make it easier
for Web surfers to manage multiple communication needs. Dubbed "Internet
call-waiting," eFusion's service allows users to receive alerts on their
computers about incoming phone calls. Users have the choice of ignoring the
call, forwarding it to voice mail, or even conducting a normal voice
conversation through the computer. This service, which is still only
available in a few markets, generally costs between $4.95 and $9.95 a month.
Local phone providers, while interested in the new technology, have been
slow to roll out eFusion's service because of the large initial investments
required.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal (B6), AUTHOR: Nick Wingfield]
(http://wsj.com)
ONLINE AUCTIONS SET UP TO HELP KOSOVO AID EFFORT
Issue: Internet/Philanthropy
All the major Internet gateways have created charity auctions for Kosovo,
with the money earmarked for the American Red Cross for its work in the
Balkans. The Red Cross has received $26,000 so far from auctions run by
Yahoo and has expressed delight by the innovative effort by the electronic
community. Up and running for less than a month, the Yahoo sites have offered
more than 400 items to its charity bidders and closed bidding on more than
150. The Red Cross has also benefited by having its Web site posted on all
the auction sites for people who want to donate directly. [The Red Cross
site is (http://www.redcross.org).]
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Maria Recio]
(http://www.mercurycenter.com/svtech/news/indepth/docs/auction06.htm)
FIRST AMENDMENT/FREE SPEECH
FOR JOHN MCCAIN, MUM'S THE WORD ON FREE SPEECH
Issue: First Amendment
[Commentary] Chapman's column skewers a Member of Congress that journalists,
he says, just adore, Sen John McCain (R-AZ). The senator has a long history
of letting his wide-ranging conscience be our guide, Chapman writes and adds
that the only common thread through Sen McCain's causes is a disregard for
the value of free expression. "He has consistently treated the 1st Amendment
as nothing more than a stumbling block in the way of his political,
so-called solutions," says Laura W. Murphy, director of the Washington
national office of the American Civil Liberties Union. Chapman concludes
that Sen McCain has the wrong answer when it comes to respecting the flag,
campaign finance reform, reducing smoking, and filtering Internet site:
"Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once wrote that in a free society, the
correct remedy for dangerous speech is not to stifle it but to answer it.
McCain, however, hears sweet music in the sounds of silence."
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune (Sec 1, p.29), AUTHOR: Steve Chapman]
(http://chicagotribune.com/textversion/article/0,1492,SAV-9905060074,00.html)
MERGERS
AT&T POISED TO REGAIN LONG REACH
Issue: Merger/Broadband
With the biggest deal to date in a series of communications mergers, AT&T
moved a step closer to providing Americans with a full menu of advanced
electronic services -- Internet access, cable TV, telephone service -- over
a single wire into their homes. The complex $58 billion deal to buy cable TV
company MediaOne (and its 5 million cable customers) announced yesterday
also included side agreements with cable giant Comcast, which had been a
competitor for the MediaOne property. AT&T foresees being able to send
phone, TV and computer service all over one wire and being charged on
one bill. AT&T Chief Executive C. Michael Armstrong promised yesterday that
in about 18 months his company will start offering discounts of as much as
25% on "bundles" of service. AT&T will own all or part of the TV cables
reaching 60% of US homes. AT&T also owns a majority in cable Internet
provider AtHome and under the agreement will get 50% management interest in
AtHome's chief rival, Roadrunner. AT&T, once the local phone service
provider to most homes, is reestablishing direct connections with a majority
of consumers. Attracted by this huge portfolio, Microsoft is close to
investing $5 billion in AT&T for as much as a 3% stake, sources said
yesterday. Gene Kimmelman, co-director of Consumers Watch, said, "If the
government can't block this set of transactions under antitrust law, it
might as well close shop."
[SOURCE: Washington Post (A1), AUTHOR: Paul Farhi]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/daily/may99/att6.htm)
See also:
AT&T CHIEF'S PLAN CAPPED BY DEAL FOR MEDIAONE
[SOURCE: Washington Post (E1), AUTHOR: Ianthe Jeanne Dugan]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/digest/daily/may99/deal6.htm)
MA BELL'S PLAN IS TO SERVE UP TV, PHONE VIA CABLE
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal (B1), AUTHOR: Rebecca Blumenstein and Leslie
Cauley]
(http://wsj.com)
CONCERNS ARE RAISED AS AT&T PURSUES A LINK WITH MICROSOFT
[SOURCE: New York Times (A1), AUTHOR: Seth Schiesel]
(http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/05/biztech/articles/06cable.html)
AT&T, RIVAL DO BUSINESS, NOT BATTLE
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune (Sec 3, p.1), AUTHOR: Tim Jones]
(http://chicagotribune.com/textversion/article/0,1492,ART-28074,00.html)
CONSUMERS WONDER IF AT&T DEAL WILL CUT PRICES
Issue: Merger
The 1996 Telecommunications Act promised to bring widespread competition,
increased consumer choice, and lower prices to consumers. Now, more than two
years since the bill's passage, there appears to be more industry
consolidation than ever. The most prominent example is AT&T, which is
gobbling up both phone and cable companies, at an increasing feverish pace.
AT&T's proposed buyout of MediaOne cable represents the long distance
company's growing hold on both entertainment and communications services.
Consumer advocates fear that decreased competition will result in fewer
choices and higher prices for the public. "We're down to two competitors at
best," says Mark Cooper of the Consumer Federation of America. "There are
two wires into the home and both want to be a private toll road."There is a
strong concern that AT&T is reverting to its monopolistic roots, which lead
to the Justice Department's break up of the original company only 15 years
ago.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal (B11), AUTHOR: Stephanie Mehta]
(http://wsj.com)
See also:
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU: AT&T CABLE DEAL
[SOURCE: ZDNet AnchorDesk, AUTHOR: Jesse Berst]
(http://www.anchordesk.com/a/adt0506ba/3357)
MCI WORLDCOM WON'T ACQUIRE NEXTEL
Issue: Wireless
MCI WorldCom and Nextel Communications have ended talks on a possible
merger, failing to reach agreement on price. MCI WorldCom, according to
analysts, determined that in addition to the cost of the acquisition they
would need to make a significant investment to upgrade and expand Nextel's
wireless network. Nextel would have filled a hole in the MCI WorldCom
portfolio. Nextel is the last independent US wireless firm with a national
network, and MCI WorldCom's main competitors -- AT&T and Sprint -- have
healthy wireless businesses. Neither Nextel nor MCI WorldCom would confirm
negotiations or comment on the reports.
[SOURCE: Washington Post (E1), AUTHOR: Sarah Schafer]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/daily/may99/nextel6.htm)
SATELLITES
INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE REFORM BILL APPROVED BY COMMITTEE
Issue: Satellite/Broadcasting
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved by voice
vote the Open-market Reorganization for the Betterment of International
Telecommunications (ORBIT) bill, S.376. Senators Conrad Burns (R-MT), John
Breaux (D-LA), John McCain (R-AZ) and Fritz Hollings (D-SC) offered a
comprehensive substitute to S.376 that was adopted to address the concerns
of Senators Breaux and Hollings. The substitute maintains all core
provisions and policy underpinnings of the original bill. The bill would
amend the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 to promote competition and
privatization in satellite communications. "This is a very significant step
for an issue that will involve much of the future of telecommunications,
particularly the delivery of advanced telecommunications services in rural
and underserved areas," Burns said. "I want to commend Chairman McCain for
his work on the bill, and Senators Breaux and Hollings who have brought many
important revisions to the table. "ORBIT would require the pro-competitive
privatization of INTELSAT and transform COMSAT into a commercial entity, no
longer receiving the benefits associated with INTELSAT-signatory status. The
Administration would seek to privatize INTELSAT by January 1, 2002, by
following a framework outlined in the bill. The Administration would use
that framework in the negotiation process. Once INTELSAT is privatized, the
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) would make sure the framework was
implemented in a pro-competitive manner. The Administration would be
required to report to Congress on its progress.
[SOURCE: US Senate]
(http://www.senate.gov/~commerce/press/106-52.htm)
BUDGET/LEGISLATION
FEDERAL BUDGETS FOR IT ARE EXPECTED TO CLIMB
Issue: Budget Issues
Federal spending on information technology will grow by $1.2 billion
nationwide in fiscal 2000, a strong 4% increase over this year's total.
According to the Office of Management and Budget, the expected rise would
bring IT spending nationwide to $34 billion in the next fiscal year, which
doesn't include $3.4 billion for Y2K expenses. Defense IT spending will go
up by 3% after two years with no increases. Because of it efforts to upgrade
the air traffic control system, the Department of Transportation leads
civilian agencies with a 29% increase.
[SOURCE: Washington Post (E8), AUTHOR: Peter Behr]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/feed/business925985003625.htm)
NTIA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999
Issue: Legislation/Budget Issues
Tuesday, May 11, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern) in 2123 Rayburn House Office
Building Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection
hearing on the NTIA Reauthorization Act of 1999.
[SOURCE: House of Representatives]
(http://www.house.gov/commerce/schedule.htm)
ACCESS TO BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES BY TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS
Issue: Competition
Thursday, May 13, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) in 2322 Rayburn House Office
Building Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection
hearing on Access to Buildings and Facilities by Telecommunications Providers.
[SOURCE: House of Representatives]
(http://www.house.gov/commerce/schedule.htm)
TELEVISION
RESIDENTS WATCHED ON TV AS THE TORNADOES NEARED
Issue: Television/Disaster Info
Television is sited as a major factor in both the preparedness of the Oklahoma
City tornado victims as well as helping them through the storm. Oklahoma is
distinguished by its decades of tornado preparedness education -- through
schools, public seminars, TV, and radio programs. During the storm many turned
on the TV to watch the storm and were able to see when it was time to go for
cover: "We were watching it on TV and they said, OK, the twister's now passing
Penn Avenue, which is a little ways away from here, so I could go outside and
look up and see it coming," said an Oklahoma resident. The storm tracking that
was crucial on Monday is a result of improved computer models and radar systems
that have been improved in recent years. When Gary England, meteorologist for
CBS affiliate, KWTV, first began forecasting weather in Oklahoma more than 25
years ago, he says the only way to warn people about a twister was if it "blew
down your friend's house up the road." Doppler radar equipment was developed in
1979 and on Monday, England could look at the storm, tell people exactly where
it was and where it was going. Resident William Brodie, who rode out the storm
with his family safely underground, says his family owes their life to England
and other meteorologists.
[SOURCE: New York Times (A26), AUTHOR: Rick Lyman]
(http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/050699okla-storm.html)
NEWSPAPERS
USA TODAY TO RUN ADS ON FRONT PAGE
Issue: Newspapers/Advertising
Gannett's USA Today announced Wednesday that it will print color advertisements
at the bottom of its front page, setting it apart from its major competitors.
Whereas many European papers have long ran ads on their front pages, US papers
have shied away from this. Knight Ridder chairman and chief executive P.
Anthony Ridder said he knew of no plans for Knight Ridder papers to do the
same. Thomas Curley, USA Today president and publisher, said it is expensive
to run a
whole color page without advertisements. USA Today editor Karen Jurgenson added
that people distinguish between ads and news. Orville Schell, dean of the UC
Berkeley graduate school of journalism says it is not so much this one decision
that troubles him, but the direction it points in. "My view is that big serous
newspapers of record -- or even not of record -- are something like schools,
churches, national parks. They should not be completely enslaved to the
imperatives of larger and larger profits."
[SOURCE: New York Times (C8), AUTHOR: Felicity Barringer]
(http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/financial/usatoday-advertising.html)
ARTS
TOURING THE MUSEUM WITH A SMALL PC TO SERVE AS A GUIDE
Issue: Arts
The Whitney Museum in New York is one of many that are using technology to
enhance the museum experience. By June, the recently opened exhibition
"American Century" will incorporate a Mitsubishi Pad PC, that will allow
visitors to carry a small-screened device to access audio, text, and video
corresponding to the physical works they view on the wall. With the device,
visitors looking at Alfred Steiglitz's "Steerage" -- a photo of immigrants --
can view film of Ellis Island and hear audio clips of immigrants rejected by
the US, like those in the picture. Maxwell L. Anderson, director of the
Whitney, says he is open to possibilities, but is afraid of taking audiences
away from appreciation of the original piece: "We don't want to monkey around
with aura of work of art by introducing gadgetry," he said. Paul Trapido, an
exhibition designer is developing a device called Arif that allows visitors to
run animation, browse the web and save items to be printed out as a record of
your museum experience. The device will be debuted at a museum in Kuala Lumpur.
Today's museum audio tours have come a long way as well. Many are highly
produced soundscape digitally recorded. Some headsets have infrared signals
that pick up specific audio signals that correspond to where you are in the
museum. Chris Teller, chairman of audio tour company, Antenna Audio, says
technology and museums are a good match. "The technology is supposed to help
you have a more intimate experience with the art. It's not meant to get in the
way," he said.
[SOURCE: New York Times (E9), AUTHOR: Nina Teicholz]
(http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/05/circuits/articles/06guid.html)
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