DIGITAL DIVIDE
Computer Skills Open Doors for 'Unteachables' (WP)
INTERNET
Data's Validity Faulted in Net Registration System (NYT)
Jupiter Cuts Online-Ad Outlook Amid Gloomy Industry Backdrop (WSJ)
PRIVACY
Judges: Don't Monitor Our PCs (Wired)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
COMPUTER SKILLS OPEN DOORS FOR 'UNTEACHABLES'
Issue: Digital Divide
Teenagers previously considered to be "unteachable" because they possessed
"multiple barriers to employment" are excelling in a technology training
program at Hine Junior High in Southeast Washington, DC. Some of the teens
have learning disabilities and emotional problems; others come from
disruptive homes or have been in the criminal justice system. Despite these
challenges, the teens have developed new strengths from the five-week D.C.
Youth Information Technology program. One teen, Christopher Phillips, 15,
was hampered by a learning disability which hampered his ability to read.
However, Christopher won second place in a national Information Superhighway
competition for a Web site he built with FrontPage 2000 and other advanced
computer features, including digital video clips. "These are the youngsters
who supposedly can't fit into a regular classroom, so-called 'unteachables,'
" said Joseph A. Davis II, chief executive of FutureNet Solutions Inc., a
District-based e-business and workforce development company that runs the
youth program. "We beg to differ. We believe that if you make a subject fun
and stimulating, it makes no difference how complicated it is. In our
program, the computer is a fun tool, not just for building Web sites but for
developing self-esteem as well."
[SOURCE: Washington Post (Aug 8), AUTHOR: Courtland Milloy]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45790-2001Aug7.html)
INTERNET
DATA'S VALIDITY FAULTED IN NET REGISTRATION SYSTEM
Issue: Internet
The introduction of Internet addresses ending with the new ".info" extension
has come under attack for an advance registration period that critics say
allowed some individuals fraudulently to register the new addresses. The
advance registration period was intended to give trademark owners the
opportunity to register addresses before general registration begins on
Sept. 12, thereby avoiding some of the disputes over rights to a name that
have plagued .com addresses. But it appeared the .info registration system
left loopholes that allowed speculators to register addresses without
supplying data indicating a legitimate trademark. Officials at Afilias ,
which manages the .info domain, said that it would have been impossible for
to verify the trademark information given for each address registered, which
is why the group has outlined a procedure whereby anyone can challenge a
registration believed to be illegitimate.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Susan Stellin]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/09/technology/09DOMA.html)
(requires registration)
JUPITER CUTS ONLINE-AD OUTLOOK AMID GLOOMY INDUSTRY BACKDROP
Issue: Internet
Internet tracker Jupiter Media Metrix Inc. formally slashed its outlook for
online-advertising spending, saying it will grow at a much slower rate than
previously expected. According to the report, online advertising is now
expected to account for $5.7 billion in revenue this year, down from the
$7.3 billion Jupiter had previously projected, but still up from $5.4
billion in 2000. Jupiter also predicts that Internet advertising will make
up 7% of total advertising spending by 2006, up from 3% in 2001.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Stephanie Miles]
(http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB997287771391636647.htm)
(requires subscription)
PRIVACY
JUDGES: DON'T MONITOR OUR PCs
Issue: Privacy
The judges of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco are
protesting the monitoring of their computers by Washington managers
concerned about personal Internet use. The judges claim the practice is
illegal. Supreme court justices and other judges will consider the complaint
next month. In May, to express their discontent, the judges ordered staff to
disable the monitoring software. That action led to a weeklong shutdown
affecting 10,000 court employees in the Circuit, which covers nine western
states and two territories. In response, the Administrative Office of the
Courts in Washington issued a security alert, stating that the shutdown "put
the entire judiciary's data communications network ... at risk." Ninth
Circuit Chief Judge Mary Schroeder said court employees had been disciplined
for unauthorized computer use even though they were not fully aware of the
court's policy on the matter. Further, Schroeder said the court
administrators may have violated a federal privacy act. "We are concerned
about the propriety and even the legality of monitoring Internet usage," she
wrote in a June 29 memorandum obtained by The New York Times.
[SOURCE: Wired News, AUTHOR: AP Wire]
(http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,45936,00.html)
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