DIGITAL DIVIDE
US Children Stride Digital Divide
Study: Appalachia Lags in Technology
Convention Showcases Devices for Deaf
JOURNALISM
The Latino Puzzle Challenges the Heartland
INTERNATIONAL
EU Report Calls For Widespread Open Source Adoption
DIGITAL DIVIDE
US CHILDREN STRIDE DIGITAL DIVIDE
A study conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore examined
the access US children have to both computers and the Internet. According
to the report, 95 percent of children in the richest bracket of American
society have access to a computer while only 33 percent of the poorest
enjoy the same benefit. Similarly, there is a 49 percent difference
between the same income groups for Internet access. The divide does not
end there, however. The study also showed a marked difference in what
children of different backgrounds are using computers for. Well-off
children use computers for word-processing and homework, but poorer
children tend to use the technology to play games.
[SOURCE: BBC News]
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_2117000/2117927.stm)
See also:
KIDS COUNT SNAPSHOT
[SOURCE: Annie E Casey Foundation, AUTHORS: Tony Wilhelm, Delia Carmen,
Megan Rynolds]
(http://www.aecf.org/publications/pdfs/snapshot_june2002.pdf)
(Adobe Acrobat PDF reader required)
STUDY: APPALACHIA LAGS IN TECHNOLOGY
A study sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission shows that
Appalachia has been left out of the telecommunications revolution. The
study, which incorporates data from the Federal Communications Commission,
state policies and local case studies, has revealed that there is a
shortage of computers, Internet access and worker skills. "We need to pay
attention to the lessons [the study]draws for us so that Appalachia will
not be left behind, the way it was when the interstate system bypassed the
mountains," said Jesse L. White Jr., co-chairman of the ARC. "It has taken
over three decades and billions of dollars to remedy this deficit. We
still have time to ensure that this does not happen again with the
telecommunications infrastructure." Among the study's recommendations are
the expansion of technical assistance to small- and mid-sized businesses,
support of demonstration projects with alternative technology providers
and the expansion of public institution roles in offering broadband
access.
[SOURCE: The Washington Post, AUTHOR: John Raby, Associated Press]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48434-2002Jul10.html)
CONVENTION SHOWCASES DEVICES FOR DEAF
Computer and telecommunication devices constitute a large portion of the
technologies on display this week in Washington D.C. at Deaf Way II, a
largely cultural event that focuses on the experiences of deaf and
hearing-impaired people. Sprint Corp. introduced an Internet-based calling
service on Monday that allows users to make phone calls from their
computers rather than use a transcription device generally attached to
telephones. In response to a Federal Communications Commission regulation
requiring wireless service providers to make their networks capable of
transmitting calls made with teletype (TTY) transcription devices by June
30, a new wave of compatible devices are being launched, like the
Ameriphone Inc, newest portable TTY product, which resembles a small,
lightweight laptop computer.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Ellen McCarthy]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47041-2002Jul9.html)
JOURNALISM
THE LATINO PUZZLE CHALLENGES THE HEARTLAND
The rapid growth of the Hispanic population in the United States has in
many ways snuck up on the media. The Columbia Journalism Review explored
how the press is handling this demographic shift in a corner of North
Carolina, a state where the growth of the Latino population over the last
decade was among the largest in the nation, from 77,000 to 380,000. They
discuss how the media-- in North Carolina and elsewhere -- is struggling
integrate new communities into their daily coverage and also cultivate the
essential new readers and viewers that they represent.
[SOURCE: Columbia Journalism Review, AUTHOR: Brent Cunningham]
(http://www.cjr.org/year/02/2/cunningham.asp)
INTERNATIONAL
EU REPORT CALLS FOR WIDESPREAD OPEN SOURCE ADOPTION
A European Commission (EC) funded report has recommended that governments
share and adapt software via the Open Source model. The study calls for a
six year development program that would begin with the establishment of a
clearing house to which governments could 'donate' software for reuse. The
study deals largely with software developed by government departments for
their own administrative services. The premise is that, if such software
is transferred to and adapted for other departments in other countries,
the open source model "comes naturally." Government software in the EU
today is not open source. However, it is receptive to open source
adaptation. The problem with converting existing software is that multiple
intellectual property ownerships have to be tracked down first. Another
hurdle to implementing interchangeable software lies in resisting the urge
to use proprietary software for new projects.
[SOURCE: The Register, AUTHOR: John Lettice]
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/26102.html)
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