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INTERNET
Faster Wi-Fi Standard Adopted
Device Could Change Cable
Event: Press Freedom on the Internet
21ST CENTURY SKILLS
E-Schools Initiative to Bring Computer Literacy to African Schools
Ex-Russian Military Retrain for New Careers in Internet Networking
DIGITAL DIVIDE
Online Access for the Inaccessible in Rural South Africa
INTERNET
FASTER WI-FI STANDARD ADOPTED
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) yesterday
adopted a new standard for wireless Internet transmission. Known as 802.11g,
the new protocol would allow transmissions four to five times faster than
the current 802.11b standard. Tech analysts predict that the new, faster
802.11g technologies will help spur growth in the wireless sector as
companies will be able to transmit larger files and link more computers to a
single Wi-Fi hot spot. IEEE will look next at Wi-Fi security standards.
SOURCE: USA Today; AUTHOR: Byron Acohido
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-06-13-wifi_x.htm
DEVICE COULD CHANGE CABLE
Cable operators may soon be able to offer enhanced services at a low cost
than their satellite and phone competitors, thanks to a new device. This
week in Chicago, Pace Micro Technology unveiled what it calls the "world's
first" affordable analog-to-digital cable converter, a small tool that would
allow cable providers to deliver HDTV, ultra-high speed Internet and various
vide services to more homes. Operators plan to invest in this technology --
rather than wait for consumer adoption -- by purchasing the device for each
of the industry's 72 million subscribers, a move that would let the cable
industry go all-digital. Since analog signals are easier to pirate, the
digital converters would increase subscription by roughly five percent,
covering part of the cost of investment.
SOURCE: USA Today; AUTHOR: David Lieberman
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-06-12-cable_x.htm
EVENT: PRESS FREEDOM ON THE INTERNET
The World Press Freedom Committee and the Communications and Media Committee
of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York will host "Press
Freedom on the Internet" June 26-28 in New York City. The purpose of the
conference is "to inform and mobilize online publishers and journalists,
Internet service providers, media lawyers, political leaders and all others
wishing to protect the free flow of information on the Net, ensuring that
online news is not restricted by rules adopted to regulate the broader
Internet." For more information, please visit the URL below or contact
freepress( at )wpfc.org.
SOURCE: OnlineJournalism.com
http://www.wpfc.org/index.jsp?page=Internet%20Press%20Freedom%20Conference
21ST CENTURY SKILLS
E-SCHOOLS INITIATIVE TO BRING COMPUTER LITERACY TO AFRICAN SCHOOLS
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) yesterday announced the
launch of the E-Schools Africa Initiative at the Africa Economic Summit in
Durban, South Africa. The initiative aims to bring a broad range of computer
skills to African students, as an investment in Africa's future economic
competitiveness. Schools affiliated with NEPAD will receive a computer lab
and intensive teacher professional development. The program will initially
roll out in a select number of African nations before deploying elsewhere.
Schools would also serve as community health points for health literacy,
research health monitoring, data collection and development of health
campaigns.
SOURCE: News24.com; AUTHOR: Lynn Bolin
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1372896,00.html
Press release:
http://www.socialfunds.com/news/release.cgi/1897.html
EX-RUSSIAN MILITARY RETRAIN FOR NEW CAREERS IN INTERNET NETWORKING
Cisco Systems and Russia's Institute for Vocational Training and Retraining
have partnered to launch a Cisco Networking Academy that focuses on
transitioning military officers into Internet careers. Officers who have
completed more than five years of military service or have been discharged
on medical grounds qualify for the program, which teaches them the skills to
manage computer networks. "Demand for IT professionals is high in Russia,
but employers are reluctant to employ former Armed Forces personnel as they
often do not have the technical experience or skills required," said Robert
Agee of Cisco. The British Ministry of Defence is financing the program.
SOURCE: Lightwave Europe
http://lw.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=OnlineArticle...
bSection=Display&PUBLICATION_ID=13&ARTICLE_ID=178850
DIGITAL DIVIDE
ONLINE ACCESS FOR THE INACCESSIBLE IN RURAL SOUTH AFRICA
Buses fitted with satellite dishes and computers are bringing Internet
access to South Africa's most rural areas. The fleet of buses, which has
visited schools and community centers, will hopefully be expanded thanks to
South Africa Communications Department Director-General Andile Ngcaba, who
has called for a larger fleet to provide this service to more rural regions.
In addition to computer equipment, the buses are staffed with trainers to
assist citizens in word processing or surfing the Web for educational or
governmental information. "The way the communities have responded is
incredible," said Ngcaba.
SOURCE: AllAfrica.com; AUTHOR: Lesley Stones (Business Day)
http://allafrica.com/stories/200306120486.html
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