DIGITAL DIVIDE
Where Girls and Tech Make a Match
BROADCASTING
U.S. Senators Seek Review of Media Rule Changes
Advertisers, Media on Alert
INTERNET
New ICANN Chief Chosen
Study Suggests Spam-Stopping Tricks
GULFWAR-2 Discussion Group Established
DIGITAL DIVIDE
WHERE GIRLS AND TECH MAKE A MATCH
Despite making up half of America's workforce, women only comprise 20
percent of technology professionals. This trend is not likely to reverse
itself anytime soon -- the College Board reports that 14 percent of computer
science Advanced Placement test takers last year were female, down from 17
percent the previous year. Where the industry and academia may have failed,
however, female techies are hoping to succeed by sharing their experiences
with school-aged girls and young women. At a conference last week sponsored
by the Washington chapter of Women in Technology, area tech execs helped to
quell fears that IT is "a man's world." Other mentoring groups focus on
dispelling the notion that the computer world is "solitary, antisocial and
sedentary" by fostering a social atmosphere for learning and discussion.
[SOURCE: The Washington Post, AUTHOR: Ellen McCarthy]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57286-2003Mar19.html)
BROADCASTING
U.S. SENATORS SEEK REVIEW OF MEDIA RULE CHANGES
Yesterday, three Republican senators asked the Federal Communications
Commission to publicly release proposed changes to media ownership limits
before they are adopted. Sens. Wayne Allard of Colorado, Olympia Snowe of
Maine and Susan Collins of Maine sent a letter to FCC Chairman Michael
Powell requesting public and congressional review of any changes to existing
media ownership limits. In the letter, the lawmakers ask the FCC to provide
"empirical foundation for the changes," and "an ample public comment period,
so that members of the public and Congress will have an opportunity to
evaluate the new rules' potential impact."
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky]
(http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=2410550)
ADVERTISERS, MEDIA ON ALERT
Print and broadcast outlets, as well as their corporate sponsors, are
struggling with advertising revenue now that US military action in Iraq has
begun. TV networks have seen marketers pull their spots scheduled during
high-volume programs such as the NCAA basketball tourney and the Academy
Awards, while cable news channels are considering running ad-free during the
first few days of the conflict. "We anticipate a few days of no
commercials," said Roger Domal of Fox News. "The information comes first,
and that is our main responsibility. Our advertising revenue is secondary."
[SOURCE: Newsday, SOURCE: Monty Phan]
(http://www.newsday.com/business/printedition/ny-bzad203181403mar20,0,284000
0.story)
INTERNET
NEW ICANN CHIEF CHOSEN
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the group that
oversees the Internet's domain name system, has officially selected
Australian Paul Twomey as its new president. This will be the first time a
non-U.S. resident will head the global body since it was it took over
control of Internet's address framework from the United States government.
Twomey, who formerly served as his country's representative to ICANN, said
he would reach out to developing countries in his new role.
[SOURCE: Reuters]
(http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&storyID=2409834)
STUDY SUGGESTS SPAM-STOPPING TRICKS
What's the best way to avoid spam email? Hide, says the Center for
Democracy and Technology. In its report, "Why Am I Getting All This Spam?"
CDT outlines techniques used by spammers and explains the results of simple
techniques used to circumvent the unwanted messages. Some suggestions
include disguising publicly posted addresses by using plain English or
numerical IP addresses, taking advantage of "opt-out" privacy policies,
using a filter, and creating longer, harder-to-guess email addresses.
However, the study concludes, "[T]here is no foolproof way to prevent spam."
[SOURCE: CNET News, AUTHOR: Lisa M. Bowman]
(http://news.com.com/2100-1024-993333.html?tag=fd_top)
GULFWAR-2 DISCUSSION GROUP ESTABLISHED
As the war in Iraq enters its first full official day, Yahoogroups is now
hosting GULFWAR-2, an independent discussion group established to give
people around the world the opportunity to share news, questions and
comments about the war directly with each other. The group has a particular
interest in disseminating news and analysis from non-mainstream, alternative
media outlets. Neither specifically pro-war or anti-war, GULFWAR-2 is a
noncommercial online space where people can share information and ideas with
each other and engage in constructive discussion. To join the list, simply
send an email to
gulfwar-2-subscribe( at )yahoogroups.com.
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulfwar-2/)
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