Benton RSS Feed

Education Technology
USAToday: School Computers, Tools or Toys?
USAToday: Kids Need Modern Tools

Television
NTIA: Advisory Committee on Public Interest
Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters
NYT: NBC and some powerful politicians square off
over the new ratings system
WSJ: Wal-Mart Uses TV-Set Displays For Ad Network

Cable
NYT: In Some Towns, Folks Just Say No To Cable Companies

Payphone
WSJ: Pay-Phone Operators Ring In Deregulated Era Today
WP: Pay Phone Companies Allowed to Raise Prices

Internet
WSJ: Electric Outlets Could Be Link To the Internet
WSJ: GTE Says Baby Bells, Netscape, Yahoo! Formed Internet
Yellow Pages Cartel
NYT: GTE Sues Netscape and Yahoo Over Internet Yellow Pages Access
WP: A Pressing Matter of Addressing: Who'll Decide Domains?
WP: The New Economy: Microsoft

Privacy
WP: Our Data, Our Rights
NYT: Clinton's Top Internet Advisor Says Encryption Policy Is Unformed

Ownership
WP: Straight Angle

Arts
WP: Positive Power of Writing

InfoTech
WP: How Much Technology is too much?

Anne Wells Branscomb

** Education Technology **

Title: School Computers, Tools or Toys?
Source: USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/comment/nceditf.htm
Author: USA Today Editorial Staff
Issue: Education Technology
Description: Many view computers as a quick fix to our school systems
ailments. But unfortunately, not enough research is being done on how to
best use this new technology to improve learning. In order for school
systems to effectively harness communication and computer technology, the
teachers need to be trained in how to turn computers into more effective
classroom tools and curricula needs to be developed that compliments new
technological advancements. "Until more money is hot-wired for training,
the massive investment in school computers will continue to provide
disappointing returns."

Title: Kids Need Modern Tools
Source: USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/comment/ncoppf.htm
Author: FCC Chairman Reed Hundt
Issue: Education Technology
Description: As we move into the 21st century, one of the great needs of our
business world is a workforce who has communication and computer technology
skills. Yet in our nations school systems, almost 90 percent of our
children have no practical access to computer communication networks. In
order for children to succeed in the 21st century economy they need to get
their hands on the tools of today. "My view is that our national commitment
to connect every classroom in every school in the country to the Internet
will be our single greatest advance in quality and equality of education in
this century."

** Television **

Title: Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital
Television Broadcasters
Source: NTIA
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/pubintadvcom/froct7.htm
Issue: Digital TV
Description: The Federal Register notice of the first meeting of the
Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television
Broadcasters has been released. The meeting will take place October 22-23 in
Washington, DC. The President established the Advisory Committee to advise
the Vice President on the public interest obligations of digital
broadcasters. The Committee will study and recommend which public interest
obligations should accompany broadcasters' receipt of digital television
licenses. The President designated the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration to provide secretariat services for the
Committee. [See the Committee's homepage at
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/pubintadvcom/pubint.htm and additional information
on the future of television at http://www.benton.org/Policy/TV/]

Title: NBC and some powerful politicians square off
over the new ratings system
Source: New York Times
Author: Lawrie Mifflin
Issue: V-Chip
Description: NBC and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) are at odds over the new
television ratings system. While most tv networks began to use the
additional letters in their rating system last week, NBC has refused to do
so. Their refusal is based on their question of whether there will be "a
noticeable difference" between the new system and the one they currently
use. At this time NBC uses the "age group icons, supplemented by
full-sentence advisories (visual and audio) at the start of some shows."
Robert C. Wright, NBC's president, says "At this juncture, we feel strongly
that the additional labels merely add to parents' confusion." In response,
McCain states that "there are many families who want to know about the
content of shows, and want to use the V-chip to monitor what they watch."
Regardless of whether or not NBC's ratings system is less confusing, "they
would not be able to set off the V-chip, or electronic blocking device, which
is the reason for creating a ratings system in the first place." [For more
information on the V-Chip see http://www.benton.org/Policy/TV/#vchip and
http://www.fcc.gov/vchip/]

Title: Wal-Mart Uses TV-Set Displays For Ad Network
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B1)
Author: Yumiko Ono
Issue: Advertising
Description: Wal-Mart has come up with a use for all those televisions in
their 1,950 stores nationwide: the Wal-Mart Television Network. The retail
giant estimates that 30 million people per week wander through their
electronic section -- so they're guessing they'll draw 20 million attentive
viewers a month to the network (hey, that's better than ABC is doing with
the yellow ad campaign, isn't it?). Programming will point shoppers to all
the wonderful stuff on sale in the store. The move mirrors other efforts to
bombard people with advertising -- in doctors' offices, health clubs,
video-rental and auto-parts stores, airports, and even some 7-11's.

** Cable **

Title: In Some Towns, Folks Just Say No To Cable Companies
Source: New York Times, CyberTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/100497cable.html
Author: Barnaby J. Feder
Issue: Cable Industry
Description: In a growing number of communities across the United States,
residents are encouraging their municipal utilities to
engage in competition with the private sector. Residents are encouraging
utility officials to start with the cable industry due to the industry's
rising rates, lack of control over local programming and slow pace at
upgrading networks. Members of smaller communities also are concerned about
their ability to obtain easy access to the Internet and other technological
advances. In addition to offering community members better cable and
communications services, municipalities are hoping to spur local economic
growth. In reaction to this new competition, cable companies have started
to cut rates and improve local service.

** Payphones **

Title: Pay-Phone Operators Ring In Deregulated Era Today
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B4)
Author: Barbara Martinez
Issue: Telephone Regulation
Description: Pay-phone operators have been looking forward to this day as
the Federal Communications Commission has decided to "deregulate and
detariff" the service. In states that have already experimented with this, a
local phone call has risen from $0.25 to $0.35. Waiting in the wings are
decisions from the FCC on how much pay phone operators should be compensated
for calls to 800 numbers and dial-around services.

Title: Pay Phone Companies Allowed to Raise Prices
Source: Washington Post (D3)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1997-10/07/0881-100797-idx.html
Author: Mike Mills
Issue: Telephone Regulation
Description: Starting today, a new law will allow pay phone companies to
charge whatever they please for coin-operated local calls. It also allows
them to charge by the minute for local calls, something that was previously
banned. Pay phone companies argue that the $4 billion industry has
become competitive, with pay phones being operated by 2,000 independent
companies. Owners of facilities in which phones are installed can also
influence rates. Bell Atlantic Corp., which operates most of D.C.'s pay
phones has "no announcement to make as of tomorrow when the regulations
change," said spokesman Jim Smith. "We're in the process of analyzing the
very complex markets we serve."

** Internet **

Title: Electric Outlets Could Be Link To the Internet
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B6)
Author: Guatam Naik
Issue: Infrastructure
Description: Engineers claim they have developed technology that would allow
people to make phone calls and access the Internet at high sppeds through
the electrical outlets in walls. (How fast? Like the speed of light, man).
If the technology developed by United Utilities PLC and Northern Telecom Ltd
is successful, it would transform the world's power lines into major
conduits on the information superhighway and give electrical companies easy
entree into the phone and Internet access business. The companies believe
the technology is "ready for mass market" and will announce plans at a press
conference tomorrow. "At long last, the local monopoly of the incumbent
telecom operators is about to be demolished," said a spokesman.

Title: GTE Says Baby Bells, Netscape, Yahoo! Formed Internet Yellow Pages
Cartel
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B6)
Author: Jared Sandberg
Issue: Internet
Description: GTE is claiming that the Baby Bells (Bell Atlantic, BellSouth,
Ameritech, US West, and SBC), Netscape and Yahoo! are in "a conspiracy to
capture, control, and dominate the Internet Yellow Pages market." In a suit
filed against the companies in US District Court in Washington, DC, GTE
claims that the five Bells agreed not to compete against each other with
national Internet Yellow Pages -- opting instead to divide the nation into
their specific regions. GTE runs its own service called Superpages.

Title: GTE Sues Netscape and Yahoo Over Internet Yellow Pages Access
Source: New York Times, D10
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/financial/gte-internet-suit.html
Author: Steve Lohr
Issue: Internet
Description: The GTE Corporation filed an anti-trust suit against five
regional Bell telephone companies, Netscape Communications and Yahoo Inc.
yesterday accusing them of conspiring to limit competition in the market of
on-line yellow pages. GTE contends that the Bell companies pulled together
their resources for an exclusive contract with Netscape, whose reference
section is prepared by Yahoo. Before the contract, GTE, along with other
companies, had been included in the choices offered in Nets cape's reference
section. But as of July 18, the access to GTE's online yellow pages was
cut-off, "denying the Corporation access to one of the most heavily
trafficked locations on the Internet." Geoff Potter, a spokesman for one of
the Bell companies responded that the case was "without merit", "The notion
that any 1, 2 or 10 companies could monopolize the Internet is absurd on its
face." While this dispute raises questions about the "legal ground rules
covering the sale of 'real estate' on the web, analysts and anti-trusts
experts say GTE may have a difficult time proving its case."

Title: A Pressing Matter of Addressing: Who'll Decide Domains?
Source: Washington Post (D1)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1997-10/07/0771-100797-idx.html
Author: Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Issue: Internet Regulation
Description: The Internet Society of Reston, VA thinks that the process
of doling out addresses on the 'Net should be opened to competition. This
process is now largely controlled by Network Solutions, Inc. of Herndon, VA.
The society's chief exec, Donald Heath, has been advocating a global
approach to the global computer network. He has proposed adding new
suffixes like ".store" for retailers, and ".arts" for cultural groups. Under
the committee's new plan, the new and existing addresses would be handed out
by several competing firms. The process would be administered by an
internat'l committee incorporated in Switzerland. Opposition to the Internet
Society's plan say it was conceived without enough public input and places
too much power in the hands of the Internet Society, a nonprofit group of
Internet
technologists and enthusiasts.

Title: The New Economy: Microsoft
Source: Washington Post (A17)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1997-10/07/0171-100797-idx.html
Author: James K. Glassman
Issue: Internet: Economics
Description: What can be called the "New Economy" can be partly
attributed to what gov't dictates have done such as spreading free trade and
deregulating the transportation and communications industries. This has been
especially good for Microsoft, whose profits are now $3.4 billion on $11.4
billion in sales. The company has no debt and is sitting on $9 billion in
cash. The evidence of this "New Economy" can also be seen at Microsoft Corp.
itself. The culture emphasizes brainpower, flexibility, youth, hard work,
and a closeness to the customer (that's why they like to keep you on the
phone so long for support). The Microsoft Corp. culture is one that can
easily adapt to all of the rapid changes in technology. "We have directions
we're going in," says Mike Murray, the head of Microsoft's HR dept. "but
beyond that, things are constantly changing, you're always making course
corrections." Flexibility being the advantage of this company, Microsoft is
continually exploring new applications: satellites, cable TV, intranets,
voice-recognition technology, 3-D graphics, etc. They'll be spending $2
billion on research and development this year, most of it on basic research
with unknown applications.

** Privacy **

Title: Our Data, Our Rights
Source: Washington Post (A17)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1997-10/07/0151-100797-idx.html
Author: James B. Rule
Issue: Privacy
Description: We now live in a world where personal information on
"private" citizens has become a commodity for daily use in insurance sales,
aggressive marketing, credit allocation, and civil litigation. The worst
part is that personal data are subject to control by everyone but the person
depicted. For example, prescription data disclosed to pharmacists may be
"stripped" in the course of transmission to third-party payers, and thus
captured for marketing purposes. This is a classic situation where law has
failed to catch up social and technological reality. A basic legal
innovation could solve this problem: new legislation should require that no
sale or trade of personal data for any commercial purpose would be legal
without the expressed permission from the person concerned. Authorization
could also be revocable, and without it there should be the strictest of
confidentiality.

Title: Clinton's Top Internet Advisor Says Encryption Policy Is Unformed
Source: New York Times, CyberTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/100797encrypt.html
Author: Martin Nisenholtz
Issue: Encryption
Description: Ira Magaziner, President Clinton's top internet advisor,
acknowledged yesterday that the administration lacked a firm position on the
issue of encryption when he told attendants at the High Tech Forum that "We
don't have a position." In response to Clinton's recent support of a bill
"that would allow U.S. law enforcement agencies access to coded messages"
Magaziner expressed hope that "we will resolve this in a way that will allow
encryption to go forward." During his speech, he "outlined the principles
of the Administration's strategy and the issues it raised."

** Ownership **

Title: Straight Angle
Source: Washington Post (D1) (10/6/97)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Author: Howard Kurtz
Issue: Newspapers/Media Ownership
Description: When the Washington Blade announced that they would launch a
gay newspaper in N.Y. in a joint venture with the Manhattan-based News
Communications, there were doubts that straight corporate owners could do
justice to gay journalism. Troy Masters, publisher of a gay biweekly called
LGNY in New York, said, "There is a concern any time a corporation comes in
with big money and says its going to the terms of debate in a community.
This is about selling ads and corporatizing gay culture." But Don Michaels,
publisher of the Washington Blade and the New York Blade News, dismissed the
carping. He insists that the New York paper wouldn't be an advocacy
publication. "The gay community has moved beyond the point of disdaining
alliances with the mainstream community."

** Arts **

Title: Positive Power of Writing
Source: Washington Post (D5) (10/6/97)
http://washingtonpost.com/
Author: Diane Naughton
Issue: Arts/Health
Description: Programs like New Horizons, the Write Away project, and
Positive Plus, believe in the therapeutic effects of writing on cancer
patients, or any patient with a serious disease or trauma. James Pennebaker,
a prof. of psychology at the Univ. of Texas, says that by translating
experiences into language, people start to organize otherwise overwhelming
events, making them smaller and easier to deal with. He said, "Particularly
important, writing moves us to resolution."

** InfoTech **

Title: How Much Technology is too much?
Source: Washington Post (WashTech, pg. 19) (10/6/97)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Author: William Casey
Issue: Technology Advancement
Description: New advancements at Intel and IBM have raised concerns over
a "gap of delivery", or the fact that there is technology being produced
faster than we can adapt to it. It's simpler to announce great leaps in
technology than for users to realize the actual benefit. The "gap of
delivery" is discernable on 3 levels: hardware evolves faster than the
system software needed for its operation, application software like word
processing are slow to reflect the best features the operating environments
have to offer, and the disparity between computer power available in the box
and computer power actually used. Fundamental issues of productivity
shouldn't hinge on faster processors or more memory, instead it should
involve creative and efficient use of computers.

CRH is saddened to report that Anne Wells Branscomb has passed away. Mrs.
Branscomb was a communications and computer lawyer and author of Who Owns
Information? (Basic Books, 1994). In 1975 she became one of the first policy
analysts to use the term "information infrastructure," writing a paper for
the Aspen Institute, "Beyond Deregulation: Designing an Information
Infrastructure." Additional information on her life and accomplishments is
available at http://www.ngi.org/AWB/.
*********
Due to intense intra-organizational pressure, we're forced to congratulate
the Cleveland Indians this morning.

Television/International
WP: Troops Seize Bosnian Serb TV Towers
WP: Bosnian Serb TV Chief Warns West

Journalism/Advertising
WP: CNN Stops Airing Ad Campaign
WSJ: *This* Is CNN?

FCC
FCC: Statement of William E. Kennard

WorldCom/MCI Merger
WSJ: WorldCom Bid Leaves MCI Few Options
WP: Worldcom Would Shift MCI's Focus
NYT: British Telecom, Outbid for MCI, Is Facing Hard Choices
NYT: MCI-Worldcom Match: They'll Fit, or Won't

Cable/Internet
WSJ: Intel and Microsoft Split Over Internet-TV Gear

Public Television
NYT: Chief Named at Corporation for Public TV

Encryption/Privacy
NYT: PGP Offers New Encryption Software for Corporations
NYT: An Attack on Privacy Rights

Radio
WP: Kids' Stations Pull The Plug

*********************************************
* Television/International *
*********************************************
Title: Troops Seize Bosnian Serb TV Towers
Source: Washington Post (A1) (10/2/97)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Author: Lee Hockstader
Issue: Television/International
Description: NATO-led troops seized control of 4 TV broadcasting towers
in the Serb-controlled half of Bosnia to secure balanced coverage by the
media. This move capped off weeks of contention between the state
television station and top Western military and civilian officials, who were
incensed by broadcasted propaganda against NATO and internat'l Bosnia
officials. U.S. Gen. Wesley Clark said that transmitters will be handed
over to Serb President Biljana Plasvic, someone the West favors more than war
criminal Karadzic. Officials say that they hope to make an arrangement under
which the rival Serb factions will share airtime. The seizure of the towers
have the NATO generals and Western diplomats casting themselves as media
execs determined to make an even-handed state TV station in a country that has
never had one. Ambassador Carlos Westendorp, the top Western mediator, said
"[Bosnian Serbs] are entitled to hear the truth in fair and balanced reports."

Title: Bosnian Serb TV Chief Warns West
Source: Washington Post (A36)
http://washingtonpost.com/
Author: Lee Hockstader
Issue: Media Control
Description: Miroslav Toholj issued a thinly veiled threat of retaliation
to Western peacekeepers the day after they seized control of 4 key radio
stations. "I fear there will be some uncontrolled actions and unpleasant
conditions for your soldiers and international organizations," Tohlj said.
"We won't be able to control the situation." Carlos Westerndorp, chief
western mediator, issued a statement through a spokesman justifying the
seizure. He cited Serb TV system's use of the airwaves as "both a tactical
and strategic weapon...to block the truth from the people of the Serb
Republic, and to frustrate the peace process." Westerndorp also recommended,
as one of the changes in the TV system's governing board, that Toholj must
go. Toholj asserted that the real reason for the seizure was the West's
determination to secure political gains with Serb President Bilijana Plavsic.

*********************************************
* Journalism/Advertising *
*********************************************
Title: CNN Stops Airing Ad Campaign
Source: Washington Post (B2)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1997-10/03/093l-100397-idx.html
Author: Howard Kurtz
Issue: Journalism/Advertising
Description: A heavy ad campaign about global warming aired on CNN was
pulled under order of Ted Turner, who is a known environmentalist. (Last
month Turner was talking about global warning on "Larry King Live".) After
being informed of CNN's decision, Ben Goddard, the adman who created the
ads, said, "[T]his was millions of dollars going out the door. I pointed
this out...it didn't seem to make good sense, if the ads were good enough to
run up to now." CNN spokesman Steve Haworth said that "it has been our
policy for years not to
run ads on controversial news stories that we are covering...Our principles
are worth more than the ad dollars." Yet, Goddard noted CNN ran
industry-backed "Harry and Louise" ads on health care reform (which he also
produced) while the media covered it
intensively. Haworth said that no ads would be accepted from any faction in
the controversy.

Title: *This* Is CNN?
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A10)
Author: WSJ Editorial
Issue: Journalism/Advertising
Description: CNN has pulled ads critical of the United Nations treaty to
curb global warming. A CNN spokesman said that "inattentive viewers might
confuse the ads with news coverage and vice versa." The editorial criticizes
CNN because it did not lift issue ads during coverage of NAFTA, health care
reform, or tort reform. By CNN's logic, if the cable news channel decided
not to cover Sen Thompson's campaign finance hearings, it would accept issue
ads promoting their importance to the public. "By pulling the plug on a
responsible point of view in a public debate, CNN is circumscribing
give-and-take over" the issue.

*********************************************
* FCC *
*********************************************
Title: Statement of William E. Kennard
Source: FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/kennard/statements/wek701.html
Author: William E. Kennard
Issue: FCC
Description: Statement of William E. Kennard at his confirmation hearing
before the United States Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee.

*********************************************
* WorldCom/MCI Merger *
*********************************************
Title: WorldCom Bid Leaves MCI Few Options
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A3)
Author: John Keller
Issue: Mergers
Description: Senior executives at MCI are trying to figure out a response to
WorldCom's takeover bid. There may be little to do but negotiate with the
unsolicited suitor: 1) the WorldCom deal is $9 billion more than British
Telecom's offer, 2) it produces billions in cost savings that would not have
been seen otherwise, and 3) it will give MCI access to local networks and
Internet facilities world-wide that MCI otherwise would have had to build
itself. If MCI executives turned down WorldCom, they would have to convince
shareholders that BT's lower bid was better. WorldCom's stock continues to soar.

Title: Worldcom Would Shift MCI's Focus
Source: Washington Post (A1)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1997-10/03/134l-100397-idx.html
Author: Mike Mills
Issue: Corporate Communications Merger
Description: If Worldcom's proposed $30 bill. buyout is finalized then
MCI would focus solely on more profitable business customers and jettisoning
approx.
20 million residential long-distance customers, according to a top official
of the purchasing company. John Sidgmore, vice chairman of Worldcom, said
that customers would likely be transferred to regional Bell companies. This
set-up would have calls on Worldcom/MCI wires, but rates and billing would
set by other companies. Worldcom would be "selling" MCI customers to other
companies, who pay for rights to serve established accounts, but customers would
have the legal right not to stay with the company they were moved to. When
all of this would occur is still unknown, Worldcom would have to wait until
next year to actually buy MCI. "We're not saying [the end of the residential
service] is going to happen on day one," Sidgmore said. Initially "we're
going to market to consumers just like MCI does. On the other hand, our
strategy is not in the consumer business."

Title: MCI-Worldcom Match: They'll Fit, or Won't
Source: New York Times, C1, C6
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/business/index.map?239,205
Author: Seth Schiesel
Issue: Mergers
Description: While Worldcom has been successful in acquiring more than a
few companies over the past five years, its record is not as impressive when
it comes to retaining their top executives. Similar questions are now being
raised in regards to the MCI management team. A response to Worldcom's
offer is expected from MCI in the next three weeks, but if a merger does go
through analysts do not expect many of MCI's executives to stay on board.
If this is the case, analysts also wonder as to whether Mr. Ebbers,
Worldcom's chair, will be able to confidently manage the corporate power.
Bryan van Dussen, an analyst for the Yankee Group, a high-technology
research firm in Boston, said "the enthusiasm for Worldcom is driven by
mergers and acquisitions and it can be difficult to assess its ability to
execute. Does Worldcom have the ability to manage the consumer base that
represents 40 percent of MCI's revenue? Does Worldcom have the ability to
manage a product line as complex as MCI's?" At the moment investors seem to
think so as both MCI and Worldcom's stock are on the rise.

Title: British Telecom, Outbid for MCI, Is Facing Hard Choices
Source: New York Times, C6
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/financial/worldcom-mci.html
Author: Edmund L. Andrews
Issue: Mergers
Description: Some wonder how British Telecommunications will remain a big
player in the telecommunications field if they lose the MCI merger
opportunity. With both Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom swiftly moving
ahead in their alliance with Sprint and the EU opening telephone markets to
competition in 1998, it is understandable that there are questions being
raised. But BT appears to be confident in whatever the final outcome may
prove to be, for as an anonymous institutional investor in BT pointed out
"it is a win-win situation." BT could merge with MCI, they could continue
in an existing venture with MCI or they could sell their stake in MCI to
Worldcom "for an expected $1.7 billion profit" and look for another
telecommunications partner. BT continues to remain silent refusing to
elaborate on the one-sentence statement they offered yesterday that they are
"considering the issues."

*********************************************
* Cable/Internet *
*********************************************
Title: Intel and Microsoft Split Over Internet-TV Gear
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A3)
Author: Don Clark
Issue: Cable/Internet
Description: In a rare split for the personal computer duopoly, Intel is
supporting a rival technology for bringing the Internet to households
through cable set-top boxes. Intel will back the standards for digital cable
TV spearheaded by Network Computer Inc, a company owned by Microsoft rival
Oracle and Netscape. The competing groups have sent the different standards
to CableLabs, a cable research and development consortium that is soliciting
proposals for the next generation of TV set-top boxes.

*********************************************
* Public Television *
*********************************************
Title: Chief Named at Corporation for Public TV
Source: New York Times, C5
http://search.nytimes.com/search/daily/bin/fastweb?getdoc+site+iib-site+69+
0++%28chief%20named%20at%20corporation%20for%20public%20tv%29%20AND%20%28%29
%20AND%20%28%29
Author: Glenn Collins
Issue: Public Television
Description: Robert T. Coonrod was "unanimously and enthusiastically" named
president and chief executive of the Corporation for Public broadcasting on
Wednesday.

*********************************************
* Encryption/Privacy *
*********************************************
Title: PGP Offers New Encryption Software for Corporations
Source: New York Times, CyberTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/100397pgp.html
Author: Peter Wayner
Issue: Encryption
Description: Pretty Good Privacy software company announced a new version
of their encryption software yesterday. This new version, called PGP for
Business Security 5.5, would "make it easier for companies to deploy
encryption throughout their organization." This key management system
allows companies to recover more rapidly from any potential industrial spy
breakthroughs, to access the files of an employee who is sick, injured or
fired, as well as offering more power to enforce corporate policy through
knowledge of employee's files.

Title: An Attack on Privacy Rights
Source: New York Times, A22
http://search.nytimes.com/search/daily/bin/fastweb?getdoc+site+iib-site+23+
0++%28an%20attack%20on%20privacy%20rights%29%20AND%20%28%29%20AND%20%28%29
Author: NYTimes Editorial Staff
Issue: Encryption
Description: Last month, FBI Director, Louis Freeh, urged Congress to
outlaw the manufacturing of any encryption technology that the government
could not easily break. The bill, which quickly passed through the House
Intelligence Committee, was brought to a halt in the House Commerce
Committee due to lobbying efforts by electronic and media companies,
scientists, and privacy advocates. This bill, if made into law, would not
be effective since there is uncrackable encryption software already
available overseas. Even worse, the plan could severely cripple encryption
technology. "In a threat to privacy, the bill sets a lower legal standard
for the Government to get passwords than it must now meet to tap phone
calls. The best way to reduce many types of industrial and financial crime
is to provide citizens powerful encryption so they can communicate without
fear of corporate spies and thieves." The debate continues to move
(forward?) in regards to constitutional rights and the amount of privacy
people can expect in cyberspace.

*********************************************
* Radio *
*********************************************
Title: Kids' Stations Pull The Plug
Source: Washington Post (B1) (10/2/97)
http://washingtonpost.com/
Author: Marc Fisher
Issue: Radio
Description: The Radio Zone, an AM band children's radio show, will be
pulled off the air near the end of Nov. as the result of a buyout by Mega
Broadcasting. "Just one more unique voice snuffed out of the radio
business...we did the best we could for five years," said Virginia Carson,
the chief exec. of Capitol Kids Radio of Silver Spring, the station's owner.
The two Washington-area stations, WKDL-1050 and WKDV-1460, will be converted
to Spanish-language programming. No price has been announced. The Radio
Zone's Baltimore station, WKDB-1570 is still on the market. Many
schoolchildren and parents were moved to campaigns to save the station, but
it was just too late. The station's closure was announced on the day before,
an unusual move, but as Carson said, "We want to have some closure for the
kids. We want to leave in a responsible way."
*********
We are outta here. Have a great weekend.

Mergers
WSJ: WorldCom to Launch MCI Bid To Rival British Telecom's Pact
TelecomAM: FCC RELEASES FULL ORDER APPROVING MCI/BT MERGER

FCC
TelecomAM: Speak No Evil: FCC Nominees Don't Say Much During Hearing
FCC: Meet the Presidential Nominees for Members to the FCC

Arts
WSJ: Lawmakers Agree to Continue Funding NEA,
Capping Long Day of Bargaining
NYT: Personal Journey to 'Case' Chinese New-Media Art Scene

Television
WSJ: Hai-Ya! Haim Saban Morphs Into A Major Player In Kids'
Entertainment
WSJ: NBC Wins Top Place In Ratings as Networks Lose More Viewers
FCC: Technical Requirements to Enable Blocking of Video
Programming
Based on Program Ratings

Satellites
WSJ: Satellite Plans Are Registered With the FCC

Campaign Finance Reform
WSJ: Vote Against McCain. Wait, Can I Say That?

Philantropy
WSJ: A Dangerous Alms Race

Encryption
NYT: Police Versus Us: The Encryption Chasm

International
WSJ: Once Again, US Trails Europe in Cellphones
NYT: Japanese Phone Giant Buys a U.S. Stake

Lifestyles!
WSJ: The Internet Generation Taps Into Morse Code

*********************************************
* Mergers *
*********************************************
Title: WorldCom to Launch MCI Bid To Rival British Telecom's Pact
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A3)
Author: Steven Lipin & John Keller
Issue: Mergers
Description: The nation's fourth-largest long distance carrier, WorldCom,
will announce today an unsolicitied bid to takeover MCI. British Telecom
recently restructured its bid for MCI to total $18 billion. WorldCom will
reportedly offer $20 billion. As reported yesterday, WorldCom is close to
closing a deal to buy Brooks Fiber, a local telephone service provider. If
-- a very big IF -- WorldCom is successful in this proposed deal, it would
jump to a solid #2 in long distance assets and would have the broadest
collection of telecommunications assets.

Title: FCC RELEASES FULL ORDER APPROVING MCI/BT MERGER
Source: Telecom A.M.
http://tpg( at )cappubs.com
Author:
Issue: FCC--Merger
Description: The FCC has approved of a merger between MCI and British
Telecommunications PLC (BT). Even though it was approved on Aug 21, the
order was released on Sept. 24. The FCC approval was based on a few
conditions: BT agreed to cut its settlement rate for calls to the UK to 7
cents per min. BT and MCI must now allow customers to presubscribe to
another carrier for UK-bound long-distance and internat'l calls. Both
companies must also make their translatlantic submarine cable avaialble to
competitors. The British Gov't must agree to sever all ownership of BT as
well.

*********************************************
* FCC *
*********************************************
Title: Speak No Evil: FCC Nominees Don't Say Much During Hearing
Source: Telecom A.M.--Oct. 1, 1997
http://www.tpgweb( at )cappubs.com
Author:
Issue: FCC-Regulation
Description: Three new commissioners for the FCC were confimed on Sept.
30, 1997: Michael Powell, a scholar of telecommunications, politics and
consensus building, Gloria Tristani, the commission's link to the state
public utility commissions and rural states, and Harold Furchtgott-Roth, who
appears to be the most forthright in adhering to the Telecommunications Act.
These new commissioners did not say much duirng the hearing, which only
perplexed attendees and the media alike. But, what they did say was
definitely noteworthy, if not at all controversial. Powell was noted for
outlining his duties for the public interest. Tristani made evident some of
the issues she is already wrestling with, such as the conflict between the
FCC and state commissions over jurisdiction. Furchtgott-Roth was noted for
saying, "I will advocate a common-sense approach to regualtion at the
commission...common sense regulation is regulation that is within statutory
authority, that reflects the interest and intent of Congress, and that
benefits consumers more than it costs them." Despite the trio's vague
answers at the hearing, it would appear that they are all in good standing
with the Senate.

Title: Meet the Presidential Nominees for Members to the FCC
Source: FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/nominees/welcome.html
Issue: FCC
Description: "One of the top news items during this most exciting year at
the FCC is President of the United States Bill Clinton's, nominations of
four outstanding Americans for Members of the Federal Commmunications
Commission. We present this homepage to introduce to the communications
community William E. Kennard, Harold W. Furchtgott-Roth, Michael Powell, and
Gloria Tristani the President's selections to take the Federal
Communications Commision into the 21st Century and beyond."

*********************************************
* Arts *
*********************************************
Title: Lawmakers Agree to Continue Funding NEA, Capping Long Day of Bargaining
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A4)
Author: David Rogers
Issue: Arts
Description: A House-Senate conference committee agreed to fund the National
Endowement for the Arts with $98 million next year. State arts councils are
to receive 40% of grant funds and no single state may receive more than 15%
of the total assistance allocated by the NEA.

Title: Personal Journey to 'Case' Chinese New-Media Art Scene
Source: The New York Times (CyberTimes Extra)
http://www.nytime.com/library/cyber/week/100197stirfry.html
Author: Matthew Mirapaul
Issue: Information Technology ("virtual museum")
Description: "Stir-Fry" is a new Web project documenting Barbara London's
month-long trip through China's capitals in a search for previously
undiscovered new-media art. The associate curator, of the film and video
dept. at the Museum of Modern Art in N.Y., has relayed her experiences with
audio interviews and clips. This site is the latest collaboration between
MoMA and "ada'web", a Manhattan-based art site that London will maintain
when she returns. The site shows that intellectual property may be as
important a museum asset as a Picasso. London said, "The work I've seen is
naive, fresh, technically primitive for the most part...but the work here
has a pioneering feel. Western video is sophisticated, fully in command of
the media. Here, the work is simple and direct. When it's not puerile, it's
powerful."[For more on the arts online see Open Studio
http://www.openstudio.org/]

*********************************************
* Television *
*********************************************
Title: Hai-Ya! Haim Saban Morphs Into A Major Player In Kids' Entertainment
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A1)
Author: John Lippman
Issue: Children's Television
Description: The man that brought your kids Power rangers TURBO, Saban's
Samurai Pizza Cats, and Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation -- Haim Saban -- is
quickly becoming the "Walt Disney of the 1990s." Mr. Saban produces 21% of
all children's TV programming in the US -- second only to Time Warner (26%),
but ahead of Disney (18%). And Saban's numbers will grow with Fox Kids
Worldwide, a joint venture with News Corp. His formula? Buy a cheap foreign
product, dub it into English or remake it making sure to include "cool"
images that kids love. Many parents don't find them appealing because of the
violent content.

Title: NBC Wins Top Place In Ratings as Networks Lose More Viewers
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B12)
Author: Staff Reporter
Issue: Television Economics
Description: General Electric's NBC was the most watched network during
premier week, Westinghouse's CBS came in second, and Walt Disney's ABC came
in third. Compared to last year, total viewership of the big four broadcast
networks is down 4% -- only News Coprs Fox gained viewers.

Title: Technical Requirements to Enable Blocking of Video Programming Based on
Program Ratings
Source: FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Notices/1997/fcc97340.txt
Issue: V-Chip
Description: "The proposals contained in this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
are intended to
give parents the ability to block video programming that they do not want
their children to
watch. They are also intended to provide a regulatory framework that will
accommodate the
possible development and use of multiple ratings systems, giving parents the
flexibility to
choose the ratings system that best meets their needs." (Comments due ~Nov 14)

*********************************************
* Satellites *
*********************************************
Title: Satellite Plans Are Registered With the FCC
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A10)
Author: Quentin Hardy
Issue: Satellites
Description: Even before they've started making money from their first
global systems, a number of groups are informing the Federal Communications
Commission that they have plans for "second generation" satellite systems.
The filings at the FCC are an effort to secure rights to operate in a
certain section of the radio spectrum.

*********************************************
* Campaign Finance Reform *
*********************************************
Title: Vote Against McCain. Wait, Can I Say That?
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A22)
Author: Jonathan Rauch, editor National Review
Issue: Campaign Finance Reform
Description: For all its good press and good intentions, the McCain-Feingold
bill to reform campaign finance is bad. Private money is a big part of the
political system and if you try to suppress it in one place, it will show up
somewhere else. And you can't limit spending to communicate with voters
without violating the First Amendment.

*********************************************
* Philantropy *
*********************************************
Title: A Dangerous Alms Race
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A22)
Author: Leslie Lenkowsky
Indiana University Center on Philantropy
Issue: Philantropy
Description: Ted Turner's $1 billion pledge to the United Nations is getting
to much attention. Even if Turner gave the entire amount at once (instead of
over the ten year period he has promised), it would amount to far less than
1% of what Americans contributed to charity last year. Most donations come
from individuals who are far from superrich and surveys suggest that
households with below median incomes give larger preportion of their money
than those who are better off. Although a big gift can draw the attention
needed to start a big campaign, "every fund-raiser knows, the bedrock of
support for schools, hospitals, museums, symphonies, social welfare
agencies, and other charitries invariably comes from large numbers of much
smaller gifts."

*********************************************
* Encryption *
*********************************************
Title: Police Versus Us: The Encryption Chasm
Source: CyberTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/under/100197under-wayner.html
Author: Peter Wayner
Issue: Encryption
Description: It seems that everyone who backs the Clinton Administration
plan to "rewire" the Internet for easy surveillance works for the government
and everyone who opposes it works in the private sector. "All of law
enforcement is also in total agreement on one aspect of encryption," FBI
Director Louis B. Freeh told a Congressional committee recently. "The
widespread use of uncrackable encryption will devastate our ability to fight
crime and prevent terrorism." Wayner disagrees: "In truth, crime prevention
is a partnership. Law enforcement is only the part that steps in when all
else fails. Prevention is the job of the average person, and in the private
sector, where everyday people live, where a failed deal can destroy a
business, secure encryption is as necessary as a wall safe, a strongbox and
a trustworthy bank." [For a history of encryption see "Of Keys, Decoders and
Persoanl Privacy" by Ashley Dunn
http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/surf/100197mind.html; for updates on
the issue see the Center for Democracy and Technology http://www.cdt.org/]

*********************************************
* Internaltional *
*********************************************
Title: Once Again, US Trails Europe in Cellphones
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A15)
Author: Gautam Naik
Issue: Internaltional/InfoTech
Description: The third generation of cellular phones -- available in four or
five years -- will allow you to browse the Web, send a fax, check your
e-mail (where are my Headlines?), or watch a news clip...all while sitting
on a mountain or speeding along in your car (but watch out for that tree!).
In the race to control this emerging market, European companies are taking
the lead. Ericsson, for example, is already running tests on cellular phone
links that allow for video confercing.

Title: Japanese Phone Giant Buys a U.S. Stake
Source: New York Times, D2
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/financial/phone.html
Author: Seth Schiesel
Issue: Telecommunications
Description: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, one of the world's largest
telecommunications companies based in Tokyo, reported yesterday that it has
decided to invest $100 million in Teligent Inc., a small wireless
communications company. N.T.T.'s investment will allow Teligent to increase
competition in local markets. As stated by Alex Mandl, Teligent's chairman,
"by offering high-quality, high-capacity, facility based communications
services to small and medium-sized businesses in the United States, Teligent
will help fulfill the promise of the Telecommunications Act of 1996."

*********************************************
* Lifestyles! *
*********************************************
Title: The Internet Generation Taps Into Morse Code
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B1)
Author: Anna Wilde Mathews
Issue: Lifestyles!
Description: A morse code renaisance of sorts is under way as hobbyists,
academics, and military officiers try to keep it alive with new uses. One
company sells a 100 copies/month of Morse tutorial software for Microsoft
Windows.
*********

CPP welcomes Philip Henry to the Headlines team. We're now 50% bigger than
ever before -- and we ain't talking girth, baby.

Funding
NTIA: Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure
Assistance Program

Mergers
WSJ: WorldCom Nears Acquisition of Brooks Fiber
WSJ: AOL Is Sued by News Corp's Kesmai In Attempt to
Block CompuServe Deal
FCC: MCI/British Telecommunications Merger

Web Browsers
WP: A New Battle in the Browser Tug of War
WSJ: New Web Browsers Play Down TV-Channel Approach

Internet/InfoTech
WSJ: Ticketmaster Signs Accord With Intel For
"Point of View" On-Line Ticketing

Publishing
WP: Read It and Weep: Online Publishing Actually Boosts Sales
WSJ: Publishers Often Pad Circulation Figures

Advertising
NYT: Limiting Speech on Subways

Electronic Commerce
NYT: Cashless Society Put to Test in Ontario Town

Education Technology
WP: In Fairfax Schools, Hard Questions on Software Program

Computer Literacy/Jobs
WP: U.S. Shortage of High-Tech Workers

Content and Children
NYT: Helping or Confusing, TV Labels Are Widening
NYT: Dilemma for Kids' Web Sites: Separating Fun Stuff From Ads
NYT: New York Cracks Down on Child Pornography

Universal Service
FCC: Universal Service & Rural Health Care Providers

Long Distance
WSJ: Bell South Plans to Seek FCC Approval To Offer South Carolina
Long Distance

Regulation
FCC: You Say You Want A Revolution: Law vs. Progress

Campaign Finance Reform
NYT: Threat Is Seen to Campaign-Finance Bill

International
WP: TV Licenses Spark Feud in Hungary

Arts
NYT: Roy Lichtenstein, Pop Master, Dies at 73

*********************************************
* Funding *
*********************************************
Title: Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program
(TIIAP)
Source: NTIA
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/97tiiap.htm
Issue: Funding
Description: Vice President Al Gore and Commerce Secretary William Daley
announced the award of $20.9 million in federal matching grants by NTIA's
Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program
(TIIAP). The grants help bring the benefits of the Information Age to all
Americans, particularly those living in rural and underserved inner city
areas. Fifty-five public institutions in 38 states and the District of
Columbia have been selected to receive the grants.

*********************************************
* Mergers *
*********************************************
Title: WorldCom Nears Acquisition of Brooks Fiber
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (A4)
Author: Steven Lipin
Issue: Mergers
Description: The nation's fourth largest long distance provider, WorldCom,
is back in the headlines with a reported deal to purchase Brooks Fiber, a
fast growing local telephone service provider. Brooks has 44 networks in
operation or under construction. WorldCom recently acquired CompuServe Corp
for its high-speed networking division and swapped the online service
providers individual customer's for America Online's networking division,
ANS Communications.

Title: AOL Is Sued by News Corp's Kesmai In Attempt to Block CompuServe Deal
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B10)
Author: Jared Sandberg
Issue: Online Services/Mergers
Description: Kesmai Corp, a unit of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, is suing
America Online, claiming aintitrust violations and seeking to block the
acquisition of CompuServe's member base. Kesmai makes online computer games
which it offers to AOL and other online services. AOL recently changed its
game area, adding games it produces. Usage of Kesmai games dropped by as
much as 92%. In its suit, Kesmai is saying that AOL is trying to conduct an
"illegal merger," is "engaged in a course of conduct designed to defraud and
destroy Kesmai," and is abusing its "monopoly power."

Title: MCI/British Telecommunications Merger
Source: FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Orders/1997/fcc97302.html
Issue: Mergers
Description: FCC Releases Memorandum Opinion and Order ( FCC 97-302,
GN-96-245 ) Granting Merger of MCI Communications Corporation and British
Telecommunications plc

*********************************************
* Web Browsers *
*********************************************
Title: A New Battle in the Browser Tug of War
Source: Washington Post (C1)
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Author: Elizabeth Corcoran
Issue: Internet Service Providers
Description: Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft Corp., will be unveiling
Internet Explorer 4.0, Microsoft's latest software for browsing the
World Wide Web. "IE 4.0" looks to be Microsoft's most potent campaign to grab
the rest of the browser market, 64% of which is now controlled by Netscape
Communications Corp. Microsoft plans to initially give away the program if
downloaded from the Web, which can overhaul the look of a PC by
weaving in the World Wide Web. Microsoft plans to sell IE 4.0 in October, but
no price has been announced. Some say that this tactic is unfair. Jamie
Love, who directs the Consumer Project on Technology, wants the
government to take antitrust action against Microsoft. The company has
packed the program with amazing features which involve "channels" that are
being sponsored by about 500 companies like Walt Disney, Time Warner, and
the Wall Street Journal. "It's probably one of the best bargains in
software history," said Yusef Medhi, the director of marketing for the
Internet software division at Microsoft. For now, Microsoft doesn't mind not
making money on what some analysts call a "big, monster program". "The
important thing for us is that it drives the sales of everything else."

Title: New Web Browsers Play Down TV-Channel Approach
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B1)
Author: David Bank
Issue: Info Tech
Description: Less than a year ago, "push" technology was all the rage for
Internet browsers. The technology allows publishers to automatically deliver
features such as stock quotes, news and advertising to individual PCs. But
now that "push" is here, many people don't seem to want it and Microsoft and
Netscape are distancing themselves from the hype. Many corporate technology
managers are concerned that the steady stream of downloaded data could slow
down internal networks.

*********************************************
* Internet/InfoTech *
*********************************************
Title: Ticketmaster Signs Accord With Intel For "Point of View" On-Line
Ticketing
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B10)
Author: Bruce Orwall
Issue: Info Tech
Description: Ticketmaster has signed an agreement with computer chip maker
Intel to develop technology that would allow online ticket buyers to see the
view of the stage or field from the seats they are purchasing. The
technology is to be in place starting this spring for the 100 biggest venues
that Ticketmaster serves. The technology will also allow buyers to
pre-purchase food that could then be deliver to their seats during the game
or concert.

*********************************************
* Publishing *
*********************************************
Title: Read It and Weep: Online Publishing Actually Boosts Sales
Source: Washington Post (C1)
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Author: Beth Berselli
Issue: Internet Sales and Services (Books)
Description: A Washington publisher, Nat'l Academy Press, posted 1,700 of
its current titles on the Internet, letting everyone read for free. The
result was a 17% sales increase in sales the following year. NAP found that
whetting a reader's appetite was best done through cyberspace, especially
since reading an entire book online just isn't a pleasureable experience for
the eyes. Once a reader was curious enough, they would then
offer up their credit cards. "Electronic book publishing" is largely an
infant business, with concerns over start-up costs, copyrights, and the
basic belief that freebies will hurt sales. Barbara Kline Pope, director of
NAP, regards online publishing as "the same as a bookstore, with
people...browsing." Despite these concerns, electronic publishing is slowly
gaining acceptance, especially as a marketing tool. But, what is most
important is that the readers will benefit. Scott Lubeck, NAP's former
director, who initiated the project in 1994, said, "They will never have to
worry that a book won't be available."

Title: Publishers Often Pad Circulation Figures
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B10)
Author: Patrick Reilly & Ernest Beck
Issue: Publishing/Advertising
Description: Amid recent reports that an Anglo-Dutch publishing giant
inflated circulation numbers, US marketing veterans are saying that such
numbers are overstated more often than people think. Publishers often
overpromise the circulation they can deliver and then make it up with cash
payments or "make-good" ad space. Circulation numbers are used to set the
price for advertising space.

*********************************************
* Advertising *
*********************************************
Title: Limiting Speech on Subways
Source: New York Times, A34
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/editorial/index.map?150,151
Author: Editorial Staff
Issue: Advertising
Description: What? No more Calvin Klein Underwear ads? In a meeting being
held in New York today, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's board is
scheduled to vote on changes to the agencies advertising standards. In the
name of protecting transit riders from sexually explicit advertisements,
vague new guidelines are being proposed which could bar many types of legally
permissible ads from being displayed on buses and subways. In reaction to
criticism, the M.T.A. claims that the selling of promotional space is a
commercial venture which justifies their right to reject material that they
think is unfit for certain segments of their transit passengers.

*********************************************
* Electronic Commerce *
*********************************************
Title: Cashless Society Put to Test in Ontario Town
Source: New York Times, D2
http://search.nytimes.com/search/daily/bin/fastweb?getdoc+site+iib-site+1
0+0++%28cashless%20society%20put%20to%20test%20in%20ontario%29%20OR%20%28%29
%20OR%20%28%29
Author: Editorial Staff
Issue: Electronic Commerce
Description: "Smart cards" are being tested for the first time in North
America. Residents of Guelph, Ontario are participating in a community-wide
test where they can use these cards for small cash transactions. While
Mondex, an international British financial company who distributed the cards
in Canada, has been having a difficult time bringing consumers over to the
"smart card" mentality, those who have converted appear to be addicted.
Merchants don't have to count, stack and bundle at the end of the day and
consumers can leave home with only an electronic cash card in their pocket
as opposed to bulky dollar bills and coins. "Unlike credit or debit cards,
which need to connect to a central network, the chip-based Mondex cards
carry all the information needed to make a transaction. Cash value can be
loaded at an automated teller machine, or by using a specially outfitted
telephone." A similar experiment will be coming to New York's Upper West
Side on October 6.

*********************************************
* Education Technology *
*********************************************
Title: In Fairfax Schools, Hard Questions on Software Program
Source: Washington Post (B1)
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Author: Victoria Benning
Issue: Education Technology
Description: "Successmaker", a software program being used in 15 Fairfax
elementary schools as well as a growing number of schools nationwide, drills
students in all basic subjects. It keeps track of how long it takes for each
child to answer a question and provides individualized homework assignments,
letting students move through the curriculum at different speeds. But, while
educators and parents greatly support this new program, school officials
turned down a proposal to place the program in all 45 of Fairfax's
elementary schools on the county's eastern end. School administrators were
concerned about the cost, about $55,000, and the educational value, claiming
that its drills were a superficial style of teaching. Marianne O'Brien,
Fairfax's technology coordinator, said, "We just aren't sure it makes enough
difference to justify the cost... there are other things we'd rather do with
that money--like give more students access to technology and do more
creative things with it."

*********************************************
* Computer Literacy/Jobs *
*********************************************
Title: U.S. Shortage of High-Tech Workers
Source: Washington Post (C3)
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Author: Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Issue: Computer Literacy/Jobs
Description: The Commerce Dept. issued its first warning that a growing
shortage of workers with cutting-edge computer skills could hinder the
nation's economic growth. In that warning officials said that the Commerce
and Education departments would work with the technology industry to jointly
propose solutions to the labor shortage through a series of task forces and
a nationwide summit to be held next year. Andrew Pincus, the Commerce
Department's general counsel, said that the shortage "is increasing the cost
of doing business throughout this country and reducing our global
competitiveness and constraining our economic growth." The report the
department released included information gathered by the Information
Technology Association of America (ITAA), which estimated about 190,000
information technology jobs nationwide that are unfilled. Skeptics of the
report's estimates contend that these companies aren't doing enough to
attract and train workers with basic computer skills. Norm Matloff, a
computer science professor at the Univ. of California at Davis, said, "The
report is a tool of special interests...the industry is not willing to train
people or give them a chance to pick up those skills on the job."

*********************************************
* Content and Children *
*********************************************
Title: Helping or Confusing, TV Labels Are Widening
Source::New York Times, B1, B8
http://search.nytimes.com/search/daily/bin/fastweb?getdoc+site+iib-site+37
+0++%28tv%20labels%29%20OR%20%28%29%20OR%20%28%29
Author: Lawrie Mifflin
Issue: V-Chip
Description: Beginning tomorrow, most television networks across the U.S.
will add new labels to the already existing TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14 and TV-MA.
The new labels will be D, L, S and V, standing for suggestive dialogue,
course language, sex and violence. While there are basic guidelines, there
is no set way for determining what type of material denotes which rating as
each program is open to subjective interpretation. The system has been
designed to work with a computer V-chip which will allow viewers to block
programs with certain ratings. Under Federal law, this chip will be
installed in all newly produced television sets starting in 1998. [There
will be no warnings if tofu will appear in during the program]

Title: Dilemma for Kids' Web Sites: Separating Fun Stuff From Ads
Source: New York Times, CyberTimes
http://search.nytimes.com/books/search/bin/fastweb?getdoc+cyber-lib+cyber-
lib+17461+0++dilemma%20for%20Kids%27%20Web%20Sites
Author: Pamela Mendels
Issue: WWW
Description: One of the big questions facing companies that focus on the
online children's market is how to attract advertisers while assuring
parents that their kids are not being deceived by ads and promotions. Many
are considering labeling advertisements so their young users will be able to
easily identify promotions from website content. Others are considering
more unusual ways of generating income so they can provide sites that are
virtually ad-free. The main goal for commercial children's Web site
operators is to come up with ways to sustain the company without forfeiting
an online site where kids can learn and have fun.

Title: New York Cracks Down on Child Pornography
Source: The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/093097porn.html
Author: Seth Schiesel
Issue: Internet Regulation
Description: The New York state general attorney, Dennis Vacco, announced
on Monday that his office has identified more than 1,500 people worldwide
who are suspected of trafficking in illegal child pornography over the
Internet. The U.S. Customs Service cooperated in the 18-month investigation,
which led to 34 arrests. Subsequently, 90 other people have been referred
for prosecution in Arizona, Michigan, Germany, and Britain, according to
Chris McKenna, Vacco's spokesman. Vacco added a collection of images that he
said, "would be the envy of pedophiles worldwide, with over 200,000 seperate
images." The electronic possession or transmission of child pornography is
illegal under federal law in 18 states, including New York.

*********************************************
* Universal Service *
*********************************************
Title: Universal Service & Rural Health Care Providers
Source: FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/1997/da972039.html
Issue: Universal Service
Description: Workshop on Draft Application Form for Rural Health Care
Providers Applying for Universal Service Support to be Held September 30
from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon in the Commission Meeting Room, 1919 M Street,
N.W., Room 856, Washington, D.C. Interested parties may attend the workshop.
The workshop also will be recorded on video, and copies of the videotape
will be available in the Commission's Reference Room, 1919 M Street, N.W.,
Room 239, Washington, D.C. 20554. [Listen on the Internet at
http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/] Draft forms available at
http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html#hc]

*********************************************
* Long Distance *
*********************************************
Title: Bell South Plans to Seek FCC Approval To Offer South Carolina Long
Distance
Source: Wall Street Journal
http://wsj.com/ (B6)
Author: Leslie Cauley
Issue: Long Distance
Description: BellSouth plans to seek Federal Communications Commission
approval to start offering long distance in one the local service provider's
home markets, South Carolina. Bell South contends that it has opening up
this market for competition, but competitors have failed to enter the
market. South Carolina telephone regulators have approved BellSouth's plan
finding that AT&T and other large carriers have no plans to offer local
service in the primarily rural state.

*********************************************
* Regulation *
*********************************************
Title: You Say You Want A Revolution: Law vs. Progress
Source: FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Hundt/spreh757.html
Author: Reed Hundt
Issue: Regulation
Description: "We need you to figure out: how to make democracy possible in a
digital age; how the path of the common good can be taken in a media-induced
and lawyer-created fog of criticism and complexity; how America can export a
wealth-creating, fairness-engendering, happiness-facilitating system of
governance to the world; and how to solve the problems of poverty, disease,
global warming, inequality of opportunity."

*********************************************
* Campaign Finance Reform *
*********************************************
Title: Threat Is Seen to Campaign-Finance Bill
Source: New York Times, A22
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/politics/index.map?66,118
Author: Eric Schmitt
Issue: Campaign Finance Reform
Description: Majority leader Sen. Trent Lott proposed an amendment to the
campaign-finance reform legislation yesterday that Democrats claim would
kill the bill. "The provision would prohibit unions from deducting dues
from union and non-union workers for political activity without their
permission. The change would significantly curtail a union's ability to
raise money for political purposes. Because unions endorse Democratic
candidates far more often then they endorse Republicans, most Democrats have
vowed to vote against any campaign-finance bill that includes this
provision. Many Republicans oppose overhauling the country's
election-financing system and would be delighted to see it die on the floor."

*********************************************
* International *
*********************************************
Title: TV Licenses Spark Feud in Hungary
Source: Washington Post (A17)
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Author: Christine Spolar
Issue: International
Description: There is a court battle going on over the privatization of
Hungary's airwaves. Central European Media Enterprises, or CME, claims that
the Nat'l Radio and Television Commission broke the law by giving broadcast
licenses to two European media groups that offered lower bids. CME did
offer $20 million more than its competitors for the 10-year licenses, but
broadcast commissioners were looking for more than money in creating the
first private stations in Hungary. Mihaly Revesz, the head of the
seven-member commission, said, "This is Eastern Europe, and here people are
always suspecting politics or corruption to explain things...in this case
I'm comfortable with the broadcast landscape." There has been a nearly
2-year old media law in place to regulate how these licenses could be sold
without political influence, yet still spawned speculation about possible
political deals and the integrity of the licensing process.

*********************************************
* Arts *
*********************************************
Title: Roy Lichtenstein, Pop Master, Dies at 73
Source: New York Times, A1, D31
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/national/obit-lichtenstein.3.jpg.html
Author: Michael Kimmelman
Issue: Arts
Description: Roy Lichtenstein, a major figure in American art since his
debut at the Leo Castelli Gallery in Manhattan in 1962, died yesterday at
the age of 73 due to complications from pneumonia. Lichtenstein's art was
quintessentially pop as he produced works that mimicked the flat colors,
bold lines and dots found in the funny pages. He mixed image and text,
using a strategy of appropriation which helped to pave the way for some of
the techniques used by today's younger artists. Remaining within his own
style he managed to keep up with the times coupling 1990's irony with 1960's
imagery. The painter Larry Rivers described Lichtenstein as a person who
"got the hand out of art, and put the brain in."
*********