DIGITAL DIVIDE
Seniornet Campaign Pushes Tech Literacy
A Boon for Nonprofits With Software Needs
Welfare Software
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Small Web Radio Stations to Pay Lower Royalties
TECHNOLOGY & DEMOCRACY
An E-Mayor for Virtual LA City
DIGITAL DIVIDE
SENIORNET CAMPAIGN PUSHES TECH LITERACY
SeniorNet is launching a national advertising campaign to encourage older
Americans to become computer literate. Consisting of three public-service
television ads in 23 markets, the yearlong campaign will explain the
benefits of the Internet. Planet Earth Media Foundation will produce the
campaign, an in-kind donation valued at $4.7 million, and the San Jose-based
Skoll Community Fund contributed a $250,000 grant. According to SeniorNet
CEO and President Ann Wrixon, part of the campaign's aim is to draw the
attention of government, business and community leaders in a bid to increase
funding for older-adult technology training.
[Source: San Jose Mercury News, Author: John R. Quain]
(http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/4337452.htm)
A BOON FOR NONPROFITS WITH SOFTWARE NEEDS
DiscounTech, an online software store created by CompuMentor, provides
discounted software solutions to non-profit organizations amid tough
economic times. Many non-profits are able to purchase software such as
Microsoft XP from DiscounTech at prices as low as $60, compared to the
current retail price of $500. DiscounTech saves clinics, community service
agencies, homeless shelters and other organizations time by allowing them to
purchase directly from the company opposed to the long process of applying
for grants. "Now for every four licenses of Microsoft Office we save enough
to buy another computer," said Mark McNeil, information technology director
of the nonprofit Economic Opportunity Council. For software companies, like
Microsoft, distributing their products at steep discounts or for free, can
be a way to raise visibility - a tax-deductible form of marketing.
[source: New York Times, AUTHOR: Laurie J. Flynn]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/21/technology/21DISC.html)
WELFARE SOFTWARE
Until recently, efforts by philanthropists, non-profits and government
agencies to improve public access to computers have omitted a key component
- software. Over the last two years, however, a growing number of companies
and universities have heeded the cry for help from social service agencies
in need of specialized software. Benefactors have pushed the envelope beyond
traditional database applications allowing social workers to keep track of
clients. One new package, the Self-Sufficiency Calculator, is a Java-based
program that enables users to enter personal information and compare that
information against eligibility requirements for state and federal
assistance programs, including housing assistance, food stamps, and
Medicare. Private firms have joined the effort as well.
[SOURCE: MIT Enterprise Technology Review, AUTHOR: Alan Leo]
(http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/wo_leo101802.asp)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
SMALL WEB RADIO STATIONS TO PAY LOWER ROYALTIES
Smaller Internet radio broadcasters scored a temporary victory last weekend
in their quest to avoid the high royalties expected from larger firms such
as American Online and Yahoo. All Webcasters were due Monday to begin
paying royalties to artists whose songs they use, but an agreement among
musicians and record labels caps the liability for small stations at $500
per year since 1998. The labels are currently able to charge the high
per-song rates set this summer by the Library of Congress, but chose not to
do so since they are confident that the Senate will approve a measure
lowering the rate for smaller firms. "We didn't want to cause any undue
hardship," said John Simson, executive director of the SoundExchange
clearinghouse, which represents the most major and independent labels --
accounting for some 90% of available recorded music.
[SOURCE: USA Today, AUTHOR: Reuters]
(http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2002-10-21-lower-royalties_x.htm)
TECHNOLOGY & DEMOCRACY
AN E-MAYOR FOR VIRTUAL LA CITY
A likely unsuccessful secession effort by residents of the San Fernando
Valley area of Los Angeles has created a unique case study in e-government
and the use of the Internet in electoral campaigns. Internet consultant Marc
Strassman is running for mayor of the proposed new city, and his almost
exclusively Internet-based campaign and strong support of e-government have
earned him some attention, if not some votes. Strassman believes that
e-government "will vastly increase the quality of life in the Valley and
serve as an example for other municipalities." Strassman emphasizes the need
for broadband access and open-source software to further empower individuals
in the Internet age, stating, "I want (people) to have an opportunity to
participate in their own transformation. Through technology."
[SOURCE: Wired News, AUTHOR: Patrick Di Justo]
(http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,55911,00.html)
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