Technology News Roundup
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One of the more interesting aspects of my job is that I’m constantly checking the news for technology stories, with a preference for the cool, the unusual, the cutting edge, and sometimes the downright weird. It often happens that there’s more news that fits that description than I can write about easily. Here are some of my recent favorites for your edification.
I used to live near Philadelphia, so I was pleased to hear that Philly moved one step closer to building the biggest citywide Wi-Fi project in the United States. Apparently the city government liked the results they saw from the 15-square-mile test zone. Participants in the project could access the Internet wirelessly for $21.95 a month or $9.95 a month if they qualified for assistance. Access in parks was free.
It will be interesting to see whether they keep to their timetable. The plan is to have wireless Internet access throughout the city, an area of 135 square miles, by the end of 2007. That seems pretty ambitious, and you can bet other cities will be watching the project.
I, for one, hope the project is a success. As Gregg Goldman, CEO of the nonprofit organization set up to handle the project pointed out, “Low-income families can begin using the power of the Internet to improve their educational, employment and life opportunities.” And just possibly this might help them earn their way out of the low-income bracket.
The plan is supposed to serve more than 300,000 households that are currently unable to get on the Internet. Lack of access may not seem to be a major economic barrier, until you realize that, for example, some employers only accept online applications. Accessing the Internet for free through the library can only go so far. This is pretty important for many Philadelphia residents; 25 percent live below the poverty line.
About 2,000 of Philly’s neediest residents will receive free refurbished laptops, a one-year Wi-Fi account, and educational and technical support. Funds still need to be raised for this part of the program, however. The wireless network itself will be funded, built and managed by EarthLink.
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