US stops joining the worldwide web

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March 2, 2006

Internet usage in the US has flatlined, with a third of the country's households stubbornly refusing to sign up. And don't expect any sudden surges of interest – only two per cent of US citizens surveyed by Parks Associates plan to sign up this year.

This leaves 36 per cent of US households without an internet connection at home – and no intention of getting one, either. More worringly for the get-everyone-connected brigade, only four per cent of this sample cited cost as a reason for continuing to be domestic refuseniks, and only eight per cent said it was because the technology was too difficult to use. 31 per cent said they had a net connection at work, and so didn't need one at home, while 39 per cent cited other reasons for not signing up.

Microsoft multi-language software in India

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digitalLEARNING Network

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March 2, 2006

Software major Microsoft launched multi-language 'Windows XP Starter Edition for India' with English and local language computing interface, as part of its efforts to make computers more affordable, relevant and broadly available to first-time users in the country. Nine local languages will be supported on the operating system by the end of this year.

Microsoft also announced that HCL Infosystems, a PC vendor in Noida near Delhi, will be offering from April PCs based on the Starter Edition, on installments of about 399INR per month for an entry level PC. The PC will include Microsoft's entry level productivity application called Works 8, anti-virus software, and educational content. Broadband connectivity will be offered at additional cost.

Although the Starter Edition has been introduced in a number of emerging economies, this is the first time that the operating system will support multiple local languages and English. Microsoft of Redmond, Washington, launched the Starter Edition in Hindi in India last year. Versions of the Starter Edition in other Indian languages may also be considered depending on user response. A decision to include English as an option was taken after the company discovered a large base of users who preferred an English version, according to Microsoft sources.

Korea plans to build Linux university

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March 2, 2006

The Korean government plans to select a city and a university late next month where open-source software like Linux will become the mainstream operating programs. The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) revealed the scheme of building up the city and university, which will operate as test beds for the open-source programs.

''We will start to receive applications next week. After screening candidate cities and universities, the test beds are likely to be decided by late March'', MIC director Lee Do-kyu said. The project will be kick-started just after the decision of the city and university, toward which end the ministry earmarked 4.1 billion won for this year alone. Already many universities and local governments have shown interest in the project. The selected government and university will be required to install open-source software as a main operating infrastructure, for which the MIC will support with funds and technologies.

In the long run, they will have to migrate most of their desktop and notebook computers away from the Windows program of Microsoft, the world's biggest maker of software. The test beds will prompt other cities and universities to follow suit through the showcasing of Linux as the major operating system without any technical glitches and security issues, Lee said. The open-source software refers to an emerging operating system alternative to the closed-door Windows program of Microsoft, which has flat-out ruled the global market thus far.

The underlying source codes of the new-type software are basically open to the public so that programmers from across the world can upgrade them continually, the strength that the proprietary Windows lacks. The attempt to create a Linux city is not a first. Munich in Germany plans to deploy Linux and open-source packages on its 14,000 PCs in place of Microsoft office automation suites and operating system. Other cities and governments also look to embrace various open-source software, which represents freedom and flexibility by nature, to save costs and increase efficiency. In fact, Korea is not a world leader in adopting Linux and other open-source programs. Currently, less than 1 percent of desktop PCs are based on Linux in Korea, much lower than the global median 3 percent. For servers, Linux accounts for about a fifth of the market here. The Korea IT Industry Promotion Agency wants to increase the rate to 5 percent for desktop PCs and 40 percent for servers by 2010.

Google News in mobile phones now

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March 2, 2006

In a further push into the mobile space, Google has optimized Google (Profile, Products, Articles) News for mobile phone users.

When Internet-enabled phone users visit google.com, they'll now see a news link that points to a page listing news headlines. Users can search for news stories from a variety of sources and browse based on subject. Only stories that are displayed on pages that have been optimized for mobile users are included. A line at the bottom of the page tells users when the information on the page was last updated. Mobile users will pay to view Google News only via the fees they typically pay to access the Internet.

The mobile news services is currently available to U.S. users. Mobile phone users have other options beside Google for accessing news. Many operators include news headlines within their mobile portals. Other Google services for mobile users include Gmail Mobile, local for mobile, which includes maps and driving directions, and a home page personalization capability. In addition, operators and phone makers including T-Mobile International, Sony (Profile, Products, Articles) Ericsson Mobile Communications, and Motorola have announced partnerships with Google that typically involve placing a Google search bar in a prominent position on mobile phones.

IBM partners with universities to develop mobile speech applications

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March 1, 2006

IBM has collaborated with two universities to develop several speech-enabled Web applications for mobile phones. The U.S. company is partnering with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the University of California, Santa Barbara (USCB) to test technologies that it may eventually offer to other types of users, such as sales forces, physicians, and emergency response teams.

The MobileU program allows students to ask “What time is the next bus coming?” into their cell phones. Global Positioning Satellite devices inside the buses use GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) to transmit their location to servers on campus and ultimately to students' mobile phones to tell them how long they have to wait. The application, developed with Wake Forest University, uses IBM WebSphere Everyplace Multimodal Environment software.

With LaundryView, IBM built an application on top of an existing Web application developed by the Mac-Gray, which provides laundry management services to schools. Students at Wake Forest living in special, tech-enabled facilities can ask any Internet-connected device how many washers and dryers are currently in use. As a result, they don't have to waste time walking to the laundry room to find out whether any machines are free.

Park and Pay-by-Cellphone, an application developed by IBM and USCB, is one of North America's first wireless parking systems that integrates a payment system. Drivers call a phone number, enter the stall number and park. They can purchase additional parking time remotely by making another phone call. Parking fees are charged to their credit card. The new system tracks enforcement through a wireless network connecting 50 payment stations. With the Personal Information Manager application, USCB students can ask their mobile phones what their e-mail inbox contains. It will also inform them audibly about their calendar entries and read them instant messages and newspaper articles as they walk to class or drive their cars. The application takes RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds from university and national newspapers and enters them into a speech-enabled Web browser.

HP sign MoU for the NEPAD e-Schools project

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February 28, 2006

HP has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Egypt and the e-Africa Commission, paving the way for the launch of the third NEPAD e-School in the Northern African region.

The objective of the NEPAD e-schools initiative is to supply African schools with an educational technology solution including computer hardware, software, Internet connectivity, technical support and teacher training. Six schools were selected by the Egyptian Government to participate in the demonstration project, of which, three of the schools were allocated to HP. The three schools allocated to the HP Consortium are, El Moqta Secondery Mixed School in Daqahleya, Omaer Ibn Abd El Aziz (Mixed School)-, Elsalaa Secondery School in Sohag and Elhadin Secondery School in El Beheira.The NEPAD e-Schools Project was first publicly announced at the 2003 Africa Economic Summit in Durban, South Africa.

The scope of the project focuses on providing an end-to-end education solution that will utilise Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to connect schools to the NEPAD e-Schools network and the Internet. In addition to connectivity, solutions will provide content and learning material, as well as establish health points at schools in support of the NEPAD e-Health Programme. The strategy is to turn all African high schools and primary schools into NEPAD e-Schools within ten years of implementation. Upon completion of the project, more than 6,00,000 schools across the continent will enjoy the benefits of ICT and connectivity to the NEPAD e-School network and the Internet.

Customised laptop for students from HCL Info

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February 24, 2006

With an eye on the burgeoning notebook PC market in India, HCL Infosystems announced its foray into notebook manufacturing with a range of products customised for various target groups including students, doctors, lawyers and consumers.

The new `HCL Leaptops' range is being manufactured in India in Pondicherry facility, and designed as per the requirements of various target groups such as architect, doctors, info kiosks, women and defence segment. For instance, the company has launched a rugged notebook, designed to work in adverse atmospheric conditions including rain, snow, extreme vibration, with an ability to withstand temperature between minus 15 degree and 65 degree. The notebook for students offers pre-bundled licence of portals, where they can study the topics online and test their skills. HCL – which also has an ongoing distribution relationship with Toshiba – said it would continue to market the latter's notebooks through a separate division. The company has introduced media centre that offers single interface to all audio visual functions through remote control, and has also launched a notebook powered by Windows Starter Edition. The notebooks are priced at between Rs 27,490 and up to Rs one lakh.

e-Learning goes the distance

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February 24, 2006

The days when a correspondence course was just for the sake of adding a degree are pass

Ministries launch e-Learning Jamaica Project

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February 24, 2006

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology, Jamaica launched its e-Learning Jamaica Project. The project seeks to introduce multimedia projectors, CDs, DVDs and other information communication technologies (ICTs) as an integral part of the learning environment in classrooms.

According to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, “The e-Learning project is the next vital element in our strategy to transform this country and achieve sustained development”. Patterson said e-Learning will improve students' capacity for continuing education, increase their readiness for the global community and enhance the national profile and marketability in the international arena. The Prime Minister said the Government recognised the critical role of education in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable national development, but emphasised that the process must go beyond simply changing the medium for the delivery of education, to addressing the content of education. The project, initiated by Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell, will be implemented on a phased basis over the next three to four years and will target students in grades seven to 11 in all 150 high schools islandwide. The Technology Ministry allocated $50 million from the Technical Investment Fund for the project while additional funding was received from the Universal Access Fund .

FSA launches e-Learning course

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February 24, 2006

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Scotland has launched an e-Learning package for small firms to help them work out what financial resources they need to meet regulatory requirements.

Firms need to keep adequate financial resources at all times and this online training course is designed for those with little or no accounting knowledge. The financial watchdog has already introduced various initiatives to assist small firms, which include improvements to the Firm Contact Centre such as longer opening hours at key times; more targeted newsletters and webpages; tailored Handbooks; and a range of workshops, training courses, roadshows and surgeries. The e-Learning package is a new way of offering assistance to firms and may offer extra support to those that need it.

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