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 07-03-2001Spam WarsJonathan Nee NetCompass News Editor Can Technology Save the World?Yes, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can be pivotal in reducing poverty and changing socio-economic conditions in developing nations. "Creating a Development Dynamic," an 86-page report released by the UNDP, calls ICT "a breakthrough technology for democracy and the expansion of knowledge for poor people." It recommends the implementation of programs that use information technology to create jobs, lure investment and sell high-tech products and handmade crafts on the global market in order to raise living standards and change infrastructure. The report is the result of a partnership between the UNDP and the Markle Foundation, a New York-based charity, and the global management consultancy Accenture. The group calls itself the Digital Opportunity Initiative. The report states that ICT can be fundamental to change "because it can overcome barriers of social, economic, and geographical isolation, increase access to information and education, and enable poor people to take part in more of the decisions that affect their lives." Serious ICT initiatives have met with resistance in developing nations due to a lack of government funding and low market demand, but the report notes that the benefits of ICT extend beyond the economic sphere and cites several examples, such as the global e-mail campaign that helped to topple former Philippine President Joseph Estrada and distance learning in Southeast Asia. The release of the document is timely, as increased attention has been paid to the "digital divide," the technology gap separating wealthy, techno-savvy citizens of developed nations and poorer, computer-illiterate masses in third world states. Some interesting, perhaps startling, details from the UNDP's 2001 Human Development Report:
The Digital Opportunity Initiative was hatched at last year's G-8 Summit in Okinawa, to evaluate ICT's role in fostering sustainable economic development and enhancing social equity. The G-8 will again give attention to the Digital Opportunity Initiative as they meet in Genoa, Italy, beginning Friday. Click here for the final report from the Digital Opportunity Initiative: http://www.opt-init.org/ Click here for the UNDP's Information and Communications Technology page: http://www.sdnp.undp.org/it4dev/ Click here for the UNDP's 2001 Human Development Report: http://www.undp.org/hdr2001/ \0 Fleeting Victory for MicrosoftMost legal analysts outside of Microsoft characterize Thursday's appeals court decision as a loss for the software giant. While it avoided the breakup order by U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson, the company was still found to be maintaining an illegal monopoly. The results of that decision could prove devastating. The government's case remains so strong, say legal experts, that Microsoft will be forced to change the way it conducts business. A conclusion to the government's case could be years away, but MS competitors could use Jackson's findings of fact in the more than 100 consumer antitrust lawsuits pending against Microsoft. By the time the government's case has been finalized, the company could be facing hundreds more. The damage could be substantial as the appeals court decision would now only require a plaintiff to prove evidence of liability and damages. Microsoft, which has about $30 billion in its coffers to fend off legal action, could be facing damages of several billion dollars in each private antitrust case. Successful plaintiffs acquire "trouble damages" as well as attorney's fees in private antitrust cases. Trouble damages award the successful plaintiff three times the damages they ask for. Microsoft spokesman, Jim Cullinan, denies this ruling gives any legal advantage to companies seeking damages, but Bill Gates announced in a Thursday press conference that this would be a good time for all the parties to sit down and reach a resolution. Taliban Reminds Americans to Celebrate 4th of JulyIn its ongoing bid to become the most oppressive government on the planet, Afghanistan's Taliban regime banned the use of the internet in the country. The move came as a shock to the six people in Afghanistan who actually have internet access. According to Taliban Foreign Minister, Maulvi Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil, the ban was introduced to prevent elements deemed obscene, vulgar and anti-Islamic from reaching Afghans. "We want to establish a system in Afghanistan through which we can control all those things that are wrong, obscene, immoral and against Islam," he said. Government departments will also have to abide. Although there are no concrete numbers on how many people have access to the internet in Afghanistan, they are most certainly small. Twenty-two years of war have ravaged the country, leaving infrastructure in ruins. Most areas lack electricity and those who have the means, including foreign aid agencies, gain access to the internet through the few telephone lines and internet services provided by Pakistan. Since coming to power in 1996, the Taliban movement has issued a series of measures seeking to impose its hardline interpretation of Islam. In addition to the most recent edict, the regime forbids the education of women until segregated institutions can be established; destroys paintings and photos, both of which are said to promote idolatry; and prohibits music, except for religious chants, in shops, hotels and vehicles, and at weddings and parties. These and many other conduct laws are ruthlessly enforced by the Taliban's powerful religious police, a force that works under the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. There has been no report from the Taliban as to how it will ensure telephone lines are not being used for internet access or the repercussions for web use. If penalties for other such conduct infractions are any indication, anyone who violates this edict will most likely be imprisoned. 2 Gigahertz on the WayIntel Corporation, the world's largest producer of computer chips, is moving up the release date of a 2 gigahertz chip thanks to recent robust yields, a term used to describe success in manufacturing chips with zero defects. Intel is currently touting its new Pentium 4 chips running at 1.6 gigahertz and 1.8 gigahertz, or 1.6 billion and 1.8 billion cycles per second. Pentium 4 chips are geared to business users that run the latest data-intensive software programs and for consumer PC users who run demanding digital video and audio applications, including three-dimensional video games. The company plans to offer the 2 gigahertz chip later this quarter. Can Technology Save the World?Yes, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can be pivotal in reducing poverty and changing socio-economic conditions in developing nations. "Creating a Development Dynamic," an 86-page report released by the UNDP, calls ICT "a breakthrough technology for democracy and the expansion of knowledge for poor people." It recommends the implementation of programs that use information technology to create jobs, lure investment and sell high-tech products and handmade crafts on the global market in order to raise living standards and change infrastructure. The report is the result of a partnership between the UNDP and the Markle Foundation, a New York-based charity, and the global management consultancy Accenture. The group calls itself the Digital Opportunity Initiative. The report states that ICT can be fundamental to change "because it can overcome barriers of social, economic, and geographical isolation, increase access to information and education, and enable poor people to take part in more of the decisions that affect their lives." Serious ICT initiatives have met with resistance in developing nations due to a lack of government funding and low market demand, but the report notes that the benefits of ICT extend beyond the economic sphere and cites several examples, such as the global e-mail campaign that helped to topple former Philippine President Joseph Estrada and distance learning in Southeast Asia. The release of the document is timely, as increased attention has been paid to the "digital divide," the technology gap separating wealthy, techno-savvy citizens of developed nations and poorer, computer-illiterate masses in third world states. Some interesting, perhaps startling, details from the UNDP's 2001 Human Development Report: \ And Some Students Wish the Taliban Could Ban it HereOnline report cards are getting positive reviews from parents and educators, as some school districts in the U.S. make the transition from traditional paper to a web-based format. Students can no longer hide poor grades or attendance from parents with access to the new system. Web-based school reporting applications - such as PowerSchool, LetterGrade, and K12Planet - allow parents, teachers and students to view grades, attendance, progress and schedules from any personal computer at any time. Apple's PowerSchool also provides phone access to parents without internet connections. Pricing for the system depends on the number of students and schools within a district. According to Greg Porter, president of PowerSchool, the cost for a small school would start at around $5,000. Don Blake, a senior technologist with the National Education Association, believes the program to be a valuable investement as it allows parents a more active role in their child's performance, but warns that as with many online applications, security concerns exist. Online report card systems use an online vendor or bank paradigm, requiring login password and encrypting information. Blake says that schools must take the necessary steps to ensure that hackers cannot steal or modify sensitive personal information. As the U.S. searches for better means of accountability in education, we will undoubtedly see more and more school districts adopt this new technology. Total Site NewsTotal Site will design and develop 3 new informational web sites for Music Maker Publications, one a corporate presence and one each for their primary publications, Recording and Musico Pro. All of the sites will be developed with secure e-commerce capabilities. Music Maker Publications produces magazines, books and CD's for recording musicians. Total Site NewsTotal Site is pleased to announce a new Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) web site with expanded functionality. EFAA now has the ability to take online donations securely, a password-protected intranet for board members, Total Site's Freshbuzz site maintenance tool and an online volunteer application. Total Site provided an on-site training session for EFAA last week. Fleeting Victory for MicrosoftMost legal analysts outside of Microsoft characterize Thursday's appeals court decision as a loss for the software giant. While it avoided the breakup order by U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson, the company was still found to be maintaining an illegal monopoly. The results of that decision could prove devastating. The government's case remains so strong, say legal experts, that Microsoft will be forced to change the way it conducts business. A conclusion to the government's case could be years away, but MS competitors could use Jackson's findings of fact in the more than 100 consumer antitrust lawsuits pending against Microsoft. By the time the government's case has been finalized, the company could be facing hundreds more. The damage could be substantial as the appeals court decision would now only require a plaintiff to prove evidence of liability and damages. Microsoft, which has about $30 billion in its coffers to fend off legal action, could be facing damages of several billion dollars in each private antitrust case. Successful plaintiffs acquire "trouble damages" as well as attorney's fees in private antitrust cases. Trouble damages award the successful plaintiff three times the damages they ask for. Microsoft spokesman, Jim Cullinan, denies this ruling gives any legal advantage to companies seeking damages, but Bill Gates announced in a Thursday press conference that this would be a good time for all the parties to sit down and reach a resolution. \ Taliban Reminds Americans to Celebrate 4th of JulyIn its ongoing bid to become the most oppressive government on the planet, Afghanistan's Taliban regime banned the use of the internet in the country. The move came as a shock to the six people in Afghanistan who actually have internet access. According to Taliban Foreign Minister, Maulvi Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil, the ban was introduced to prevent elements deemed obscene, vulgar and anti-Islamic from reaching Afghans. "We want to establish a system in Afghanistan through which we can control all those things that are wrong, obscene, immoral and against Islam," he said. Government departments will also have to abide. Although there are no concrete numbers on how many people have access to the internet in Afghanistan, they are most certainly small. Twenty-two years of war have ravaged the country, leaving infrastructure in ruins. Most areas lack electricity and those who have the means, including foreign aid agencies, gain access to the internet through the few telephone lines and internet services provided by Pakistan. Since coming to power in 1996, the Taliban movement has issued a series of measures seeking to impose its hardline interpretation of Islam. In addition to the most recent edict, the regime forbids the education of women until segregated institutions can be established; destroys paintings and photos, both of which are said to promote idolatry; and prohibits music, except for religious chants, in shops, hotels and vehicles, and at weddings and parties. These and many other conduct laws are ruthlessly enforced by the Taliban's powerful religious police, a force that works under the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. There has been no report from the Taliban as to how it will ensure telephone lines are not being used for internet access or the repercussions for web use. If penalties for other such conduct infractions are any indication, anyone who violates this edict will most likely be imprisoned. \ 2 Gigahertz on the WayIntel Corporation, the world's largest producer of computer chips, is moving up the release date of a 2 gigahertz chip thanks to recent robust yields, a term used to describe success in manufacturing chips with zero defects. Intel is currently touting its new Pentium 4 chips running at 1.6 gigahertz and 1.8 gigahertz, or 1.6 billion and 1.8 billion cycles per second. Pentium 4 chips are geared to business users that run the latest data-intensive software programs and for consumer PC users who run demanding digital video and audio applications, including three-dimensional video games. The company plans to offer the 2 gigahertz chip later this quarter. \ And Some Students Wish the Taliban Could Ban it HereOnline report cards are getting positive reviews from parents and educators, as some school districts in the U.S. make the transition from traditional paper to a web-based format. Students can no longer hide poor grades or attendance from parents with access to the new system. Web-based school reporting applications - such as PowerSchool, LetterGrade, and K12Planet - allow parents, teachers and students to view grades, attendance, progress and schedules from any personal computer at any time. Apple's PowerSchool also provides phone access to parents without internet connections. Pricing for the system depends on the number of students and schools within a district. According to Greg Porter, president of PowerSchool, the cost for a small school would start at around $5,000. Don Blake, a senior technologist with the National Education Association, believes the program to be a valuable investement as it allows parents a more active role in their child's performance, but warns that as with many online applications, security concerns exist. Online report card systems use an online vendor or bank paradigm, requiring login password and encrypting information. Blake says that schools must take the necessary steps to ensure that hackers cannot steal or modify sensitive personal information. As the U.S. searches for better means of accountability in education, we will undoubtedly see more and more school districts adopt this new technology. \ Total Site NewsTotal Site will design and develop 3 new informational web sites for Music Maker Publications, one a corporate presence and one each for their primary publications, Recording and Musico Pro. All of the sites will be developed with secure e-commerce capabilities. Music Maker Publications produces magazines, books and CD's for recording musicians. Total Site NewsTotal Site is pleased to announce a new Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) web site with expanded functionality. EFAA now has the ability to take online donations securely, a password-protected intranet for board members, Total Site's Freshbuzz site maintenance tool and an online volunteer application. Total Site provided an on-site training session for EFAA last week. \ Picking Up The Torch in the War Against SpamChalk one up for the anti-spammers. Several volunteers are continuing the work of the now defunct Open Relay Behavior-Modification System (ORBS), a hotly debated list that helps e-mail administrators block traffic from spam-friendly servers. ORBS, operated by New Zealander Alan Brown, was forced to shut down after two companies won legal injunctions against him for their inclusion on the list. Open mail relays forward e-mail to third parties without restriction, meaning they are wide open to spammers who want to use the relays to cloak their spam's origin. The strategy against this intermediate step? Test the relays, determine if they are open and then make the list available to server administrators elsewhere so that they can refuse email from them. Now several services have picked up where Brown left off, including Arizona's Open Relay Black List, England's Open Relay Block Zone (ORBZ), and Denmark's Open Relay Database (ORDB). All build upon the roughly 94,000 open mail relay servers Brown had compiled. Some estimates put the number of open mail relays worldwide at around 400,000. For these new volunteers, open mail relays have no place on the internet of today and are merely a legacy from a time when spam was not a problem. In the early days of the internet, e-mail administrators were not as cautious about which servers they would accept mail from. Times have changed and the new anti-spammers claim that allowing an open mail relay can only be attributed to technical incompetence. These activists do have their critics. Electronic Frontiers Foundation co-founder, John Gilmore, believes these lists are too heavy-handed in their approach, stopping legitimate e-mail as well as spam. Gilmore likens spam on the internet to a street corner store putting ads in their windows. You may not like what it has to say, but you cannot legally shut them down. Anti-spammers counter that unsolicited e-mail uses valuable server resources, thus degrading service and imposing on users' rights. One thing is for sure, even if the new breed of anti-spammers gets sidelined, someone will carry on the work begun by activists like Alan Brown. \ Picking Up The Torch in the War Against SpamChalk one up for the anti-spammers. Several volunteers are continuing the work of the now defunct Open Relay Behavior-Modification System (ORBS), a hotly debated list that helps e-mail administrators block traffic from spam-friendly servers. ORBS, operated by New Zealander Alan Brown, was forced to shut down after two companies won legal injunctions against him for their inclusion on the list. Open mail relays forward e-mail to third parties without restriction, meaning they are wide open to spammers who want to use the relays to cloak their spam's origin. The strategy against this intermediate step? Test the relays, determine if they are open and then make the list available to server administrators elsewhere so that they can refuse email from them. Now several services have picked up where Brown left off, including Arizona's Open Relay Black List, England's Open Relay Block Zone (ORBZ), and Denmark's Open Relay Database (ORDB). All build upon the roughly 94,000 open mail relay servers Brown had compiled. Some estimates put the number of open mail relays worldwide at around 400,000. For these new volunteers, open mail relays have no place on the internet of today and are merely a legacy from a time when spam was not a problem. In the early days of the internet, e-mail administrators were not as cautious about which servers they would accept mail from. Times have changed and the new anti-spammers claim that allowing an open mail relay can only be attributed to technical incompetence. These activists do have their critics. Electronic Frontiers Foundation co-founder, John Gilmore, believes these lists are too heavy-handed in their approach, stopping legitimate e-mail as well as spam. Gilmore likens spam on the internet to a street corner store putting ads in their windows. You may not like what it has to say, but you cannot legally shut them down. Anti-spammers counter that unsolicited e-mail uses valuable server resources, thus degrading service and imposing on users' rights. One thing is for sure, even if the new breed of anti-spammers gets sidelined, someone will carry on the work begun by activists like Alan Brown. |
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