[NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:1431] Re: Digital Divide - A Skills or

From: Claire Deroche (claired@lacnyc.org)
Date: Wed Nov 15 2000 - 13:59:43 EST


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From: Claire Deroche <claired@lacnyc.org>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:1431] Re: Digital Divide - A Skills or
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If you live in New York City you can get free internet access through Met
Connect. There is no advertising with this service. I've used it for
several months now for my at home connection to the internet and have found
it to be very satisfactory. I came upon it when I signed on with Met
Connect for local and later long distance phone service. The web address is
www.metconnect.com. Perhaps the same type of local phone and internet
service providers exist in other cities?

Claire Deroche

*************************

At 12:14 PM 11/15/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi Mary,
>
>Altavista's free access software also fits on a diskette but they do have
>banner advertising.
>
>I am not sure that the "lures" from free access banner ads are any greater
>than the "lures" from simply browsing the Internet and all the banner ads
>now posted on almost every web site! In my experience, with free access
>through Altavista and Bluelight by KMart, I hardly look at their banner ads
>anymore. I do realize that this may not be the experience of others.
>
>Ajit
>
>Ajit Gopalakrishnan
>Capitol Region Education Council
>111 Charter Oak Avenue
>Hartford, CT 06106
>Phone: (860) 524-4036
>Fax: (860) 246-3304
>Email: agopalak@crec.org
>Web Site: http://www.crec.org/atdn/
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From:	MMalo63388@aol.com [SMTP:MMalo63388@aol.com]
>> Sent:	Wednesday, November 15, 2000 10:48 AM
>> To:	Multiple recipients of list
>> Subject:	[NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:1428] Re: Digital Divide - A Skills or
>> Acces
>> 
>> This has been a very helpful subject on the listserv. 
>> 
>> I agree with Ajit that access is a significant issue. This is self-evident
>> to 
>> those with contact with low-income families who make difficult choices for
>> 
>> spending limited funds. 
>> 
>> Regarding the question of Internet access with old computers. 
>> I am experimenting with different free services that include substantial 
>> questionnaires that I found personally invasive. The students I work with
>> are 
>> limited to free services, so I am trying them out. 
>> 
>> One option that exists for people who own computers lacking CDROMs is 
>> Prodigy. It is available on disk. We installed Prodigy as a free trial 
>> introduction to the Internet. Then we download directly to the computers
>> free 
>> services that aren't available via floppies e.g. Juno and Netzero. 
>> 
>> I am concerned that Netzero has extensive advertisements. Furthermore, the
>> 
>> service solicits members to gambling sites. Access to the Internet through
>> 
>> these free services opens a Pandora's Box that includes lures to gambling,
>> 
>> pornography, and hidden usage costs. The lures are more aggressive than
>> with 
>> paid services. This is worrisome as low-income families are limited to
>> free 
>> services to access the Internet. 
>> 
>> I believe in opening Pandora's Box. Internet access has a dramatic
>> positive 
>> impact on students' self esteem and motivation. I am, however, alerting 
>> parents to the dangers of the Internet. I am teaching parents to install 
>> their own passwords to limit home access to their children and having them
>> 
>> sign release forms to our program for liability as they acquire access. 
>> 
>> Thank you all for your comments. They have helped me pursue this topic for
>> 
>> students and their families. 
>> 
>> 
>> Mary Maloney 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>
>
>
Director of Outreach and Referral
Literacy Assistance Center
84 William St., 14th Fl.
New York, NY 10038
212-803-3335 phone
212-785-3685 fax
TTY (800) 662-1220
Voice Communications Assistant (800) 421-1220
www.lacnyc.org



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