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Newsletter of the Commonwealth Network of Information Technology for Development |
COMNET-IT News
The internet-based Commonwealth Knowledge Network,
conceptualised as a mechanism linking Science and Technology agencies
and information repositories as well as providing a mechanism for
problem-solving, will be launched at the forthcoming Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting in Durban, South Africa, on the 11th
November. The three year project is an initiative of the Commonwealth
Science Council and of the Commonwealth Secretariat's Science and
Technology Division. It is being developed in partnership with the
Commonwealth Business Council and COMNET-IT.
An international quarterly publication, the Journal
of IT for Development (published by IOS Press in Holland) is to
be re-launched as a COMNET-IT journal, with Commonwealth Secretariat
sponsorship, as from January 2000. This prestigious publication,
with an established readership beyond Commonwealth countries, enhances
the institutionalisation of COMNET-IT and its membership entitlements.
A significant proportion of responses to a global
survey on the subject of On-Line Governance organised jointly with
UNESCO have now been received. Results are being analysed and will
soon be published on a dedicated web-site being developed by COMNET-IT
for UNESCO.
News Bytes
The latest stage in the UK Government initiative on Electronic
Government is documented at http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/moderngov with more detail in the Service First Best Practice database, at http://archive.cabinet-office.gov.uk/servicefirst/index/guidhome.htm
A Digital Powerline pilot project – which delivers Internet services via domestic powerlines
– has been scrapped, not because of any insurmountable technical difficulty but due to lack of interest from European utilities companies coupled with regulatory hurdles. Conflict with radio communications within urban areas had been predicted, but not proven. The investors Nortel and United Utilities had planned to provide 1Mbps across Manchester, UK this year.
The new global mobile telephone service, Iridium, has also suffered financial setback despite achieving its technical goal of universal satellite coverage. The system is working and the company still trading although under pressure from its creditors. In order to recoup their huge infrastructure investment, new lower prices have been introduced.
Hands Free Internet is envisaged by General Motors Corp of the USA as a feature in some models within a year. The system will be voice activated and allow the driver to check e-mail, download data and even surf the Web whilst driving.
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