week 8: access & digital divide
questions
Adoption- The internet is a great tool and should be accessible to everyone, do you think that the government should step in to subsidize infrastructure with in the United States to the areas that need it through the use of taxes?
- Should this technology be subsidized or free? If so, how is this determined and who picks up the cost?
- But with each new technological advancement and adoption into "everyday life," the questions of necessity and dependency come into play. Personally, I feel like I woulnd't be able to function without my everday dose of Wi-Fi. So, how much is too much? Must every new technology evolve into a necessary evil?
- Do you think IT has evolved to be perceived as a "basic necessity" rather than a "luxury"? Or is this a cultural perception? Why or why not?
- In June 2003, the 802.11g standard was ratified. The article does not describe this standard. Have you heard and if so what do you know about the 802.11g standard?
- Whose responsibility is it to help make the internet more accessible to all?
- Do you take the internet for granted? Explain.
Technology & Developing World
- Is technology what developing countries need in order to rise about "developing status"? Why or why not?
- Will technology lessen the "Digital Divide"? Why or why not?
- How should access be handled in other countries? Should the United States step in with other Western Nations to help build the needed infrastructure to close the digital divide?
- What problems can you see happening from giving the infrastructure for the internet in other countries? Would this affect innovation within those countries?
- What other factors besides Internet accessibility must be put in place to jump start these rural communities into being competitors in the world market?
- What are some ways that people in rural and third-world communities could use IT in context with their day-to-day life?
- Should the U.S. and other western countries subsidize the technological development in the developing countries? Explain.
- Do you feel that in increase of Internet connectivity will have more positive or negative outcomes in places like Africa?
- What organizations do you see ensuring that an increase in technological availability in Africa will be for the betterment of society?
Technology & Society
- Do you think we use the internet too much? Explain.
- How many places in America fall under the category as being appropriate for UAP licensing (rural, low income, not served by communications)? What does this number look like in other countries?
- In the case that internet is available to all people all around the world, how would this impact the overall worldwide social networks?
- How do you keep bigger technology companies from taking over the new local businesses?
- Will the Internet be used for educational purposes in rural areas?
- What do you think should be done in the USA to promote universal access particularly in poor and rural areas?
- Are schools and libraries in these rural areas Internet-less as well?
- What are some of the ways that people in the U.S. will be affected once a larger percentage of people from newly-connected countries start putting content on the Internet? Will we be affected at all?
- Do you think in all cases having the internet benefits an individual who has never used it before? Why or why not?
- What could we do as Americans to make internet access to other countries occur quicker or more easily? What about donating old, out of date computers? Is there something like this already in place?
- Do you believe the "lily pad model" is something that will benefit society?
Technology & Public Space
- What can people who can afford access do for those that can't? How are we responsible for this public space?
- Who determines what the accessibility standards should be for a public space?
- When can we expect the cost of internet network access to decrease or internet access to become a free part of the public space?
- How do you think people can create policies for accessibility standards?
- What ever happened to the talk about Seattle having free city-wide Wifi access?
- How can people use the Internet as a tool to promote better access to cyberspace for people who can't afford it?
- As Internet users ourselves, are we partly responsible for making sure that everyone is represented through the World Wide Web?
Wireless Access
- How essential is wireless internet in your life?
- By providing hotspots, do you think that we are intensifying our constant need for news, information, and even entertainment? Why or why not?
- What are some negative affects to providing wireless internet it hotspots?
- Is wireless access a waste of time and money at this day? Or an early investment?
- Is a profit driven strategy to universal wireless use the right one? Can it be profitable?
- How much does Wi-Fi contribute to the fast growing dependency on availability of information? In other words, how much is too much internet?
- How willing would you be to share you connection with others?
- When you use wireless networks do you feel safe or do you have reservations about security and performing certain transactions? After reading this article do you still feel the same or different?
- If peple in these areas are computer/cellphone-less, how would they benefit from the Wifi radio signals?
- Will wi-fi internet overtake the landlocked net that Americans have come to trust? It will create a network that cannot be destroyed by cutting the physical lines.
- how supseptable to attack is a network of completely wi-fi connections?