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One Internet with Equal Access for All
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Bobby Approved (v 3.2)
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Copyright ©2000-2004
Online Policy Group, Inc.

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OPG ENEWS

December 6, 2002

The electronic journal of the Online Policy Group, Inc.

This issue is available online at http://www.onlinepolicy.org/media/opgenews/opgenews021206.shtml

Action Alerts
----------------

  • Take Action to Restore Our Civil Liberties
    Increasing security to effectively prevent terrorism need not mean a loss of civil liberties in the United States. Join the grassroots effort to protect our civil rights by visiting the Bill of Rights Defense Committee at
    http://www.bordc.org
    The site provides tools to make your city or town a Civil Liberties Safe Zone, among other things. Act today!

Online Policy Projects
---------------------------

  • New Seattle Colocation Facility
    OPG's CCCP project has recently formed a partnership with a new colo facility called Galaxy-7. Together, they now offer colocation services at locations in Fremont, CA, and in Seattle, WA. Jay LaBelle, director of Galaxy-7, has this to say about the new set-up:
    "The basic idea is that we're a small ISP that wants to offer nonprofit colocation for fairly idealistic reasons. We think it is a good thing to do. We offer 1U and 2U colocation, virtual hosting, and some help setting things up." Check out
    http://www.communitycolo.net/

  • An Inside Look at China Filters
    An article on Chinese filtering mentions that the Online Policy Group and the Electronic Frontier Foundation will publish a study later this month detailing how America's public schools are filtering websites on issues from firearms to slavery, kiddie porn to pogo sticks, Wired News (December 4, 2002)
    http://wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,56699,00.html

  • Help OPG Obtain Funding
    In order to serve more underserved communities, OPG has begun applying for foundation funding. If you are currently enjoying OPG's free services, you can have a direct impact on OPG's chances of receiving a grant! Simply go to http://www.onlinepolicy.org/about/testimonial.shtml and check out the testimonials of satisfied clients. Then write your own and email it to info@onlinepolicy.org A few minutes of your time will help us demonstrate the direct impact of OPG's services.

Online Policy News
------------------------

Access

  • What Would Dewey Do? Libraries Grapple With Internet
    The 65 computers at the central Phoenix library have become a favorite destination for thousands of residents who have no other access to computers and the Internet, some of whom are also clicking away at sexually explicit material, New York Times (December 2, 2002)
    http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/02/national/02LIBR.html?ex=1039842707 &ei=1&en=8d6762941259bdb5

  • Critics Say Government Deleted Website Material to Push Abstinence
    Information on condom use, the relation between abortion and breast cancer and ways to reduce sex among teenagers has been removed from government websites, prompting critics to accuse the Department of Health and Human Services of censoring medical information in order to promote a philosophy of sexual abstinence, New York Times (November 26, 2002)
    http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/26/national/26ABST.html

  • Piqua's Library Has to Flesh Out Its Own Website
    Library Director James Oda earlier this month attempted to access the library's new website www.fleshpublic.lib.oh.us to show it off for the library staff, but unfortunately, the library computer denied him access, so the library ended up changing its web address to permit filtered access, Dayton Daily News (November 22, 2002)
    http://www.activedayton.com/ddn/local/daily/1122flesh.html

  • Net Porn Filters Just Don't Work
    As well-intentioned as the filter-the-Net folks might be, the reality is that existing technology can't get the job done, San Francisco Chronicle (November 13, 2002)
    http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/11/13/BU158763.DTL

  • How the U.S. Can Stop Internet Censorship
    Firewalls and content filtering software are designed to screen Internet traffic that could be dangerous to your PC, but they can also be used to censor Internet content, CNET/ZDNet Reviews (November 13, 2002)
    http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2897318,00.html

  • Supreme Court to Hear Web Porn Case (CIPA)
    The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will decide if public libraries can be forced to install software that blocks sexually explicit websites, the latest in Congress' string of attempts to shield children from Internet pornography, Associated Press via ABC News.com (November 12, 2002)
    http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/ap20021112_816.html

  • Australians to Pull Plug on Protest Websites
    Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison, acting on a request from NSW Police Minister Michael Costa, will look at upgrading federal powers to block certain "unacceptable websites advocating or facilitating violent protest action be accessible from Australia", The Courier-Mail (November 7, 2002)
    http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,5437553%5E8362,00.html

Privacy

  • Pentagon Data Mining: Just Say 'No'
    Unless you have been living in a cave, you're aware of the Pentagon's Total Information Awareness (TIA) program, the goal of which is to accumulate every bit of transactional online data worldwide and use data mining techniques to provide intelligence information, InfoWorld (November 22, 2002)
    http://www.infoworld.com/articles/op/xml/02/11/22/021122opethics.xml

  • Common-Sense Rules Can Protect Children on the Net
    Congress can pass all the laws it wants and civil-liberties groups can challenge those laws, but regardless of what the government does, it's up to parents and kids themselves to assure a safe passage while online, Mercury News (November 20, 2002)
    http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/columnists/4567413.htm

  • U.S. Hopes to Check Computers Globally
    A new Pentagon research office has started designing a global computer-surveillance system to give U.S. counterterrorism officials access to personal information in government and commercial databases around the world, Washington Post (November 12, 2002)
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40942-2002Nov11.html

Digital Defamation

Digital Divide

  • Junior High Student Learn at the MUVEES
    As computers and Internet connections become more ubiquitous in our schools, what is it that we hope they do for students? Increasing motivation to learn and improving educational outcomes, especially for poorer-performing students, are high priorities for educators and learners, Digital Divide Network (November 18, 2002)
    http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/stories/index.cfm?key=263

  • Joint Venture Takes Aim at Digital Divide
    Multiconsult, a black-owned empowerment company in Durban, South Africa and Paradyne Networks, a US-based broadband solutions provider, are exploring a venture that may help bridge Africa's digital divide. ITWeb (November 27, 2002)
    http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/internet/2002/0211271242.asp?A=%25&O=

Organizational News
-------------------------

Boards and Committees

Free Internet Services

  • Direct Access Through the Online Policy Group
    The Online Policy Group provides donation-based email list hosting, website hosting, domain registration, and colocation services directly to individuals and groups who are underserved, under-represented, or who face unfair bias, discrimination, or defamation online. Learn more at http://www.onlinepolicy.org/services.shtml

  • Featured Email List: Companeros
    On the Companeros email list, members discuss the subject of bilingual education in California. OPG email lists available at http://groups.onlinepolicy.net/cgi-bin/mj_wwwusr?passw= &user=x12.236.240.98@example.com&func=lists-long

  • Featured Website: Theatre Rhinoceros
    Theatre Rhinoceros, the nations longest running LGBT theatre company, is celebrating its 25th anniversary season. Their calendar is packed for the winter, so go check out their website and pick up tickets to a show at the same time!
    http://www.therhino.org/

  • Featured Domain Name: Queer Executive Directors
    According to Jason P. Lorber, President of Aplomb Consulting, who maintains the Queer Executive Directors listserv pro bono, "QED builds community and expertise among queer executive directors in the San Francisco Bay Area. QED's chief benefit is enabling members to swap knowledge, experience, and information on the Internet through a listserv. The group also meets over lunch periodically to schmooze, discuss critical topics, share resources, and brainstorm solutions. Meetings are held at various nonprofit organization offices throughout the Bay Area."
    To become a member of QED, email Jason P. Lorber at jason@aplomb.com
    http://www.queereds.org

  • Featured Colocation Client: KKUP
    KKUP, a listener sponsored Cupertino radio station, recently celebrated its thirtieth year on the air, marking a third of a century of community oriented volunteer radio. KKUP provides a wide variety of listening alternatives to the Cupertino community. They're at
    http://www.kkup.com/begin.html

Volunteer / Intern
---------------------

Thank you to all volunteers and interns! We couldn't do what we do without you.

OPG needs volunteers and interns for many projects! Consider how you can apply your talents to developing universal Internet access without discrimination or defamation. OPG particularly needs volunteers and interns for the following projects:

  • Website Editors
    We particularly need website editors interested in updating the OPG website on a regular basis (you don't even have to know HTML).

  • Disabled Accessibility
    To remain certified by BOBBY as accessible to persons with disabilities, the OPG website needs to be updated. Volunteering for this project will allow many disabled individuals across the United States and internationally to continue to use the OPG site with ease.

  • Programmers
    The Online Community Forum software project (codenamed Calliope) urgently needs volunteer Java programmers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Calliope is designed to provide more secure message boards, photo exchange, and many other online community features without commercial advertising or smarmy privacy policies. For more information and to participate in the Calliope project, see
    http://calliope.sf.net/

  • Translations
    If you are bilingual, especially in English and Spanish, please help us in our continuing effort to make materials available in other languages. Although Spanish translations are our first priority, we would welcome translators for other languages as well.

  • Grant Writer
    As OPG continues the process of applying for foundation funding, we need a grant writing intern. This is a great way to learn about OPG and contribute to our financial future. It's also a lot of fun if you like to write!

To find out more about these and other volunteer and intern opportunities, check out http://www.onlinepolicy.org/volintern.shtml

If you are a volunteer or intern and would like to be added to the page, please email site@onlinepolicy.org with your name, email address, brief bio, date started internship or volunteering and (optionally) a picture (in png, jpg, or gif format).

Volunteer of the Month

  • Iris AlRoy
    Iris AlRoy is December's Volunteer of the Month, for her work on Calliope user interface research. Also known as the Online Community Forum software project, Calliope is designed to provide online community features that protect participant privacy, community archives, and participant lists while operating without commercial advertising. Right now, shes creating a chart that will compare features of different communities. This chart will enable Calliope programmers to develop the most efficient and user-friendly system around. Iris started volunteering on the Calliope project to broaden her skills and contribute to an exciting project, and she has certainly done both. Next, she's looking forward to interviewing actual users about their experiences in online communities and what they'd like to see in Calliope. Thanks, Iris!

    You can join Iris on the project by filling out the volunteer form at
    https://www.onlinepolicy.org/services/opg-volunteer-apply.shtml

Donate
--------

  • Contributions Holding Steady
    Thanks to many individual donations, OPG achieved 69% of its November goal, totaling $2,080. Although we did not reach 100% of the goal for November, OPG remains over 100% for the year to date. Why not spread the holiday spirit and make a contribution today towards our substantial December goal? This is your last chance for tax-deductible contributions this tax year!
    http://www.onlinepolicy.org/about/financeperformancegoals.shtml

  • Equipment Wishlist
    Wanted:
    1) We'd really love to have a couple of cork bulletin boards for the Calliope extreme programmers.
    2) San Francisco Bay Area donations of computers or computer parts, any kind. At the moment we especially need RAM computer memory, all types and sizes. OPG is constantly putting computers together to give away to nonprofit groups and for research purposes - any and all computer donations are appreciated!
    http://www.onlinepolicy.org/donate/donateequipgoods.shtml

  • Turn Up The Heat
    As OPG grows and provides services to more and more individuals and communities, we also need increasing financial support to make these services possible. You may have noticed the thermometer on OPG's donation page, which tracks our monthly goals and turns up the heat with every donation and gift. Every gift you give makes a difference, so keep up the good work! Make a donation and watch the thermometer go up at
    http://www.onlinepolicy.org/joindonate.shtml

  • Make a Monthly Contribution to OPG
    If you're looking for a high-impact way to contribute, consider making a monthly recurring donation to OPG using PayPal. Giving even a small amount every month will make a huge difference over the course of a year. It's an easy way to contribute much-needed resources to the Online Policy Group. Start your monthly donations today at
    http://www.onlinepolicy.org/joindonate.shtml#creditcard

Editorial Policy
-------------------

  • Submissions
    OPG ENEWS accepts submissions of news stories, action alerts, and other materials. Brief submissions may appear in their entirety in OPG ENEWS, while longer pieces may appear as a link to a page on the OPG website. To submit a story, simply email it to opgenews@onlinepolicy.org

Subscribe / Unsubscribe
-----------------------------

To subscribe or unsubscribe to OPG ENEWS, please become a member of the Online Policy Group. It's so easy! Just send an email to:

opg-member-{location}-subscribe@lists.onlinepolicy.org

where {location} is intl for outside the United States, us for United States and sfbay for the San Francisco Bay Area.

For example, if you live in New York City, send an email to: opg-member-us-subscribe@lists.onlinepolicy.org

About OPG:

The Online Policy Group (OPG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to online policy research, outreach, and action on issues such as access, privacy, and digital defamation. The organization fulfills its motto of "One Internet With Equal Access for All" through projects such as donation-based email list hosting, website hosting, domain registrations, and colocation services. OPG focuses on Internet participants' civil liberties and human rights, like access, privacy, safety, and serving schools, libraries, disabled, elderly, youth, women, and sexual, gender, and ethnic minorities. Find out more at http://www.onlinepolicy.org

OPG ENEWS, ISSN 1533-6387

Copyright (c) 2001-2002, Online Policy Group, Inc.

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