Week Six-Post #2

Technology is not Always Our Friend

Oh my goodness!! Mark recently posted a blog regarding juveniles posting incriminating evidence on the internet and boy-oh-boy; let me add that it is not simply limited to the younger generation. My generation (mid- twenties) seem to be just as ignorant when airing their dirty laundry online. Numerous times I have come across my friends/relatives/acquaintances engaging in some sort of illegal activity or inappropriate behavior and they are posting pictures, referencing situations, etc and putting that information out there for EVERYONE TO SEE!!! I believe there is relatively no right to privacy online. If an individual takes the steps to post or provide such information they should have to deal with the consequences. In an age where technology seems to be our friend, many people have become comfortable with the ability to air their dirty laundry online…but when is it too much?

Week Six- Post #1

Neighborhood Association Web Services

Cornella posted a rather interesting site called the Public Technology Institute (PTI). The site states that it is a resource for technology executives in local government. Within the site there was particular attention drawn to the 2006-2007 Technology Solutions Web & E-Government Services document, in which specific examples of case studies were addressed within the report.

One interesting topic that instantly caught my eye was, Neighborhood Association Web Services within Phoenix Arizona. This sparked my interest because of a MPA class I was enrolled in last quarter, Health Policy. Within the class emphasis was placed on a grass roots neighborhood organization that gained the power to not only influence the legislature, but change budget allotments to benefits their neighborhood. That fueled my curiosity at how fantastic it would be if other neighborhood communities could utilize information services to their advantage to cultivate better, more effective, participation between communities and governmental entities.

For example communities could utilize online services to report pot-holes, damaged sidewalks, graffiti, or suggestions on better land use planning and more. Another idea might be that neighborhoods could be better informed in the even of emergencies or power outages because they could enroll in text messaging services. The possibilities seem endless and very implementable---?? I would be interested in receiving feedback from fellow classmates regarding the potential of such a program.

Week Five-Post #2

Can Libraries Hold the Key to Success in Bridging the Gap Between the Digital Divide?

Chapter four entitled Information Equality and the Digital Divide, key concerns agencies have effaced while addressing the digital divide. I was actually quite surprised to read that there is much debate over information equality. While scholars believe that with internet access increasing the digital divide decreases, however there is a much larger question that needs to be addressed: International digital divide. This is an interesting point.

I decided to research this concept a little more. I discovered that bridging the digital divide, nationally or internationally entails more than simply supplying communities with computers. There is also the importance of ensuring information literacy. Training must be included when bridging the gap so that individuals can realize just how much potential technology has. This sparked an idea. Since libraries provide a great resource for individuals to connect utilizing the internet, is there a way that libraries could emphasize the services they provide? Trainings, workshops and forums would be a great way to introduce information literacy into individual’s lives. Could this service aid in bridging the gap of the digital divide?

Week Five- Post #1

The Transparency of the Government Cookie Attack!!

While reading chapter five, Information Access and Governmental Transparency I became aware of a re-occurring theme: accessibility. It seems to be the seam that holds together many intertwining elements associated with the content of this course. Chapter five best defines accessibility as a two-tired process. One level of access is ones’ ability to connect to the internet, run the appropriate software, etc. The second level of access is governmental entities providing electronic material in a usable form. This type of access then leads into government entities providing transparency, which is one of the fundamental venues for e-democracy. It is that primary freedom of information that established e-democracy. Which in turn aims to “increase global integration, diminish conflict and prompt economic development” (page 120).

One of the issues I’ve previously expressed on this blog was citizens right to privacy in relation to participating within e-democracy initiatives. Chapter five (page 138) briefly addresses my previously stated area of concern with this simple sentence: “be access- conscious when designing agency forms. For example, keep personally identifiably information separate.” Chapter six seems to address privacy on a much deeper level than simply the collection of personally identifiable information on a governmental form.

Chapter six did an excellent job at address the other side of privacy and electronic surveillance, especially to workplace employees. Employees do not have a right to privacy in workplace e-mail. This specific availability to request a public record/discloser became a huge issue of concern recently for The Evergreen State College faculty and staff after the riot in mid-February. Faculty and staff who utilized the State email address to send correspondences regarding the nature of the riot were subjected to public discloser. Subsequently this event sparked much debate with employees having lack of privacy while utilizing State owned computers.