Harsha Alles, Mike Carroll, Stacey Lee, and John Wu

Divide is in US, not only global Technology advancing faster Harder to stay updated

◦ Especially elderly Younger people are learning technology Speed of technology increase is making the

divide larger and larger

Areas with larger ratios of computers per people:◦ North America◦ Europe◦ China◦ Australia

Areas with considerably smaller ratios:o Most parts of Africao Southern Asia

One Laptop per Child Program  (OLPC)◦ Supported by multinational companies, such as Google, AMD, and eBay, ◦ OLPC aims to provide children in developing countries

with durable machines.◦ These sub-notebooks are intended to promote learning. 

Steps to Overcome the Digital Divide

The laptop used by this program costs $100-$200 USD and is said to last for a minimum of 5 years.

Steps to Overcome the Digital Divide, ctd.

Geekcorps◦ Sends people to developing countries to improve their

computing◦ development and infrastructure.

USAID◦ Provides funds for developing countries to purchase technology

UN◦ Information Society Day (May 17)

Steps to Overcome the Digital Divide, ctd.

US govt◦ Recovery Act: Broadband Initiative◦ E-rate Program

subsidies to schools and libraries in mostly poor areas to purchase telecom and internet access

Various other non-profits