:: Netwoman ::

:: Friday, December 30, 2005 ::

Women have less free time - Not Surprising

WOMEN GET LESS 'ME TIME'

By Emily Nash

MEN enjoy almost twice as much "me time" as women, a survey shows. While men relax for 41.5 hours a week, women get just 23 hours off. They also spend four times longer than fell as looking after children. And men sleep for nine hours a night on average while women get 7.5 hours, the poll of 2,500 customers by lastminute.com found. A lastminute.com spokesman said: "Me time tends to be important for women who still do the majority of child and home tasks - but time is something they haven't got." Women said they switch off with 12 hours of TV a week, two hours pampering, two hours exercising and an hour shopping. Men use 36 hours a week of their free time to booze, surf the internet or play computer games.

It's not surprising then that women are interested in technology that saves them time - it has to be efficient and quick. This also makes sense if we think about the difference in internet use where men are tinkering more with tech and keeping up to date with new gagets. Women simply don't have the time for experimenting.

:: Netwoman 2:31 PM [+] ::
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Rural firms hungry for high-speed Internet

By CATHERINE MCLEAN AND SIMON TUCK - Globe and Mail

Since my new research project looks at the implementation of High Speed Internet in the rural town of Chapleau, I thought this article was quite interesting:

In 2001, the federal government pledged to bring broadband to all Canadians by 2004. But by the end of that year, only 68 per cent of rural residents had high-speed Internet access, compared with 98 per cent of urban dwellers. Ottawa is looking at ways to bridge the gap as part of a broader review of the telecommunications sector, and is expected to release its report next year.

The main sticking point for getting high-speed Internet to remote areas is that it's very costly to extend landlines to offer broadband over large distances with few residents. Some remote communities are getting broadband access through satellite, which has a wide and quick reach, but users have to pay hefty upfront installation costs.

So for many remote residents, wireless is an attractive option. Connecting to a fibre-optic or satellite network, providers are using wireless transmission points on towers or poles to distribute access.

Slower dial-up service over phone lines wasn't cutting it for the area covered by the Malpeque Bay project, an area along PEI's northern coast that is home to a wide range of businesses including oyster farms, lobster restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and the Green Gables house. It was time-consuming to deal with customers through dial-up service, and businesses were bogged down by the delays when accessing or sending on-line forms, Mr. Dewar said.

:: Netwoman 1:37 PM [+] ::
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Study Shows Differences in Internet Use

By ANICK JESDANUN - Associated Press

I was interviewed by the Associated Press the other day - just in time for the new PEW Report - "How Women and Men Use the Internet: Women are catching up to men in most measures of online life. Men like the internet for the experiences it offers, while women like it for the human connections it promotes." I'm briefly quoted in the article:

Tracy Kennedy, a University of Toronto and Brock University lecturer who specializes in Internet use in the home, said that beyond gender, a person's offline life produces "different expectations, different routines and different needs" when he or she goes online.

For example, women are often the primary caretakers in households, she said, so, "yes, it's very likely that she will be searching for health information for her kids and spouse (or) partner."

"We can certainly assert the gender differences argument, but I think there's much more to it than that," she said.

Of course, all of the things that I had to say weren't included. Here are some additional thoughts that I sent along to the Associated Press:

The Pew Report is a useful source of information/data so that we can see how the American population is utilizing the internet. What we see from this report is the ubiquity of the internet; it’s increasingly used for the mundane daily tasks of our everyday life. The internet can make accessing information so much easier and communicating so much faster. I see the internet becoming an important tool to carrying out our daily routines. In my own research (stemming from my dissertation – The Domestic Internet), I have found that time saving is important to people because their lifestyles are quite busy and hectic (especially people with children), and anything that will make balancing their routines easier – they’ll do it.

Most of the findings in the new Pew report aren’t surprising. In particular - men are the information seekers and women are the communicators. This has long been argued as a 'gender' difference (both by myself and others), as women have traditionally been the 'kin-keepers' within families and households they are more likely to be use the internet to keep connected with others. While we can finally say that women and men are online in just about equal amounts, they are still doing different things for the most part.

What's important to me is the 'why'? Why are women and men utilizing the internet differently in their daily routines? We can certainly assert the 'gender differences' argument, but I think there's much more to it then that. For example, we need to consider the context of use – context that encompasses not only gender, but also race & ethnicity, class and of course age. People live their lives differently with different expectations, different routines and different needs (and different understandings of what this technology can do for them) – these aren't always easily compartmentalized into categories of 'women and men do this'.

In my own research, which is part of the Connected Lives Project headed by Barry Wellman at the University of Toronto, I have found that - yes gender roles are important to how women and men utilize the internet in the home. For example, within the household men and women have different tasks and responsibilities and these are more often then not divided along gender lines – the domestic division of labour in the home. So, if the primary care taker of the children in the home falls to the woman in the house – then yes, it's very likely that she will be searching for health information for her kids and spouse/partner. Similarly, if tasks such as home maintenance and repair falls to the 'man in the home', then it's very likely that he will be searching for information on how to repair the washing machine or where to buy the next lawnmower and what kind of mower he should purchase.

Therefore we need to consider the context of use – what’s happening around people – in the home, at work, within personal relationships etc that frame or shape how people might utilize what the internet can offer. We can also talk about previous discussions regarding women and their 'double-day', meaning that not only are women working paid-employment, but they are also responsible for home-care, which is a full-time job in itself. Given this double-day, women are quite busy managing paid work and the household – do they have time to keep up-to-date with new tech gadgets or tinker with the home computer when it doesn't work? Likely not.

These are the kinds of things we have to consider when looking at the differences in the way people use the internet (among many other things such as literacy etc). But we have to remember other important factors as well. For example, in the Connected Lives Project we have a number of immigrants in our sample and we see that there are other ways of utilizing the internet that is quite specific to their ethnicity. Using the internet to communicate with family in their home country via instant messaging, web cams and audio is an important way to keep connected to loved ones far away, and we see that both women and men are doing this – together at the same time and separately. As well, the types of information immigrants seek maybe different – information about their home country through online newspapers, local cultural information, government info pertinent to their immigration status (or whatever), communicating with other immigrants via list-servs or message boards to create community (both online and physically) are all uses of the internet that reflect the specificity of internet use and its integration located in the social context of the person and their surroundings.

What we are really seeing is the assimilation of the internet into everyday life. I am calling this the 'domestication of the internet'. In the past, Communication researchers have examined the telephone in similar ways – and in Media Studies, we have seen similar conversations about the television. As a Sociologist, I am interest in the social context of internet use, but also how the internet will become so integrated and ubiquitous that it will become almost invisible. People won't think twice about looking up a phone number on the internet, or ordering take out food online – it'll be a time saving efficient tool that will (and already is) help people manage their hectic lifestyles.

So much more can be said about the findings in the Pew report, but I don't have time right now - but i will ponder some more for my thesis.

:: Netwoman 12:35 PM [+] ::
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Influnces of Gender on the Web - New Article

Exploring the influence of gender on the web usage via partial least squares
Manuel J. Sánchez-Franco

A growing body of research related to the role of gender in human interactions with information technology has emerged in recent years. In this paper we analyse the web acceptance and usage between males and females, incorporating intrinsic human factors. Partial least-squares (PLS), a second-generation multivariate analysis technique, was used to estimate the parameters of the proposed models. First, the scale psychometric characteristics were tested (validity and reliability). Second, the structural model was tested. The empirical results provided strong support for the hypotheses, demonstrating how males and females differ in their 'web acceptance and usage' processes; and highlighting the roles of flow, ease of use and usefulness in determining the actual use of the web between males and females.

Behaviour & Information Technology, Volume 25, Number 1 / January-February 2006, Pages:19 - 36.

:: Netwoman 12:30 PM [+] ::
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What Tech Gadgets were part of your holidays?

Whatever you may have celebrated this month, some of it included the purchase and exchange of gifts. In my household, there were many tech gadgets & Media items under the tree - not all for me. Here's an inventory of tech things that were exchanged with my family and friends:

Two cell phones
Digital Camera
80GB External Hard Drive
Wireless Keyboard & Mouse
Video Games
PlayStation Portable
Portable DVD Player
Books & CDs
...and more.....

My 13 year old son cleaned up quite nicely, but what's had the most impact so far is the cell phone. My son's off visiting his father in another province, and the cell phone has been a great way to stay in touch with the 10 cent text messaging. I know where he is and what he's doing for the most part. It's fast, it's easy and it's cheap.

This really reminds me not only of my thesis (regarding the use of ICTs in the household), but also a paper I'm working on with Barry Wellman entitled "Networked Households". Here we are looking at the 'Networked Individual', and how the shift from place-to-place networking is now located in the person-to-person networking. We investigate how this networked individual functions within the household - working to negotiate busy schedules, keep connected with family and friends and organize the household schedule. I think it's an interesting approach to how people have blurred public and private spaces, and how these spaces have manifested within the everyday household. Stay tuned for more updates and info on this paper.

I hope the holidays treated everyone well...

:: Netwoman 12:24 PM [+] ::
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Happy Holidays to Netwoman Readers!

Just wanted to wish all the Netwoman readers a Happy Holiday season - whatever you may be celebrating! I'm in between cooking, baking and getting ready to celebrate Christmas Eve - sipping some Glogg and nibbling on cookies - yum!

I've been thinking about the purchases I made this year - I can't go into too much detail in case the recipients are reading this - but this article is pertinent to my holiday shopping:

Women tempted by gadget gifts
By Elizabeth Biddlecombe in San Francisco

IDC looked at what these women were buying for other people. Digital cameras, iPods and other MP3 players, accessories for iPods and laptops were the most common gadgets on the list. But while the women were getting presents for others, they were buying gifts for themselves.

"It's 'let's just pick one up for me as well'", said Dana Thorat, research manager at IDC. "Santa is buying the gifts for herself."

Yes, that's me for sure - one for you and one for me!

One of my favourite stores to shop in - Best Buy - is talked about in the article:

Best Buy started having personal shopping assistants after realising that women influence the majority of purchases made in the household and make up a significant number of its customers. They are also the ones who prize good customer service.

Also - have a look at this from last year:

Technology as Essential as the Little Black Dress

As women are catching up with men, technology companies are catching up with women. "Women want the same things as men - and more - when it comes to technology," said Bell. "As women, we want our computers to be like that favorite 'little black dress' - reliable and functional, there when you need it, and readily accessorized to be as individual as you are."

Hope y'all enjoy your gadget gifts this year!!
Cheers!

:: Netwoman 2:00 PM [+] ::
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The Gender Dimension of Information and Communication Technology

-- Case Studies from Australia, the UK, and Vietnam
Presented by:

Judy Wajcman, Professor of Sociology, Demography & Sociology Program, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University Le Anh Pham Lob, Ph.D. Candidate, Australian National University

Tuesday, January 24, 2006
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Room MC4N-300
1818 H Street, N.W. World Bank

Until recently, popular stereotypes have associated ICTs strongly with masculinity. However, in the new digital age, dramatic changes in the economy and in ICTs herald a new relationship between women and machines.
In this seminar, Professor Wajcman considers the gender relations of ICTs, exploring both pessimistic and optimistic perspectives, and drawing on empirical research in the UK and Australia.

Le Anh Pham Lob will present a study of the emerging ICT industry in Vietnam. The study found that the industry is barely five years old and although there are approximately equal number of male and female computer science graduates, segregation based on sex is already happening. Those women who are being hired tend to be assigned to testing and quality control type work (detail work) while men do the most creative work. Managers (mostly male) have much higher opinions of the capacities of male programmers, although there is little real evidence to support this belief.

Opening remarks: Yoshio Okubo, Executive Director for Japan

Discussants:
Nina Bhatt, Extended Term Consultant, East Asia Social Development Unit, World Bank Samia Melhem, Senior Operation Officer, infoDev, World Bank

Chair:
Mayra Buvinic, Director, Gender and Development Group, World Bank

Speaker bio:

Judy Wajcman is Professor of Sociology in the Demography and Sociology Program. She was formerly a Centennial Professor in the Gender Institute and Sociology at the London School of Economics, and is an Associate Fellow of the Industrial Relations Research Unit, University of Warwick Business School. She has previously held posts in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester, Sydney, Vienna, Warwick and Zurich. She is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute.

Judy Wajcman's research has centred on technological change, employment relations and organizational analysis. She is an expert in feminist theory in these areas and has developed a theoretical framework for the analysis of technology and social change, known as the social shaping approach. She conducted one of the earliest British studies of women workers and gender relations in the home and the workplace, and was a cofounder of the women's studies program at Cambridge University. She is perhaps best known for her landmark study of the gendered character of technology, Feminism Confronts Technology. The gender relations of senior management in a post-equal opportunities world was the subject of Managing Like a Man: Women and Men in Corporate Management, a book that integrates theoretical work in the areas of organizations, gender and management with an analysis of changing patterns of work, careers, and occupational labor markets.

Professor Wajcman's current research activities include a project on the social theory of gender and technology, a project on domestic technology and the management of time, and a book consolidating her research on the sociology of work and employment. The first has resulted in the recent publication of a book entitled TechnoFeminism. The second major project explores the relationship between time poverty, work-family balance, and the application of new ICTs.

Finally, her new book (co-authored with Professor Paul Edwards, University of Warwick) entitled The Politics of Working Life has just been published.

For more information on Professor Wajcman, go HERE.

:: Netwoman 12:51 PM [+] ::
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Creating Games for/by Women

WIGI Announces San Francisco Conference, February 18th 2006:

Women In Games International is pleased to announce their next regional conference in a series, "Games for Women, Games by Women." Scheduled For Saturday, February 18 at the Fort Mason Conference Center in San Francisco, this conference addresses the myth that women don't "do" games by discussing statistics, game genres and careers in game development.

Conference will include a keynote, panels, round table discussions and a reception. Confirmed speakers include representatives from Trymedia Systems, Limelife, Stormfront Studios, Slam Dunk Productions, PlayFirst, XEO Design and Skunk Studios. Sponsors include Microsoft Game Studios, International Game Developers Association (IGDA), Game Developers Conference (GDC), Girls in Games, Mary-Margaret.com, ThemePark Studios, WomenGamers.com and BusinessWire. For more details, visit their website. Online registration will be available on Monday, December 5th.

Sounds like a great conference. Have a look at the joystiq blog that mentions the conference - and then the comments listed below it. Here's a sample:

Posted Dec 7, 2005, 7:06 PM ET by Scott
So they're just going to play the Sims 2 and talk about their period?
"just a joke"

Posted Dec 8, 2005, 3:25 PM ET by Jack
"...Yeah you're women thats common thing but complaining you're not being treated equally and then throwing your gender by "women-only group" is hypocritical. Look I dont agree with these group, its pretty self-serving, instead of focusing its on real issues. You're too focused on yourselves. Thats my belief, if you dont agree then dont, I dont care thats what I think. Well I'm done."

Ack. Same crap, different day, different blog...it never ends!

:: Netwoman 4:46 PM [+] ::
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Canada: computing more but enjoying it less?

Computing Canada survey finds Canadians both love and loathe the technology that is ubiquitous at work and at home

TORONTO, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - While technology has brought numerous benefits to our personal and professional lives, a recent survey suggests it may be responsible for Canadians spending less time with their families. While Canada is one of the world's most computer-literate nations, a cross-country research survey by Computing Canada magazine indicates that Canadians have more of a love/hate relationship with technology.

The survey, conducted by Leger Marketing in conjunction with Computing Canada's 30th anniversary, was commissioned to determine how technology is affecting the average Canadian family.

Surprisingly, more than half of survey respondents (53 per cent) stated that advancements in technology have caused them to work more, resulting in less time spent with family and friends. While an overwhelming majority of respondents (86 per cent) agree that technology has made them more efficient in the workplace, resulting in an improved quality of life.
"Many of us feel that technology is helping to put the 9-to-5 workday on the endangered species list," says Patricia MacInnis, Computing Canada editor.

"Computer technology has got to do a better job of satisfying Canadians at work and at home. Its promise is to make life easier, but Canadians are clearly frustrated."More than half of survey respondents feel that technology is responsible for them working longer hours, and 74 per cent - and a staggering 83 per cent of Quebeckers - feel that children spend too much time on the computer. "Technology's role in society tends to be viewed as both necessity and nuisance," says Scott Cho, Associate Vice President, Leger Marketing. "While Canadians crave the efficiency that technology affords, the control it has over our daily lives can be unsettling."

Highlights of the Computing Canada/Leger survey:

- Half of the respondents feel that recent advancements in technology
have significantly contributed to Canadians working more. This is
highest among respondents from Ontario and British Columbia
- More than half of the respondents (57 per cent) believe that recent
advancements in technology have caused Canadians to spend less time
with their families, whereas 18 per cent believe the technological
advancements have enabled Canadians to spend more time with their
families. This results in a net less time with family figure of
39 per cent.
- Sixty-five per cent of British Columbians feel that technology makes
them spend less time with family and friends
- Three quarters of respondents (74 per cent) say children spend too
much time on the computer and three per cent say not enough, resulting
in a net "too much time" figure of 71 per cent. Respondents from
Quebec are most likely (83 per cent) to say that children spend too
much time on the computer.

The Computing Canada/Leger Marketing survey sampled 1501 Canadians from across the country, and has an overall margin of error of +/- 2.5 per cent.

About Computing Canada
Computing Canada is a bi-weekly newspaper distributed to almost 40,000 IT managers and decisions makers in corporate Canada. Established in 1975, it is Canada's longest-standing business technology publication and is considered the best source of news and analysis on technology issues that matter to medium and large Canadian businesses. Computing Canada has the largest editorial team of any Canadian publication in its category, reporting and investigating on news, topics and concerns that affect the management of information systems departments in business, government and educational organizations.

Leger Marketing/Survey Methodology
The telephone survey was conducted for Computing Canada by Leger Marketing, the sole Canadian representative of the Gallup International Association, between September 6 and September 11, 2005. Leger Marketing's experience and expertise in public opinion and marketing research extend to the quality and standards of every research project. Interviews are conducted by experienced staff who are thoroughly briefed by supervisors to ensure a complete understanding of the questionnaire content and flow. Detailed interviewing instructions form the basis for all briefings and are strictly adhered to, guaranteeing quality and efficiency in results. Detailed verification and validation procedures at each stage of the process ensure field and data accuracy.

For further information: Patricia MacInnis, Computing Canada,
(416) 733-7600, pmacinnis@itbusiness.ca; Laura Mergelas, Environics Communications, (416) 969-2711, lmergelas@environicspr.com

:: Netwoman 4:37 PM [+] ::
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Academic Identity Creation through Websites

Academic home pages: Reconstruction of the self
First Monday
by Lesley Thoms and Mike Thelwall

Abstract:

Previous literature within the postmodern movement typically finds the Internet to be a tool for surveillance and restriction. This is particularly identified in the personal homepages of academics, where the university is considered to marginalise staff through the coercive governing of their identity construction. Using a Foucauldian framework in which to analyse twenty academic homepages, this study looks specifically at identity construction on the Internet via the differences of link inclusion between academics whose homepages have been university-constructed and those whose homepages have been self-constructed, both dependent and independent of the university site. A Foucauldian discourse analysis identifies the marginalisation of academics in all conditions, wherein discursive positions were typically those of disempowerment. A typology of homepages and hence identities of academics is proposed based on the Web sites examined, concluding that whether the homepage is constructed by the academic or by the university, the identities of the individual are ultimately lost to the governmentality of the university.

:: Netwoman 4:32 PM [+] ::
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The Google 2006 Anita Borg Scholarship

Dr. Anita Borg (1949 - 2003) devoted her adult life to revolutionizing the way we think about technology and dismantling barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields. Her combination of technical expertise and fearless vision continues to inspire and motivate countless women to become active participants and leaders in creating technology.

As part of Google's ongoing commitment to furthering Anita's vision, we are pleased to announce the 2006 Google Anita Borg Scholarship, through which we hope to encourage women to excel in computing and technology and become active role models and leaders.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of candidates' academic background and demonstrated leadership. A group of female undergraduate and graduate student finalists will be chosen from the applicant pool. The scholarship recipients, selected from the finalists, will each receive a $10,000 scholarship for the 2006-2007 academic year.

All finalists will be invited to visit Google headquarters in Mountain View, California in April
2006 for a networking retreat in which they can meet and share their experiences. The retreat will include workshops with a series of speakers, panelists, breakout sessions and social activities.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must:
be entering their senior year of undergraduate study or be enrolled in a graduate program in 2006 - 2007 at a university in the United States.
be Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical field majors.
be enrolled in full-time study in 2006 - 2007.
maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or 4.5 on a 5.0 scale or equivalent in their current program.

How to Apply

Complete the online application form and submit the requested documentation via mail. All applications must be postmarked by Friday, January 20, 2006.

Finalists will be notified in March 2006 and recipients will be announced in April 2006.

As the final step in the scholarship selection process, all finalists will have phone interviews with representatives from the Selection Committee.
Interviews for internships or full time opportunities are separate from scholarship phone interviews.

Step One:

Complete the online application. You will be asked to fill in the following:
Name
Email
Current Address & Phone Number
Permanent Address & Phone Number
Degrees held, universities, majors, and dates of graduation GPA (in current program) Step Two:

In addition to completing the online application, you are required to mail the following documents:
Updated copy of your resume

Transcripts
Undergraduates: A copy of your current academic record
Graduates: A copy of your undergraduate and current academic record

Answers to the following short essay questions:

Describe a significant technical project you have worked on. If you have worked on a major independent research project (such as research for a graduate program), please describe that work here. Give an overview of the problem and your approaches to the key technical challenges. If this was a group effort, be sure to specify your individual role and contributions.

Give one or two examples of your leadership abilities.
These need not be demonstrated through formal or traditional leadership roles. Think broadly and examine the many ways you are having an effect on the members of your technical community.

Suppose someone gave you the funding and resources for a 3- to 12-month project to investigate a technical topic of your choice. Write a short version of a proposal, including a description of the project, your planned methodology, and your expected results. Please pick something other than the project you described for the first question.

Suppose you are given $1,000 to plan an event or project to benefit women in technical fields. Describe what you would do and what impact it would have.

*Suggested count for all questions is 400 - 600 words.

Recommendation Letters
Two referral letters from individuals who are qualified to evaluate your academic and leadership accomplishments are required. Please print and give the following recommendation overview to your two referrers. It includes a description of the scholarship and suggested focal points for your letter of recommendation.

Please send your completed application packet to:
Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Program
Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043-8303
*For specific questions not answered on this page or in the FAQ section, please e-mail anitaborgscholars@google.com.

:: Netwoman 12:45 AM [+] ::
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Work from Home

50s are the new 30s for British businesswomen

The male-dominated world of the entrepreneur is under attack by a generation of businesswomen in the 45-plus age bracket setting up their own enterprises. British women in their mid-40s are most likely to follow their dream of becoming their own boss, according to research commissioned by Everywoman and Orange.

Maxine Benson, Director of Everywoman, said, "New flexible working practices are allowing a growing number of women in their late 40s to actively follow their ambitions later in life. Sixty per cent of Everywoman members work flexibly and 77 per cent of them say they have achieved a good work/life balance. Technology has played an important role. Our research shows that flexible workers have a higher usage of mobile technologies than traditional workers. This is helping women to juggle family and work life more effectively."

Right, but why are women still the only people perceived as 'juggling' family and work life? Do men have to worry about this juggling too? Perhaps - but it's rarely talked about in media. Women are still considered (and likely are) the main care-taker and homemaker, and still have these responsibilities when they are working.

:: Netwoman 10:44 AM [+] ::
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Internet addiction is latest psychiatric problem

By Andrew Gumbel

Some people spend so much time online they stop going out, their marriages implode and they are overwhelmed by depression and suicidal feelings. According to estimates cited by the New York Times on Wednesday, as many as 10 per cent of the 189 million Internet users in the United States might be said to be addicted to their computers and handheld devices. Other professionals are not so sure - wondering if Internet addiction is not merely a new platform for other pathologies such as gambling or obsession with pornography, and dismissing the very idea of Internet addiction as a fad.

Others still agonise about categorising the problem. Is obsessive e-mail checking in the same category as spending multiple hours each day playing EverQuest or another online game? Is instant messaging as harmful as online gambling? Is sex talk with strangers in adult chatrooms as serious a marital issue as sexual infidelity? Hilarie Cash, who heads Internet/Computer Addiction Services in Microsoft's home town of Redmond, outside Seattle, has identified a specific chemical rush - a dopamine high - generated by games, or even something as simple as receiving an e-mail. And she told the New York Times she has seen multiple instances of anxiety and depression in her patients. Other pioneers in the field have developed 12-step programmes to wean people off their online addiction, or started cyberwidows' groups for the spouses of addicts conducting online "affairs".

Generally I am not keen on psychological approaches - the individual/micro perspective compared to Sociological theories of society and people's experiences within social institutions. I am not convinced that 'internet addiction' exists, though I suspect that there will be some people who will overindulge and could conceivable be 'addicted' (whatever that means). There are always some people who are more prone to dependency on whatever medium - but wait, that's a more psychological approach isn't it? hmm.

:: Netwoman 4:10 PM [+] ::
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Jewish schools ban Internet

43 yeshivas in town decree suspension of kids with Web at home
By Jeff Diamant

The father of four is a member of Lakewood's tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community, whose leaders have declared that Internet access should be removed from homes with school-age children to better protect them from sexual images online.

It is more than a suggestion. The community's policy--formed with the principals of the area's 43 yeshivas, or Jewish private schools, and unveiled in late September--decrees that any student with home access faces suspension or expulsion on the grounds that even one Internet-corrupted student could sway others.

Rabbi Moshe Weisberg, who has long discussed the dangers of the Web with other Lakewood rabbis, said children are not mature enough to use the Internet and are susceptible to sites sexual in nature, either openly or subtly so.

"Kids can become addicted to the point where it's almost like a drug addiction or an alcoholic addiction," said Weisberg, who runs a social-services agency in Lakewood. "Even though there might be some value--research, schoolwork--the negatives so far outweigh the positives."

Oh my. I really don't think the solution here is to cut people off from the internet all together. Do they do the same for television? for radio? for newspaper? Isolating your children from 'social dangers' is not the approach i would suggest. This doesn't encourage critical thinking of social wrongs (so to speak). How can you fight 'evil' if you don't know what it looks like?

:: Netwoman 4:03 PM [+] ::
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Robots - Coming Soon to a Household Near You!

Robots Set to get Homely by 2007 - BBC News:

Robots are set to become increasingly familiar companions in homes by 2007, says a United Nations survey. Seven times more robots will helping us out with the cleaning, security and entertainment in three years' time, as their price falls and they get smarter.

It is not quite the humanoid vision of blockbuster film I, Robot as many of them will be vacuum bots.

Two-thirds of the 607,000 domestic robots in use were bought in 2003, says the UN's annual World Robotics report.

By the end of 2007, 4.1 million robots will be doing jobs in homes, says the report by the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the International Federation of Robotics. As well as the vacuuming, they will take over tasks like mowing the lawn, cleaning pools, and washing windows.

Check out this section that asks this:

Would you welcome having a robot in the home to do your chores? What you would like a robot to do for you? Is it right to get robots to do our dirty work? Here are a selection of your comments.

If you notice, there are many comments made by men - with some interesting requests.
So I pose the question to readers:

What would you like a robot to do for you? Engage...

:: Netwoman 11:35 AM [+] ::
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Digital Histories

Useful website that collects essay about the history of science and technology.
Some areas of interest to me are - Household and Everyday Technologies and Women. Have a look, maybe you'll find something of interest as well...

:: Netwoman 11:28 AM [+] ::
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The $100 laptop

The $100 laptop -- is it a wind-up?
By Sylvia Smith for CNN

Flagged up as a low-cost computer for the masses, this cheap computer is the brain child of Nicholas Negroponte, co-founder of the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The immediate beneficiaries are to be children and Negroponte's non-profit group called One Laptop Per Child, will sell the machines directly to governments in the developing world. They will distribute the computers to children in remote rural communities. The laptop would then belong to the child.

Sounds good in theory - but here's a good point:

"If you live in a mud hut," one participant asked, "what use is that computer for your children who don't have a doctor within walking distance?"

While I applaud people who are trying to make a difference in the world, and innovations to eradicate poverty and various digital divides, we have to be careful that we are not imposing Western ideology on other countries (usually deemed 'third world'). Technology can't necessarily solve the world's problems (pretty deterministic), and we can't go around thinking that folks in the West can 'rescue' people - who we think need help. There are many other issues at work here.

:: Netwoman 12:13 PM [+] ::
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'Robot women' of U of M reach out to girls, students of color

By: Bob San

In the 10 years of its existence, the robotic center has conducted groundbreaking research that has resulted in the production of robots that have improved safety for thousands of firefighters, police offers and soldiers. Some of the robots have been used by U.S. troops in Iraq.

Anderson is one of five women among the 20 graduate students in the robotic program. That's a very high percentage compared to the overall female enrollment in science and engineering schools. Anderson feels that women can offer different perspectives to the field of engineering and science research.

"We tend to approach things and try to solve problems somewhat differently," Anderson said. "I think that's good because we need a variety of ways of looking at things, and that requires a variety of people. I think women can contribute to that, the same with minorities who come from different backgrounds."

Indeed we do.

:: Netwoman 12:10 PM [+] ::
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Intel adds colour to the laptop

by Lousia Hearn

While they agreed that both men and women wanted laptops to be slim and light, the designers agreed that men preferred understated colours such as black and silver which helped them to look smart, cool and professional. Women, on the other hand, could "not get it colourful enough".

Melanie Moss, an Australian corporate stylist, said if a woman was going to spend a large amount of money on a laptop, she would want it to look good.

"The future has become an age of individualism with technology being an extension of our personal taste and style," she said.

Laptops are an expensive purchase and I know for many of my female clients - and several men as well - looks are important. I liken it to buying a pair of shoes. What woman just buys for comfort and durability?"

Technology as fashion accessory. Interesting comparison to purchasing shoes - though quite 'gendered'. Yes, tech items can be a personalized accessory, but it will be interesting to see what they think (all) women want in terms of colour and style.

:: Netwoman 12:04 PM [+] ::
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World AIDS Day

Today - Dec 1st - is World AIDS Day.

Here are some interesting bits relating HIV and technology;

Condoms and technology promote World AIDS Day

Singapore: Asia marked World AIDS Day on Thursday with free condoms, mobile phone games and flag-festooned rallies aimed at promoting awareness of a disease that kills millions in rich and poor countries each year...

In Cambodia, where AIDS has killed 100,000 people and left 70,000 orphans, thousands of people gathered in the capital Phnom Penh to mark the day, many waving flags with safe sex messages.
The impoverished country has managed to slow its adult infection rate, but authorities say a conservative Buddhist culture has contributed to the spread of the disease.
"Because of our culture our women are facing barriers to telling their husbands to use condoms," said Dr Teng Kunthy, Deputy Secretary General of the National AIDS Authority.

Advances in HIV Testing Technologies:

Recent advances in HIV testing technology are increasing the options for HIV testing. Several years ago, the only type of HIV-antibody test available was a blood test done through a doctor’s office or an HIV testing clinic. Today there are different types of tests available, and some can even be done at home. In addition, rapid tests have become available that can provide test results within 15 minutes.

HIV/AIDS and mobile technology: SMS saving lives in Africa

Two new mobile technology programs in South Africa and Kenya are helping HIV/AIDS sufferers and their carers cope with the challenges.
By Rochelle Jones

With overburdened health care systems and a shortage of doctors, South Africa and Kenya face an uphill battle with HIV/AIDS. Women are the majority of the poor people in the world and therefore are drastically affected by the pricing and availability of essential medicines. In addition, the burden of care for the sick and elderly, as well as the rise in orphans, have increased drastically and have fallen on women who have little to no access to the essential medicines needed to treat sick people both in their homes and in their communities. This new mobile technology can provide a lifeline for both HIV/AIDS sufferers and their caregivers.

Doctors Teach in Streaming Video Webcasts:

In partnership with Healthology, AIDS.ORG presents a public collection of online streaming video webcasts. These short educational presentations show doctors speaking about important issues in HIV and AIDS treatment.


Using Information and Communication Technology to Combat HIV/AIDS – Uganda

Using Information and Communication Technology [ICT] to Combat HIV/AIDS is a project aimed at Ugandan youth. Implemented by the USA-based Education Development Center (EDC) and partners, the project uses peer learning, social action, and small business projects. Its aim is to integrate ICTs with information about HIV/AIDS to enable youth to build IT skills. A broader goal is to test the potential of ICTs as a means of facilitating youth and community learning about HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

:: Netwoman 9:23 AM [+] ::
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