* Need for computer experts - 350,000 programming, systems analyst, computer scientist and engineering jobs are unfilled across the nation, according to Virginia Tech and the Information Technology Association of America. (New York Times 18 Nov 99)

* Over 100 million adults in the US population now use the Internet, according to a recently released Strategies Group report. This is up from 65 million in 98. The number of US Internet users is projected to reach 177 million by the end of 2003, according to International Data. Globally, the number of Internet users will reach 502 million by 2003, compared with 142 million in 1998, IDC says. (New York Times 12 Nov 99)

* A joint AOL and Roper Starch study of 500 children between the ages of 9 and 17 found that 63 percent of the youth surveyed would rather surf the Web than watch television, while 55 percent prefer being on the Web to being on the phone. (C|Net 11 Nov 99)

* Exposure to computers and other forms of entertainment media at an early age may provide young people with the ability to adapt to technology better than adults, suggests author James Gleick. By 2002, some 20 million children under the age of 12 will be online. (Toronto Sun Online 12 Nov 99)

* The Commerce Department recently estimated the cost of Y2K repairs to U.S. businesses and government agencies at $100 billion, significantly lower than previous estimates. Other experts estimate it to be closer to $150 billion. Two years ago, Gartner Group predicted that Y2K would cost the U.S. up to $300 billion. (Washington Post 18 Nov 99)

* About 24 million computers will be thrown out this year, and only 14 percent will be recycled or properly discarded. In addition, the average lifespan of a computer is expected to decrease to only two years by 2005. There is concern that dangerous materials could leak into the soil and water. Total expense of computer disposal could be as much as hundreds of millions of dollars by 2010. (Christian Science Monitor 16 Nov 99)