ATTRACTION OF PUBLIC-USE COMPUTERS - Many who would like to use computers have neither the funds nor inclination to buy a computer. For this group, public access PCs are very attractive. An example is North Carolina where household computer penetration rose from 53% in 1999 to 68% in 2001; 39% of those without access say they can't afford PCs. A recommendation to address this situation is to provide public-access computer centers to all 85 rural N.C. counties and any participating urban counties by the end of 2003. With funding from both the federal government and the private sector, six to 25 computers would be located at each center. A survey of county residents who use or have access is now underway to estimate how many computers are needed. Other states can learn from this - across the nation, the household penetration rate for computers has leveled off at about 60%. (NewsFactor Network, 8 Mar 02)

IS ONLINE EQUALITY GAP CLOSING? Recent data from the Commerce Department
indicates that the digital divide is closing. Experts, however, say that measuring Internet access is not a good enough indicator of online equality. The e-Rate program has connected nearly all public libraries and schools in the United States, but such public access does not ensure equality. Commerce Department data also show, for example, that less than 1/3 of children aged 10 to 17 from black and minority homes can access the Internet at home. This is compared to at least 2/3s of children from white and Asian homes. Not having access at home often means waiting in line, limited time on the computers and lack of privacy. (Associated Press, 3 Mar 02)