Estevan Munoz-Howard learns about Khabarovsk, Siberia, Russia from Maria Rogozhko and Andrey Ekimenko after providing a tour of the Youth Media Institute at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in Seattle. Maria and Andrey were here as part of the U.S.-Russian Far East Municipal Partnership Program funded by U.S.A.I.D. They also toured the Metrocenter YMCA, Special Technology Access Resource Center, and Yesler Community Center’s computer learning lab.

The Utility and Transportation Commission (UTC) has posted the results of their 2007 Broadband Study of five predominantly rural counties. The report includes an indication of people who have access to the Internet and broadband but have not adopted it either because of price or interest/knowledge of its value. A Powerpoint summary of the study is available on the state’s Department of Information Services High Speed Internet Strategy Work Group site.

The Seattle Office of Intergovernmental Relations has released the 2008 Greater Seattle Datasheet, which presents demographic information about the City of Seattle and surrounding region, covering location, education, industry, tourism, international commerce, economy, and more. You can find the Datasheet here. The 2008 edition is available in English, Spanish, French and Russian, and by the end of the summer, it will also be available in Chinese, Japanese and Italian.

Take the Broadband Census. Measure your Internet speed, while also helping the Pew Internet & American Life Project and other researchers improve our nation's understanding of the true state of broadband in America.

Not all digital TV converters are built equally. As the February, 2009 digital TV conversion gets closer and more people are getting the federal coupons and buying converters, people are finding not all converters are the same. In a recent discussion on CTCNet, Bruce McComb from Washington State’s RECA Foundation pointed to a great CNET comparison of converters. Consumer Reports has an article about antennas and converters and converter ratings.

Computers are devices that do wear out from usage. There are several moving parts, from the CD ROM drives to fans that keep things cool. Sometimes these parts will break down, causing you to wonder if it’s better to repair the part or just replace the whole computer. When you’re faced with this decision you may want to think about the following.

1. Age of computer: If the computer is less then a year old you may want to check with your computer maker, you may be able to get it fixed under warranty.
2. Outside of the failed part, how has your computer held up? The saying if its not broke don’t worry about fixing it may be true here as your computer may be just a work horse and you can get a year or two more out of it.

The average replacement time for a computer should be three to five years, depending on usage. If you’re a heavy user, then every three years you should look at replacing it. Computers will last a lot longer, but may become less reliable. If your computer is under three years old and you’re having problems it is better to replace the part. Most parts are warranted for one year and others are up to three years. Check with your manufacturer. If your computer is more then three years old, it may be better to weigh the cost to replace the part against the cost of a new computer. Often it may be better to simply replace the computer.

U.S. Department of Education Grant
Deadline: August 29
Offers funds for technical assistance and dissemination to improve services and results for children with disabilities. The purpose of program is to promote academic achievement and to improve results for children with disabilities by providing technical assistance (TA), supporting model demonstration projects, disseminating useful information, and implementing activities that are supported by scientifically based research.

Social Justice Fund NW Cultural Grants
Deadline: September 8
Gives grants of up to $7,500 each to grassroots social change organizations that include arts or cultural expression among the range of tools they use, or as their main strategy, for promoting progressive ideals and building power in oppressed communities.

Seattle Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
Proposals reviewed quarterly. Provides funds to nonprofits whose work falls into one or more of these elements of their "Healthy Community framework:" basic needs; health and wellness; education; economy; arts & culture; neighborhoods and communities; and environment.

Internet Olympics
Learn phrases in English Chinese and French related to sports and the Olympics.

Interested in how much Internet traffic there is in China?
See how much usage there is in China, Asia and the rest of the world at Internet World.

The Internet Traffic Report monitors the flow of data around the world.

Free cable broadband Internet service is available for organizations providing technology training to community members. The free service is offered within the Seattle city limits, based on the City's cable franchise agreements with Comcast and Broadstripe (Millennium). For more information and to download a short form to make application, go to our tech web. If you have questions, email Derrick Hall or call (206) 233-5061.

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