Must ICANN decide your and my ‘dot com’ fate? Going by recent reports, it seems very likely. But before embarking on the issue, let’s hark back a little.
Some time back, at the second World Information Summit at Tunis (16-18 November, 2005), a widely-held apprehension surfaced rather unceremoniously. The issue was whether ICANN (Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), a non-profit entity operating from California, US that maintains and controls a master list of generic domains, should continue to hold sway like it has so long been doing.
There indeed was strong opposition from third-world countries to let ICANN maintain its monopoly, especially with respect to the fact that ICANN is supposedly controlled by the US government’s department of commerce. Ultimately though the issue lost steam mainly because there was no unanimity as to how a multi-lateral system would work, should ICANN’s monopoly be shunned.
In this backdrop, when it became known that ICANN is reportedly entering into agreement with VeriSign that virtually allows the latter a perpetual monopoly over the .COM registry, it came as a rude jolt to the internet community. Countless people allover are aghast at the turn of events and worried that their internet business (related to .COM domain) will henceforth be at VeriSign’s mercy.
Let’s not forget that ICANN controls not only generic domains, but also country-specific suffixes like .in, .br, .jp and so on. That being so, what guarantee that ICANN won’t pass on their control to any third party? Folks, it’s tough time out there. If anyone is willing to join the issue, do click here.
Let’s remember this is not time to stay away when someone else’s house is burning. Next time it may well be ours.
We’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve got spirit how ’bout you!
In our last article our subject was finding resources to homeschool african american children using the Internet and other avenues. In part 3 of 4 we will champion the use of computers to teach our african american children and prepare them for the future where computers will be involved in almost every aspect of our society.
Recent news came out that John Singleton, director of Boyz N the Hood has joined the ranks of other high profile directors in game design development. Video games these days, like the ones your children are probably playing are not only big business, but they also have small movies in them. These directors are becoming involved in video game design because it’s a natural extension of their talents.
I’m mentioning this because if your child is playing video games now, with the proper development in the coming years they could be prepared for video game development. The first step is getting them used to using a computer and then adding other skills in software programs that will help them in the future. An example is a powerful graphics program Adobe Photoshop, getting them to dabble now while they are young (and my 9 year-old nephew is better at Photoshop than I am) and exposing them to a formal class later (he had the class) will put them on the road to careers that are way above the pay at your local burger place.
That is just one career example with computers in the industry, it would take a book to show you the ones available today. In the not too distant future computers will be part of our society even more as the computers become smaller and smaller and faster and faster. Not exposing your children to computers now will only harm them and make sure they are left behind with the digital divide growing each day.
A computer homeschool will develop chidlren who are not only computer literate, but able to install software, learn new software, know how to use the Internet for research and communication, know how to keep a computer network secure and other numerous benefits.
Remember this subject is worthy of more than just one article and therefore will be covered in a 4 part series. Feel free to review articles part 1 and part 2 for questions you may want to email to us. To receive notification of the publication of the rest of the series email us at going.wireless.spirit@homeschoolwireless.com or if you have an RSS reader click on this link - http://homeschoolwireless.com/publication/homeschoolwireless.xml
Members of our staff support african american computer homeschooling in their area and we have a slight favor to see computer homeschooling everywhere benefit from the advantages of a wireless network. We even have minority friends that work at major retailers in several states that are homeschooled and already have experienced having a wireless home.
*********************************************************************
Daviyd Peterson: 10-year consultant, instructor, trainer
Helps african american homeschools bridge the digital
divide by becoming computer homeschools. Free article
on “Computer Homeschooling” and other related articles
http://www.homeschoolwireless.com/homeschoolwireless.htm
309.403.4983 phone/fax
****************************************************
