Who benefits in the Information Age? Clinton can back high-tech spending 'and' put people first
Article Abstract:
President-elect Bill Clinton recognizes the economic importance of access to information, and the Clinton administration has indicated its intention to redirect as much as $30 billion from military technology to high-tech civilian projects during the next four years. However, aligning the Clinton commitment to technology with the president's campaign pledge to 'put people first' may not be easy. Before the 1984 breakup of the Bell system, AT&T ran its operations based on principles of universal service and equal access for all, but since divestment, the primary obligation of Bell companies has been to stockholders, not society. Once, the commitment to provide a basic package of services to everyone made the American telecommunications system a model to the world, but it is not yet clear what will constitute 'basic services' in the Information Age. If wealthy segments of the population can afford their own electronic libraries and educational services, it is not clear whether we as a nation will attempt to provide equivalent services to everyone else.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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Updating of Pentagon computers runs over budget, report finds
Article Abstract:
A report released by the House Committee on Government Operations claims the Department of Defense's modernization of its information storage and retrieval systems is over budget, beyond schedule and beset with technical problems. The report is based on the General Accounting Office's audits and the Committee's own investigation. Though the report finds the Defense Department is taking steps to correct the problems, it claims the Pentagon modernization project is three to seven years behind schedule and more than $1 billion over budget. Other findings include the Navy's estimate for development of a standardized financial accounting system increased from $6 million to $32 million, and only $193 million of the estimated $3.1 billion savings for the Air Force's stock control and distribution system can be verified.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1989
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