Rallying for the e-rate

The Clinton administration is rallying public support for the e-rate, seeking to capitalize on new reports illustrating technology disparaties based on gender, income, and race. These follow other reports on privacy concerns, capping a busy week for Washington's Internet agenda.

White House renews e-rate push news analysis The Clinton administration is rallying public support for the e-rate, armed with a Commerce report about the growing disparity between tech haves and have-nots. Gates gives $7 million to libraries The Gates Library Foundation is donating $7.25 million in cash and software to the Louisiana library system. Digital divide growing, study says The "new economy" is booming, but the so-called digital divide is growing at an equally fast pace, a Commerce Department report says. Net bill raises privacy flags A Senate committee passes a bill that creates standards for verifying identities online without protections sought by advocates. Report: Industry fighting privacy A new study says privacy protections have been derailed or watered down by medical, credit, and financial lobbyists. Technology by and for women Magazines often pitch digital toys to boys, but a Silicon Valley organization wants more women in high tech.