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Gotham Gazette
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The Topic
Tech (shorthand for Technology and Utilities) refers to computers, telecommunications and the Internet, as well as public utilities such as cable, electricity and pay phone services, and the important issues that New Yorkers will increasingly face, including consumer issues, because of the growth of these technology-based industries.
The Context
Technology and telecommunications is economically vital to the success of New York’s largest and most important industries including finance, healthcare, higher education, media and the telecommunications industry itself. According to New York’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC), in 2003, telecom carriers, cable companies, Internet service providers and publishers were a $23 billion industry -- over three percent of the city’s economy – employing 43,000 people. New Yorkers are tech savvy; more than two-thirds of us are online. Yet the speed with which new technologies and tech-related industries have developed means that many policy issues are only now beginning to be addressed, such as how to protect consumer privacy online, ensure equal access to new technology, bring government services to the Internet, allow online trading of digital music, and tax e-commerce. While the Internet began as free-wheeling, governments are looking more and more to regulate it, and New York will be among the first places in the nation to feel the impact of these decisions.

This Month's Article ...

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said government data should be available with a few clicks of the mouse. But a review of agencies indicates the city's information sharing could be due for an upgrade.

Recent Tech Articles from the Gotham Gazette:

Lost in the PDFs: Getting City Data | What the Verizon Deal Does -- and Doesn't -- Do | Fiber Optics: Bringing the Next Big Thing to New York | Counting Down to the Great Television Turnover

Researching Tech ...

CouncilStat
In this press release, the City Council offered its first accounting of CouncilStat data collected through its new database of constituent complaints and inquiries. Since CouncilStat's inception last fall, the council's release said, the database has logged 24,000 complaints and inquiries on 280 issues. The charts accompanying the release -- on the subject of the general subjects of the complaints and inquiries -- cover only June. In that month, the most frequent topics for requests were housing and buildings, and transportation issues. (July 10, 2008)

Getting in the Game: NYC and the Video Game Industry
A study by the Center for an Urban Future finds that New York City has many of the ingredients necessary to capture a significant share of the video game industry’s growth: a creative workforce, the backing of the film and publishing industry, and over 30 companies already call the city home. However, New York is well behind other gaming hubs like Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in the total number of video game development companies. (May 13, 2008)

Renewable Energy in New York
A task force headed by Lt. Gov. David Paterson has issued 16 recommendations to generate more renewable energy in New York State. The group called for an eight-fold increase in solar power generation from photovoltaic cells, providing funding to enable 25 percent of the state's energy to come from renewable sources by 2013 and attracting renewable energy companies to New York. The task force maintains that increasing use of energy other than fossil fuels could produce revenues and create up to 43,000 new jobs. (February 27, 2008)

Preliminary Mayor's Management Report
An interim look at the performance of various city agencies was released yesterday in a report called the Preliminary Mayor's Management Report. Published annually, it takes a look at the city's performance in the first four months of the fiscal year and forecasts performance expectations. Much of the information can be broken down by individual agency, issue, or community. Some significant highlights were: Sewer back up complaints jumped by 23 percent; the average response time to heat complaints rose by 50 percent (although stays within the goal of seven hours); and major felony crimes in schools were nearly a third lower than the same quarter last year. (February 15, 2008)

Engineer Finds Steam Pipe Was Flawed
The steam pipe that exploded near Grand Central Station last summer has a faulty weld, according to a report by an engineer studying the blast for two of victims of the explosion. Con Edison, which owns the steam pipe, denied that the weld was faulty or that it contributed to the accident. (October 24, 2007)

New York State Department of Public Service
Regulates electric, gas, telecommunications, steam, water and cable to insure that these utilities are reliable and low-cost. The Public Service Commission includes up to five members who are appointed by the Governor of New York State and serve six-year terms. The department's goal is to promote competition and streamline regulation. They offer information and services for consumers about choosing utility companies and filing complaints.
Telecom Space
Contains tutorials and resources related to various telecom technologies and discussion forum for telecom professionals.
Mobile Phones
CTI-Miami.com offers a large selection of mobile phones and accessories for such brands as Motorola, Samsung, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Panasonic, Bluetooth, and Smart phones.
E The People
A nonpartisan site helping over 400 online newspapers, television stations and Internet portals bring government closer to the people. E The People is the organizer of America's Interactive Town Hall, an initiative that has collected 180,840 electronic signatures on 3,520 petitions. This Web site allows you to sign petitions and pay tickets on-line.
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
A public interest research center in Washington, D.C. established to focus public attention on emerging civil liberties issues and to protect privacy, the First Amendment, and constitutional values.
Taub Urban Research Center
The Taub Urban Research Center at NYU's Wagner School explores issues and challenges affecting cities and metropolitan regions. The Center issues reports and conducts forums that include participants from government, business, nonprofit
The Environmental Media Service
The Environmental Media Service is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding media coverage of critical environmental and public health issues.
Communications Workers of America
The largest communications and media union, represents over 700,000 men and women in both private and public sectors.
Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
Works to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age. The center seeks practical solutions to enhance free expression and privacy in global communications technologies. It is dedicated to building consensus among all parties interested in the future of the Internet and other new communications media.
United States Department of Commerce
Promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved living standards by working with the private sector, universities and communities. Year 2000 initiatives include formulating e-commerce policy and closing the digital divide

Sites of Interest from Collegester:
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