[rtpnet-tact] DRAFT: Conference News Release

[Judy Hallman]

Good comments. Thank you. I changed the first paragraph to who/what/where.

Added at the end:
 Sponsors include: IBM, Isoph, and North Carolina's e-NC Authority.

Changed the drawing prizes to
 (including printers and an IBM ThinkPad Laptop).
As Shirley says, they may inspire people to come, but we don't need the
specific model (it's hard to find the specs for it anyhow -- it's a GOOD
computer).

With regard to the digital divide -- personally, I think the divide is
real and getting wider. In an attempt to shorten the title, I took out
"/Human." I shouldn't have done that, so I put it back in. It's now
"Conference on Bridging NC's Digital/Human Divide."

For next year, we should look for a shorter title. Especially if we have a
theme. Adding the Awards stuff to the title makes it very long.
One advantage of keeping the same title is it SHOULD start getting some
name recognition, since we've used the same title for 5 years now.

So here's version 2. Let me know if you see more things to change.
--------------------

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 12, 2004

Contact:
Judy Hallman
919-933-3931
E-mail: hallman at rtpnet.org
Conference Web site: www.rtpnet.org/conf

Conference on Bridging NC's Digital/Human Divide

Chapel Hill, NC - RTPnet, a Triangle area community network, will host its
5th Annual Conference: Bridging North Carolina's Digital/Human Divide and
Community Technology Awards Reception, March 19, 2004, at the William and
Ida Friday Center in Chapel Hill.

Effective use of Information Technology is necessary to succeed,
particularly in today's challenging economy. There is a gap between those
people and communities who can make effective use of information
technology and those who cannot.

This conference will focus on the wide variety of programs aimed at
bridging North Carolina's Digital/Human Divide. Individuals and
representatives of nonprofit and social services groups that provide
access to computers and training are encouraged to attend, as well as
educators, librarians, computer specialists, and representatives of
grant-making foundations, who want to learn how they can contribute to
this effort. This event provides an opportunity to build a personal
network of people and organizations active in using computers and Internet
technology to build a better, stronger community in North Carolina and
beyond.

For the first time, RTPnet Community Technology Awards will be presented
at the conference. These awards recognize and honor individuals,
organizations, institutions, and businesses that have made significant
contributions to North Carolina communities in the area of information and
computer technology. Nominations for the 2004 RTPnet Community Technology
Awards will be accepted through February 23, 2004.

Conference highlights include:
 - Online Fundraising Strategies
 - Learning Technologies
 - What Role for Wireless?
 - Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools: Lessons Learned
 - WinstonNet: Building a Community-Based Technology Infrastructure
 - Meeting Needs for Recycling	`	``
 - Future for NC Information Infrastructure Networks
 - Tech LinkUp: Linking resources and needs to support nonprofit
      organizations
 - Drawing for Door Prizes (including printers and an IBM ThinkPad Laptop)
 - Community Technology Awards Reception

Sponsors include: IBM, Isoph, and North Carolina's e-NC Authority.

RTPnet is a community network for the Triangle area (www.rtpnet.org).  For
conference information visit www.rtpnet.org/conf/ or e-mail
info at rtpnet.org. For awards information and a link to the nomination form,
visit www.rtpnet.org/awards/.

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