N I T C . n e w s

CJIS Technology Conference
February 18-19 in Kearney
The CJIS Technology Conference focuses on issues related to criminal justice. Click here for more information.

Beaumont Foundation Grants available for computers for schools, community-based organizations, and individuals
Applications are due March 31 and are available at http://www.bmtfoundation.com/.

PSC holds distance learning workshop
The Public Service Commission will hold a workshop to examine the distance learning environment in rural Nebraska. The hearing will be by NVCN on March 18, 2003 at 2 pm. Written comments must be filed by March 7. See order C-2874/PI-71.

infotec 2003
Mark your calendar. The infotec2003 conference is scheduled for April 7-9 in Omaha.

Nebraska Information Technology Clearinghouse

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Communities

RUS announces rural broadband loan program
For FY 2003, RUS has made available $1.4 billion in loans and loan guarantees to provide broadband services in rural communities with populations up to 20,000.

Lincoln places 6th in the 2002 Digital Cities survey

Fillmore County households, businesses use Internet
A survey of Fillmore County households and businesses found that 75% of households had a computer and approximately two-thirds had Internet access. Nearly all businesses had a computer, and 86% of businesses had Internet access. The survey and updates on the other communities participating in the NITC/Technologies Across Nebraska IT Planning and Mini Grant program are now available at http://www.nitc.state.ne.us/toolkit/pilot/index.htm .

New report examines Internet use
UCLA Internet Report: Surveying the Digital Future (Year 3)

Meetings and Conferences
Telehealth Subcommittee, February 14, 1:30 PM, Lincoln
Community Council, March 17, 1:30 PM, Lincoln and videoconferencing sites
Rural Telecon Conference, Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Washington, D.C.

Education

North Dakota school boards allowed to videoconference

Free online encyclopedia Wikipedia gains popularity

Company makes available wireless networking curriculum for free

The next Education Council Meeting will be held Friday, February 21, 2003 from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CT. Locations will be by NVCN in Lincoln, Chadron, Kearney, and Wayne.

Upcoming Conferences
CoSN, Crystal City, VA, Feb. 25-27, 2003
SITE, Albuquerque, NM, Mar. 24-29, 2003
NETA, Omaha, NE, April 24-25, 2003
NDLA, Kearney, NE, May 28-30, 2003
NECC, Seattle, WA, June 30-July 2, 2003
MII, Lincoln, NE, July 28-29, 2003
EDUCAUSE, Anaheim, CA, Nov. 4-7, 2003

State Government

Directory Services Meetings
The Directory Services Work Group will have a series of meetings in the coming weeks to discuss issues relating to IMServices' enterprise directory project. The first meeting will be Monday, February 10. For more information contact Kevin Keller at IMServices (402) 471-0655 or kkeller@notes.state.ne.us. Click here to see a current list of agency contacts.

External Intrusion Security Assessment
The Office of the CIO has signed an agreement with Omni Tech Corporation to perform an "external intrusion security assessment" for state government. For more information, or if you have questions about how this may affect your agency, contact Steve Schafer at (402) 471-4385 or slschafe@notes.state.ne.us.

Nebrask@ Online for State Employees
NOL has been working with the State Government Council to develop a Web portal to serve state government employees. Click here to visit the site. Use the "Feedback Form" link at the top to offer comments and suggestions.

IT Related Legislation
Click here to see a list of bills related to information technology.

State Government Council Meeting
The next meeting of the SGC is Thursday, March 13. The focus of the meeting will be on revisions to the E-Government Strategic Plan. The purpose of the plan is to guide state agencies in their efforts to implement e-government services. Look here in the March newsletter for more information.

NITC.news