You don't have to understand it to use IT
Published on 31 July, 2002
The Community Technology Day planned for 26 August, 2002, is a community-based event focusing on how technology affects those who live in regional areas, and how to best face those challenges.
The Community Technology day, part of the Information Technology in Regional Areas (ITiRA) Conference 2002, aims to “remove the fear factor in computing for everyone,” said organiser Kevin Tharp.
Two world leaders, Frank Odasz and Professor Robin Williams, will speak regarding the use of technology for community benefit. Featured guest speaker Frank Odasz, an IT consultant based in Montana (USA), says the vigour of communities, like Rockhampton, will depend on proactive citizens who are value-driven and use the Internet.
Odasz will hold a workshop at Rockhampton High School from 2.30pmto 5pm covering online banking, tax filing, games, and wireless computing.
The infotainment part of the day, held at the Pilbeam Theatre, will be delivered live and in-person by Robin Williams – the IT adventurer. Williams installed the first-ever interactive television network based on fibre optic technology. He also initiated the first experiments of high-definition TV in medicine, and is considered a pioneer of digital photography and multimedia. Williams, the Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and Communication at The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, will talk about new media and applications in rural areas.
ITiRA – is an international three-day conference focusing on the role of information technology in regional areas.
The conference will feature 89 research papers and case studies in seven tracks within the emerging areas of: * Community Informatics (sponsored by NOIE) * IT for Regional Health * IT for Regional Media and Communication * IT for Regional Industry and e-Economy * IT for Regional Education and Training * IT for Developing Countries and Indigenous People * IT for Regional Culture and The Arts * E-Democracy Participants include researchers and practitioners from 26 countries within the European, Indian Sub-Continent, Africa, America and the Asia-Pacific region. The conference program commences on Tuesday 27 August.
“Researchers, policy makers, and community leaders attending the conference will explore strategies that link economic and social development efforts with emerging opportunities in such areas as electronic commerce, community and civic networks and telecentres, electronic democracy, virtual health communities, and others,” said Stewart Marshall, Dean of CQU Faculty of Informatics and Communication and Conference Chair.