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A transcript of a presentation given by Richard Stallman at the WSIS. He introduces in a fairly clear way the concept of free/open source software? He proceeds by explaining the concepts of freedom it relates to and how important this concept is in the developement of countries.

Interesting article applicable to the issues with the digital divide. Most notable is the way that many developing countries are 'skipping' over technology-steps: ie, going straight to mobiles without any landline infrastructure or going straight to tablet computers without ever having desktops.

The author puts forward that giving access to computer to children from developing countries is a remarkable opportunity for them but could alsobe a threat as they are not being familiarised with the dangers of the Internet.

The digital divide is't expressed only in terms of rural and urbans areas, or developed or not countries, a UK study reveals that children in UK are stille greatly deprived of broadband Internet access.

ONE, the NGO led by, among others, Bono, has been an influential voice in international lobbying for some years now. As the British election comes close, the organization has launched a campaign to incite voting and, once the new government is elected, pressure the winner to support issues concerning Africa and other development issues. It all sounds good, but.... how and why can an international NGO influence internal politics in a country, when does it cease to be intervensionism? 

Interesting interactive chart showing the number of Internet users in different countries from 1998 until 2008. Notice the discrepancies between developed and underdeveloped countries. Still skeptical of the digital divide?

Useful graphic created by the BBC which shows the spread of the internet from 1998-2008 across the world. Interesting to note the speed with which China and parts of South American grew. From 2001-2008 they moved from 0-5% usage - 26-30% usage.

There is a widening gap in the digital divide, especially in minority communities in the developed world.

The digital divide is being decreased - but there are still widespread inequalities. Within one continent there are countries with radically different percentages of citizens online. There are great benefits from once isolated communities in terms of sharing their heritage online, as well as accessing healthcare.

A BBC article that provides us with international data and figures about the digital divide.

After the Secretary of State in the US Hillary Clinton's speech on Internet freedom, open source source code repository SourceForge.net blocked access to IP addresses originating in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Open source software provides important infrastructure to these oppressed and developing nations. I hope the American government can see what a blow this is to the infrastructure and fledgling industries in these countries.

Reporters without boarders has set up the new enemes of the Internet 2010. Australia and South Korea where draconian laws are creating too many specific restrictions on Web users by challenging their anonymity and promoting selfcensorship. they are democratic countries under surveillance and their upcoming implementation of a highly developed Internet filtering system is very controversial.