Hamilton may get citywide Wi-Fi network: Residents of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada, may be set to enjoy the benefits of a citywide Wi-Fi network as part of the provincial government's plan to revamp the energy sector, reports Canadian newswire Business Edge. The proposed initiative involves replacing standard residential electricity meters with "smart meters" that can provide real-time monitoring information to the utility companies' computer systems, via a wireless internet link. The Wi-Fi network could also be made available for use to businesses and residents. Under a pilot project, 500 Wi-Fi-enabled smart meters will be installed in two cities this month by Horizon Utilities Corp and FibreWired Hamilton, at a cost of less than CAD500,000. FibreWired says the rollout of the network could help to reduce the "digital divide" across the province by making internet access available in areas where it's difficult to install fixed lines. FibreWired also said that it plans to give citizens free access to online government services.
Norway to switch to open source: Norway's Minister of Modernisation has announced his government's intention to migrate to open source software. Speaking at the eNorge 2009 conference, Minister Morten Andreas Meyer gave details of the plan to stop using proprietary software, alluding to Microsoft without mentioning the software giant by name, saying it would be the last time he would make a presentation using "the spreadsheet almost everyone uses." Under the initiative, all government bodies are to have plans in place by the end of 2006 for the use of open source solutions. The project forms part of a wider drive to restructure the public sector, including a move to digitise communications between the government and its citizens. It is envisioned that all citizens will eventually be assigned an online "home page" for communicating with the government and accessing e-services.
Edinburgh citizens seek housing online: Edinburgh City Council in Scotland has revealed that 60 percent of citizens seeking social housing in the city now apply online. The system, known as "EH - Your Key to Choice", was launched two years ago and is available via the city council's website and at www.keytochoice.scotsman.com. More than 5,000 homes have been allocated using the system, which involves a weekly publication of advertised properties in print and on the web. People in need of social housing who have registered with the council can "bid" on up to three homes at a time, increasing the council's ability to match suitable properties with house-seekers. Property-seekers' satisfaction with the service has also improved, as the online tool offers clear information about the properties available. The council implemented the system in partnership with BT.
UK public in favour of electronic health records: The British public are generally in favour of the government's plans to implement electronic patient records, but many have serious concerns about security issues. That's according to a study conducted by YouGov on behalf of the British Medical Association (BMA), which canvassed nearly 2,000 members of the public for their opinion of the electronic health record system that is being developed by the NHS. Seventy-five percent of respondents said they would not mind their health information being held on a central computer system, while 69 percent said they would not have a problem with this information being shared and seen by relevant individuals involved in their care. However, three-quarters of respondents said they had concerns about the security of information, and 81 percent were worried about access by people other than the healthcare professionals providing their care. For more details on the survey, visit the BMA's website.
Indian ministers to get e-government training: Indian politicians are set to receive high-level training on the subject of e-government, according to a report in the Hindustan Times. Government ministers will attend a training programme on "Smart Government" at the Hyderabad-based National Institute for Smart Government, where they will be become familiar with the principles and practices of e-governance. During the training, which is likely to be completed by two groups of ministers, elected representatives will also be apprised of the National e-Governance programme and its implications for the State. The programme will focus on helping ministers to identify barriers to the progress of e-government and to devise strategies to eradicate them. The institute will also deliver knowledge and skills related to the government processes of re-engineering, public-private partnerships, building technology architecture and standards and project management.
Autor: Sylvia Leatham
Quelle: ElectricNews, 29.06.2005
