Enjoy this article about the best and worst predictions for the future of technology from some of the world's computing experts. It also contains interesting information about current research and developments in the world of ICTs.

David Scribner has written a 2-part guideline on how GNU-PG, a powerful encryption package, can 'play a vital role in personal and business communications by increasing security'. A must have if you are concerned about keeping the data on your PC or in your email confidential.

The TAD Consortium is an e-mail service aimed primarily at people interested in using information and communication technologies to improve the quality of education in the developing world. If you wish to receive it directly, please send an e-mail to [email][email protected] with a request to be added to the TAD Consortium list.

A coalition of organisations involved in the fight for access to essential medicines in Kenya, has urged the Kenyan government to clarify its "contradictory" position on a new law aimed at expanding use of HIV/AIDS treatment in the country.

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) has strongly condemned the physical attacks, harassment and death threats issued against journalists working for the African Eye News Service (AENS) in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Province. The FXI has written to the Mpumalanga Member of Executive Council (MEC) for Safety and Security, Thabang Makwetla, calling for action against the perpetrators.

Kabissa is a partner in Nigerianet, a bold new initiative to create a presence on the Internet for Rights groups in Nigeria. The project, funded by the European Commission and led by the British Council, will enable donors and groups to share information, build partnerships, and access learning opportunities. Nigerianet will incorporate an online database-driven tool that will for the first time provide direct, easy access to essential information for the Nigerian rights community, including organization profiles, project information, an events calendar, news and learning opportunities.

Zimbabwe journalist who wrote an article this month claiming the country's police chief was unwell, has been sentenced to three months in jail under the Police Act, his lawyer said on Thursday.

There are indications that Journalist Hassan Bility and others being held for their alleged collaboration with dissident activities could be released as part of government proposals for a political settlement to the long running Liberian crisis.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is gravely concerned about the safety of journalists covering the ongoing military crisis in the Ivory Coast. According to several sources in the capital, Abidjan, at least one local journalist was badly beaten by troops loyal to the government of President Laurent Gbagbo, who have been fighting mutinous soldiers variously described as rebels, foreign mercenaries, and "terrorists" by the state media.

Try out Google's funky new News search with this url - it points to a search for news on the Slapper worm which attacks linux systems. If you're running Apache or a linux server on the web, you need the latest on this.

This style and content guide from MIT Libraries is an easy and beautifully presented read. In applying their guidelines to this site, the authours easily convinced me of the relevance and accuracy of their recommendations.

EasyScience is a popular science magazine aimed at senior primary school children, especially in communities where science teaching has been lacking in the past. This colourful magazine is filled with science material that covers and supplements the school curriculum.

This web site has information about the solar eclipse on 4 December. The dark of the sun will be experienced by people in northern South Africa, north-wesern Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe. Remember to protect your eyes if you are in the area!

The Kenyan cyber-cafe market is overcrowded. Too many cyber-cafes are chasing customers by offering unsustainable access rates. Last month five cafes closed, one of which operated a major facility. Cafe operators who want to survive are now having to look to providing something other than low price internet access. Russell Southwood spoke to Irene Mkwenda of Nairobi Business Cyber.com about the problems operators face in a tight market.

In preparation for the Task Force discussion on ICT for development in Africa, to be held on 30 September 2002, an online discussion forum was set up on the theme of "Enhanced participation and mobilized support for ICT-for-development in Africa". The discussion will take place from 18 September through 18 October 2002.

A growing clampdown on the press is affecting public health campaigns in Sudan, just as a breakdown in peace talks dashed hopes of ending one of the world's most intractable civil wars.

The main aim of the event is to bring together private sector, government and civil society groups interested in mobilizing ICTs as a tool for development and mapping out a vision and strategy to stimulate growth and development in Sierra Leone.

On 17 September 2002, RSF called on the international community, especially the United Nations and the European Union, to take sanctions against the rulers of Eritrea to force them to lift their one year-old ban on all privately-owned newspapers and free 18 jailed journalists.

In Tanzania, a pioneering project seeks to empower farmers and strengthen rural economies through e-business. The Business Information Services (BIS) Project aims to position itself as a reliable source of information of business value to farmers and small and medium-scale enterprises in the rural areas. The Project intends to harness information and communication technologies (ICTs) to narrow the digital divide between urban and rural areas where for example mobile phones - that people in town take for granted - are scarce or non-existent.

Many charities are increasingly turning to e-mailed newsletters to help them reach out to their supporters: to educate them, to spur them to advocacy, and to encourage donations. E-newsletters can also help charities save on printing and mailing costs, compared to print newsletters.