(Written Summer 2002)

                    Hello All,

I just returned from the Blacks in Technology Conference in Chicago! The conference's purpose is to increase computer usage by African-Americans, educate black business owners, and closing the Digital Divide. Run by Tavis Smiley, in association with HP and Microsoft, the conference holds an EXPO of new digital products as well as tutorials on how to use them.

One thing I found interesting, since I've been a consultant for several years now, is a statement made by Donna Byrd, CEO of Blackamericaweb.com, "Usage on our site is up, and growing... which means more African-Americans are signing on all the time. But after 5 O'clock...our [website] usage drops...[African-Americans] are mostly online at work...and not at home."

Tom Joyner of the "Tom Joyner Morning Show" stated that, "When we asked people to sign up for our cruise online, people called us up who wanted to buy tickets for the cruise, but didn't have a computer. I wanted to ask, 'Why are you paying for a cruise and not buying a new computer?'"

This is bad... we're using computers, but many of us don't have our own! Well, if you know someone who is always checking their e-mail at work, or elsewhere, have them e-mail me (steve@bahamlabs.com). I can build them a PC for them to use at home based on their specifications whether they need a Powerstation, a low cost standard PC, or an upgrade for that one they bought 5 years ago. The same goes for if you need a PC for yourself.

For more information about the Blacks in Technology Conference go to: www.tavistalks.com or
www.blacksintechnology.com.

---Steve

E-mail me if you have further questions: steve@bahamlabs.com

More Photos from the BIT EXPO!

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