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Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 13:59:48 -0800 (PST)
From: Jennifer Stone <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: PA Gov. Ridge Unveils New Technology Atlas (fwd)
 
FYI.
 
Jenny Stone
___________________________________
GIS Librarian * Map Collection
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900 * Seattle, WA 98195-2900
phone: 206.543.9392
 
 
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>From: Stephen Hirtle <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: PA Gov. Ridge Unveils New Technology Atlas (fwd)
 
 
 
N E W S   R E L E A S E                 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
                                                Office of Administration
                                                Commonwealth News Bureau
                                                Room 308, Main Capitol
                                                Harrisburg, PA  17120
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   CONTACT:        Scott Elliott
 
(717) 772-4237
                                           E-mail:   [log in to unmask]
 
GOV. RIDGE ANNOUNCES NATION'S FIRST 'TECHNOLOGY ATLAS'
 New atlas showing digital infrastructure will help Pennsylvania schools and
businesses become more effective global competitors
 
HARRISBURG (Dec. 17) - Gov. Tom Ridge today announced development of the
nation's first Technology Atlas - an extensive computer database that allows
the creation of customized maps showing the availability of Pennsylvania's
technology resources.
 
Originally developed as part of Gov. Ridge's Link-to-Learn educational
technology initiative, the Technology Atlas reveals the locations of
high-tech infrastructure like fiber-optic lines and microwave towers, much
as traditional atlases detail the location of highways, airports and rail
lines.
 
"Employers looking to move or expand in this day and age are just as
interested in the availability of Internet access and advanced
telecommunications services as they traditionally have been in the location
of interstate highways and train stations," Gov. Ridge said.
 
"Our ability to use the Technology Atlas database to showcase the wealth of
high-tech resources across Pennsylvania is a big plus and unique among
states.  As we market Pennsylvania around the world, we're using this new
tool to illustrate the expanding high-tech infrastructure available to our
schools, municipalities, hospitals and employers."
 
Development of the Technology Atlas has been overseen by the University of
Pittsburgh under contract with the Governor's Office for Information
Technology.
 
The atlas contains more than 400 million bytes of information - equivalent
to more than 10,000 printed pages - collected from telecommunications
companies; schools and universities; utilities; local governments; state
agencies; and other public and private sector organizations across the
state.
 
This new digital atlas shows the availability of such information-technology
resources as video-conferencing sites; Internet service providers;
educational technology resources; and other high-tech communications and
information services.
 
The Technology Atlas database is updated continuously by  staff at the
University of Pittsburgh to maintain an accurate profile of the state's
changing high-tech topography.
 
Future editions of the Technology Atlas will provide comparative data to
track the state's changing technology landscape.
 
The Technology Atlas database is available to the public on the Pennsylvania
homepage at www.state.pa.us, or directly at
www.technology.state.pa.us/atlas.  Maps created using the database can be
downloaded and printed.  CD-ROMs containing the Technology Atlas database
are being published for people who do not have Internet access.
 
An executive brief describing the development and capabilities of the
Technology Atlas has been produced and is available through a recorded order
line at (717) 705-INFO (705-4636).
 
#   #   #
1998-119
 
 
 
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