Smithsonian Revamps Web Presence
December 31, 1998 - The
Smithsonian Institution Web site is designed to "increase the diffusion
of knowledge". The site features information from aeronautics and space
history to zoology, as well as, special services and programs provided by
the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian consists of sixteen museums
and galleries and the National Zoo, including numerous research facilities
in the United States and abroad. The Institution is dedicated to public
education, national service, and scholarship in the arts, sciences, and
history.
VA Police Aid Citizens Online
December 30, 1998 - The
Virginia State Police Web site provides timely and accurate
information about the department and encourages users to share
information with their organization. The site offers information
on various department programs and services including special 24-hour
telephone numbers and hot-lines; statewide police office locations
and telephone numbers; and a list of wanted criminals.
IEL Provides Internships
December 29, 1998 - The Institute
for Experiential Learning (IEL) in Washington D.C. offers internships
in the nation's capital for all majors. Their programs include the Capital
Experience, the Embassy & Diplomatic Scholars Internship Program and the
Foreign Policy Symposium and offer scholarships and college credits.
Internship sponsors come from government agencies, businesses, law firms,
and nonprofit organizations.
NVRP Unveils Survey
December 28, 1998 - The Northern
Virginia Regional Partnership's (NVRP) Regional Workforce Development
Coordinating Center (RWDCC) has introduced their Workforce Development
Survey for the second quarter of 1998, which is downloadable in PDF format.
The survey represents current conditions, due to the fact that it was
conducted between March and June of 1998, and deals with workforce
shortages. The RWDCC assists those looking for new jobs or skills, as
well as, employers seeking to fill vacancies in their company.
Employment Site Now Online
December 25, 1998 - The Washington D.C.
Metro Area Employment Site helps employers find qualified workers as well as helping
skilled unemployed workers find jobs. The site includes features such as a place to submit
a career seeker's resume and a place for employers to post their help wanted ads. Resumes
posted on the site are looked at by over forty local companies and are identified with a
specific resume number so that personal data is not displayed. Their site is secured by
CyberCash and powered by Oracle.
Tyson's Helps Holiday Shoppers
December 24, 1998 - Tysons Corner
Center has started to sell gift certificates through their Web site to help holiday
shoppers. The gift certificates come in increments of $25, $50, $75 and $100 and i
are redeemable at over 250 stores and restaurants in the Center. The site also offers such
features such as shopping info and customer services.
Track Santa Online
December 23, 1998 - TheNorth American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
will be tracking Santa on December 24th and will provide updates,
using satellite data and digitized imagery, through their Web site.
This has been an ongoing tradition for 43 years ever since NORAD,
formerly known as CONAD, had their number printed accidentally in
a newspaper as Santa's "hotline". NORAD is a joint American and
Canadian military organization responsible for the aerospace defense
of both America and Canada.
WDCY2K Meeting Web Site
December 22, 1998 - The Washington
D.C. Year 2000 Group (WDCY2K) is the largest Y2K group in the world
with over 1600 people signed on to their notification list and a monthly
meeting attendance average of 200 to 350 people. The meeting attendees
discuss problems, share best practices and coordinate efforts to help
various corporations, enterprises, government agencies, military branches
and other organizations facing the Y2K problem. The group's Web site
contains a preview of the next meeting as well as summaries of old
meetings. There is no formal membership and no charge for attending
the meetings although anyone can be added to the WDCY2K notification
list and must register in advanced for a meeting.
HOST Merges Healthcare And Information Technology
December 21, 1998 - Healthcare
Open Systems & Trials (HOST), in Washington D.C., is a nonprofit
consortium which advocates the utilization of information technologies
for improved healthcare delivery. HOST's activities include educating
healthcare and technology professionals; deployment of applications in
real-world healthcare settings; and the research, development and
testing of appropriate technologies. HOST's broad-based international
membership ranges from small consulting firms to Fortune 500 corporations,
as well as healthcare providers, National Laboratories and university
medical centers.
InteliData's Products Helps Online Banking
December 18, 1998 - InteliData
in Herndon, is an interactive technologies company that develops
and markets products and services for the telecommunications and
financial services industries. Current products offered include
the Interpose Transaction Engine, Interpose OFX Gateway, and
the Interpose Payment Warehouse. This software allows a complete
in-house online banking and bill payment solution via the Internet.
Search Real Estate Via The Web
December 17, 1998 - Washington, D.C. based
Real-Agent is an online real estate search for commercial and residential properties
in the Greater Washington region. Visitors to the site are able to view all property
listed with Real-Agent online, select realtors, find information about the region's
real estate market and learn about the region's attractions. The site also features
a mortgage calculator allowing users to calculate their monthly mortgage to determine
payment schedules.
Book Bike Tours Online
December 16, 1998 - Bike The Sites, a
local company offering bicycle tours of Washington and surrounding areas, has recently
begun accepting reservations online. Bike The Sites currently features three tours which
include the city's many monuments and attractions, Mount Vernon and Civil War battlefields.
Visitors to the site can learn more about the company, read about each tour and learn
about custom tours.
Byte Back Aids Inner Cities
December 15, 1998 - Byte Back, a non-profit
organization based in Washington, D.C., provides low-cost computer training to low-income
residents. Classes are offered at six locations throughout the District of Columbia and
are taught by qualified volunteer instructors. Classes, ranging from computer basics to
more advanced levels, last five weeks with most classes taking place on weeknights or weekends.
Netique Simplifies Gift Giving
December 14, 1998 - Netique, Ltd.,
based in Alexandria, is an online gift shop offering convenient shopping over the
Internet. Shoppers can search for gifts by price range and category or take
recommendations from the store. Netique offers same day delivery to customers
in the Washington area. For the holiday season, Netique is also offering its
list of holiday gift ideas and gift certificates.
DCCC Introduces Web Site
December 11, 1998 - The District of
Columbia Chamber of Commerce (DCCC), a promoter of business development,
tourism, and the Washington community, recently introduced their Web site. The
site features a visitors guide, calendar of chamber events and other interesting
information. The DCCC helps both small and large businesses by creating opportunity,
solving problems, locating information, and preserving a positive business climate
in the nation's capital.
ASTD Launches Online Community
December 10, 1998 - The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD),
in Alexandria, has launched a new virtual community on the Internet. The ASTD
assists both members and non-members with their professional development
through various features. The site offers an online job bank, seminar
agent and other helpful features. ASTD's mission is to provide leadership
to individuals, organizations, and society to achieve work-related competence,
performance, and fulfillment.
Company Helps Market Other Businesses
December 9, 1998 - E Com Communications
in Takoma Park, is a marketing communications firm focusing on small and medium-sized
businesses. The company helps expand these businesses through high technology and
ecommerce by offering clients marketing communications, development and writing
of electronic newsletters, customer surveys, as well as Web content and strategies.
The firm is a member of the Potomac KnowledgeWay Netpreneur Program, the Rockville
Chamber of Commerce, Women in Technology and other organizations.
IPL Answers Reference Questions
December 8, 1998 - TheInternet Public Library (IPL)
is the first public library on the Internet. The site maintains a collection of online
reference works, responds to reference questions, creates Web resources and evaluates
and categorizes resources on the Web. The library is staffed by professional librarians
with assistance from students and volunteer librarians. The IPL began in a graduate
seminar in the School of Information and Library Studies at the University of Michigan
in 1995.
Office of Educational Technology Now Online
December 7, 1998 - The U.S. Department of Education is currently offering the Office of Educational Technology
Web site. This site was created as a response to President Clinton's
commitment to bringing technology into the classroom. The site features
the four pillars of their Technology Literacy Challenge, part of the
President's Educational Technology Initiative, which includes links
to related topics. The site also features programs, state regional
contacts and federal resources.
The Fairfax County Public Library Introduces Their Web Site
December 4, 1998 - The Fairfax County Public Library
Web site offers a varied amount of information including Internet and reference resources.
The site allows library members to view the library's catalog and reserve or renew
materials by entering their card number. The site also allows the user to view
their borrowing record and features a online library card application.
AOL Foundation Announces Education Grants
December 3, 1998 - The AOL Foundation,
an educational advancement tool begun by America Online,
recently announced its "Interactive Education Initiative." The goal of the
initiative is to support teachers, parents and others in using interactive
technology to enhance student achievement. The AOL Foundation will provide
grants in 1999 totaling $435,000, from which awards of up to $7,500 will be
distributed among 54 teams of teachers to provide classroom support.
Fedstats Provides Searchable Statistics
December 2, 1998 - The Federal Interagency Council on Statistical
Policy maintains Fedstats, a Web
site providing public access to a varied amount of statistics and
information produced by over 70 Federal agencies. The site is searchable
through an "A to Z" format, in which the user looks through a list of
subjects, or the user can use the site's search feature.
ClassWise to Aid Distance Learning
December 1, 1998 - ClassWise, created
by Magideas Corporation, a software
development firm headquartered in Oakton, is a software package that allows
distance learning to take place over the Internet.
Using this software, students and teachers can interact in real time and students
also have the opportunity to review previous lectures captured by the instructor
with the use of the software. ClassWise was designed as a low cost, low bandwidth
solution to distance learning via the Internet.
Tech Information and Courses Available Online
December 1, 1998 - Government Institutes,
based in Rockville, is an online link to information in the fields of telecommunications
and the Internet. Government Institutes publishes books and CD-ROMs on telecommunications
and Internet-related fields and is a source for Code of Federal Regulations and other
hard-to-find government publications in print and online. The organization also participates
in continuing education and on-site training for businesses.