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City of Seattle Community Technology e-Zine

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INSIDE

Apply now for Technology Matching Funds
Farewell Brainstorm, welcome SeattleIT
New tech advisors appointed
Digital Equity Action plan launched
Oldies but goodies updated

WHAT’S HOT!

Comcast offers Internet Essentials to Seattle seniors

Low-income seniors (62+ years old) now qualify for Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. Comcast’s Internet Essentials program offers cable home internet with speeds up to 10 Mbps for $9.95 (plus tax) per month. Qualified recipients will receive a modem, wireless router and home installation for free with no credit check. You cannot currently be a[...] Read more »

CenturyLink opens Seattle customer service center

Seattle residents now have a local place to visit to pay their bill, discuss account issues or test new CenturyLink cable products. On April 1, 2016, CenturyLink opened its Seattle customer service center/retail store in north Seattle, in the Greenwood area. The location has customer parking and is also accessible by Metro bus routes 5, 48, 82, 355 and 994. [...] Read more »

Lifeline program now includes discounted broadband

On March 31, 2016, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) approved rules to modernize the Lifeline program so subscribers will have the option to use it to buy discounted broadband. The Lifeline discounts will still be $9.25 per month and can apply to stand-alone broadband, bundled voice-broadband packages – either fixed or mobile – and stand[...] Read more »

THIS MONTH’S FEATURED STORY

Apply now for Technology Matching Funds

on April 1, 2016 at 12:50 pm

The City of Seattle is now accepting applications for the Technology Matching Fund. Grants of up to $50,000 are available. The deadline is Wednesday, May 4, at 5:00 p.m. The Technology Matching Fund provides funds for digital equity projects. The goals of the fund are to increase access to free or low-cost broadband, empower residents with digital literacy skills, and ensure affordable, available and sufficient devices and technical support. This year the fund seeks to […][...]

IN THE NEWS

Farewell Brainstorm, welcome SeattleIT

This is our final edition of Brainstorm and start of changes to the Community Technology Program. We will still be sharing digital equity and city resources, success stories and events, but in a different form and more timely manner. This week, the City launched the new SeattleIT department and a new web site to go with it. Seattle.gov/tech is now the new department site and a new presentation of [...] Read more »

New tech advisors appointed

Chris Alejano, Heather Lewis, and Mark DeLoura have been named to Seattle’s Community Technology Advisory Board (CTAB). Joneil Sampana was also re-appointed to a second two-year term. The 10-member board, appointed by the Mayor and City Council, helps guide City strategies and investments in information and communications technology. They advise Seattle’s information technology department, t[...] Read more »

Digital Equity Action plan launched

On March 30, Seattle’s new Digital Equity Initiative Action Plan was launched by Mayor Murray and 100 others, gathered at Yesler Community Center. The Plan provides steps forward for the City to provide equitable technology opportunities for all Seattle residents and communities through greater internet connectivity, skills training, and devices and technical support. Google also announced gran[...] Read more »

TECH TIP

Oldies but goodies updated

As Brainstorm comes to an end, I decided to write an update to the oldest article I could find. Technology changes every day and what was important [...] Read more »

SECURITY TIP

Before you connect your computer to the internet

Why Should I Care About Computer Security? Computers help us maintain our financial, social, and professional relationships. We use them for banking a[...] Read more »

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BRAINSTORM e-Zine

KEY SECTIONS

Featured Story
In the News
Tech Tip
Security Tip
Linkage
What's Hot!
Dollars

LINKAGE

Don’t capitalize ‘internet’

AP Stylebook: Internet will now be lowercase internet, effective June 1, when the 2016 Stylebook launches.[...] Click for links »

Global internet users now at 3.2 Billion

There are now more households with mobile phones than electricity or clean water.[...] Click for links »

New tools for legal self-help

The Washington LawHelp website has added a number of new legal education materials and tools, including self-help forms for answering a lawsuit for de[...] Click for links »

Supporting active and connected lives

Supporting Active and Connected Lives as More Americans Live Longer: A President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology report identifies t[...] Click for links »

Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum

Take a multimedia tour through this “Transmedia hub for 2d and 3d” virtual worlds, profiles and experiences.[...] Click for links »

DOLLARS

2016 Technology Matching Fund

on April 1, 2016 at 12:02 pm

The City of Seattle is now accepting applications for collaborative technology projects up to $50,000. City dollars are matched by the community’[...] Read more »

GiveBIG on May 3

on April 1, 2016 at 12:01 pm

Over the past five years, more than $56 million was invested in the Greater Seattle Community through GiveBIG. A one-day online charitable giving e[...] Read more »

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To subscribe or unsubscribe to Brainstorm, please email us, and we’ll add you to our email notification list, or subtract you per your request. If you have ideas for future stories, please let us know and we’ll try to accommodate them. We encourage you to visit the City of Seattle’s Community Tech pages, seattle.gov/tech.