Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators 2001 -- OECD [MS Word, Excel, .pdf]
http://www.oecd.org/els/education/ei/eag/
Designed to help people compare education systems in different countries, this annual report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (also discussed in the December 14, 1999 Scout Report for Social Sciences & Humanities) gives data on an array of indicators for the OECD's 30 member countries and some non-member countries as well. The indicators fall into three basic categories: resources invested in education, the operation of educational systems, and returns to investments. This year's report adds several new indicators including the use of and access to technology and worker education. The report is available at the OECD site in HTML format, and users may also download tables, a brochure of highlights, and a user questionnaire in Excel, .pdf, and Word formats respectively. [TK]
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Two on Planning and Development
Development at the Urban Fringe and Beyond: Impacts on Agriculture and Rural Land [.pdf]
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer803/
Low Impact Development Center [.pdf]
http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/
These two sites should be useful for urban planners or anyone interested in the issues surrounding development and "sprawl." The first, a report from the Economic Research Service (ERS) of the US Department of Agriculture, covers the "forces driving development, its character and impacts on agriculture and rural communities, the means available to channel and control growth, and the pros and cons of potential Federal roles." Users can download each of the report's seven chapters (and references and appendix) separately or as one document in .pdf format. The second site is home to the Low Impact Development Center (LID), a nonprofit organization dedicated to "research, development and training for water resource and natural resource protection issues" relating to development. Users can download .pdf documents, including information on pilot projects and a LID lit review. The links section of the site is particularly useful as it gives annotated links for a wide range of LID-related sites. [TK]
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State Health Profiles, 2001 -- NCHS [Excel]
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/datawh/stprofiles.htm
The National Center for Health Statistics offers Excel files of the data used to produce this year's State Health Profiles publications. The files can be downloaded in Excel format and cover a variety of topics in eight categories including Deaths from Injuries, Infectious Diseases, Environmental Health Concerns, and more. [TK]
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The Changing Faces of Virtual Education -- COL [.pdf]
http://www.col.org/virtualed/
Released last week, this report from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is a follow-up to their 1999 study, The Development of Virtual Education: A global perspective (see the August 13, 1999 Scout Report). The 152-page report, funded by the British Department for International Development, finds that examples of virtual education have proliferated and that new technologies play a part in the planning agendas of most organizations involved with education. Nonetheless, the digital divide continues to persist, and many developing nations lack the infrastructure to implement virtual education programs. The report traces trends ("macro developments"), such as online learner support systems and new organizational models, with a particular eye to the impact these changes may have on education in developing countries. Users can download the report in its entirety or by chapter at the COL site or view it online. [TK]
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Rocket Science: Perchlorate and the Toxic Legacy of the Cold War -- EWG [.pdf]
http://www.ewg.org/pub/home/reports/rocketscience/
Released two weeks ago, this report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) documents the presence of perchlorate in California drinking water and militates against the influence of the military and private industry in setting environmental standards. The main ingredient in rocket fuel, perchlorate, which interferes with thyroid function, has been detected in 58 California public water systems. The report contains maps and data for all known and suspected perchlorate contamination nationwide and is clearly designed to raise a public outcry to establish standards for the chemical, which is not currently regulated by the state or federal governments. The report is available in both HTML and .pdf formats at the EWG site. [TK]
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Multilaterals Project
http://fletcher.tufts.edu/multilaterals.html
A project of the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, this site features the texts of international multilateral conventions. Users can keyword-search the site or browse chronologically or by subject. Treaties are organized into ten major categories, including biodiversity, human rights, trade relations, arms control, and more. Although the bulk of material here is from the last half of the 20th century, there are also some older documents such as the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848). Users looking for more information can start with the links at the bottom of the front page. [TK]
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Hong Kong Journalists Association Annual Report, 2001
http://www.hkja.org.hk/whatnew/2001final1.htm
MS Word Version
http://www.hkja.org.hk/whatnew/2001final1.doc
Those concerned with the relationship between China and Hong Kong will be interested in this report, the ninth annual review of Hong Kong's freedom of expression by the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA). The HKJA has been alert to the possibility that freedom of expression would be impinged upon under the Special Administrative Region's (SAR) government, and the report follows the assumption "that the circumscription of the right to freedom of expression was not likely to be sudden and categorical but, rather, selective, targeting issues where China felt special political sensitivities." As such, readers will find information here on the SAR government's actions against the Falun Gong, the media's self-censorship in Hong Kong, legal measures affecting the press, and more. Users can download the report in MS Word format or read it online, though they should be aware that not all of the characters translate correctly in either format. [TK]
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Official Website of the Sixth Conference of the Parties, COP 6, Part 2 [RealPlayer 8]
http://www.unfccc.de/cop6_2/index.html
The Sixth session, Part two of the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention (COP 6.2) ended Friday in Bonn. Thirty-seven of the fifty-five countries needed to make the Kyoto Protocol binding have ratified the agreement. At COP 6, a number of decisions were made that "set out the rulebook by which governments will cooperate on making the Kyoto Protocol's institutions and procedures a reality and increase the flow of financial and technological support to developing countries." These decisions will need to be officially ratified at COP 7. The US may not be participating in the Protocol (see the April 11, 2001 Scout Report for Science & Engineering), but readers can keep track of the latest developments here, including video archives of the convention, press releases, the text of the Protocol, a list of signatories, and much more. [TK]
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Resource Directory for Older People
http://www.aoa.gov/directory/default.htm
A joint effort of the National Institute on Aging and the Administration on Aging, the Resource Directory for Older People offers annotated links for close to 300 organizations and agencies that provide information or assistance to the elderly. Designed to serve the needs of older people, their families, professionals who work with the elderly, and librarians, the directory is browseable by subject or alphabetically. Each listing includes the organization name, a description, addresses (both email and postal), phone and fax numbers, and Website addresses. At the end of the listings, users will find selected "information tips" and two appendices, one on State Agencies on Aging and the other on State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. [TK]
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Two from Hubble [QuickTime, .mpeg]
Star Clusters Born in the Wreckage of Cosmic Collisions
http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/PR/2001/22/
Hubble's Panoramic Portrait of a Vast Star-Forming Region
http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/PR/2001/21/
These latest findings from Hubble will appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in astronomy. The first focuses on collisions between galaxies within Stephan's Quintet that have given rise to star clusters and dwarf galaxies. The second gives us a glimpse into the 30 Doradus Nebula where stars are born. Both releases include an introduction, background information, stunning photos, animations, videos, related links, and more. [TK]
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The Roman Empire in the First Century -- PBS
http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/index.html
This companion site for the PBS series that aired recently provides a nice introduction to life in Ancient Rome. The site is divided into four main sections: the Roman Empire, Ancient Voices, the Social Order, and Life in Roman Times, each of which is further divided into subsections. Here users can learn about everything from Roman divorce and marriage laws, to Caesar's murder, to Ovid's poems. The site also includes a timeline, lesson plans, and special features such as a Roman Empire game (which will not run on Netscape for Macs). [TK]
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Brooklyn's Eighteenth-century Lott House
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/lott/index2.html
This online feature from Archaeology magazine, the official publication of the Archaeological Institute of America, explores 300 years of an American farm in Brooklyn, New York. Promised are spiritual rites, forgotten garret rooms, candle drippings, intriguing x-inscribed artifacts, and ties to the Underground Railroad. Cool stuff. The team of archaeologists includes H. Arthur Bankoff (chairman and professor of anthropology and archaeology at Brooklyn College, City University of New York), Christopher Ricciardi (PhD candidate at Syracuse University), and Alyssa Loorya (PhD candidate at CUNY's Graduate Center). From 1999, the Brooklyn College team has investigated the ways in which the Lott family responded to the changing landscape of their Brooklyn farmhouse from the early eighteenth century into the 1980s, excavating around the house, examining the structure itself, perusing archives, and tracking down descendants. What they are discovering (the work is ongoing) is a fascinating story of an enduring American family. The Website does deliver on the promises and lets users follow the research by reading dig notes and participating in online discussions. One might wish for a snappier overall site design and more detail, but the story is so good you will soon forget about these quibbles. [DJS]
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Luminarium
http://www.luminarium.org/lumina.htm
Luminarium combines three sites first created in 1996, ages ago in Web years, by Anniina Jokinen. Here users will find texts and supplemental materials for Medieval, Renaissance, and seventeenth-century British literature. The site is well laid out and has an internal search engine for easy retrieval of specific items. Clicking on one of the three periods brings up a list of authors (or in the case of Medieval literature, also lyrics, plays, and anonymous works such as Everyman), a link to essays and articles, and a link to additional resources such as cultural information, art, and so on. For each author, a wealth of links lead to biographical information, texts, secondary sources, and more. The links are mostly external, but they are clearly marked as such. Jokinen diligently updates her site, and it should prove a valuable resource to anyone interested in pre-eighteenth-century literature. [TK]
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Online Magazine
http://www.onlineinc.com/onlinemag/index.html
Online Magazine (last mentioned in the January 30, 1998 Scout Report), a monthly for information professionals, provides articles, product reviews, case studies, evaluation, and informed opinion about selecting, using, and managing electronic information products, plus industry and professional information about online database systems, CD-ROM, and the Internet. Their site offers selected full-text articles and news from each issue of the magazine back to 1995. Other articles of interest may be purchased. The editorial emphasis is on librarians' efforts to evolve the services and collections of traditional libraries, but any information professional will find plenty of useful help here. A related, gopher incarnation of this publication was reviewed in the June 9, 1995 Scout Report. [DJS]
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HandyBits Voice Mail [Windows]
http://www.handybits.com/voicemail.htm
This nifty freeware program lets you record .wav files to create voice email with just a few clicks. HandyBits' program is extremely easy to use, and is compatible with almost all email programs. An integrated sound recorder with adjustable microphone and volume levels (and GSM compression) make this a very convenient way to send someone an email they can hear. Note that the software is only free for individuals; businesses must purchase a license. [TK]
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Pentagon Credit Card Audit
"Congress to Audit Pentagon" -- AP (via YahooNews)
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010730/pl/pentagon_plastic_6.html
"Huge fraud at the Pentagon" --BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1461000/1461254.stm
"Congressional hearing focuses on Pentagon credit card abuse" -- CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/07/30/pentagon.plastic/index.html
Senator Charles Grassley Press Release
http://www.senate.gov/~grassley/releases/2001/p01r7-30.htm
Purchase Cards: Control Weaknesses Leave Two Navy Units Vulnerable to Fraud and Abuse -- GAO
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d01995t.pdf
Department of Defense
http://www.defenselink.mil/
"Transforming Department of Defense Financial Management: A Strategy for Change" -- DOD [.pdf]
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2001/d20010710finmngt.pdf
The Code Red worm and base closings are not the only things the Pentagon has to worry about lately. The General Accounting Office (GAO) has agreed to perform a department-wide audit, including an investigation of abuse of the Pentagon's 1.8 million credit cards. At the request of Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), the GAO began its investigation by looking into potential purchase card abuse on two San Diego Naval bases. They found "a weak overall internal control environment, flawed or nonexistent policies and procedures, and a lack of adherence to valid policies and procedures." The Pentagon has defended its purchase card program, claiming misuse of the cards is significantly below the commercial benchmark and that the savings on paperwork cover the cost of any fraud. Nonetheless, in its initial investigations, the GAO found little control over the $68 million dollars of purchases made last year at the two San Diego bases.
AP, BBC, and CNN report on the upcoming audit and findings thus far. Charles Grassley has issued a press release on the issue, and the GAO has placed their testimony about the San Diego findings online. Readers can also visit the Department of Defense site or read their April 13 report in which they confess that "current DoD financial, accounting and feeder/operational management systems do not provide information that could be characterized as relevant, reliable and timely." [TK]
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