It is time for me to jump in. After reading the postings, I agree LOW costs, ACCESS in ALL AREAS, especially rural is essential!! I would like to think that Internet service could become as economical and ease of use as the "discount" calculator of today. Let's face it, we all know the need is there for everyone to have the information on demand. But the struggles of having it when you want it, and making it as easy to get to has to be there. This past weekend I was able to listen to the telecos speak about access. One company is doing research about using the existing electric utility lines to piggyback Intenet service. This sounded like a viable plan. I think the infrastructure is across the US. But I do remember building a home in a cotton field at the edge of the Texas and New Mexico border and we had to personally pay for the telephone pole and line to come to our home. As other neighbors moved in, we were given some rebate on the initial expense.....turn this to the existing schools and libraries, couldn't they get rebates or spread the wealth to the poorer districts? I want the service to be at my fingertips - ON Demand - As easy as going to my refrigerator to get some ice cubes. Or that pocket calculator that costs only $2 today that 10 years ago cost $89.99 to pass statistics. --- Currie (I think-- or someone also posted the following) Waiting for the next generatin of college trained teachers is too long to wait. This legislation needs to manipultated and a way that a significant sum of money be spent on Training and acceptable uses of this technology. THIS IS AN AREA WHERE BUSINESS SEEMS TO DO A MUCH BETTER JOB THAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS. Why???? There must be money designated SPECIFICALLY to pay for SALARY for trainers of the teachers at the CAMPUS Level. Too many of us as teachers are spread too thin and are burning out quickly. Those of us with the knowledge and experience are expected to take our OWN TIME AND MONEY to train ourselves, then come back and help train our colleague down the hall. SCHOOLS NEED TRAINING FACILITITES AND A FULL TIME SUPPORT STAFF. Note that I said Schools, not districts. I don't know of a MacDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, or an AT&T that doesn't have an ongoing training and support....yet, we have schools with teachers that haven't been given salary time to learn about the Internet. See I had to jump in...aren't you glad I got up so early in the morning to have my say. I do this often, in the middle of the night, is the only time I can find to surf and enjoy my Internet learning! Take Care, Perky --- Joyce Perkins jperkins@tenet.edu Student Council Sponsor / Business Technology Teacher Hardin-Jefferson High School work (409) 287-3565 ext. 22 P. O. Box 639 ** NEW # FAX (409) 287-2558 Sour Lake, TX 77659 "I touch the future, I teach" - Christa McAuliffe, Teacher/Astronaut