• School board talks technology, student opportunities – http://ow.ly/422Iv #
• Twitter, Facebook, blogs: Young adults are active 'social animals' – http://ow.ly/422FV #
• Rural school reform requires reshift in thinking – http://ow.ly/422EF #
• Survey of online access finds digital divide – http://ow.ly/422CZ #
• Wired Wisconsin: New Federal Data Shows Wisconsin Trailing in Broadband Access, Number of Providers – http://ow.ly/40zSL #

• Band uses technology to connect with clinician – http://ow.ly/3XObM #
• How Small Businesses Are Using Social Media – http://ow.ly/3XOak #
• U.S. Policy to Address Internet Freedom – http://ow.ly/3XO9v #
• Do Not Track Bill Introduced in Congress – http://ow.ly/3XO8V #

The internet brought freedom of speech to countries around the world, and has become a useful tool in political criticism, dissent and even revolt. While the internet’s role in politics and revolution is somewhat controversial, unrepressed access shouldn’t be.

The U.S. is developing a new policy to help protect internet freedom around the world and keep repressive governments from restricting dissenters.

“The United States continues to help people in oppressive Internet environments get around filters, stay one step ahead of the censors, the hackers and the thugs who beat them up or imprison them for what they say online,” said Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, laying out the policy in a speech at George Washington University. “ (NYT)

The internet has been a useful tool of protest in countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Iran, and as a means for governments to find and silence voices of dissent.

“The State Department plans to finance programs like circumvention services, which enable users to evade Internet firewalls, and training for human rights workers on how to secure their e-mail from surveillance or wipe incriminating data from cellphones if they are detained by the police. The department has also inaugurated Twitter feeds in Arabic and Persian, and soon will add others in Chinese, Russian and Hindi.” (NYT)

By protecting internet freedom, the U.S. can help the internet remain a democratic force.

Read more about the U.S. new policy on internet freedom: U.S. Policy to Address Internet Freedom

• Internet privacy talk to hit Capitol Hill – http://ow.ly/3Tvoi #
• Wired Wisconsin: FCC Chairman Calls State Regulations Deterrent to Broadband Growth – http://ow.ly/3U6TP #
• 10 #Facebook Privacy Settings Every User Needs to Know – http://ow.ly/3Tvn3 #
• Rush is on for custom domain name suffixes. What do you want yours to be? We want your ideas! http://ow.ly/3TvlV #
• In case you missed it, read this op-ed from Steve Baas with MMAC about the need for telecom reform here in WI. http://ow.ly/3SzLd #
• A new #Facebook app out today rates how likely students are to get in to a college of their choice. Will it be accurate? http://ow.ly/3SzGm #
• Did you know that today is Safer Internet Day? Learn how to protect yourself online at http://ow.ly/3SzfW #

• Thad Nation: State unprepared to compete for technology jobs http://bit.ly/h2QBGR #
• Check out our newest blog post about Sunday's "tech-friendly" Super Bowl – http://ow.ly/3QDfs #
• Are you flying in February? You might be able to get free access to #Facebook in flight. http://ow.ly/3OWYq #
• An I.R.S. App Lets You Track Your Tax Refund – http://ow.ly/3OWUP #
• Two Rivers schools expand use of technology – http://ow.ly/3OWST #
• How Much Does Identity Theft Cost? – http://ow.ly/3OWRn #
• Cowboys Stadium Techs Up for Super Bowl Close-Up – http://ow.ly/3OWQw #
• Wisconsin, Pittsburgh have tech-friendly Super Bowl wager – http://ow.ly/3OSTp #

Super Bowl XLV is proving to be one of the most tech-friendly in recent memory.

The Wisconsin Technology Council and Pittsburgh Technology Council have placed a lighthearted wager on the event, each offering tech products related to its state technologies.

Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology council, is wagering “Jam City Rollergirls, a video game produced for Nintendo Wii users by Green Bay’s Frozen Codebase; a gallon of “green gasoline” produced by Virent Energy Systems of Madison; a case of Leinenkugel’s beer; and a selection of cheeses.”

The Dallas Cowboys’ stadium is prepared for the event with a 5,000-square-foot data center and “500 HP servers tucked away in a massive server room 22 feet below land level still almost 30 feet above field level.”

Technological perks for fans attending include extra signal power from “every major carrier, including AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and Metro PCS,” along with free Wi-Fi to to ensure every bragging or booing Facebook status or tweet is posted.

Fans can also bring their IPad to take advantage of the NFL’s official Super Bowl app, featuring virtual 3-D navigation of Cowboys Stadium.

Read more: Wisconsin, Pittsburgh have tech-friendly Super Bowl wager
Cowboys Stadium Techs Up for Super Bowl Close-Up