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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Get Connected Oakland?

In order to participate as a full citizen in the 21st century, access to computers and the Internet is necessary. Get Connected Oakland (GCO) is both a campaign and a collaborative effort to provide free or low cost access to these tools to all residents of Oakland. GCO is a citywide, strategic response to the “digital divide”.
What are the goals of Get Connected Oakland?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The goals of Get Connected Oakland are:

  • Establish Oakland as the first U.S. City with a digital “Bill of Rights”

  • Through a private, public, non-profit partnership, provide free and low cost access to computers in the Internet

  • Raise awareness on the importance of digital literacy for all residents, particularly new immigrants and low income residents.

  • Organize, in an easy to access format, all of the resources in Oakland that provide access or help residents build their digital skills.

  • By all residents, we mean all. Young and old. All ethnicities and languages. Persons with all abilities and disabilities.

How does Get Connected Oakland Work?

 

 

 

 

 

 GCO is sponsored by the Oakland mayor's office. The intention is to gather, under one collaborative umbrella, all of the Oakland based technology service providers, to advance the objective of making Oakland a truly “on-line city”. Once this group assembles and signs on to GCO's objectives, GCO will promote the use of technology in a relevant manner for all citizens. A website will be created and maintained, mapping all of the Oakland based resources for easy access. The news media and public service announcements will promote the effective use of technology for all. By “breaking down the silos” between the dozens of organizations currently providing technology access and training, we can be more effective in our efforts.

What is the focus of GCO?

 

 

 

To give access to all residents in Oakland in these five main areas:

- Access
-Adoption
-Acquisition
-Tech Support
- Training and Education

 

When you talk about Access, what do you mean?

By access, we mean access for all. In school. After school in public places such as the library, recreation centers, and public housing campuses. In church basements and non-profits. And in the home.
When talk about Tech Support what do you mean?

Everyone who owns a computer knows that problems occur. All residents should have access to technical support when things break down and technical help to accomplish specific tasks.
When you talk about Training and Education what do you mean? Places that provide education in computers and technology as well as websites that provide free online learing in important subjects such as English as a Second Language (ESL)

Isn't this an impossible task? Don't computers become obsolete in just a few years?

This is a myth being sold to the public to increase consumerism. A refurbished computer (such as those provided by OTXWest) offer a great alternative to new computers for most of the tasks in the on-line world. Computers, when properly refurbished can last at least twice as long as conventionally believed. And, for a lot less money.

Aren't computers and the Internet inexpensive enough already for all residents to gain access?

While computers have gotten cheaper, the total cost of ownership is out of the reach of many of our residents. Also, the education and training on how to acquire free or inexpensive alternatives to new computers is not available to all. In Oakland, we have a robust computer reuse program offering very inexpensive alternatives to new. Reuse also saves the environment hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in environmental damage caused by the consumer driven philosophy of buy and discard (or recycle).

Why should business and philanthropy participate?

Business would gain a better trained, local workforce. Philanthropy would be supporting a long term strategy to improve the lives of all residents.
How can my business or organization participate? Get in touch with us by completing the registeration form!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(c) 2009 Get Connected Oakland / Oakland Technology Exchange
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