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The homeless tech scene

The homeless tech scene

Wired News has an interesting article about the homeless and their usage of technologies:

Many of those now living without a permanent roof over their heads have cell phones in their pockets or laptop computers at their hips. While people living in shelters and alleys have found it difficult to cross social divides, the digital divide seems to disappear on the streets. Nearly all homeless people have e-mail addresses, according to Michael Stoops, director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. "More have e-mail than have post office boxes," Stoops said. "The internet has been a big boon to the homeless."

Helping the homeless get e-mail addresses has been a priority for years at shelters across the country. And in an age when most every public library in the nation offers internet access, the net has proven a perfect communication tool for those without a firm real-world address.

"Because of technology, people are able to keep in contact with their families," Stoops said. And perhaps most importantly, they are able to get some footing in society regardless of how removed from it they may feel.

Homeless with technologies also earn income online, create MySpace accounts, blog, etc. The blogging scene among the homeless is actually quite a hot topic.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,71153-0.html?tw=wn_index_9

Originally from
ReBlogged by ann p on Jun 23, 2006 at 12:23 PM Posted by ann p on Jun 23, 2006 at 12:23 PM

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