Untitled - Bundeskanzleramt

Published by Bundespressedienst Vienna 2005
Imprint (Publisher): Federal Chancellor, Federal Press Service, Department I/4,
A-1014 Wien, Ballhausplatz 2, Tel.: (+)43-1-54115-2424, Fax.: (+)43-1-53115-2880,
email: [email protected], reprinting of extracts from the text is permitted.
Author: Andreas Ulrich (Department V/4 – Coordination Information Society).
Editor: Dr. Helmut Wohnout. Layout: BEST-SELLNER. Printed by: Ferd. Berger & Söhne, Horn.
FOREWORD
The fashionable term “Information So-
gramme) and the global context (World
formation which will bring about funda-
Geneva 2003 – Tunis 2005), Austria has
ciety” covers a process of global trans-
mental changes in the way we live and
work through the use of modern information and communication technologies.
Here we must be aware of enormous
opportunities but also of enormous risks.
Statistics and the results of questionnaires point repeatedly in the same direc-
tion: in the application of modern tech-
nologies – consider the mobile telephone
or the density of private internet con-
nections in private households – Austri-
ans are in a top position in Europe and
therefore also in the international domain.
This brochure provides evidence of the
manifold initiatives and measures taken
by the Austrian Federal Government in
Summit on the Information Society –
made enormous progress in all areas.
From
modern e-Government applicati-
ons, tools for innovative e-Learning and
e-Knowledge, down to developments in
online health care information and ele-
ments of e-Security – to mention only a
few areas – this brochure presents a
colourful spectrum of creative and inno-
vative applications, which also provide a
substantial insight into strategies for the
Information Society in Austria.
All the measures presented in the bro-
chure have, as their primary goal, the
establishment of an integrative informa-
tion society, an information society for
all the citizens of Austria.
policies relevant to the Information
Society, and gives a typical crosssection
of the material. In respect of both the
European context (eEurope Action Pro-
Franz Morak
Secretary of State for Art and Media
CO N T E N T S
I.
II.
III.
WHAT IS THE INFORMATION SOCIETY?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
INITIAL SITUATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
Data on the status of digital availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
7
15
15
Infrastructure activities of the Federation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
16
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
23
FIELDS OF IMPLEMENTATION
e-Government (ICT in Public Administration) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 23
e-Business / e-Work (ICT in the workplace and in business)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
37
. . . . . . . . . . . page
41
. . . . . . . . page
47
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
55
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
59
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
63
e-Security (ICT and security)
e-Learning / e-Knowledge (ICT in basic and follow-up education)
e-Science (ICT in universities and universities of applied sciences)
e-Culture (ICT in art and culture)
e-Health (ICT and health)
e-Inclusion (ICT for everybody)
I V.
S U M M A RY I N S E V E N CO N C I S E P O I N T S
V.
HYPERLINKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 65
I . W H AT I S I N F O R M AT I O N S O C I E T Y ?
The
notion
of
a
global
information
Today already over 50% of all people en-
munication scientist Marshall McLuhan
tivities whose major raw materials, tools
society can be traced back to the com-
gaged in business are dependent on ac-
and the way he pictured the world as a
and results consist of information. And,
global village created by electronics (at
if recent forecasts are correct, by 2015
that time he was referring to television);
about four fifths of all human work will
that was in the early 1960s. McLuhan
consist of handling information: consult-
predicted the decomposition of time and
ing, informing, researching, developing,
space, of work and leisure in the age of
organizing,
electronics .
work.
evolved particularly in the 1990s in the
on
the
socalled
managing,
– all these are typical forms of future
The notion of the information society
debate
networking,
investigating, designing and presenting
1
The “information” factor is thus
becoming the essential “product”.
information
superhighway. One could find the term
in the US government platform of the
Clinton/Gore Administration 2, being used
to promote plans for an integrated
broadband universal network with a
broad range of public (e.g. networking of
all schools and libraries) and commercial
(e.g. video on demand, interactive TV)
functions.
It
is
not
of
paramount
importance
The evolution of the information society
tion”, “knowledge society”, “network
view. In order not to be shut out from
whether terms such as “age of informasociety”
or
specifically
must be seen from a global point of
“information
the growing global information market,
society” are used for the information
technology
doubt,
revolution.
however,
that
It
the
is
it is of paramount importance for all
beyond
European Union Member States. The
industrial
sweeping developments in ICT will result
society is involved in a process of dyna-
in comprehensive changes to the eco-
mic transformation manifesting itself in
nomy
particular in the rapid increase in use of
logies (ICT) for collecting, storing, pro-
including
many
What are the essential opportunities
cessing, communicating, disseminating
offered by this development?
and exploiting information.
2
society,
opportunities but also many risks.
information and communication techno-
1
and
Marshall McLuhan: The Gutenberg Galaxy The Making of Typographic Man. Toronto 1962
National Information Infrastructure Initiative:
Agenda for Action (http://www.ibiblio.org/nii/toc.html)
Added economic value by creating
new professions and markets;
-7-
added ecological value by electronic
The consequences of this development
product;
centration of information and knowledge
are above all an acceleration and con-
dissemination of “information” as a
to an extent never seen before:
levelling of differences between urban
whe-
reas within European societies many
and rural areas by electronic linking
generations
between the centre and the peri-
had
passed
before
the
invention of the letterpress increased
phery;
knowledge in the wider community, the
global transfer of information and
new electronic information and commu-
knowledge, increasing the potential
nication technologies make information
for innovative solutions.
and knowledge immediately available on
a worldwide basis – resulting in a poten-
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES (ICT)
tial for acceleration and concentration
which is very much higher. Particularly
the internet and the development of the
The overall term was coined in the early 1980s
when information technologies were first being
directly employed in digital network terminals
as well as in local and public transmission
networks (e.g. services such as TV videotext).
Telecommunication and computer technologies
are the key technologies affecting nearly all
spheres of the economy, society and culture and
establishing new communication situations).
world wide web (www) have eliminated
the time-space relationship of previous
media technologies. Thanks to the www,
information is available always (without
regard to time) and everywhere (without
being tied to a particular place).
But possible risks must also be kept in
mind in order to achieve an adequate
and efficient balance:
opportunities to participate may vary
from person to person because of socioeconomic and sociocultural barriers (digital gaps);
production may be transferred to lowwage countries (loss of jobs);
conflicts may arise in society on ac-
To this effect simple, equal and free ac-
ing conditions (consequences of flexi-
essential prerequisite for the develop-
cess to information and knowledge is an
count of restructuring of manufactur-
ment
bility, mobility, etc.);
of
an
integrative
information
society. This also means, however, that
consumers may refuse to use new
issues of access and use of informati-
electronic services.
on/knowledge are becoming more and
more critical. In other words: the fact
-8-
bility, while the classic cross section
dimension of the “information society”
WORLD WIDE WEB (WWW)
requires coordination which is provided
by the Constitutional Service of the
In 1991 a hypertext system with a graphic
easy-to-operate user surface was developed at
Geneva’s CERN nuclear research centre. On the
basis of cross references, hypertext documents
provide access to links containing further information with a mouse click. The result is a world
wide web (www) with enormous growth rates,
constituting an ever increasing challenge for the
infrastructure technology of the network of
networks, as the internet is now being called.
The bandwidths required for the data of heavy
multimedia applications and the increasing
number of video conferences and audio transmissions are becoming wider and wider.
Federal Chancellery, Department V/4.
Exchange of information and experience
concerning all the relevant issues is
organized on a regular and continuous
basis
among
representatives
of
the
Federal Ministries, the statutory bodies
of interest groups representing business
and consumers, as well as among inter-
net providers and similar bodies in the
Advisory Board for the Information
Society (BIG) 3 especially created for
this purpose.
that internet provides easy access to
information and knowledge does not in
any sense mean that these potential
G L O B A L CO N T E XT
opportunities can (or should) also be
available to everybody.
The important thing is to look at the problems of the information society as a
cross section that requires horizontal
From 10 to 12 December 2003, the issue
paramount is not a restriction to certain
the first time in its global context at the
“information society” was dealt with for
strategies for their solution: what is
first World Summit on the Information
areas (for example TV or the internet),
Society – WSIS held in Geneva. Gov-
but networked coordination. The global
network of networks requires global
ernment delegations, representatives of
vant players. This is paramount for poli-
agreed on the following objectives:
business and civil society organizations
grouping and networking of all the rele-
tics, which must concern itself in depth
with issues of control and coordination
By 2010 every city of the world shall
nal level.
at least 90% of the population world-
have access to the web;
at both the national and the internatio-
wide shall have access to wireless
communication;
Domestic initiatives and measures in the
framework of the information society are
implemented by the respective Federal
Ministries within their areas of responsi-
3
-9-
http://www.bundeskanzleramt.at/big
universities and hospitals shall have
Especially in view of the pattern of dis-
internet by 2005, libraries by 2006
that access to and use of internet is by
tribution of internet use, one can see
the possibility of being joined to the
no means evenly spread around the
and every elementary school by
globe. In spite of enormous growth rates
2015;
one must not overlook that the “worldwi-
The initial outlay for internet access
de” data network is used by only a very
shall not exceed 100 Euros, and after
small proportion of the world’s populati-
2010 not more than 50 Euros.
on, and 90% of these users live in the
leading industrialized nations.
Initially it remained rather vague how
these objectives could be achieved.
Upon a proposal from Senegal a “Digital
Meanwhile a UN task force has been set
rously
work out specific proposals for the
up to deal with issues of financing and to
Solidarity Fund” requested quite vigoby
developing
and
threshold
second summit meeting to be held in
countries in order to overcome the mas-
Tunis (from 16 to 18 November 2005) 5.
sive digital gap between the Western
world and “Third World” countries was
setup. This was at first only included on
In addition to the measures to bridge
documents and only as a nonbinding
right, there is still controversy concer-
digital gaps, in particular issues of copy-
a non-committal basis in the conference
ning internet governance and software
declaration of intent .
4
systems (proprietary versus open source
solutions).
DIGITAL GAP
COPYRIGHT
Digital gap or digital divide is meant to express
that both on a global as well as on a national
level the possibilities of access to modern digital
information and communication technologies
vary, and they depend to a large extent on socioeconomic factors such as income and education.
Digital gaps and thus massive differences or
discriminations also exist with regard to infrastructure (completely different levels of
development on the global, national and
regional levels), language (the vast majority of
all websites are in English), gender (ICT overproportionately dominated by males on all
levels), content (“important” information
vs. “garbage data”) and age.
4
Internet download/upload of music files and
feature movies via P2P (peer to peer) exchanges
is creating more and more headaches for the
audiovisual industry. An accelerated rate of broadband internet subscriptions meanwhile permits the download of complete feature movies.
Estimates of the MPAA (Motion Picture
Association of America), the US branch of the
association of movie industries, reveal that every
month between 400,000 and 600,000 movies
downloaded are from the internet. In
addition to information campaigns and pay
services offered, the music and film industries
are also taking legal steps against power users.
http://www.itu.int/wsis
5
- 10 -
http://www.itu.int/wsis/tffm/index.html
E U CO N T E XT
INTERNET GOVERNANCE
Within the European Union a strategy
was adopted in 2000 on the occasion of
A number of developing and emerging countries
oppose the partly private ICANN network
administration (Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers) instituted by the
United States. Already in the run-up to the
World Summit they demanded that internet
administration at the national level be taken
care of by the respective governments and at the
international level by a UN organization such
as the ITU (International Telecommunications
Union). Meanwhile a UN task force has been
set up to work out a definition of internet
governance and deal with issues of consumer
protection, data protection and intellectual
property. The task force report should be
available for the 2005 Tunis Summit.
the
European
Council
of
Lisbon
(“Lisbon Strategy”), aiming at making
use of the potential of digital technolo-
gies for business and society in Europe.
By 2010 the European Union is to beco-
me the most competitive and dynamic
knowledge based economic area in the
world, an economic area capable of
achieving sustained economic growth
with more and better jobs and greater
social coherence 6.
In
November 1999 the European Com-
mission had already started the “eEu-
rope” initiative aiming at potentially
SOFTWARE
granting all male and female citizens,
Software plays an ever increasing role in the
information society. The overwhelming majority
of all computers worldwide operate on proprietary software products emanating from
Microsoft (such as “Windows XP” or “Office”).
Open source software solutions are gaining
increasing importance. The basic difference
from “proprietary”, meaning “closed” software
products is that for open source systems both
the result of programming, the so called source
code, the work processes and progress, and also
the intermediate results, are openly accessible.
schools,
businesses
and
authorities
access to the new information and com-
munication technologies 7. This includes
for example using the internet for a
whole array of everyday procedures,
services and products in fields such as
education, administration, health, culture and entertainment.
So far two „eEurope“ Action Plans have
been adopted:
All these will be important issues on the
agenda of the second summit in Tunis.
The Action Plan 2002, adopted in
June 2000 in the Portuguese city of
Feira by the European Council, and
6
7
- 11 -
For more information on the implementation of the
„Lisbon Strategy“ in Austria, consult the website:
http://www.chancenerweitern.gv.at/default.pxml?lang=
de&kap=292
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/
eeurope/2005/index_en.htm
The Action Plan 2005, adopted by
the European Council in June 2002 in
the Spanish city of Seville.
The “eEurope” Action Plan 2002 put the
Europe-wide introduction of the internet
on the political agenda. The „eEurope“
Action Plan 2005 is now focussing efforts
on effective access, real use and actual
availability. The main emphasis of the
„eEurope“ Action Plan 2005 is on imple-
menting modern public online services in
the sectors of public administration (e-
Government), education (e-Learning)
and health (e-Health), on creating a
dynamic environment for the electronic
business communication (e-Business)
and on ensuring a reliable infrastructure
at competitive prices (broadband).
The „eEurope“ Action Plan 2005 focuses
above all on users, male and female. At
all levels and for all activities full social
participation is paramount, including
above all access for persons with special
needs. A further principle is the emphasis on neutrality towards technology,
meaning that the most important provisions and services shall become available not only via computer, but also, for
example, via interactive digital TV, third
generation mobile phones and cable networks.
- 12 -
- 13 -
- 14 -
I I . I N I T I A L S I T U AT I O N
Austrian households, 62% (about 3.9
DATA ON THE STATUS OF DIGITAL
AVAILABILITY
million) are regular computer users –
either at home, in the workplace, at
By March 2003, 49% of all Austrian hou-
their place of education or training, or in
seholds had a computer. Among all per-
other locations (internet cafés, etc.).
sons aged between 16 and 74 living in
GROWTH OF INTERNET USE IN AUSTRIA 1996 – 2004 (percentages)
Source: GfK Online Monitor: FESSEL-GfK (4,500 Telephone interviews each quarter, 14 years + / basis:
Austrian 14 years or older (6,678.000 persons) – until 2003 AIM: FESSEL-GfK/INTEGRAL
36% of all Austrian households and 91% of
is about two hours each week. The most
employees have internet access. The most
cation (for 88%), followed by information
Austrian
businesses
with
9
or
important type of use is e-mail communi-
more
searches for goods and services (for
frequently used technology continues to be
65%), and reading newspapers and maga-
the telephone modem connection (about
zines (about 39%).11
70% of all households), and one in four
households has a broadband internet con-
nection.8 During the 3rd quarter of 2004, a
Also the use of e-Government applications
persons in Austria aged 14 years or older
about 35% of all internet users made use of
continues to gain ground: while in 2003
total of about 56% of all male and female
(3.2 million) had access to the internet.
the website information of public authori-
9
In Austria, both male and female persons
8
(48%)10 – in 1996 only 3% had this pos-
9
most frequently use the internet at home
sibility – and the average duration of use
10
11
- 15 -
Statistical material: STATISTIK AUSTRIA: ICT use in
households – results of the European survey on the use
of information and communication technologies in
households 2003, Vienna 2003
GfK Online Monitor 3rd quarter 2004, FESSEL-GfK
(4,500 telephone interviews each quarter, 14 years +)
GfK Online Monitor 3rd quarter 2004
STATISTIK AUSTRIA, ICT use 2003, p.15
ties 12, in 2004 their share had already
By March 2003, at least one person in three
making use of electronic form blanks
mobile phone (2002: 69%). 16% of all house-
increased to 55% . 43% were already
out of four Austrian households was using a
13
and 22% were making fully electronic
holds use an internet-capable mobile phone.
communication with government admini-
stration offices. 14 At the beginning of
94% of Austrian households have a TV set,
ses were using e-Government offers and
40% cable TV and about 16% use a rooftop
2004, three out of four Austrian busines-
of which about 46% have satellite TV, about
one out of five businesses were comple-
aerial. Digital TV for the time being means
ting the relevant administrative procedures in a fully electronic format.
mainly satellite TV, about 200,000 digital
set-top boxes were in use in 2003.
14
ICT EQUIPMENT OF HOUSEHOLDS (multiple answers possible)
type of
household
households
1 adult 1 033 289
terr. TV
SAT TV
cable TV
cell
phone
PC
21,3%
26,1%
42,7%
64,4%
30,3%
Internet
none of
these
22,6%
4,6%
2 adults
951 552
13,4%
43,3%
38,8%
76,9%
40,9%
29,6%
1,9%
1adult+child
77 087
8,4%
40,7%
47,7%
94,7%
57,0%
32,3%
-
3 adults
2adults+child
3adults+child
Total
496 123
9,5%
59,3%
28,5%
94,4%
67,6%
52,0%
0,9%
544 101
12,4%
51,9%
31,7%
97,4%
69,7%
51,3%
0,3%
3 344 231
14,8%
43%
36,4%
80,7%
49,3%
36,2%
2,3%
242 077
10,2%
61,8%
24,0%
94,6%
77,4%
55,1%
1,5%
Source: compiled on basis of data material of STATISTIK AUSTRIA 2003
FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MEASURES
Broadband initiative
The availability of reliable and high-qua-
ca. 3.1 million telephone subscribers,
is a decisive factor for business and the
gress in internet use.
lity networks with good value for money
Austria has achieved remarkable pro-
innovative capability of an economy. In
electronic communication, broadband
internet subscriptions constitute a stra-
tegic location factor and offer enormous
potential for businesses. On the basis of
12
a hundred percent availability for the
13
14
- 16 -
Idem
Fessel GfK, zero measuring e-Government in Austria
Idem
million people) and covers mainly large
urban
BROADBAND
and
metropolitan
areas.
Consequently the chances of develop-
ment for at least 20% of the population
As a rule, the term “broadband” defines a
permanent internet subscription at a fixed fee
for an unlimited period of time of use at higher
transmission speeds than with dial-up modems.
and businesses not located in these
areas are affected by this handicap. For
this reason the Federal Government has
launched its e-Government Campaign
Apart from the number of subscriptions
offering so-called e-Government servi-
tions is becoming increasingly impor-
infrastructure, in particular broadband
itself, the quality and breadth of connec-
ces, and has expanded its technical
tant. At present broadband is available
network connections.
to about 80% of households (about 2.5
BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IN RELATION TO HOUSEHOLDS (worldwide)
Source: RTR GmbH, Broadband Report May 2003, p.6
The objective is not only to increase the
red in a competitive market environ-
connections, but also to provide almost
make the required infrastructure availa-
number of broadband internet access
complete
access
for
availability
all
of
ment. This means that providers will
broadband
administrative
ble only on the basis of profitability, con-
units,
sequently less densely populated areas
businesses and citizens. This means that
will lack the financial incentive for blan-
particularly in municipalities located in
ket coverage.
rural areas the infrastructure must be
improved. Broadband services are offe-
- 17 -
on networks opens up vast possibilities
for optimizing administrative activity
E-GOVERNMENT-CAMPAIGN PRESENTATION
IN THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS (EXTRACT
REGARDING THE BROADBAND ISSUE):
and modernizing administrative structures. e-Government is thus in a position
to fulfil two important functions for the
implementation of a national broadband
”mainly in the municipalities located in
rural areas the infrastructure must be improved.
The new information and communication
technologies can only be put to use if access to
the net is available. This concerns both the
support of infrastructure measures regarding
broadband and wireless connections and the
availability of internet access in public
buildings, so-called public internet access
points, and via cellular radio networks
respectively (WLAN). Public Private Partnership
schemes will be able to use available synergies
with a view to quick implementation. Quick
acceptance of e-Government will be supported
by the possibility of offsetting the basic fee for
broadband access against tax until the end of
2004. This measure, together with other
infrastructure measures necessary for eGovernment, will have a far-reaching effect on
businesses and households.” (13.05.2003)
strategy: on the one hand, the use of
broadband applications in the public sec-
tor stimulates demand in the sense of
“creating critical masses”, and on the
other hand attractive broadband offers
for private citizens will be created.
A further component in the promotion of
broadband is a scheme of subsidies of-
fered by the Federal Ministry for Transport,
Innovation
and
Technology
(BMVIT) which, in cooperation with the
Provinces of Austria, is to create incenti-
ves for an expansion of the broadband
infrastructure. The so called Special
Directive “Broadband Initiative” is
In addition, investment in broadband in-
to make the use of broadband technolo-
wth and innovation effects in upstream,
ses and private citizens in areas so far
gy available to public facilities, busines-
frastructure is followed by positive gro-
not covered.
down-stream and parallel-value-creating
supply chain levels. This begins with
The WLAN Initiative of the Federal
rising ICT sales and extends to new jobs
Chancellery constitutes a contribution
in the content industry.
to the implementation of these objec-
tives. In cooperation with a private hot
Promotion of broadband is in line with
spot supplier, e-Government has been
the objectives of e-Government – and
offered free of charge as of March 2003
vice versa: increasing presence of high
via broadband lines. Persons with mobi-
capacity networks increases the subse-
le
quent possibilities and beneficial effects
internet
access
can
use
all
e-
Government offers on web sites with the
for e-Government. So more sophistica-
domain “gv.at” without having to regi-
ted and universal online administrative
ster with or pay any fees to the hot spot
services can be created, increasing user
supplier.
acceptance on the part of both private
persons and businesses. At the same
time the use of broadband administrati-
- 18 -
The following reasons are in general
relevant for changing over to digital
OBJECTIVES OF THE BROADBAND
INITIATIVE OF THE FEDERATION
broad-casting technology:
more efficient management of fre-
• Tax concessions since 2003 with a view to
promoting broadband penetration (costs of a
new individual broadband subscription inclusive of basic monthly fee, with a maximum
cap for current use, are tax deductible).
quencies: one frequency range will in
future broadcast between four and
six digital programmes (e.g. TV and
radio programmes, data services or
• Specific incentive scheme for broadband
connection of areas not so far covered (“white
spots”). By year-end 2007 full coverage of
broadband availability is to become a reality
in order to create access to modern services.
(Budget: 10 million Euro);
internet pages) instead of a single
analogue programme;
greater variety of programmes: in
addition to the well known full programmes, a large number of sector
• Stimulation of “digital competence” of private
citizens through actions of RTR-GMBH in
cooperation with BMVIT;
and special programmes for small
target groups can be produced because digital broadcasting costs mar-
• changeover of all head offices of Federal
Administrations to electronic file processing,
i.e. completely electronic administrative
procedures;
kedly less than analogue broadcasting;
improved sound and picture quality
and reception of broadcasts free of
• by the end of 2005 all contacts with
administrative authorities to be in electronic
form.
interference. Terrestrial digital TV
also offers portable and mobile reception in large areas of the territory
covered (e.g. in trains and motor
Further information:
vehicles);
http://www.rtr.at/breitband
http://www.bmvit.gv.at/sixcms_upload/media/330/
breitbandstrategie.pdf
greater number of regional and local
programmes;
reduced cost of broadcasting network infrastructure;
Digitisation of
infrastructure
Introduction
of
the
digital
increased
broadcasting
planning;
flexibility
of
frequency
broadcasting of additional services
broadcasting
(e.g. data services, multi media
technologies for radio and TV is a focus
applications etc.);
of activities in all EU Member States, full
creation
transition is scheduled for 2010 to 2015.
of
a
market
terminals (decoders).
Projections for consumer behaviour in
Europe are based on digitised TV for
about 50% of all European households
by 2008.
- 19 -
for
digital
of January 2004, the digitisation fund
organised
ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL
BROADCASTING CHANNELS
within
the
RTR-GmbH.
Particularly for the introductory phase,
which will be characterized by increased
expenditure for planning, testing, trial
• Digital via satellite – advantage is no doubt
the enormous number of programmes (there
are projections for up to 500 channels)
• Digital via cable – advantage for interactivity
through reverse channel
• Digital via aerial (terrestrial) – advantage of
mobility (backyard, motor vehicle, train, etc.)
and separate domestic market
operation, creation of awareness on the
part of the public as well as the handling
of
the
costly
“simulcast
operation”
(simultaneous analogue and digital bro-
adcasting) this will make available an
annual 7.5 million Euro. The digitisation
fund follows an approach of neutrality
Digital Platform Austria
Austria’s
Federal
Chancellor
towards technology; it is thus open for
promoting the introduction of any form
Dr.
of digital broadcasting (satellite, cable,
Wolfgang Schüssel created the task
terrestrial).
force “Digital Platform Austria” in
order to prepare the digital switchover,
involving all relevant players in this task
force. It was at the end of 2003 when
DVB-T-trial operation in Graz
the
(KommAustria), the regulatory authority
seholds in Graz were able to try out spe-
cific applications of digital TV. In addi-
Kommunikationsbehörde
During June and July 2004, 150 TV hou-
Austria
tion to four TV channels, ORF1, ORF2,
responsible for the broadcasting sector,
ATV+ and “ITV4GRAZ”, a specially com-
presented a digitisation plan for the
piled 24 hour programme with material
introduction of digital broadcasting. This
from a total of seven TV broadcasters
explains the switchover procedure as a
(ORF, ATV+, goTV, ProSieben Austria,
four step process in which, after a pre-
SAT.1 Österreich, Steiermark 1 and Aich-
paratory phase (until 2005), in addition
feld TV), it was possible to test additio-
to frequency scheduling and co-ordinati-
nal services (electronic programme gui-
on and evaluation of the DVB-T trial operation
carried
out
in
Graz
des) and applications for interactive TV
during
(e.g. product orders, voting and place-
June/July 2004 , tenders for the first
15
Multiplex are to be invited.
16
ment of soccer bets via remote control).
In 2006 the
This trial operation was subsidized with
build-up of the digital network is to start
money from the digitisation fund and
by creating islands in the metropolitan
Styrian business promotion funds.
areas.
Federal Digitisation Fund
Since the transition from analogue to
digital broadcasting cannot be exclusive-
ly organized by the market, Austria’s
15
16
legislators created, as of the beginning
- 20 -
DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting-terrestrial)
Proceeding for merging the various video, audio and data
signals into one joint transport flow to be transmitted to
the terminal via satellite, cable or terrestrial aerial.
DIGITISATION STRATEGY
Step 1:
preparatory phase (2003 through end 2005):
•
•
•
•
frequency planning/coordination;
DVB-T-trial operation (e.g. Graz);
studies and surveys;
preparation and implementation
(early 2005) of Multiplex tender invitation.
Step 2:
build-up of availability in metropolitan areas
(2006)
• creation of network islands in metropolitan
areas through owners of Multiplex licenses;
• service objective: 60% of the population within one year of the license coming into force;
• review of the digitisation scheme.
Step 3:
Switchover by regions (2007 through 2010)
• switchover by Laender and shutdown of
analogue frequencies;
• analogue/digital phase limited to 6 to
12 months in the different regions;
• close involvement of broadcasters in the
switchover process.
Step 4:
After shutdown of analogue frequencies
(from 2010 onwards)
• seen as of today, five to six multiplex
coverages are possible for Austria;
• tender invitation and award of further
multiplex platforms:
• Service objective: a multiplex coverage with
over 90% (fixed), between two and three
coverages with 70% fixed and 40% portable
indoor, further coverages in accordance with
digitisation scheme and financial capacity.
Further information:
http://www.rtr.at/web.nsf/deutsch/Rundfunk_
Digitale+Plattform+Austria
- 21 -
- 22 -
I I I . F I E L D S O F I M P L E M E N TAT I O N
In addition to creation and extension of
e-Government
in particular the consistent extension of
e-Business / e-Work
the required infrastructure prerequisites,
(ICT in Public Administration)
broadband availability in Austria, as
(ICT for employers and employees)
shown in the previous section, the use of
e-Security (ICT and security)
information and communication technol-
e-Learning / e-Competence
ogy is being pushed in practically all sec-
(ICT in basic and follow-up education
tors at an increased rate.
e-Science (ICT in universities
and universities of applied sciences)
The following pages show a summarized
e-Culture (ICT in art and culture)
illustration of initiatives and measures
e-Health (ICT and health)
implemented or planned by the Federal
e-Inclusion (ICT for everybody)
Government and the various Federal
Ministries, or in cooperation with private
business or initiatives in the following
areas:
E - G OV E R N M E N T
ICT in Public Administration
The code word for the use of modern
achieved. Large scale availability of
logies
generate an increased demand in the
public applications and services will
information and communication technoin
Public
Administration
is
market which eventually will further
e-Government. The contents of the so-
improve their availability.
called e-Government Campaign have
been set out in the 2003 e-Government
programme. It is the objective of the
Presided over by the Federal Chancellor
service oriented public administration at
ment Platform sets out the general
Dr. Wolfgang Schüssel, the e-Govern-
campaign to enhance a modern and
a rapid pace in the interest of private
objectives of e-Government activities,
EU standards) an exemplary cooperation
overall
for this purpose provides for efficient
persons and the business sector. In (by
between
the
municipalities,
Federation,
cities
and
coordination,
adopts
an
e-Government Roadmap for the period
Provinces,
2003-2005 and guarantees overall con-
business,
trol of work in progress.
optimum use of resources is to be
- 23 -
The e-Cooperation Board, presided
The integration of administrative
executive secretary and comprising, in
will be possible by networking and
over by the Federation’s e-Government
procedures into automatic processes
addition to high ranking experts of all
ministries,
representatives
of
intensive
the
cooperation
among
the
Federation, Provinces, cities, muni-
Provinces, the Association of Municipali-
cipalities and other public institutions.
ties, the Association of Cities as well as
the Austrian Economic Chamber, the
e-Government solutions focus on
and the Federal Committee of the Free
guard sustainability and interna-
open, future-oriented standards, safe-
Federation of Social Security Institutes
tional compatibility. Safe procedures
Professions, provides for specific imple-
and protection of the privacy of per-
mentation of the e-Government projects.
sonal data must be ensured.
The e-Government Campaign is gover-
Public administration must provide
ned by the following values and prin-
information without delay and in a
ciples:
professional manner on the availabi-
e-Government addresses all citizens,
lity of e-Government services.
regardless of their income and per-
The Capgemini Benchmarking study of
sonal circumstances. The interests of
those not involved in e-Government,
the European Commission, published at
By increased promotion of e-Govern-
parison of e-Government parameters in
the end of January 2004, allowing com-
however, must also be safeguarded.
the European Union, reveals that over
ment, socially deprived persons must
not
be
excluded
from
the past 12 months, since the beginning
obtaining
of the e-Government Campaign with its
public services or suffer a restriction
e-Government offers, Austria is now
in any of their rights. New opportuni-
among the five best Member States, and
ties must be opened for all popula-
– as far as the growth rate of the
tion groups, with special attention to
e-Government
technological aspects for persons
offers
compared
concerned – it is number one.
with particular needs.
- 24 -
is
Online availability in percent
The e-Government Roadmap compri-
e-Government Act (eGov-G), an excel-
Government between 2003 and 2005:
son, legally effective as of 1 March 2004.
ses all projects within the scope of e-
lent example of international compari-
Ranging from projects of in-house admi-
Its main feature is the citizen card
(ELAK), citizen projects, such as resi-
of anyone using it and, together with an
nistration, such as the Electronic File
model, ensuring 100% proof of identity
dents’ registration or family allowance
areaspecific personal ID, the authentici-
ty of any electronic filing. This system
online, and services for businesses, such
as
corporate
returns
or
framework
income
customs
and
declarations,
conditions
e-Government
Act
sales
such
(eGov-G).
as
ensures a high level of safety and data
tax
protection for all types of use. 17
to
the
Many
Essential elements of Austrian
e-Government:
projects have already been implemented
and projects from the master pool are
continually
A
special
entering
the
information
Citizen card, electronic payment
roadmap.
and service of documents
platform
(http:// reference. e-government.gv.at)
The electronic signature is an integral
interfaces and technical approaches of
e-Government and ensures identification
component
provides information on the strategies,
e-Government
implementation.
and
coordinates
with
the
authorities
is
responsible
and
safe
and authenticity of persons as well as
its
the integrity of written documents. It is
being
implemented
in
Austrian
e-Government through the Citizen Card
The legal basis for electronic communication
of
the
17
- 25 -
http://www.cio.gv.at/egovernment/law
Scheme. This scheme contains the basic
phones. The advantage is that, without
of proceedings between the administra-
software, a technology can be used that
elements for secure electronic handling
the necessity to install new hard- or
tive authorities and citizens and busines-
the majority of the Austrian population
ses, and determines the requirements
is familiar with. 19
which signature cards or other signatory
instruments must comply with. 18
Anyone who wants to handle matters
with the administrative authorities online has a legitimate interest in the secu-
re transfer, appropriate use and secure
ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE
storage of his data. For unequivocal
identification of a person it is necessary
Electronic signatures will be linked with
other electronic data (e.g. documents, form
blanks, etc.) and serve to ascertain the identity
of the persons who activated such link. At the
same time everybody can verify whether the
data linked with the signature have remained
unchanged. This scheme is based on mathematical procedures implemented over the last
few years in sophisticated products on the
basis of international standards.
to allocate an unequivocal defining ele-
ment to that person. The ZMR number
(Zentrale Melderegister Zahl = central
residents’ register number) is such a
defining element used for registration of
the residence of persons, serving for
their unequivocal identification. For rea-
sons of data protection, the ZMR numThe
administrative
signature
ber is not directly used for individual
has
persons. It is, however, coded with a
been introduced in order to promote
faster
acceptance
of
the
secret
code
of
the
Base
Number
Register Authority. This coded ZMR
signature
number is called the base number. It can
among the population. In the admini-
strative sector, it has the same effect as
be allocated unequivocally to any person
the electronic signature and can be used
and it may only be stored on the citizen
zen card application in accordance with
as a basis for ascertaining the area spe-
card. The base number may be used only
up to 1.1.2008, within the scope of citi-
cific personal ID.
the e-Government Act, and also instead
of the electronic signature.
The area specific personal ID (herein-
after bPK) can be ascertained on the ba-
The difference between the citizen card
sis of the base number and the adminis-
and the administrative signature is that
trative procedure sector. A unique bPK
the requirements which the signature
will be generated for each sector. This
generating bodies have to meet in order
means that the bPK for the sector “taxes
to generate administrative signatures
and levies” will be different from the bPK
are less stringent. Signatures can there-
for the sector “construction and hou-
fore also be generated via mobile tele18
19
http://www.buergerkarte.gv.at
http://www.cio.gv.at/egovernment/law/VerwSigVO_2004.pdf
- 26 -
sing”. The cryptographic algorithm used
electronic approach. In order to settle such
possible to ascertain any bPK on the
manner, a payment standard (EPS ePay-
expenses in a suitable and uncomplicated
for this purpose ensures that it is not
basis of another bPK and that it is also
ment Standard) has been created in coo-
from a bPK. Different sectors thus have
tion in payment transactions (STUZZA).23 It
not possible to trace any base number
peration with the study group for coopera-
different IDs, so that it is not possible to
align databases by means of this ID.
provides for a tie-in of payment transaction
into online procedures and e-Government.
20
The payment itself can be made via online
Electronic documents issued by authori-
banking, credit card (e.g. for a printout of
ties, e.g. legal rulings, will be provided
criminal record) or mobile phone (e.g. resi-
with the official signature. This fea-
dence registration). In the course of elec-
ture serves for verifying the authenticity
tronic proceedings, citizens and businesses
of documents. The official signature con-
must also be provided with official docu-
tains a logo of the respective authority.
ments electronically. The service will be
effected by electronic service providers.
Such a provider makes official documents
For the introduction of electronic signa-
tures in e-Government it was necessary
available to registered users and notifies
to use and basic modules ensuring secu-
provider thus assumes the technical risks
them of documents received. The service
to work out basic services which are easy
re online applications. These “modules
of the electronic service which will therefore
no longer fall on the users.24 Electronic ser-
for online applications” (MOA) provide
for generating and verifying electronic
vice saves time and is more convenient.
signatures and for personal identifica-
Collecting registered letters at the post
tion. MOA are freely available at all admi-
office will thus be a thing of the past. Apart
nistrative levels as a tool for the implementation of secure e-Government.
from that, the proof of service will give a
guarantee to both sides – receiver as well
21
as sender – that the service really has been
By cooperating with the banking industry
effected.
(Europay) a total approaching 7 million
Consistent image and access
bank cards will be equipped with the citi-
zen card function. The first mobile tele-
Citizens expect the blank forms of their
ready started with the citizen card func-
sistent image. These expectations are
phone operator (Mobilkom A1) has altion for mobile phones.
administrative authorities to have a con-
met by the form style guide jointly
22
worked out by the federal, provincial,
Just as in the traditional way of contacting
city and municipality authorities. This
authorities, costs may also arise with the
20
21
22
style guide not only provides for a consi-
http://www.cio.gv.at/it-infrastructure/sz-bpk/
http://www.cio.gv.at/onlineservices/basicmodules/moa/
see also http://www.europay.at, http://www.a-trust.at
und http://www.mobilkom.at
23
24
- 27 -
http://www.stuzza.at
https://www.zustellung.gv.at
in Como (7/8 July 2003), help.gv.at has
stent presentation, but also for unre-
stricted access to the form blanks. It will
been
honoured
by
the
European
with user requirements.
2003 in the category “better quality in
Commission with the eEurope-Award
be continually kept up to date in line
25
life”,
as
the
leading
application in Europe.
The website help.gv.at, a virtual guide
for online contact with the authorities
27
e-Government
(http://www.help.gv.at), has been set up
In-house handling of the
by the authorities, and is classified
access through linked websites
electronic act and standard
as contact point for the services offered
according to the circumstances of life
To increase the efficiency of in house ad-
be able to find, in a simple and swift pro-
ve business at the Federal Level and in
ministrative procedures, all administrati-
and business situations. All citizens will
all Federal Ministries including their sub-
cedure, any necessary information and
ordinated agencies is handled through
blank forms for administrative procedu-
the Electronic File (ELAK), replacing
res. The one-stop shop principle (= one
thus conventional printout files. For the
online contact point for all matters)
files
saves time-wasting in dealing with public
Federal
automation of administrative processes
cally distributed in-house to the offices in
and
charge. The electronic service provider
permits
exchange.
will forward the result of the proceedings
smooth
ELAK
will
in-house
bring
data
speedier
results for customers. Information can
to whatever citizen is involved.
be given faster because the system
allows for faster access to files and thus
For foreign as well as EU citizens living and
help.gv.at
all
of ELAK results to a large extent in
proceedings instituted will be electroni-
Austria,
system,
type of standard software. The use
the online office of any authority, the
in
filing
Ministries will be equipped with the same
authorities. As soon as citizens approach
working
and
a more efficient investigation. 28
offers
information regarding the most important
possible contacts with the authorities and life
Cooperation between federal, regional
venian, Czech and Hungarian languages.
in the website linkage. This is a linka-
and local administration becomes evident
circumstances, in the English, Slovak, SloHelp.gv.at
has
been
designed
accordance with WAI guidelines
26
ge of administrative portals permitting
joint use of administrative in-house ser-
in
in
vices and resulting in faster handling of
order also to enable challenged persons
administrative proceedings. Each admi-
to make full use of the guide for online
nistrative authority linked integrates its
contact with the authorities. In the cour-
databases which can be accessed by
se of the e-Government conference held
25
26
each party in the link, depending of
http://reference.e-government.gv.at/Styleguide.299.0.html
Web Accessibility Initiative (cf. p. 60)
27
28
- 28 -
http://www.e-europeawards.org
http://www.elakimbund.at
course on its access rights. All registers
strengthen trust in e-Government. The
ment, such as for example the compa-
Quality Mark thus constitutes the hig-
award of the Austrian e-Government
of organizations suitable for e-Govern-
hest achievement on the road to secure
nies’ register, or the register of associa-
and reliable e-Government. 31
tions – which is still to be created – will
be integrated in the website linkage.
While the provisions of the Data Protec-
In order also to provide for access to e-
accelerate and simplify the processing
Chancellery has entered into a contract
tion Act will be complied with, this will
time of files.
Government in public places, the Federal
with T-Mobile granting access free of char-
29
ge to all e-Government applications (web-
Access and trust
sites with the domain “gv.at”) in about
In compliance with the Web Accessibil-
400 hot spots spread all over Austria.32
ity Initiative (WAI), the contents of
web-sites are to be made accessible to
e-Government – Best Practice
everybody. 30 Internet access is to be
all over Austria
made easier for challenged persons by
Most contacts of citizens / businesses
adapting this access to their particular
with administrative authorities take place
needs. The e-Government Act therefore
at the level of municipality or district,
provides that, by 1 January 2008 at the
which is why these administrative offices
latest, all internet appearances of autho-
are particularly challenged to take part in
rities shall comply with international
the development of e-Government.
standards on website accessibility, also
with regard to unrestricted access for
Many e-Government projects are already
persons with special needs.
under way with great success in the cities
This requirement already applies today
and municipalities. The spectrum covers
to the award of the Austrian e-Govern-
electronic complaints management (Muni-
ment Quality Mark. Businesses and
cipal Administration of the City of Vienna)33,
administrative units using the recog-
electronic filing of applications and monito-
nized and verified Austrian e-Govern-
ring the handling status (Municipal Admi-
ment standards and technologies may
nistration of the City of Salzburg)34 or the
apply for the award of the Austrian
possibility of active on-line citizen participa-
standard, awarded free of charge, is
Graz)35. Many simple proceedings (e.g. regi-
e-Government Quality Mark. This quality
tion (Municipal Administration of the City of
intended to demonstrate to citizens that
stering dogs, ordering waste bins) and a
conformity with the strategy and to
(registering a trade, registry of residence)
e-Government has been implemented in
29
30
number of rather complex proceedings
http://reference.e-government.gv.at/
Portalverbund.233.0.html
http://www.w3.org/WAI (cf. also p. 60)
31
32
33
34
35
- 29 -
http://www.guetesiegel.gv.at
http://www.tmobile.at
http://www.wien.gv.at/amtshelfer
http://www.stadt-salzburg.at
http://www.graz.at
have already been organized. Innovative
conformity with the strategy. So far
münster or Steyr, are already handling over
data each year, for which citizens had to
municipal employees had to check the
municipalities and cities, such as Krems-
be present in their home, a particular
100 electronic forms.
36
handicap for owners of second homes
and people with regular attendance at
Together with the Federal ICT services
their workplace. Now all that has to be
office, the Austrian Association of Mu-
done is to fill in a standard online form
nicipalities has initiated the project Mo-
blank. A signature is given with the citi-
del Municipalities. In four selected
zen card or the mobile phone. Weikers-
Austrian municipalities (Bregenz, Kuf-
dorf not only implements the water
stein, Inzersdorf-Getzersdorf and Weikers-
meter reading in conformity with the
dorf) e-Government has been implemen-
strategy by online form blank and elec-
ted in an exemplary manner:
tronic signature, this municipality has
Model municipality InzersdorfGetzersdorf
also complied with the need of its citizens for data transfer irrespective of
Automatic registration of a Heurigen tav-
location. The water meter reading now
ern in Inzersdorf-Getzersdorf 38 can con-
can also be transmitted and signed
veniently be effected by the winegrower
directly via mobile phone.
from his home desk including online pay-
ment of the fees involved. It is no longer
Citizen Card municipality Hitzendorf
municipality office, where the person in
zen card will be implemented in a field
as compliance with closing periods is con-
is to show how basic elements confor-
In the Hitzendorf municipality 39 the citi-
necessary to personally appear at the
test covering the complete territory. This
charge would verify the application as far
ming to the strategy, such as the elec-
cerned and would notify, in the case of a
tronic signature, web form blanks, onli-
positive ruling, the police, the wine cellar
ne payment and electronic service, can
inspector and the food inspector of the
be integrated into existing systems.
opening hours. Unlike the former situation, the new electronic procedure is han-
dled in a fully automatic way, and the
For the Federal Administration, informa-
automatically being brought up to date.
not an unknown territory. As long ago as
tion and communication technologies are
Heurigen schedule of the municipality is
1996 a task force was researching on
Model municipality Weikersdorf
the socio-economic effects of ICT. In the
The municipality of Weikersdorf 38 intends
European Union, many electronic servi-
to offer its citizens full comfort for
ces performed by the Austrian admini-
“water meter reading” via the internet in
36
37
38
strative authorities served as a model.
http://www.kremsmuenster.gv.at und
http://www.steyr.gv.at
http://www.inzersdorf-getzersdorf.gv.at
http://www.weikersdorf.at
39
- 30 -
http://www.hitzendorf.gv.at
Since the early 1980s the Austrian ad-
local taxes and also preliminary sales tax
ing position worldwide in e-Government,
income, sales and corporate income tax
returns. As of 2004, the transmission of
ministration of justice has built up a lead-
as well as the use of the citizen card fun-
beginning with the land register, the
ction have also been released for use.42
collection proceedings and the companies register. Automation of admini-
strative judicial proceedings supports
With the project Electronic Social In-
and results in a speedy and straightfor-
versicherung), 25 social security institu-
surance (“eSV” = elektronische Sozial-
almost all types of proceedings in court
tions, coordinated and led by the Central
ward processing of proceedings within
the scope of court activities. Electronic
Association of Austria’s Social Security
legal communication (ERV = Elektro-
Institutions, are offering access to online
nischer Rechtsverkehr) was introduced
transactions regarding all social insuran-
in 1990 and, in the rules of procedure, is
ce matters. Core elements required for
a means of communication with the par-
this interaction are secure data communi-
ties ranking equal to paper. The file of
cation and transmission paths (tamper
rulings comprises bankruptcies, orders
proof authentication and digital signature
of execution of real estate and chattels,
within the citizen card environment).
searches for owners in penal proceedings
as well as company register publications.40
Based on cooperation between social in-
Austria’s Legal Information System
eral Ministry for Social Security, Genera-
surance, science, business and the Fed-
(RIS = Rechtsinformationssystem), a free
tions and Consumer Protection, the „Soz
internet service available with the Federal
Dok” has been created which is acces-
Chancellery since 1997, makes possible
sible
law, Federal and Provincial law gazettes,
access to Austria’s social security legis-
research regarding Federal and Provincial
municipality law and court decisions.
free
of
charge
through
the
Internet. „SozDok“ provides for free
lation and easier tracing of the respec-
41
tive relevant provisions of the law. 44
Since 1998 professional representatives
of parties, such as public accountants,
In the cultural field the use of ICT also
able to make use of electronic access to
products
provides for better service and improved
notaries public and lawyers have been
for
customers.
The
bun-
their clients’ data via FINANCE Online.
destheater.at-Card of the Austrian
to all citizens / businesses. The services
speedy ticket reservations via the inter-
Federal Theatres provides for easy and
Since 2003 this service has been opened
offered range from the electronic trans-
net for Burg- and Akademietheater as
mission of employees’ tax assessment, to
40
41
42
well as Staatsoper and Volksoper. 45
http://www.bmj.gv.at
http://www.ris.bka.gv.at
http://www.bmf.gv.at
43
44
45
- 31 -
http://www.sozialversicherung.at
http://www.sozdok.at
http://www.bundestheater.at
- 32 -
E-BUSI N ESS / E-WORK
I C T f o r B u s i n e s s a n d Wo r k p l a c e
In early 2004 91% of Austria’s busines-
ses employing more than 9 persons were
E-WORK
already using the internet, with an ISDN
connection being the most widespread
e-Work means any and all activities of data
processing transferred to remote premises by use
of computer and telecommunication systems
(ranging from in-house decentralization to
outsourcing).47
relevant technology (56%). Businesses
are increasingly turning to broadband
technology.
E-BUSINESS
While in the 1990s public discussion in
the context of ICT and the workplace
e-Business means that businesses handle
all business processes and functions, such as
marketing, purchasing, distribution/service,
manufacturing and logistics etc. through the
internet/intranet. These basic changes in
in-house processes of businesses provide for
a new form of electronically linked cooperation
with partner organizations (businesses, research
and development facilities, etc.).
Meanwhile
hardly
any
business
was still marked by the concept of tele-
working 48 (cf. in this regard: European
Framework Agreement on Teleworking49),
the European Commission already stated
in 1998 that the future will bring a
hybrid type of work where physical work
and telework will be indistinguishable
from each other: the term “networker”
can
will take the place of the “teleworker”.
afford not to take part in the electronic
market places unless it opts to cope with
In Austria, the technological prerequisi-
potential or a drop in actual sales. At the
already in place: the rates of availability
lost sales – either through a loss of sales
tes for a rapid expansion of e-Work are
same time, a failure to implement elec-
of mobile communication, computers and
tronic business processes would erode
competitiveness
because
internet have long passed the dimen-
companies
sions of critical masses. A broadly based
at lower cost can innovate better and
e-Work all over Europe. Almost 50% of
making use of e-Business manufacture
poll of businesses investigated the use of
can concentrate on their core compe-
businesses within the EU and 53% of
tence, as was already correctly noted in
Austrian companies reported that they
2001 in the final report of the campaign
“e-Business in a new Economy”.
were using this mode of working, stating
also that outsourcing is considerably
46
It is also a fact that in Austria not only
46
working conditions but also working
methods are increasingly being deter-
47
mined by information and communicati-
on technologies, networks and a range
48
of media.
49
- 33 -
BMWA (ed.): Final paper of the task forces of the
initiative „e-Business in a new economy“, 2001
(http://www.bmwa.gv.at/NR/rdonlyres/8868C62
5-8375-498D-AE03-07A8E898E3C7/5524/bericht.pdf)
BMWA (ed.): Status report – on the road from
teleworking to e-Work. Wien 2003, p.12
Teleworking is understood to be the form of organization
and/or carrying out of work, using ICT within the framework of an employment situation where work is performed
outside of employer’s facilities on a regular basis.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_scial/news/2002/
oct/teleworking_agreement_de.pdf
more frequent than employing one their
ECAustria activities (selected)
home. What is interesting is that out-
ment” is especially aimed at sustained
region and that so far only 5% of it
highlight is the installation of competen-
own staff on outside locations or at
Action line “Research and Develop-
sourced work mostly remains in the same
development of research clusters. The
involves foreign countries.
ce centres (http://www.kompetenzzen-
tren.biz) such as for e-Business (e.g. evo-
Within the sphere of research and devel-
laris - http://www.evolaris.net, ec3 -
opment the BMWA subsidizes the use of
http://www.ec3.at), e-Tourism and e-Con-
technologies in all sectors of the econo-
Action line “e-Content Austria” is to
modern information and communication
tent (Multimedia).
my, stressing in particular actual work-
contribute to further expansion of Aus-
and research. The programme “Innova-
particular by supporting international
related cooperation between business
tria’s strengths in the e-Content area, in
tion by e-Business” which expired at the
cooperation. The action line is based on
end of 2003 will be continued in 2004-
the EU-programme “e-Content - Euro-
2006 under its new name “Digital Busi-
pean digital content on global networks”,
ness/ICT”, funded with an annual budget
a market-oriented programme for the
of 10 million Euros. The specific situa-
promotion of innovative digital projects.
tion of women in professions of the tech-
At present the follow-up programme is
nical sector will also be increasingly
being worked out under the label “e-Con-
taken into consideration (increase in the
tent Plus”. (http://www.econtent.or.at)
share of women in ICT professions).
Action line “networks – cluster SMB
(small and medium size business) inte-
gration” is primarily aimed at SMBs in
INITIATIVES:
ECAustria
order to support know-how and techno-
ECAustria is an interactive information
logy transfer to this business sector.
by the Ministry for the Economy, the Eco-
programme of Austria Wirtschaftsservice
service and events platform – supported
Since 2001 there has been an innovative
nomic Chamber of Austria as well as by
Gesellschaft (http://www.awsg.at) pro-
partners from business and the media –
moting the use of ICT for SMBs. Within
for the promotion of internet-supported
the action line e-Business of ERP subsi-
handling of business in small and medium
dies (http://www.erp-fonds.at) specific
size businesses. All information relevant
implementation measures for advanced
to e-Business, national and international
business to business solutions, from and
promotions for innovative and technologi-
for SMBs respectively, are being promo-
cal projects as well as start-up services,
ted. In addition the protec 2002+ pro-
can be found on this platform. Out of 162
gramme, initiated during the autumn of
European e-Business initiatives, the Euro-
2002 (http://www.bmwa.gv.at/protec),
pean Commission nominated this platform
sup-ports technology transfer within the
as an all-European model project.
area ICT/e-Business to SMB. Three pro-
- 34 -
gramme lines support companies as well
BMWA ministries. Research Studio de-
and research facilities for specific tech-
of
velop products and services in the areas
as facilities for technological transfer
http://ecaustria.at
Further information:
http://www.researchstudio.at/organisation.php
Since 1997 the Economic Chamber of
Austria has been organizing IT road
shows informing small and medium size
ICT in EQUAL
EQUAL (2000-2006) is a joint European
companies about the possibilities of use
initiative fighting discrimination and ine-
of new technologies. By 2003 a total of
quality in the job market. In Austria,
150 such road shows had been held with
subsidies amount to 203.4 million Euros.
around 12,000 businesses participating.
In all subsidized projects, ICT must be
The 2003 slogan was “Safe and mobile in
implemented across the board, with the
the world of networks”.
objective of developing the information
Further information:
society’s potential for job creation and
http://www.telefit.at
counteracting new forms of discrimina-
tion. The following main points are inclu-
ded in the projects of the first subsidy
Federal Award Multimedia & e-Business
The Austrian National Award “Staats-
period (up to 2005):
preis” is bestowed for outstanding proand
applications
Obtaining knowledge and abilities
of
aimed at the use of PC, e.g. ICT and me-
Austrian multimedia businesses excelling
dia competence as generalized skills.
by virtue of special benefit for their users
Use of internet and multimedia sup-
and good value for money. There are furcontests
and
ing and e-Communities.
Telefit
ther
Content
e-Business, web visualization, e-Learn-
Further information:
solutions
Smart
New Media, concentrating on themes of
nology transfer projects.
ducts,
eTechnology,
such
as
the
ported teaching and learning media in
initial and follow-up education as well as
EuroPrix
MultiMediaArt (http://www.europrix.
org), the World Summit Award organi-
in vocational preparation.
Targeted qualification and placement
zed within the scope of the World Summit
in jobs based on the use of ICT techno-
on Information Society (http://www.wsisaward.org) and the
logies.
Use of the internet to stimulate and
Top Talent Festival
(http://www.toptalent.europrix.org)
balance supply and demand in providing
Further information:
jobs and lifelong education.
(http://www.multimedia-staatspreis.at)
Use of the internet and multimedia of-
Research Studio Austria
fers for creating social contacts, for in-
organization of ARC–Seibersdorf Research
social integration.
Research Studio Austria is a research
teraction with authorities and facilitating
GmbH operating outside the university
Further information:
sector and funded by the BMVIT and
http://www.equal-esf.at
- 35 -
- 36 -
E-SECURITY
ICT and security
Owing to the globality and universal im-
hin the scope of European Network
and information systems, issues of secu-
ENISA (http://www.enisa.eu.int). The
portance of communications networks
and Information Security Agency –
rity are being discussed in public with
agency will not only coordinate activities
hacker attacks not only cause considera-
EU member states, but will also esta-
increasing
apprehension.
Virus
and
in the area of network security among
ble financial damage, they also particu-
blish contacts with the respective play-
larly undermine users’ confidence in the
ers in third countries.
new technologies and applications based
Adopting the Council of Europe Conven-
on them, especially in the area of e-
tion on Cyber Crime, the members of the
Business.
Council of Europe (45 European States)
have undertaken to introduce in their
WORMS / VIRUS / TROJANS
substantive national penal legislation a
clear definition of computer related cri-
Computer worms and viruses are software
sabotaging pieces of software that expand at
breathtaking speed across the world’s computer
networks. While viruses usually enter the PC
through software or files, worms usually spread
directly via e-mail software. A third kind of
sabotage software are “Trojan Horses” which
bed in the PC and are able to take control of it.
All three types of sabotage software are usually
targeted at modifying or deleting files or
causing computer networks to break
down because of overload.
mes (embezzlement, falsification) and
content related crimes (e.g. child pornography).
Combatting illegal and detrimental
contents
In early 1999 the European Union had
already adopted an action plan for the
promotion of the secure use of the inter-
net, in order to combat efficiently illegal
In addition to computer viruses, unsolic-
and detrimental contents. The so-called
ited e-mails called spam-mails seriously
“Safer Internet Action Plan” 50 contri-
affect both businesses and private per-
buted to the establishment of a Euro-
sons. Estimates assume that about 60%
pean network of reporting points as well
of all e-mail communication consists of
as to the production of a code of conduct
unsolicited advertising messages. More-
for the service providers, the develop-
over, recent studies reveal an increa-
ment of filtering and classification sys-
singly networked behaviour of spammers
tems and the promotion of programmes
and virus programmers.
of awareness.
In the light of such developments, authorities and business are massively
The Federation of Austrian Internet Pro-
procedures. In the future, the necessary
of the major access, service and content
viders (ISPA), the umbrella organization
investing in security technologies and
exchange of information and experience
at EU level is intended to take place wit-
50
- 37 -
http://www.europa.eu.int/information_society/
programmes/iap/index_en.htm
providers of Austria, installed an online
By the end of 1999, ISPA was among the
for all users who happen to access child
adopting a code of conduct for the inter-
first
contact point (http://www.stopline.at)
national
business
associations
net, implemented by its members in
pornography or neonazi contents. An
their function as internet providers. 51
e-mail report can be made anonymously.
If the material is really illegal, the res-
pective provider, foreign partner hotlines
In other areas the “Safer Internet Action
informed (in cases of child pornography
international networking. In the area of
and the authorities in charge will be
Plan” has also resulted in activities and
education and awareness-creation many
Interpol, in case of neonazi contents the
international projects would probably
Federal Agency for State Protection and
not have materialized without the initia-
Counter Terrorism), who in turn will deal
tive of the EU. The EDUCAUNET media
with the matter. “Stopline” is a member
training programme (http://www.edu-
of INHOPE (http://www.inhope.org), the
caunet.org) is one example, informing
association of European reporting points
young people about the internet and
for illegal contents on the internet.
possible risks associated with its use (cf.
INHOPE – funded with money from the
also p.45).
“Safer Internet Action Plan” – coopera-
tes closely with hotlines in the USA and
Australia, so that reports on child porno-
With a number of measures, the Federal
Europe can also be followed up quickly
and Consumer Protection (BMSGK) pro-
Ministry for Social Security, Generations
graphy located in servers outside of
motes the improvement of “internet
and efficiently.
competence
of
young
people”.
One
example out of many is the “Safer
Information on child pornography con-
Surfing” Brochure created in coopera-
tents can also be reported to the Federal
Ministry of the Interior (Reporting
tion with ISPA. It explains in the langu-
racist and anti-Semitic contents (Repor-
gations relevant to the net, what can,
age of young people the rights and obli-
point child pornography) or neonazi,
ting point NS-Activity), whenever it is
may and must be done on the net, what
is considered good style on the one hand
found on websites or in news groups,
and so on.
and an insult to be prosecuted by the
courts on the other hand, and the conse-
Further Information:
http://www.stopline.at
quences which may arise from this.
http://www.bmi.gv.at/meldestellen
The following contact points are availa-
ble for consumers who have questions in
connection with safety of e-Commerce
transactions:
51
http://www.ispa.at/downloads/dfa8e34b6157_
Verhaltensrichtlinien.pdf
- 38 -
Internet-Ombudsman
e-Rating
The Internet Ombudsman – a cooperati-
e-Rating – an internet platform of the
Applied Telecommunication (http://oiat.
(ARGE DATEN) is Austria’s largest shop
on project of the Austrian Institute for
Austrian Society for Data Protection
at) and of the Association for Consumer
information system independent of pro-
Information (http://www.vki.at) - offers
viders and with editorial coverage, analy-
information related to internet transac-
sing online shops in respect of their fitn-
tions, tips and advice for secure online
ess for e-Commerce and their reliability.
shopping (e.g. e-Commerce Quality Mark,
Further Information:
cf. p. 20) as well as help in mediation for
http://www.e-rating.at
out of court settlements in disputes in
the e-Commerce field. Since the coming
into existence of the Internet Ombuds-
man (established in 1999), it has been
possible to resolve the majority of cases
reported (over 2000) through an out of
court settlement.
Further Information:
http://www.ombudsmann.at
- 39 -
- 40 -
E-LEARN I NG / E-KNOWLEDGE
I C T i n e d u c a t i o n a n d l i fe l o n g l e a r n i n g
The increasing use of information and
online and face-to-face communication
communication technologies in all areas
and using them in communication.
of work and private life constitutes a
special
challenge
for
the
education
The Austrian system of public education
ween working time and free time, work-
framework conditions for initial and fol-
system. If the lines of separation bet-
has already implemented the essential
place and home, learning and working,
low-up education, in terms of permanent
employment and independent occupati-
or lifelong learning. The Federal Ministry
on continue to be abolished, the crea-
for
tion of specific competences in the pro-
Education,
Science
and
Culture
(BMBWK) has developed a so-called
eFit-Strategy, comprising schooling,
fessional and private environment will
university and applied sciences universi-
become a fundamental duty for the futu-
ty education, lifelong learning and the
re of each individual person.
field of culture – integrated in the objec-
tives of the Lisbon Process – including a
What are the competences required in
number of initiatives on how to commu-
order to meet the manifold challenges?
nicate ICT skills and increase ICT com-
What makes learning simpler, more effi-
petence.
cient and more sustained? There may be
no magic formula – however: education,
the ability to work in groups, communi-
For library and archives management
are the success formulas, the catalyst
democracy and cultural policy play a
not only educational, but also aspects of
cative competence and lifelong learning
vital role (e.g. libraries as an access
uniting and linking people with each
point to the cultural heritage, lengthy
other in their worlds of life and work.
filing of traditional printwork and electronic publications).
Basic technical knowledge for handling
ICT is increasingly coming to constitute
the status of a “fourth cultural technol-
For e-Learning, the digitisation of media
maths).
cational purposes is an important pro-
specially designed and produced for edu-
ogy” (in addition to reading, writing and
Beyond
the
requirement
of
ject. Digitisation can on the one hand
purely technical abilities, the ability to
provide for efficient distribution and
approach the media and ICT with an
make the use of the media a matter of
analytical and critical attitude, that is to
routine. On the other hand, keyword
have media competence, will be an indi-
based
spensable prerequisite in the informati-
indexation
of
particular
film
sequences may optimise the quality of
on society. This also means the ability of
use and individualise the acquisition of
being able to decode media language
knowledge.
(meaning, virtually, being able to “read”
the media), articulating one’s needs and
interests using the methods of the
media, knowing the differences between
- 41 -
eFIT AUSTRIA – Infrastructure and
ACOnet
e-Content
The universities are connected through
the ACOnet with a 1Gb connection and
to the internet with 1.5 Gb. The national
Sustained and permanent improvement
backbone network for non-profit rese-
of Austria’s educational system, the ope-
arch, education and cultural facilities in
ning of educational facilities, expansion
Austria has been in existence since
of and easier access to education and
1990. ASN and ACOnet constitute Aus-
the development of a new electronically
tria’s educational network connected to
supported learning culture are core fac-
the European science and research net-
tors in the strategic objectives being
work (GEANT).
pursued by BMBWK with the help of
ACOnet - Point of Presence
Gigabit-Ethernet
SDH 622 Mbps
Ethernet 125 Mbps
ATM-PVC
information technology. The issue is also
to enrich the personal-presence learning
of students with phases of e-Learning
and experience with new media, but also
to expand the “learning space” to include “online encounters” with well processed electronic contents. Learning pro-
cesses may take place wherever access
to the www is possible.
Further information:
Austrian School Network (ASN)
All schools in Austria (about 6,300) are
http://www.aco.net/aconetgr.htm
linked to the data network of all Austrian
educational facilities and thus have
access to the internet, 30% of them via
broadband (ADSL and DS2000 respec-
e-Content Initiative and
Education Portal
their own website on the internet. The
tral access to educational e-Content,
tively). About 3,200 schools now have
The Austrian education portal offers cen-
best websites are distinguished with a
content management systems and lear-
“school home page award”. ASN is open
ning platforms. An e-Content initiative
to all non-commercial educational and
for Austria’s schools is attempting to
cultural facilities.
create teaching and learning material for
standard education on the basis of elec-
Further information:
http://www.efit-austria.at/infrastruktur/
tronic media being offered to teaching
projekt.asp?Projektname=ASN
staff in all types of school.
Further information:
http://www.bildung.at
http://www.eduhi.at
oder http://www.bildungsservice.at
- 42 -
School service card &
Student service card
EDUCATION PORTAL
AND THE EDUCATION SERVERS
IN THE FEDERAL PROVINCES
Since 2001, chip cards for students are
in use at a number of universities as stu-
dent service cards functioning as an ID,
The education portal (http://www.bildung.at)
and the Provincial education servers, e.g. the
Education Highway Upper Austria (eduhi),
the Tiroler Bildungsservice (TIBS, Tyrol
Educational Service), the Online Schools of
Austria (VIS, Virtuelle Schulen), the Salzburg
and Styria Education Network, the Vorarlberg,
Vienna (ICE) and Burgenland education server
are linked in coordinated cooperation. The
“Subject Portals” are a special development of
educational servers to the e-Content initiative,
enhancing the educational servers by their own
initiative and organization (currently for
about 30 subjects).
authentication, electronic signature, room
access or copy counter, as well as elec-
tronic wallet. Pilot projects have recent-
ly been launched at a number of advan-
ced schools with a view to targeted
implementation of an electronic school
service card.
Further information:
http://www.efit-austria.at/elearningportal/
e-Scholarships
Applications for scholarships can be filed
by means of the student chip card and
digital signature. The application will also
Textbook Extra
The editorial initiative “textbook extra”
be processed electronically.
(SbX, Schulbuch Extra) is also closely
Further information:
cooperating with the e-Content initiati-
http://www.efit-austria.at/elearningportal/
ve. SbX offers students web supple-
projekt.asp?Projektname=e-Stipendium
ments to print textbooks, offered within
the scope of the textbook campaign of
eFIT AUSTRIA – Initiatives for the
BMBWK. There are also plans for a project
entitled
e-Books
and
improvement and qualification of
Online-
schools
Documents, which will produce digital
documents for versions in alternative
formats (Braille print, versions for child-
European Computer Driving Licence
(ECDL) and IT Certificates
ren with handicapped vision, etc.).
The “European Computer
Further Information:
Driving
http://www.e-lisa.at/sbx/suche/index.asp
Licence”
(ECDL)
programme is an IT certificate
valid
throughout
Europe aiming at improv-
Unified public and school libraries
An online catalogue is available for web
ing the computer competence of all citi-
research in the print material of all
zens in Europe, in Austria, and especial-
public and school libraries.
ly of students in elementary and secon-
Further information:
dary schools. The ECDL is based on a
http://www.bibliotheken.at/index.asp
standardized exam for the same level of
competence regardless of nationality,
- 43 -
residence, education, age or gender. By
Media competence / Media education
Computer Driving Licences had reached
technical possibility of accessing infor-
In rich countries such as Austria, the
October 2004 the number of European
mation is not the primary problem.
100.000. On the basis of ECDLs IT certi-
There are, however, definite shortco-
ficates offer a sophisticated IT practical
mings with regard to the uneven distri-
training in network technology, networ-
bution of education capital in society, in
king systems, managerial and technical
terms of its availability to children and
applications and database systems.
adolescents. Schools and other educa-
Further information:
http://www.edu.ecdl.at/?sec_id=111
tional facilities aim at the basic objective
of compensating for this uneven distri-
bution. This means in the context of New
e-Learning in notebook classes
Media/Internet that in addition to lear-
were launched at 130 Austrian senior
New Media, it is above all the understan-
In a field test unique in its size, tests
ning the technical day-to-day use of the
high schools regarding “e-Learning in
ding and a critical analytical approach to
Notebook Classes”. The test, involving
the media which is aimed at in these
some 8,400 students and 900 teaching
schools.
staff, prepares the ground for the many
infrastructure and content initiatives
described above.
Mediamanual.at
http://www.e-lisa.at/Notebook-Klassen
http://www.mediamanual.at the func-
The BMBWK has established a website
Further information:
tion of which is to provide a platform for
those interested in media and communi-
cation who wish to acquire information
e-Learning-Cluster (eLC) and e-Learning
in everyday school (eLSA)
on the effect of media and ICT or who
Schools located in the Provinces and
intend to work directly with the media.
practising e-Learning (about 50 senior
For
and 10 junior high schools) joined in a
2004,
“mediamanual”
has
been
distinguished with the oldest European
network to implement a widespread e-
educational media award, the so-called
Learning programme for all students in
Comenius medal for multimedia produc-
these locations.
ts which excel in teaching methods.
Further information:
http://www.schule.at/community
At present three types of courses are offered:
•
Media competence – consisting of
basic texts and an advertising spot
for the analytical application of what
•
- 44 -
has been studied.
Research
as
method
–
the
well
known photography artist Lisl Ponger
attempts to communicate to partici-
and endeavours to encourage, by infor-
construction processes by means of
ponsible and mature approach to the
mation campaigns, an independent, res-
pants an understanding of media
•
internet.
photographs.
The third course offered will subject
Further information:
the media component “sound” to an
http://www.vibe.at
indepth analysis.
Further information:
http://www.mediamanual.at/index.php
Media educational consulting office
The media education consulting and
cooperation office of the Niederöster-
EDUCAUNET
reichische Landesakademie (Academic
programme aiming at communicating to
is a research, education and consulting
EDUCAUNET is a European education
adolescents
a
pedagogically
Institution of the State of Lower Austria)
critical
facility for issues of mediapedagogic
approach to the internet. With the slo-
relevance related to audiovisual and
gan “Prevention rather than protection”,
interactive media.
the focus is on the development of an
Further information:
http://www.medienpaed.at
independent, critical and responsible
approach to internet.
Further information:
http://www.educaunet.org
Promoting “positive” subject matters
In cooperation with the State of Upper
Austria and the ACOS association, the
Federal Ministry for Social Security, Gen-
Netbridge
Netbridge is the point of coordination for
new information and
erations
communication
and
Consumer
Protection
(BMSGK) publishes an annual brochure
technologies in extracurricular work with
as well as the CD-ROM “tips for compu-
adolescents in Vienna, where training
ter games”, listing positive examples of
workshops for youth workers are being
computer games which can be downloa-
held both in the classic workshop form
ded from the CD ROM as test versions.
and also in the form of group-oriented
This set of non-violent and non-discrimi-
online courses on an internet learning
natory games is intented to serve as a
platform.
purchasing guide for parents and relatives.
Further information:
http://www.netbridge.at
Further information:
http://bmsgk.cms.apa.at/cms/site/liste.
html?channel=CH0347
VIBE! AT
This association of internet users in Aus-
tria has been in existence since 1999
- 45 -
- 46 -
E-SCIENCE
I C T t e a c h i n g i n u n i ve r s i t i e s a n d u n i ve r s i t i e s o f a p p l i e d s c i e n c e
Austria not only seeks to be an ICT user,
in this project are: the Vienna and
and solutions, and so all projects focus-
Pedagogic
Innsbruck
but also a producer of ICT applications
Vienna
sed on establishing and developing econditions for businesses engaged in
formation in universities and universities
DMA (Digital Media for Artists) is a joint
project of the Linz University of Art with
the initiative “Teaching New Media in
the study programme “Engineering for
of
computer based learning” of the Hagen-
Applied Science (FH)” (http://www.
berg University of Applied Sciences for a
nml.at) the following projects in particu-
modern basic training course in the area
lar are being developed for teaching
of digital media for designers. The
staff and students:
Service
Salzburg)
Coop
is
a
objective of the project is a web based
system enabling students to learn, by
self study, the complete workflow inclu-
Education
project
the
DMA
of applied science. Within the scope of
(Academic
University,
sp/index.php?n=bm2bau
of ICT into teaching knowledge and in-
ACCESS
the
http://serverprojekt.fh-joanneum.at/
e-Science is centred on the integration
ACCESS
Vienna,
Further information:
producing ICT are linked with each other.
Universities
Technical
of
Federal
erslautern, GrafoTech.
and the creation of positive framework
and
Institute
the
University of Applied Sciences of Kais-
Research, the formation of ICT experts
Universities
Universities,
ding the required background knowledge
of
for typical production processes in the
Salzburg University, Salzburg University
area of digital media design.
of Applied Science and the Salzburg
Further information:
Mozarteum with the objective of prepa-
http://www.digitale-medien.ufg.ac.at
ring a quick and effective start-up for
studies at Salzburg’s institutions of higher education.
EDUBITE
http://www.sbg.ac.at/elearn/access
Information
The eduBITE (Educating Business and
Further information:
Technology)
project
is
aimed at developing multimedia recycla-
BAU@HOME
ble study objects to teach skills and abi-
initiative for people engaged in a full-
nal information systems”.
The project “bau@home, an educational
lities in the area of “integrated operatio-
time job”, aims at the development of
project of the Universities of Klagenfurt
computer-supported interactive corre-
and Vienna, the Universities of Applied
spondence study programmes for the
Science
university of applied science study course
“civil
engineering
–
EduBITE is a
Joanneum,
Wiener Neustadt.
construction
Further information:
management”. The parties cooperating
http://www.edubite.at
- 47 -
Vorarlberg
and
ELOISE!
LASON
ELOISE! (E-Learning: Online Innovative
Student Education) is an online multimedia working environment to combine research and teaching in universities and
universities of applied science. Students
join a research team working out a scien-
The objective of the Latin America
Studies Online Project, coordinated by
the Institute for Ethnology, Cultural and
Social Anthropology of the University of
Vienna and the Austrian Latin America
Institute (LAI) is to create a platform for
their benefit consists of the work they
Austria. Online supported courses are
tific project in the film/multimedia area,
the relevant study courses throughout
perform, the communication within the
held through a cooperation of depart-
group and additional learning material.
ments of the Universities of Vienna
ELOISE! is a project of the University of
(History) and Innsbruck (Geography)
Vienna and the Institute for Software
and the University of Economics and
Technology and Interactive Systems of
Business Administration (Geography of
the Vienna Technical University.
Economics).
Further information:
Further information:
http://www.eloise.at
http://www.lateinamerika-studien.at
History online
Studying law in Linz
Within the scope of the project “history
online”, coordinated by the Institute for
Economics and Social History and the Institute of History of the University of Vienna, new media make students familiar
The project “asynchronous media in the
multimedia diploma study programme of
jurisprudence”, coordinated by the Insti-
tute for Correspondence Courses in Legal Studies at the University of Linz,
with vital working techniques of the disciplines of history and the teaching of history.
includes the necessary content for studying law in Linz. It provides for the
completion of a complete course of stu-
Further information:
dies on an online basis, completely irrespective of time schedule or personal
attendance.
http://www.geschichte-online.at/
IAEM - iArs
IAEM – iArs (Internet Archive of Electronic Music - Internet Audio Rendering
System) constitutes, by means of a real
time loudspeaker room simulator, an in-
Further information:
http://www.linzer.rechtsstudien.at
nml18
terface for IAEM, a dynamically growing
and interactive file of electronic music on
the internet. The Vienna Institute for
Electro Acoustics, Experimental and
Applied Music and the University Library
of the University for Music and Perfor-
The nml18 project (new media for teaching mathematics), which is coordinated
by the Department for Natural Sciences
and Mathematics of the University of
Vienna, combines universities, universities of applied sciences and Teacher
Education Acadeies and, on the basis of
a number of selected courses, aims to
integrate elements of electronically sup-
ming Arts in Graz are partners.
Further information:
http://iaem.at/
- 48 -
ported learning into the teaching of
mathematics.
tion system for sports science theory of
selected types of sport”.
http://www.mathe-online.at/nml/
http://www.univie.ac.at/sportmedia/index.htm
Further information:
Further information:
PlaNet-ET
Telesocial
The PlaNet-ET (Platform & Network for
Educational Technologies) project laun-
for the application of new media in tea-
Telesocial is a joint project of the University for Applied Science study courses
for social work in Vienna, St. Pölten,
Linz, Dornbirn, Graz and Salzburg and
November 2003. PlanNet, a joint project
Telecommunication (ÖIAT) in Vienna
ched an advanced training programme
ching which has been available since
of the Austrian Institute for Applied
of the Universities of Graz, Innsbruck
aiming at working out multimedia tea-
and Klagenfurt as well as the Austrian
ching materials for University for Applied
Society for University Didactics addres-
Science correspondence courses in so-
ses (in-house) advanced training institu-
cial work.
tions at universities as well as university
teachers, who can use online materials
in accordance with their individual requirements.
Further information:
http://telesozial.net/cms/
Further information:
Train the Trainer
This joint project of Joanneum Graz, the
Universities of Salzburg and Graz, the
Vienna and Salzburg Universities of Applied
Sciences, as well as the Donau-Uni-Krems,
has launched a training programme for the
professional structuring of study courses
with distance learning elements.
http://www.planet-et.at
Sign-IT
Sign-IT (media learning system for students and interpreters of Austrian sign
language) is a project of the Joanneum
University of Applied Sciences Graz, the
Institute for Translation Sciences of Graz
University and the Research Centre for
Further information:
http://train-the-trainer.fh-joanneum.at
Sign Language and Aurally Handicapped
Communication of the University of Klagenfurt. Within the scope of Sign-IT, a
learning system for regional versions of
the Austrian sign language (comparable
to spoken dialects) has been worked out.
VELO
Virtual Electronic Laboratory is a joint
project of the Technikum University of
Applied Science Kärnten, Hagenberg
University of Applied Science and the
Vienna Technikum, the University of
Klagenfurt and the Technical University
of Vienna for online presentation of a
laboratory situation linking theoretical
knowledge with practical experience.
Further information:
http://www.sign-it.at
SpInSy
The Department for Human and Social
Sciences of the University of Vienna has
worked out an “internet-based informa-
Further information:
http://sim.cti.ac.at/velo/
- 49 -
- 50 -
E - C U LT U R E
ICT in art and culture
New information and communication
national and regional exchange of infor-
lities for cultural institutes to preserve,
of
technologies also open up many possibi-
mation and of access to digital resources
record and present their possessions.
culture
and
sciences
(http://www.digital-heritage.at).
The sites of the historic heritage of a
In
addition to the creation and improve-
country, such as archives, libraries,
ment of ICT infrastructures of cultural
museums, facilities for information and
institutions, the focus is on the gradual
documentation of all kinds, are preser-
digitisation of cultural assets. As a first
vers of culture and knowledge of a coun-
step the cultural assets are digitised,
try and at the same time open up the
and then the digital objects/contents
access to a rich treasure of sources and
undergo creative processing – in line
information. Austria is therefore increa-
with the needs of the respective target
singly taking steps to be able to preser-
groups (e.g. interactive experience and
ve and present this cultural heritage in a
learning).
way commensurate to the challenges of
our future.
The national coordination platform for
digitisation of the cultural and scientific
heritage began with systematic catalo-
E-CULTURE
guing of the national and regional digiti-
sation projects on a coordinated basis
e-Culture uses ICT to present the cultural heritage in a concise and clear manner, promote
engagement in the cultural and scientific heritage and communicate the cultural memory of the
nation to all interested parties at home and
abroad.
covering the whole of Europe.
Digital Heritage Initiatives
(selection):
Within the scope of the “eEurope” Pro-
gramme, the European Union has also
Photographic data banks
decided to take a multitude of coordina-
ted steps for digitisation of the cultural
the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere
have begun to digitise their collections,
The Museum of Art, the Albertina and
which will subsequently be made availa-
heritage in its member states.
ble on the internet on a worldwide basis.
Digitisation initiatives and projects of
the
Austrian
archives,
Further information:
http://www.khm.at
libraries,
http://www.albertina.at
museums and facilities of science are
http://www.belvedere.at
being launched primarily within the
scope of the eFit-Strategy of the BMBWK
(cf. also p.42). The objectives of the
Austrian initiative for the digital cultural
InfoNet-AUSTRIA
heritage are to promote the implementa-
The
database
tion of the so called Lund principles,
Austrian National Library (ÖNB) allows
for
widespread
established
and
by
the
comprehensive
searches in information and documenta-
such as the promotion of international,
- 51 -
tion facilities in Austria. The database,
have been digitised and, by 2004, the
contains all scientific libraries, archives,
Further information:
total will be 10,000 units.
which is continuously kept up-to-date,
museums, university and nonuniversity
http://www.mediathek.ac.at/media-
research facilities, scientific societies,
thek/digital.html
church organisations, municipal instituti-
ons and private documentation facilities.
Artothek
http://infonet.onb.ac.at
Austrian contemporary art have been
Further information:
Over a number of decades, works of
collected in the Artothek (art collection) of
the Federation and are made available to
Photographic Archive Austria
About 50,000 historic photographs sto-
Federal authorities on a loan for use basis.
red in the ÖNB, in the Historic Archive of
Since
ORF (Austrian Radio and Television), the
Association
for
the
History
of
um data base to be continuously increased.
This creates an online museum of Austrian
within the scope of the “Bildarchiv
modern contemporary art offering informa-
Austria”, for scientific research and for
tion on the size of the collections and the
commercial and editorial use. Every year
activities of the Artothek of the Federation.
about 12,000 photographs are digitised
Archive.
The
platform
the
Museum is a long term project of a muse-
available online for scientific research
the
of
the framework of the e-Museum. The e-
History of the University of Vienna are
in
works
digital presentation on the Internet within
of the Austrian Society for Contemporary
customers
2004
Arthotek have also become available for
the
Workers Movement, and of the Archive
for
December
Further information:
Photographic
http://www.artothek-bka.at
Photographic
Archive Austria has also developed a
cooperative model enabling photogra-
Online-Archive of “Arbeiter-Zeitung”
tural institutions to participate as well as
beiter-Zeitung”, which is available free
The Online Newspaper Archive of “Ar-
phers, estate administrators and cul-
of charge, is the world’s first online
national and international distribution
newspaper
partners.
database
with
complete
access to every number of a daily news-
Further information:
paper from 1945 to 1989. For this pur-
http://www.bildarchiv.at
pose around 200,000 single newspaper
Austrian Mediatheque
pages have been digitised and reworked.
cordings (tapes, records and audiocas-
http://www.arbeiter-zeitung.at
Further information:
Thanks to digital technology sound resettes) can be preserved for posterity on
a long term basis. The Austrian Media-
ALO –Austrian Literature Online
it has stored. Up to now 6,000 units
ments and writeups related to Austria.
ALO is a digital library for texts, docu-
theque has begun to digitise everything
- 52 -
So far more than 3,500 digitised objects
art (“Golden Nica”). On the occasion of
and magazines of the 19th and 20th
introduced a new category of prizes
have been registered, especially books
its 25th anniversary, Ars Electronica has
centuries. The digital library is freely
under the title “Digital Communities”,
accessible to everybody.
intended for digital projects dealing with
minimizing digital gaps.
Further information:
http://www.literature.at
Further information:
http://www.aec.at
Digital Mozart Edition
Digitisation of the works of Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart is the objective of the
Mur.at
project Digital Mozart Edition. As from
2006 it will be freely accessible on the
1998 brings together art initiatives and
artists from Graz. Comparable with the
This network platform existing since
internet.
university networks which provide for
Further information:
cooperation within the scope of science
http://www.mozarteum.at
“Mur.at” is building an infrastructure for
the field of the arts.
In addition to the digitisation of the cul-
Further information:
tural heritage, new media and the inter-
http://www.mur.at
net are, of course, also being used for
creation and brokerage of works of
art.
Digital Works of Art Initiatives
(selection):
Ars Electronica
The Ars Electronica, founded in 1979 in
Linz, has become one of the leading
international institutions concentrating
its work on opportunities in art and their
respective impact on society. Since 1987
Ars Electronica has been organising the
Prix Ars Electronica, an international
competition devoted exclusively to the
digital media and their development.
With over 19,000 applications from more
than 63 countries since 1987 and an
annual award of 100,000 Euro the Prix
Ars Electronica is considered to be the
highest award worldwide for computer
- 53 -
- 54 -
E - H E A LT H
ICT and Health
The promotion of the use of information
between health facilities): Current
field of health is the explicit objective of
the
and communication technologies in the
keywords for these procedures are
international and national strategies,
most
of
which
are
related
to
the
activities
at
the
“European
nic anamnesis (ELGA – “Electronic
Lifetime Health Anamnesis File”),
Action Plan of the European Union. The
e-Health
Card”,
Social Security Card” or the electro-
“eEurope” Action Plan and the e-Health
current
“Chip
accompanying the patient to all the
the
institutes with which he becomes
European level have made these fields
involved.
extremely dynamic, which is also reflec-
Use in health information and pre-
ted at the level of single member states.
ventive medicine: A multitude of
public and private providers offer
healthrelated information via the in-
E-HEALTH
ternet (for example health advice,
health improvement, development
e-Health can be seen primarily as a tool for
improving the quality of health services and for
simplifying and accelerating processes. In the
medium and long term the focus is on cost
reduction, although the intensified use of
ICT increases the financial requirement in
the short term.
diagnostics,
medical
service
for
parent and family counselling, invitation for mammography, medical ser-
vice for school, nutrition counsel-
ling). With the volume being offered,
there is of course also an increased
requirement for counselling and qua-
Modern information and communication
lity assurance. For this purpose in
technologies are being implemented in
2002 the European Commission defi-
the field of health, particularly in the fol-
ned
lowing three fields of application:
“Quality
Criteria
for
Health
Related Web Sites”, which can also
be used in part for other websites
Direct medical use (carrying out and
(for example mandatory data on
evaluation of laboratory and imaging
sender, author’s professional qualifi-
examination procedures, surgery and
cation, up-to-date status, financing).
aftercare as well as other types of
However, it has so far not been pos-
patient care): Spectacular surgeries
sible to establish a uniform and
carried out by telemedicine where
generally accepted quality mark.
patient and doctor are located on dif-
ferent continents already defined the
Technical equipment
Use in administration (in office pro-
general be considered to be at a very ac-
EDP equipment of health facilities can in
future years ago.
ceptable level. According to a Eurobaro-
cedures, documentation, gathering
meter pool held in 2002, about 80% of
and evaluation of health data, finan-
general practitioners were at that time
cial settlement of health services and
using EDP. Introduction of the eCard at a
exchange of medical data within or
- 55 -
district level of coverage will contribute
to taking the last step for being equip-
HEALTH NETWORK VIENNA
ped on a 100% basis. In addition there
is a constant increase in the number of
pitals as well as among general prac-
The Health Network Vienna (GNW) links all
points involved with health service and patient
care in an electronic communications network.
Hospitals, nursing homes, geriatric centres,
outpatients’ departments, general practitioners,
sociomedical facilities, pharmacies, the pharmaceutical industry and the social security institutes are participating in GNW. Computer and
data transfer make it possible that, for example,
the hospital already obtains by email the latest
x-rays from the radiologist before arrival of the
patient. As soon as the patient leaves the
hospital, his diagnostic findings and therapy can
be made available by the hospital to be picked
up electronically by the family doctor.
Social services can be informed before the
patient leaves the hospital if, after
hospitalisation, a household help or meals
on wheels are required.
and nursing facilities or pharmacies.
Further information:
http://www.aekwien.at/205.html
doctors forwarding or receiving medical
data such as diagnostic findings, radiographs and medical information.
The use of ICT in Austrian hospital insti-
tutions is already a matter of course.
Intensive endeavours are being undertaken all over Austria with a view to better
coordination within each hospital (for
example between the various wards, the
laboratory and the outpatients’ department), towards networking among hos-
titioners and, for example, rehabilitation
These networking projects have resulted
in considerable improvement for pati-
ents, especially with a shorter and better
quality treatment, and with an uninter-
Legal framework
and avoidance of duplication in examina-
and are therefore covered by special
Health data are extremely sensitive data
rupted transfer between the facilities
protection. Beyond the provisions of the
tions and diagnostic findings. Medical
Data Protection Act, a “Health Telema-
data accompany the patient and can be
tics Act” is in preparation which aims at
used by all facilities involved with the
defining compulsory minimum standards
patient – with the patient’s approval, of
for improving data security during elec-
course.
tronic forwarding of health data. General
Of course especially in the health sector
legal parameters, which of course are
importance. The Federal Ministry for
vice, can be found in the E-Government
also relevant for the area of health ser-
international networking is of the utmost
Act. A number of pieces of Federal- and
Health and Women (BMGF) is integrated
Provincial legislation, determining the
in a number of health related European
Austrian health system, indirectly provi-
networks either already existing or in
de a general legal framework.
the process of being developed, inclu-
ding networks for medication, infectious
diseases, bioterrorism and veterinary
matters.
- 56 -
Projects and perspectives
The
consists of developing a mutual strategy
way medical services for all insured per-
The prime objective in the health sector
eCARD is a chip card, which is to
replace the old health voucher. In this
and ensuring the intra- and interopera-
sons and their relatives will be available
bility of electronic data transfer in and
without the need for any papers. In
among the health system institutions for
addition the eCard is prepared for an
the future. Further main projects are, in
electronic signature so that in future
addition to establishing a blanket cover-
many contacts with the authorities can
age infrastructure, the introduction of
be handled from home around the clock.
the eCard and of the electronic health
It is not necessary to apply for issuing of
file (ELGA). Technically speaking all pre-
the eCard because it will be forwarded in
requisites for the latter are already be
the mail to all insured persons as well as
available, such as for example the first
the relatives who are insured with them.
paper-less hospital of Europe in Son
This is done automatically by the res-
Llàtzer in Majorca (http://www.hsll.es/
ponsible social security office.
index.asp?idioma=2) shows.
Further information:
http://www.chipkarte.at
- 57 -
- 58 -
E-INCLUSION
I C T f o r e ve r y b o d y
“Digital gaps” exist not only between
Federal Ministry for Social Security,
developed societies such as Austria. So-
(BMSGK). A broad spectrum of relevant
north and south, but also within highly
Generations and Consumer Protection
cioeconomic parameters (income, ances-
information is being made available on
try and education) are in this context
the website of the BMSG (http://www.
the fundamental categories offering or
bmsg.gv.at) as well as through external
preventing equal opportunities. In the
websites.
light of the fact that the new informati-
on technologies make information and
Initiatives for senior citizens:
ywhere and in a multitude of different
Recent polls confirm that senior citizens
also increase existing discrimination
themselves. Already 18% of the 60+
knowledge available at any time, ever-
have also discovered the internet for
ways, the new technical possibilities can
generation use the internet 52. Yet there
because people without networking or
is a big gap in the type of use among the
without access to the internet can fall
generations, which is to be reduced by
(even further) behind.
specific initiatives.
Key categories in the information society
are lifelong learning, ability to communi-
The Ministry for Social Affairs is subsi-
trieval and selective handling of infor-
web.at, an internet platform of senior
dising the website http://www.senior-
cate, thinking in networks, speedy re-
citizens for other senior citizens where
mation. To know such techniques will in-
model projects are displayed showing
creasingly be a central factor in decisi-
senior
ons about life opportunities and indivi-
citizens
performing
unpaid work, an interactive calendar of
dual development.
events for seniors, and current informa-
In addition to the prerequisites already
tion on promotion projects.
such as making available the technical
http://www.seniorenweb.at
mentioned in the previous sections –
infrastructure
(keyword:
voluntary
Further information:
Broadband
Strategy), acquisition of the know-how
In order to reduce the inhibitions of
communication technologies as well as
students are offering internet training
older people towards the internet young
and handling of new information and
for senior citizens within the organisati-
building up the media competence –
on of the “Citizens’ Office for Younger
further targeted measures are necessary
and Older People”, subsidised by BMSGK.
to increase the opportunities for partici-
pants, for which the responsible depart-
ments are the Federal Ministry for Edu-
cation, Science and Culture (BMBWK),
the Federal Ministry for Economy and
Labour (BMWA) and, in particular, the
52
- 59 -
GfK Online Monitor 2004, 3rd quarter, FESSEL-GfK;
(in the year 2000 there were only 4%)
Programmes for challenged persons:
sing the group of “challenged peo-
Websites of public authorities must be
their EDP equipment.
ple” can be funded or subsidised for
EDP equipment for home use is sub-
made accessible to everybody regardless
sidised for students with disabilities,
of any physical or technical obstacles.
if such equipment is required for
Barrierfree websites can be set up in accordance
with
the
so-called
their educational training.
“Web
Subsidies for EDP training for chal-
Accessibility Initiative” (WAI)-gui-
lenged persons (EDCL for example).
delines. By 1 January 2008 all websites
The website of the Federal Office for
of public authorities must be set up to
Social Matters and Matters of Chal-
comply with the needs of challenged
lenged Persons (http://www.bundes-
persons. In an exemplary manner, the
sozialamt.gv.at) also contains infor-
WAI-offer of the Federal Chancellery
mation concerning the issues of dis-
went online on 2 July 2004. The websites
ability and society, social compensa-
http://www.bundeskanzleramt.at,
http://www.cio.gv.at
and
the
tion and nursing provision plans,
online
accident annuities, as well as a data-
guide to public authorities http://www.
base containing offers for occupatio-
help.gv.at have now also become availa-
nal integration of challenged persons
ble in versions accessible to challenged
in Austria.
persons, and by 2005 all websites will
generally be available in such versions.
Within the scope of nationwide projects
implemented by nonprofit organisations
Within the scope of a job initiative for
challenged persons, the BMSGK is subsi-
of voluntary welfare services in the
ICT-access, under the keyword “tech-
nursing provision, the BMSGK is also
dising ongoing initiatives to promote
fields of help for challenged persons and
nology campaign”.
subsidising plans for the establishment
of
The Federal Office for Social Matters and
information
platforms
on
the
internet. This will provide easier access
Matters of Challenged Persons is imple-
to information on subsidy legislation for
menting this job campaign by order of
the persons affected.
BMSGK and is responsible for integrated
employment of challenged persons. In
The HANDYNET database provides an
the area of ICT it is launching the follo-
overview of the wide range of technical
wing activities:
help available to challenged persons,
their relatives as well as experts from
Improvement of EDP equipment on
rehabilitation and information facilities.
the workplace of challenged persons
It also offers the possibility of comparing
(for example screen readers and
prices, it gives information on organisa-
braillelines for blind people); self-
tions who offer counselling for challen-
help groups and associations addres-
ged persons and gives an overview of
- 60 -
old people’s and nursing homes. Since
aiming at fighting discrimination and
once a year as a CD-ROM and since 2002
programmes supporting women and ICT
inequality in the labour market, specific
1999 the database has been published
are also being launched in the Provinces.
it has also been published on the internet with 4 updates each year.
Initiatives (selection):
Further information:
http://handynet-oesterreich.bmsg.gv.at/
Within
the
scope
of
the
Women and ICT in Burgenland
Austrian
The women’s agency of Burgenland
Computer Society (OCG=Österreichische
Computergesellschaft)
the
has launched a project “Women and
working
ICT” in which interested women and
group “information technology for
girls are made familiar with ICT.
challenged persons” has been working
Further information:
bilities of the use of new information
asp?Try=Yes
for many years on promoting the possi-
http://www.equal-burgenland.at/index1.
technologies for challenged persons. In
cooperation with the Seibersdorf Re-
search Centre, the OCG also operates
ABZ Vienna
the NetOFNeeds project where in particular questions of development of user-
education and for the future offers a
number of ICT educational modules
The non-profit organisation for work,
friendly information networks for people
for women in order to help them
with special needs are being discussed.
when (re-) entering the world of employment.
Further information:
http://www.ocg.at/ueber-uns/arbeitskreise/
Further information:
menschen-mit-behinderungen/akib.html
http://www.abzwien.at/abzwien/index.html
Initiatives for women:
53
For various reasons women are underrepresented both in research and develop-
ment and also in founding new companies concerned with the application of
the new ICT technologies. Although the
ratio of women in the net has increased
over the last few years, the gap between
men and women using the internet – alt-
hough substantially reduced since 2000
– still exists: 63% of men and 50% of
women over 14 years are online. 53 Within
the scope of implementation of the
European Community Initiative EQUAL
- 61 -
GFK Online Monitor, 3rd quarter 2004, Fessel/GFK
(4,500 telephone interviews per quarter, 14 years +); in
the year 2000 the ratio of men and women was at 50:31
NOWA
The Graz Women’s Network NOWA
IT4HER
offers a number of special ICT courses and measures for women.
Computer Society (OCG = Österreichische Computergesellschaft) orga-
The initiative IT4her of the Austrian
nises campaigns and events infor-
Further information:
http://www.nowa.at
ming girls and women on training
courses and jobs in the ICT sector
and publishes articles on favourable
framework conditions for families
and employed women.
Further information:
http://www.ocg.at/it4her/index.html
- 62 -
I V. S U M M A RY I N S E V E N CO N C I S E P O I N T S
Participation for everybody
Creating an information society open to
Knowledge and competence
all citizens is the supreme objective and
the bond uniting all measures and initia-
cational institutions to communicate the
knowledge, the understanding and a cri-
It is the duty of schools and other edu-
tives of Federal Government and Federal
tical analytical approach to the new
Ministries. From barrierfree websites of
information and communication techno-
the public administration accessible to
logies and media.
challenged persons to the simplification
of administration and an online guide for
contacts with the authorities, this objec-
Security and confidence
tive will always be focused on preventing
a digital division of society.
re ICT connections, which are an indi-
spensable prerequisite for citizens as
The basis for all measures taken is secuwell as businesses in order to establish
Rapid connections for everybody
confidence in ICT applications and their
of ICT in the areas of public administra-
the creation of an online competence
A basic prerequisite for an efficient use
use. Austria emphasises and supports
tion, health, the world of business and of
centre at the European level, which must
the workplace, basic education and life-
deal with the issue of net security and
long learning, culture and science is
cooperate closely with the already esta-
above all an accelerated expansion of
blished European Network and Informa-
the infrastructure. An accelerated broad-
tion Security Agency.
band expansion will considerably increa-
se the availability of fast broadband
Creativity and Content
internet over the next few years.
tion of high quality e-Content applicati-
Modern public administration
worldwide basis. The experience in the
ministration (Federal, Provinces and mu-
focus of the Austrian contribution to the
In the area of development and produc-
internet connections suitable for the
ons Austria is well recognised on a
The use of ICT in the area of public ad-
area of ICT/creativity will also be the
nicipal authorities) will create a modern
service-oriented
and
more
World
efficient
Summit
on
the
Information
Society to be held in Tunis in November
public administration in the interest of
2005.
citizens and businesses.
Competitive economy
Increased use of ICT in all sectors of the
economy increases competitiveness especially of small and medium sized com-
panies and is based on practice-oriented
cooperation of business and research.
- 63 -
- 64 -
V. H Y P E R L I N K S ( S E L E C T I O N )
List of ICT links
INFORMATION SOCIETY (GENERAL)
• Austrian Computer Society (OCG)
http://www.ocg.or.at
• Austrian Internet Monitor (AIM)
http://www.integral.co.at/AIM/ueberblick.shtml
• Centre for social innovation
http://www.zsi.at/
• EU – Information Society - Website
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/information_society/index_en.htm
• EU – Knowledge Society - Website
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/knowledge_society/index_de.htm
• EU research and development information service
http://www.cordis.lu/de/home.html
• Europa Digital
http://www.europa-digital.de
• European Telecities Network
http://www.telecities.org
• Federal Chancellery – Coordination Information Society
http://www.bundeskanzleramt.at/informationsgesellschaft
• Global Internet Statistics
http://global-reach.biz/globstats/index.php3
• Innovative Austria
http://www.innovatives-oesterreich.at/innovativ/home
• Information Society Technology (IST) Programme
http://www.cordis.lu/ist/
• Internet and the law
http://www.internet4jurists.at
• Internet-Governance
http://www.unicttaskforce.org/perl/links.pl?area_id=wg1
• Internet-Governance (UN-Working Group)
http://www.unicttaskforce.org/perl/showdoc.pl?area=wg1
• SIBIS (Statistical Indicators Benchmarking the Information Society)
http://www.empirica.biz/sibis/
• Telepolis (magazine of network culture)
http://www.heise.de/tp/
• W3C - World Wide Web Consortium
http://www.w3.org
• World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)
http://www.itu.int/wsis/
E-BUSINESS / E-WORK
• ACT (Online portal for SMBs)
http://act.ifgh.ac.at
• Association for information business (VIW)
http://www.viw.or.at
- 65 -
• Association of Austrian Internet Providers (ISPA)
http://www.ispa.at
• Association of Austrian Internet Users (Vibe!At)
http://www.vibe.at
• Austria Wirtschaftsservice GesmbH (Austria business service co.ltd.)
http://www.awsg.at/
• Austrian Teleworking Community (ÖTA)
http://www.oeta.at
• BMWA (Federal Ministry for Economy and Labour)
http://www.bmwa.gv.at
• Competence centres
http://www.kompetenzzentren.biz/
• Content Village
http://www.content-village.org
• Council for research and technology development
http://www.rat-fte.at
• ECAustria
http://ecaustria.at
• e-Content (Community Research & Development Information Site)
http://www.cordis.lu/econtent/studies/studies.htm
• e-Content Austria
http://www.econtent.or.at
• eEurope 2005 – e-Business
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/all_about/
ebusiness/index_en.htm
• Electronic Commerce Competence Center (EC3)
http://www.ec3.at
• e-Rating platform
http://www.e-rating.at
• European framework association on teleworking
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2002/oct/1034330238_de.html
• EuroPrix MultiMediaArt
http://www.europrix.org
• Evolaris – competence centre for interactive e-Business
http://www.evolaris.net
• Framework agreement on teleworking
http://www.gpa.at/internationale/aktuelles/telearbeit.htm
• Fund for the support of scientific research
http://www.fwf.ac.at
• Information system for innovation in Lower Austria
http://www.infinoe.at/
• Innovation agency
http://www.innovation.co.at
• Innovation Network Austria
http://www.inna.at
• Innovation network Austria
http://www.innovationszentren-austria.at/
• Internet Ombudsmann
http://www.ombudsmann.at
- 66 -
• Multimedia & E-Business Public Award
http://www.multimedia-staatspreis.at
• Multimedia Reader
http://www.multimediareader.at/
• Office for international research and technology cooperation (BIT)
http://www.bit.ac.at
• Research support fund for trades and industry
http://www.fff.co.at
• Status report (e-Work 2003)
http://www.bmwa.gv.at/NR/rdonlyres/A1632E20-6B95-46DC-9DCE-9BD6EDCFB778/
10906/TelearbeiteWork.pdf
• Study group Information Society of the Austrian Economic Chamber
http://www.electronic-business.at
• Support compass for research and technology subsidies
http://www.foerderkompass.at/
• Support portal for business and investment subsidies
http://www.foerderkompass.at/
• Technologie-Impulse GmbH (Technology Impulses Co.Ltd.)
http://www.tig.or.at
• Teleworking information server
http://www.telearbeit.at
• Top Talent Festival
http://www.toptalent.europrix.org
E-CULTURE
Digital Heritage
• Austrian Federal Museums Online
http://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/bundesmuseen/
• Austrian National Library
http://www.onb.ac.at
• Cultural Service Center Austria
http://www.cscaustria.at/index.php
• Digital Heritage Austria
http://www.digital-heritage.at/index.html
• Digitisation Austrian mediatheque
http://www.mediathek.ac.at/mediathek/digital.html
• eEurope – digitisation
http://www.cordis.lu/ist/directorate_e/digicult/eeurope.htm
• eFit Austria (e-Culture)
http://www.efit.at/eculture/
• Federal Chancellery – Department for Art
http://www.art.austria.gv.at/
• List of all Austrian digitization projects launched by cultural institutions
http://www.digital-heritage.at/digitisation/list.php?l=dt&de_area=all
• M:O Museum Online
http://www.museumonline.at/
• Online archives of Arbeiter-Zeitung
http://www.arbeiter-zeitung.at
- 67 -
• Photographic archives of the Austrian National Library
http://www.bilddatenbank.at
• Salzburg NewMediaLab
http://www.esc.ac.at/
• Salzburg Research
http://www.salzburgresearch.at
Network culture/Networks
• Ars Electronica
http://www.aec.at
• Association MUR.AT
http://www.mur.at
• consortium, network, culture
http://www.konsortium.at
• Culture Division of the City of Vienna (new media)
http://www.magwien.gv.at/ma07/neuemed.htm
• Federal Chancellery-Art section (media art)
http://www.bundeskanzler.at/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3700&Alias=kunst
• Subnet (platform for media art)
http://www.subnet.at
• University for Applied Art (digital art)
http://www.vis-med.ac.at
E-GOVERNMENT
• CIO -ICT-Services office of the Federation
http://www.cio.gv.at
• Cities online
http://www.staedtebund.at
• Citizen card scheme
http://www.buergerkarte.at
• eEurope 2005 – e-Government
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/all_about/egovernment/
index_en.htm
• e-Government (Burgenland)
http://e-government.bgld.gv.at
• e-Government (Carinthia)
http://www.ktn.gv.at
• e-Government (Lower Austria)
http://www.noel.gv.at/service/lad/lad1/egovernment
• e-Government (Salzburg)
https://service.salzburg.gv.at/eGov/
• e-Government (Styria)
https://www.e-government.steiermark.at/cms/ziel/653449/DE/
• e-Government (Tyrol)
https://www.tirol.gv.at/organisation/e-government.shtml
• e-Government (Upper Austria)
https://www.ooe.gv.at/e-gov/info/
- 68 -
• e-Government (Vienna)
http://www.wien.gv.at/egov/
• e-Government (Vorarlberg)
http://www.vorarlberg.at/vorarlberg/e-government/uebersichte-government.htm
• e-Government Benchmarking Report
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/doc/all_about/
cgey4_measurement_final.pdf
• e-Government quality mark
http://www.guetesiegel.gv.at
• E-Government task force of the Federal Provinces
http://reference.e-government.gv.at
• e-Government website of the European Commission
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/soccul/egov/index_en.htm
• Electronic social insurance
http://www.sozialversicherung.at
• Electronic service
https://www.zustellung.gv.at
• Federal Chancellery
http://www.bundeskanzleramt.at
• Forum e-Government (OCG)
http://egov.ocg.at
• Internal revenue online
https://finanzonline.bmf.gv.at
• Justice Online
http://www.justiz.gv.at
• Legal information system of the Federation (RIS)
http://www.ris.bka.gv.at
• Online guide for contacting authorities
http://www.help.gv.at
• Social insurance legislation online
http://www.sozdok.at
E-HEALTH
• Austrian social insurance
http://www.sozialversicherung.at
• eCard
http://www.chipkarte.at
• eEurope 2005 – e-Health
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/all_about/ehealth/index_en.htm
• e-Health Conference 2004
http://www.ehealthconference2004.ie
• Federal Ministry for Health and Women (BMGF)
http://www.bmgf.gv.at
• HITT - Health Information Technologies Tyrol
(competence centre for informatics in medicine)
http://www.hitt.at
• Surfmed – health platform
http://www.surfmed.at
- 69 -
E-INCLUSION
Digital gap
• Center for democracy and technology
http://www.cdt.org
• Center to bridge the digital divide, Washington State University
http://cbdd.wsu.edu
• Digital Access Index
http://www.internetworldstats.com/list3.htm
• Digital Divide Network
http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org
• Digital Dividend Project
http://www.digitaldividend.org
• Digital Opportunity Initiative
http://www.opt-init.org
• eEurope 2005 – e-Inclusion
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/all_about/einclusion/index_en.htm
• Foundation digital opportunities
http://www.digitale-chancen.de
• Global Society Dialogue
http://www.global-society-dialogue.org
• OECD
http://www.oecd.org/home
• PBS and Digital Divide
http://www.pbs.org/digitaldivide
• UNESCO
http://www.unesco.org/webworld/index.shtml
Initiatives for challenged persons
• Austrian study group for rehabilitation
http://www.oear.or.at
• BIZEPS – centre for a self determined life
http://www.service4u.at/bizeps/index2.html
• BIZEPS Info Online
http://www.bizeps.or.at
• BMSG (Federal Ministry for Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection)
http://www.bmsg.gv.at
• Federal Office for Social Matters and Matters of Challenged Persons
http://www.bundessozialamt.gv.at
• Handynet- data base
http://handynet-oesterreich.bmsg.gv.at
• NetOFneeds
http://www.netofneeds.at
• OCG-study group „computer for challenged persons“
http://www.ocg.at/ueber-uns/arbeitskreise/menschen-mit-behinderungen/akib.html
• Web Accessibility Initiative
http://www.w3.org/WAI/
• Work and challenged persons
http://www.arbeitundbehinderung.at
- 70 -
Initiatives for women
• Association stepping-stone for girls
http://www.sprungbrett.or.at
• Computer Academy for women
http://www.it4women.at
• Initiative – Daughters put their opportunities to work
http://www.chancengleichheit.at/tnc/
• Initiative – Girls and engineering
http://www.mut.co.at
• Initiative - Jobs for Girls
http://www.jobs4girls.at
• Initiative – Women and new technologies
http://www.frauen-technologie.at
• Internet platform of women for women
http://www.frauenweb.at
• Learn4life – Initiative for vocational counselling
http://www.learn4life.at
• Mafalda for girls and young women – IT-vocational counselling for girls
http://www.mafalda.at
• Matadora – Vocational counselling for girls in engineering
http://www.waff.at
• telm@ – Women in telecommunication and informatics training course
http://www.telma.at
• Women for Engineering – FIT
http://www.fit.sid.at
• Women’s Academy Pascalina – education and counselling
http://www.pascalina.at
• WEBWOMEN – Network of women for women on the internet
http://www.webwomen.at
Initiatives for senior citizens
• Internet meeting place of senior citizens
http://www.seniorentreff.at
• Senior citizens-Web
http://www.seniorweb.at
• SeniorKom – platform for senior citizens
http://www.seniorkom.at
Open Source
• Association for the promotion of free software
http://www.ffs.or.at
• Common Content
http://commoncontent.org
• Creative Commons
http://creativecommons.org
• Creative Commons Austria
http://creativecommons.at
- 71 -
• Linux in Austria
http://www.linux.at
• Linux Usergroup Austria
http://www.luga.at
• Open Source
http://www.opensource.org
• TU Wien – Goodie Domain Service
http://gd.tuwien.ac.at
• WKO – Open Source Experts
http://www.opensource.co.at
World Summit Information Society
• Geneva 2003 - Civil Society Division
http://www.geneva2003.org/wsis/indexa01.htm
• ITU International Telecommunications Union
http://www.itu.int/home/index.html
• Tunisa 2005
http://www.smsitunis2005.org
• World Summit Award
http://www.wsis-award.org
• WSIS Gender Caucus
http://www.genderwsis.org
• WSIS-Community Platform
http://www.wsis-online.net
• WSIS-ITU
http://www.itu.int/wsis/index.html
E-KNOWLEDGE / ECOMPETENCE / E-LEARNING
• Adult education in Austria
http://www.erwachsenenbildung.at
• Austrian computer society (OCG)
http://www.ocg.at
• Austrian school portal
http://www.schule.at
• BMBWK (Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Art)
http://www.bmbwk.gv.at
• Centre for distance learning, University Linz
http://www.esc.ac.at
• ECDL Austria
http://www.edu.ecdl.at
• ECDL Foundation
http://www.ecdl.com/main/index.php
• ECDL Junior
http://www.ejunior.ecdl.at
• Education portal
http://www.bildung.at
• Educaunet
http://www.educaunet.org
- 72 -
• eEurope 2005 – E-Learning
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/all_about/elearning/index_en.htm
• eFit Austria
http://www.efit-austria.at
• e-Learning Europe Info
http://elearningeuropa.info
• e-Learning qualification online
http://www.eqo.at/index.html
• EU-Knowledge Society Website
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/knowledge_society/index_en.htm
• European Schoolnet
http://www.eun.org/portal/index-en.cfm
• Libraries online
http://www.bibliotheken.at
• Life Long Learning
http://www.lebenslangeslernen.at
• Media pedagogic councelling office - NÖ-Landesakademie
(Academy of the Land of Lower Austria)
http://www.medienpaed.at
• Mediamanual
http://www.mediamanual.at
• Netbridge
http://www.netbridge.at
• New media for teaching at universities/universities of applied science
http://www.nml.at
• OCG – Academy for informatics
http://www.ia.ocg.at
• OCG – IT4U
http://www.ocg.at/ausbildung/it4u/index.html
• Online-study guide
http://www.studieren.at/cgi-bin/content/contray.cgi
• Platform for education counsellors in the network
http://www.bib-infonet.at/
• Portal new media in teaching, University of Graz
http://neuemedien.uni-graz.at/
• Server project FH-Joanneum
http://serverprojekt.fh-joanneum.at
• Textbook-Extra
http://www.e-lisa.at/sbx
• ViS:AT (Online school Austria)
www.virtuelleschule.at
E-SCIENCE
• ACCESS (Academic Coop Education Service Salzburg)
http://www.sbg.ac.at/elearn/access
• BAU@HOME (interactive study programmes for civil engineering)
http://serverprojekt.fh-joanneum.at/sp/index.php?n=bm2bau
• DMA (online training course digital media)
http://www.digitale-medien.ufg.ac.at/
- 73 -
• eduBITE (e-Learning tool information systems)
http://edubite.dke.univie.ac.at/
• ELOISE! (e-Learning in universities and universities of applied science)
http://www.eloise.at
• History Online (ICT and history)
http://www.geschichte-online.at
• IAEM-iArs (Internet archive of electronic music)
http://iaem.at
• LASON (Latin America Studies Online Project)
http://www.lateinamerika-studien.at
• Studying law in Linz (Online course)
http://www.linzer.rechtsstudien.at
• New Media for teaching at universities/Universities of applied science
http://www.nml.at
• List of all nml projects
http://serverprojekt.fh-joanneum.at/sp/index.php?n=bm2aus
• nml18 (New media for teaching mathematics)
http://www.mathe-online.at/nml
• PlaNet-ET (Platform and network for educational technologies)
http://planet-et.at/
• Sign-IT (media learning system for studends and interpreters of Austrian sign language)
http://www.sign-it.at
• SpInSy (internet-based system for sports science)
http://www.univie.ac.at/sportmedia/index.htm
• Telesozial (study courses for social work)
http://telesozial.net/cms/
• Train the Trainer (training programme for trainers)
http://train-the-trainer.fh-joanneum.at/
• Velo (Virtual Electronic Laboratory)
http://serverprojekt.fh-joanneum.at/sp/index.php?n=bm2vel
E-SECURITY / PRIVACY
• ARGE DATEN
http://www.argedaten.at
• ARGE DATEN Certification Service
https://a-cert.argedaten.at
• A-SIT (Centre for secure information technology)
http://www.a-sit.at
• Association of Austrian Internet Providers (ISPA)
http://www.ispa.at
• A-Trust (certification)
http://www.a-trust.at
• Austrian data protection commission
http://www.dsk.gv.at
• CIO -ICT-Services office of the Federation
http://www.cio.gv.at
• eEurope 2005 – e-Security
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/all_about/security/index_en.htm
- 74 -
• Electronic signature (legal bases)
http://www.a-sit.at/informationen/gesetzlich/gesetzlich.htm
• European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA)
http://www.enisa.eu.int
• ISPA-guidelines (SPAM)
http://www.ispa.at/downloads/9ad99acb0b32_CoC_spam_ISPs_beschlossen_031203.pdf
• ISPA-guidelines
http://www.ispa.at/downloads/dfa8e34b6157_Verhaltensrichtlinien.pdf
• STOPLINE (ISPA-reporting point)
http://www.stopline.at
• Privacy International
http://www.privacyinternational.org
• Reporting points of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
http://www.bmi.gv.at/meldestellen
• Safer Internet Action Plan
http://www.europa.eu.int/saferinternet
• Safer Internet (INSAFE)
http://www.saferinternet.org
• Saferinternet.at
http://www.saferinternet.at
INFRASTRUCTURE
Broadband technology
• Broadband information of RTR-GmbH
http://www.rtr.at/breitband
• eEurope 2005 - Broadband
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/all_about/broadband/
index_en.html
• eEurope Broadband Day (28 January 2003)
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/news_library/events/
workshop/index_en.htm
• Euractiv - EU broadband policy
http://www.euractiv.com/cgibin/cgint.exe/?targ=5&1100=5&714&1015=
9&1014=ld_broadband&-tt=TEBBLD
• Federal Ministry for Transportation, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) 2003 Broadband-Initiative of the Federation
http://www.bmvit.gv.at/sixcms_upload/media/330/breitbandstrategie.pdf
• ITU - Promoting Broadband
http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/ni/promotebroadband/index.html
Digitisation of broadcasting
• Digital Video Broadcasting
http://www.dvb.org/index.php?id=1
• Digital platform Austria
http://www.rtr.at/web.nsf/deutsch/Rundfunk_Digitale+Plattform+Austria
• Digitisation fund of RTR-GmbH
http://www.rtr.at/web.nsf/deutsch/Foerderungen_Digitalisierungsfonds
• KommAustria – Digitisation plant
http://www.bka.gv.at/2004/4/5/Digitalisierungskonzept.pdf
- 75 -
L I ST O F A B B R E V I AT I O N S
AIM
Austrian Internet Monitor
ELAK
Electronic file
ASN
Austrian School Network
ENISA
European Network and
ALO
BGBl
BIG
BIT
BKA
BMBWK
BMGF
BMSGK
BMVIT
BMWA
bPK
B-VG
CIO
DVB-T
ECDL
EDV
EG
E-Gov-G
Austrian Literature Online
ELGA
Federal Law Gazette
Advisory Board for
ERV
Office for international
EU
eSV
Information Society
research and technology
EWG
cooperation
Federal Chancellery
FH
Education, Science and
ICANN
Federal Ministry for
FIT
Culture
Federal Ministry for Health
ICT
Federal Ministry for Social
ISPA
Consumer Protection
IST
Transport, Innovation and
IT
and Women
Security, Generations and
Federal Ministry for
Technology
Federal Ministry for Economy
ITU
and Labour
KMU
Federal Constitution Act
MOA
Digital Video Broadcasting-
OECD
Area specific personal ID
Chief Information Office
OCG
terrestrial
European Computer
ÖIAT
Electronic data processing
ÖNB
E-Government Act
PC
Driving Licence
European Community
PBS
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Electronic lifelong health file
Information Security Agency
Electronic legal communication
Electronic social insurance
European Union
European Economic
Community
Universities of Applied Science
Women for Engineering
Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers
Information and communication technologies
Internet Service Provider
Austria
Information Society
Technology
Information Technology
International Telecommunications Union
Small and medium
size business
Modules for online applications
Austrian Computer Society
Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development
Austrian Institute for Applied
Telecommunication
Austrian National Library
Public Broadcasting Service
Personal computer
RIS
Legal information system
of the Federation
RTR-GmbH Regulatory Authority
for Broadcasting and
Telecommunications
TV
Television
UNESCO
United Nations Educational,
TV-terr.
VIW
W3C
WAI
WLAN
WSIS
www
ZMR
Terrestrial TV
Scientific and Cultural
Organisation
Association for Information
Industry in Austria
World Wide Web Consortium
Web Accessibility Initiative
Wireless Local-Area Network
World Summit on the
Information Society
World Wide Web
Central residents’ register
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The term „Information Society“ descri-
This publication offers a comprehensive
transformation process which is evident
initiatives taken by the Austrian Federal
bes a worldwide and highly dynamic
view of the various ICT measures and
in the use of information and communi-
Government under the overall good
cation technologies (ICT) for gathering,
“Information
saving, processing, communicating, dis-
Society
for
All”
(e-
Inclusion). Besides current data on avai-
seminating and exploiting information.
lable digital facilities, the publication
contains specific examples for the imple-
All Member States of the European Union
mentation of ICT in public administration
are challenged to create adequate fra-
(e-Government), business and labour
mework conditions in order not to be
(e-Business / e-Work), education and
excluded from the growing global infor-
training (e-Learning / e-Knowledge),
mation market. There can be no doubt
universities and higher technical and
that the rapid development of ICT will
vocational schools (e-Science) as well as
result in tremendous changes in busin-
in the artistic and cultural fields (e-
ess and society which may entail a wide
Culture).
range of opportunities and risks.
E