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Planet Project Ignites World Interest in First Global Internet Poll; Planet Project Called `Fantastic,` Sparks Discussions and Forecasts Abroad SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 2000--With the world`s largest interactive Internet-based poll just six days away, news organizations around the world are hailing the Planet Project(TM) as "fantastic," "magnificent" and the key to learning "more about what holds the world together at the beginning of the next millennium." In addition, the Planet Project (www.planetproject.com), is sparking tremendous curiosity worldwide, from online communities, educators and celebrities, as people around the planet get ready to share and compare their personal experiences about what it`s like to be a human being at the start of the new century. Taking place from Nov. 15 to 18, the Planet Project poll will give people an unparalleled opportunity to share their views and instantly compare their responses with other people around the world. The Planet Project was specifically designed to also include the voices of people without access to the Internet. To that end, thousands of volunteers will head to some of the most remote spots on earth, as well as to urban areas, to offer the poll to those without access to technology. Rick Smolan, director of the Planet Project and creator of the best-selling "Day in the Life" photography book series, said this unprecedented interactive event has captured worldwide attention, from media around the world, to academics at Free University Brussels in Belgium and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, to Internet chatrooms. "People are excited about this," Smolan said. "This is a chance to be a part of something that, years from now, people will look back on as history in the making." Spreading the Word to the World Foreign and U.S. media have commented on the Planet Project`s potential to create an unprecedented global community: -- "The power of the Internet will be harnessed to measure the state of the human race." -Herald Sun, Australia -- "Now all the world`s population will be asked for their opinions, hopes, fears and dreams. It is a magnificent global opinion poll via the Internet." -Computerworld Online -- "Remember the old commercial about buying the world a Coke? In an Information Age version of that notion, 3Com, Inc. plans to use the Internet to poll people around the world for their views on sex, education, dreams and other personal topics." -The Associated Press, United States -- "Practically anyone with a shred of optimism in their outlook will agree that -- even with only partial success -- the results will be fascinating, enlightening and might offer an insight into other cultures with a value that can only be guessed at." -Inter@ctive Week, South Africa -- "Maybe after the first global interactive online poll, we will know a little more about what holds the world together at the beginning of the next millenium: the Internet." -Der Tagesspiegel, Germany -- "The problem with public-opinion polling on the Internet is that it excludes vast populations that aren`t wired -- up to 99% of all people in some developing countries. Until now. 3Com Corp., a U.S.-based network-technology company, has found a way around the `digital divide` with a project designed to find out how the world feels about everything from love, marriage and sex to religion and law enforcement." -Far Eastern Economic Review -- "It`s sex, God and the Internet." -San Jose Mercury News, United States -- "The Planet Project is an important project which will demonstrate how technology can change the way in which people get connected." -El Espectador, Colombia -- "The mother of all polls and surveys is about to take place on the Internet from November 15 to 18." -Express News Service, India -- "If you could adjust the DNA of your child either toward independence or obedience, which would you choose? When you pray to God, do you usually ask for something specific? These aren`t typical polling questions, but the Planet Project isn`t a typical poll." -USA Today, United States -- "3Com is now taking the ultimate step with a poll they have christened the Planet Project." -Borsen, Denmark -- "Want to know what Zimbabweans` idea of fun is? Or what Tibetans really make of marriage and commitment? Now you can find out what the rest of the world thinks about life, love and work, with the click of your mouse." -Her World magazine, Singapore -- "(It`s) an idea that deserves a lot of praises, especially for its pioneering spirit." -Diario de Pernambuco, Brazil -- "The Planet Project, will try to hold up a mirror to the `digital divide.` Behind this massive technological organization we find companies like Sun, Oracle, Macromedia and AT&T, with 3Com as the leader of the pack." - La Libre Belgique, Belgium -- "This is a fantastic project!" -Haldun Alto lar, Power FM, Turkey Stars, Politicians and Luminaries Involved The Planet Project has also attracted the attention of celebrities, politicians and other personalities, who have registered to take the poll. Many of these luminaries are also scheduled to provide personal commentary to media organizations in their respective countries. A few well-known participants include: -- Internationally celebrated African musician, Youssou N`Dour -- Chinese-American actor and director, Michael Wong -- First Lady Nohora de Pastrana of Colombia -- France`s Andre Santini, member of National Assembly (French parliament) -- Loek Hermans, The Netherlands` Minister of Science and Education -- Belgian astronaut Dirk Frimout and Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels -- Popular Brazilian TV host Ana Maria Braga from Mais Voce! -- Beppe Severgnini, Italian book writer and journalist for Il Corriere della Sera newspaper and its magazine, IO DONNA -- Well-known Canadian IT entrepreneurs Michael Furdyk and Jennifer Corriero -- Viviane Senna from Brazil, president of Ayrton Senna Institute, a social support organization for education, and sister of Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna Precedent-Setting Polling The Planet Project has prompted a debate among polling experts about the possibilities of future global opinion research. "Internet polling is going through an exploratory stage where it has to flex its muscles and try a lot of different things," Philip Meyer, a journalism professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said in an interview. Meyer is an expert in opinion research. "Conventional polling went through an experimental phase of about 50 years before finally settling down with a fairly valid method in the 1930s." The 3Com project "sounds like great fun," he said. The results will be analyzed by Harris Interactive, the global leader in online market research, with an existing database of more than 7 million online panelists. "The poll`s significance lies in its ability to allow people around the world to share their beliefs with one another," said Gordon Black, chairman and CEO of Harris Interactive. "This will be the largest interactive exercise ever undertaken, with the emphasis on `interactive.` " The World`s Citizens Are Eager to Participate Planet Project organizers have also been flooded with requests from online communities to volunteer help in making the project a success. Omo Omoluabi from Trupak Technologies Limited in Nigeria wrote, "I would be too pleased to assist in any way possible to enlighten my people on this development." Representative Jason Koh from the World Graduates Club in Singapore also wrote in to say that he was extremely excited about the project, and wanted his organization to share its voice. On Geek.com, an opinion chat forum on the Web, one person declared, "This is probably the best idea ever undertaken by Web companies. I can only imagine the answers of the people from the parts of the world that don`t have daily access to the Internet. I will most definitely take part in this myself." 3Com originally conceived of the global poll and has underwritten the project with support from many other leading technology companies including: Harris Interactive, Sun Microsystems, Akamai Technologies, Inc., Oracle Corporation, BEA, Mercury Interactive, Macromedia, Eucid, AT&T, LightPoint and Euphorion. |
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| aus der Diskussion: | 3com news! (neu) |
| Autor (Datum des Eintrages): | Pitu (10.11.00 08:35:35) |
| Beitrag: | 66 von 124 (ID:2311471) |
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