A free smartphone app that can help disabled people find and connect with others in their community and request social support has been launched in the UK.

MiFinder combines elements of social networking platforms with GPS satellite location, allowing users to engage and potentially meet with people nearby them who share similar interests. The app has a range of potential uses – including dating – but is unusual in promoting its use for social support, its owner says.

Research and investment priorities for the digital economy and development of internet services and mobile devices must reflect the needs of disabled and elderly people, a telecommunications expert has warned.

The first regional meeting of Arab parliamentary libraries was convened at the Arab Institute for Parliamentary Training and Legislative Studies in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 19-20, with the technical support of USAID-funded and State University of New York/Center for International Development-implemented legislative strengthening program in Lebanon.
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RED_PARLAMENTA is a network of Parliamentary Information and Documentation Services in the Regional Parliaments (Parlamentos Autonómicos) in Spain.

This network started its work officially in March 2011 when the Speakers of the Regional Parliaments in Spain decided to create a network of cooperation with regard to parliamentary documentation and information.

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Uncertainty as to when to make the move; and lack of help from outsourcing suppliers are among barriers cited by local authorities to sharing communications networks with other public bodies prior to joining the emerging Public Services Network (PSN), delegates heard at last week’s Socitm 2011 annual conference in Birmingham. Simon Norbury, PSN Local Government Transition [...]

The Free Technology Academy (FTA) and the Association of Greek Users and Friends of Free Software / Open Source Software (Greek Linux User Group – Greek LUG), announced their partnership on 19 May 2011, making the Greek Association a part of FTA’s International Associate Partner Network.

The Free Technology Academy (FTA) and the Association of Greek Users and Friends of Free Software / Open Source Software (Greek Linux User Group – Greek LUG), announced their partnership on 19 May 2011, making the Greek Association a part of FTA’s International Associate Partner Network.

The Network in question aims to expand the availability of professional educational courses and materials, covering the concepts and applications of Free Software and the Open Standards.

The Free Technology Academy (FTA) and the Association of Greek Users and Friends of Free Software / Open Source Software (Greek Linux User Group – Greek LUG), announced their partnership on 19 May 2011, making the Greek Association a part of FTA’s International Associate Partner Network.

The Network in question aims to expand the availability of professional educational courses and materials, covering the concepts and applications of Free Software and the Open Standards.

The French Speaking Libre Software Users' Association (Association Francophone des Utilisateurs de Logiciels Libres - AFUL, in French) offers its support to the Document Foundation by contributing financially towards its set-up as an autonomous legal entity based in Germany.

The French Speaking Libre Software Users' Association (Association Francophone des Utilisateurs de Logiciels Libres - AFUL, in French) offers its support to the Document Foundation by contributing financially towards its set-up as an autonomous legal entity based in Germany.

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By Dan Jellinek.

This has been a busy year for Diane Mulligan.