
Issue No 60		30 June 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Tool Shed

Clark & Costa: Virtual Tools

One man checking out the Labor Council's new computer deal this week was Virtual Communities' founder Chris Clark. On paper his worth millions - in cyberspace he's just another Tool.

Clark is joined by Michael Costa to honour an undertaking we made to Clark that "we won't do anything to you we don't do to ourselves". So in an exciting first we present two tools.

It must have been a tough week for Clark, whose VC is vision is at best, at risk. Direct competition before a float is not what he needs. Not only that, but his keynote presentation was delayed till well after most of the delegates had gone home.

The smart talk was that Clark would increase equity for the ACTU during his Congress address in an attempt to lock in long-term support for the venture. Instead he offered some shares for worker education - laudable, sure, but hardly a meaningful shift. He did also offer "the thanks of 30,000 families who are now online" - it made me feel warm, anyway.

The VC coverage of Congress was admittedly sharp - video feeds of speeches - but performed as a one-off by a team of contractors. Not a sustainable sort of web model, more a piece of eye candy.

Their friendly team of - must have been a dozen staff - also helped us out when our computer (non Gateway!) crashed. So they weren't all bad. But V-Town is V-Town and, if you've seen the site, that's reason enough to be in the Shed

Costa's trip into Tool Shed caps off an exciting week which has included a spirited Congress brawl with Doug Cameron over trade and a surprise career crisis. As he considers his future of the weekend, we ask him what other organization would treat him like this?

Disclaimer This has been written by Peter Lewis who is contracted to the Labor Council of NSW, one third equity holder in getonboard. Notwithstanding this vested interested, he has considered VC a dud and Chris Clark a Tool for some time

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Issue 60 contents

Interview: Turning Tides
ACTU President Sharan Burrow reflects on the disappearance of the middle class and what the union movement can do about it

Unions: Fear and Loathing in Wollongong
For four days this week, too much unionism was barely enough. We bring you the highs and lows from behind the scenes and inside the bars of this weekï¿½s ACTU Congress.

Politics: The Group Hug
Opposition leader Kim Beazley came, saw and conga-ed. Here's what he said to the ACTU Congress.

History: Unions and Family Trees
Trade union records may not be the first port of call for a beginning family historian, but down the track a little, these records could bring to life an ancestor who previously was just a name printed on the page.

International: Fiji Bans Lifted
Fiji employers are expected to start reinstating all their workers over the next week, now that Australian union bans have been lifted at the request of the local union leadership.

Review: Room to Manoeuvre
Full employment with a highly skilled well-paid workforce is a realistic goal for Australia, despite the supposed constraints of globalisation.

Satire: Satan Subpoenaed To Cricket Inquiry
The King Commission of Inquiry into cricket match-fixing yesterday heard evidence from Satan that he never influenced Hansie Cronje to accept bribes.

» Delegate Rights Up in 48 Hours

» Email Express to Orange Rally

» Nose Stud Leads to Sacking

» Shaw Walks, Costa Considers Future

» Reith's Waterfront Ghost Returns

» Free Trade: Debate We Have to Have

» Superannuation to Hit 15 Per Cent

» ATSIC Chief Calls for Workplace Quotas

» Those Bastards in There

» Strike Marks Resurgence In Community Sector Activism

» Casino Olympic Pay Deal

» NSW School Staff Ban GST Work

» Workers Online Wins ACTU Media Award

» Update: Computer War Hots Up

» STOP PRESS: Pay Equity Decision Handed Down