Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) joined executives from chip maker AMD for the launch of a new technology center at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley in San Jose on Thursday.

The center was developed using a $175,000 grant from the AMD Foundation and will teach students about video game development and the principles of design, animation mechanics and computer programming. By the end of 2012, AMD hopes to fund similar centers at 14 Boys & Girls Clubs.

“Promoting [science, technology, engineering and math] education, computer literacy and technological entrepreneurship is key to ensuring our economic future," Lofgren said. "Partnerships like this one are important in educating the next generation of engineers, scientists, designers and developers that Silicon Valley relies on to stay competitive.”

The center has 10 new computers, each outfitted with state-of-the-art technology. The center will benefit more than 150 youth in San Jose by paving the way for Club to introduce its members to technology, promote learning opportunities within the community and establish partnerships with local schools and community-based organizations.

"The skills club members will learn about creating video games at the technology center can transcend into future careers in medicine or the military, or in becoming an engineer for a semiconductor design company,” said AMD corporate vice president for design engineering Dina McKinney.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday announced the formation of a new Technology Advisory Council that will include representatives from numerous entities of the public and private sectors, including Google, Microsoft, AT&T and HBO.

The council will advise the FCC on how to develop policies that promote innovation and the ways in which improved broadband access can benefit industries such as healthcare, education and alternative energy. Other issues include spectrum management and how technology policies can spur job creation and boost the U.S. economy.

“Under the excellent leadership of Tom Wheeler, these experts will provide counsel on using spectrum and other communications technologies to drive job creation and economic growth, generating concrete ideas and acting as a spur to FCC to action,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

Tom Wheeler, managing director of Core Capital Partners, will serve as chairman, while Julius Knapp, head of the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology, and Walter Johnston, chief of the commission's Electromagnetic Compatibility Division, will represent the federal government.

Representatives include Google's chief Internet evangelist, Vinton Cerf; HBO Chief Technology Officer Robert Zitter; and representatives from Apple, Intel and Motorola, among others.

Obama meets with Steve Jobs

On a campaign trip to California on Thursday, President Obama had a 45-minute meeting with Steve Jobs, the chief executive of Apple.

The discussed technology, education and job creation, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Later, at the Palo Alto home of Google executive Marissa Mayer, who hosted a $30,400-per-plate fundraising dinner, Obama addressed the attendees, according to the report.

"My task has also been to try to figure out how do we address some of the structural problems in the economy that have prevented more Googles from being created, prevented more Hewlett-Packards from being created ... how do we unleash this incredible energy and dynamism that we know has always driven America, decade after decade," he said. http://bit.ly/b3tjN1

Free Press sticks up for NPR after Huckabee, Palin ask Congress to defund it

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called on Congress Thursday to defund National Public Radio (NPR) after it fired analyst Juan Williams for controversial comments he made about Muslims.

"If NPR is unable to tolerate an honest debate about an issue as important as Islamic terrorism, then it's time for 'National Public Radio' to become 'National Private Radio,'" Palin wrote on her Facebook account. "It's time for Congress to defund this organization."

Williams was fired from the outlet after he said on a Fox News show that he gets nervous on planes when he sees passengers in Muslim attire.

Free Press stood up for NPR after the decision, arguing that "it is time top stop playing politics with out nation's public media system."

"Regardless of what you think about Juan Williams' dismissal, calling for the defunding of NPR is like asking for the death penalty in small claims court," Free Press President Josh Silver said.

Bloomberg to visit Facebook. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced he will be visiting Facebook headquarters in California Friday to speak with employees and learn more about the social networking giant. The conversation will be webcast live on the mayor's Facebook page.

IG flags problems with IRS modernization program. The Internal Revenue Service has made some progress but still faces significant security and operational challenges with its 15-year effort to modernize the agency's computer systems, according to a new report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. http://bit.ly/alY06O

Google testing high-speed fiber network at Stanford. Google has reached an agreement to build its first ultra-high-speed broadband network near Stanford University, the search giant announced on Thursday. The agreement with Stanford means the university's residential subdivision will be the first place to test Internet speeds of up to one gigabit per second, more than 100 times faster than the typical broadband connection in the U.S. The plan is to break ground early next year. http://bit.ly/aqCaKQ

Public interest groups, advertisers at odds over feasibility of 'Do Not Track' list. The idea of a "Do Not Track" database that would prevent digital marketers from following users' online activities is picking up steam in Washington, but public interest groups and the online advertising community remain split on whether the idea is technologically feasible. http://bit.ly/aXn7yu

N.J. state senator: Cablevision should reimburse viewers. New Jersey state Sen. Tom Goodwin, a Republican, provided a new tack on the Cablevision-Fox standoff on Wednesday, calling on Cablevision to reimburse viewers who have been unable to watch Fox Network channels as the two companies negotiate programming fees. http://bit.ly/aGChHU

Patton Boggs brings on former Kevin Martin aides. Patton Boggs has hired three new partners for its technology and communications practice, two of which previously worked with former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin. Martin also works at Patton Boggs as a partner and as co-chair of the communications practice. http://bit.ly/aeIkOz

Industry notes

Poll: Rich people sign up for social networks. Most wealthy individuals have signed up for social-networking sites, according to a poll released Tuesday by SEI, a wealth-advisory company. About 70 percent of such people have signed up, a rate that is considerably higher than the general population, according to the poll, which placed that number at about 61 percent. http://bit.ly/dcxMDK

The Internal Revenue Service has made some progress but still faces significant security and operational challenges with its 15-year effort to modernize the agency's computer systems, according to a new report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

The IRS's Business System Modernization program began in 1999 as a sweeping overhaul of the agency's computer systems and related accounting practices. The goals were to speed the issuing of tax refunds, enable Web-based services such as electronic filing of tax returns and improve customer service. The project was originally slated to last 15 years and cost $8 billion.

As of this fall the BSM is in its 12th year and has received a total of about $3.7 billion in federal funds. While some aspects of the program, such as the new e-filing system, have been delivered, they have either failed to function as expected or have demonstrated security vulnerabilities in previous audits by the IG.

"While the IRS has demonstrated some promising information technology capabilities in its Business Modernization efforts, our report found that the IRS still needs to resolve some troubling security vulnerabilities with the Modernization Program,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

The IG found the IRS has failed to address all of the security vulnerabilities previously identified and has failed to adequately manage the employees tasked with resolving the issues. According to the report, the lingering security issues could not only put taxpayers' personal information at risk, but also leave the IRS unable to detect any attempts to steal it.

New Jersey state senator Tom Goodwin, a Republican, provided a new tack on the Cablevision-Fox standoff on Wednesday, calling on Cablevision to reimburse viewers who have been unable to watch Fox Network channels as the two companies negotiate programming fees.

Most of the input from public figures has called for a speedy resolution, for the sides to accept mediation, or for changes to rules related to programming negotiations, so Goodwin appears to have found an original angle. Around 3 million Cablevision subscribers in the New York area have lost access to Fox channels as the company negotiates fees with Fox.

In a letter to James Dolan, the Cablevision chief executive, Goodwin noted the stakes.

"These negotiations have already led to a blackout of three National League baseball playoff games, Sunday’s New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles games, and numerous other popular programs," he said. "As a Cablevision customer and a lifelong Phillies fan, I am outraged over the pace of these negotiations and the unjust punishment that your customers continue to endure."

Viewers are being "held hostage" by the ongoing dispute, he said.

"I ask that you reimburse Cablevision customers for each day that they are denied these channels," he said.

Patton Boggs has hired three new partners for its technology and communications practice, two of which previously worked with former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin. Martin also works at Patton Boggs as a partner and as co-chair of the communications practice.

The new hires:

Matthew Berry, who was general counsel and deputy general counsel to the FCC under Martin.

Monica Desai, a former legal advisor to Martin at the FCC. She has also served as chief of the media bureau, chief of the consumer bureau and deputy chief of the wireless bureau.

Robert Quicksilver, formerly the president of network distribution and a lobbyist at Fox Broadcasting Co.

Most wealthy individuals have signed up for social-networking sites, according to a poll released Tuesday by SEI, a wealth-advisory company.

About 70 percent of such people have signed up, a rate that is considerably higher than the general population, according to the poll, which placed that number at about 61 percent.

Most wealthy individuals have trouble finding time to use social networks, however. Only about 18 percent said they use the sites on a daily basis. Read more about the poll here.

AT&T reported growth in the third quarter on Thursday thanks to brisk sales of the iPhone, which offset decreased revenues in the landline phone business.

Earnings rose to 55 cents a share while sales increased 2.8 percent over a year ago to $31.6 billion, ahead of analysts' projections. AT&T posted 11.4 percent growth in wireless revenue and a record 8 million activations. Data revenue was also up 30 percent for both wireless and consumer broadband access. Revenue from AT&T's traditional landline service fell 3 percent to $15.3 billion.

“This was a terrific mobile broadband quarter,” said AT&T chairman and chief executive officer Randall Stephenson. “Mobile broadband is the industry’s most powerful growth driver, and demand is in its early stages in both the consumer and business segments.”

iPhone activations were up 63 percent from a year ago thanks to the debut of the iPhone 4 in June. AT&T has held on as the nation's second-largest wireless carrier in part because of its exclusive arrangement with Apple to carry the iPhone, which could end as soon as January. Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, might begin selling a version of the device early next year.

The idea of a "Do Not Track" database that would prevent digital marketers from following users' online activities is picking up steam in Washington, but public interest groups and the online advertising community remain split on whether the idea is technologically feasible.

A "Do Not Track" framework for online advertising would mirror the national "Do Not Call" registry that prevents telemarketers from calling homes that say they do not want to be bothered. 

Federal Trade Commissioner Julie Brill, a Democrat, threw strong support behind "Do Not Track" in a speech on Tuesday.

"I personally would like to see a 'Do Not Track' mechanism developed and implemented," she said in New York City, before criticizing the long-term progress of self-regulatory efforts by the digital advertising industry. 

"On the whole, I personally have not been satisfied with the industry’s efforts to date — particularly in the area of behavioral advertising," she said.

The FTC will release more information about a possible "Do Not Track" system in a privacy report that is expected to be released in the next few weeks. 

Meanwhile, "Do Not Track" is likely to get a November hearing on Capitol Hill, according to House aides. Privacy legislation introduced by House Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush (Ill.) anticipates a possible "Do Not Track" system and creates incentives for marketers to participate. 

Privacy advocates love the idea and hail it as a key consumer-protection measure.