WEEKLY WEB WATCH: DigitalEve is techie forum for females

Organisation: DigitalEve

Issue: women in technology

At: www.digitaleve.com

If you're a Christian who believes in the literal word of the Bible, then the world's first woman, Eve, was formed from the ribcage of the first man. If you're a woman and think that the world of technology and new media is somewhat male-centric then perhaps Digital-Eve is the web site for you.

DigitalEve reckons it is the first non-profit organisation to set up an on-line community where women who are active in new media and technology can come together across the globe. It opened in the UK last week, having established chapters in cities including Boston, Vancouver and San Francisco.

The site's home page is in striking purple, orange and white and lists its areas of focus as 'technology', 'creativity' and 'community'. The page's central image is of four women from different age groups, reflecting the site's all-inclusive target audience. DigitalEve's philosophy is that women of any age, cultural or ethnic background, and level of experience are welcome. 'Get digital' is the users' first port of call - people can subscribe to the service, volunteer their expertise or offer to sponsor the site.

In the 'press room' there is access to a press release that presents the organisation's mission statement: 'DigitalEve has a two-fold purpose - to meet the needs of its members and to educate the public in recognising the importance of women's involvement in technology. Created to address the ever-changing needs of local chapters, DigitalEve is committed to promoting and fostering women who positively shape the industry'.

There is a section titled 'Our chapters' where the user is provided with links to the local DigitalEve web sites. At present there are chapters covering the US and Canada and the UK only, though there are plans to launch chapters in Australia, Hong Kong and beyond. There is a calendar of global networking events that provides details of where and when the chapters of Digital-Eve are to meet. In London the group plans to meet twice every month and in Leeds once a month.

The UK chapter web site (www.digitaleveuk.org) was not yet up and running as PR Week went to press. However, the Vancouver-based dot.com states that the UK site will offer regular workshops, networking events, an on-line discussion forum, a jobs board and an articles section, which is currently being developed.

In the next year DigitalEve will be launching a programme for students and a schedule of training at 'DigitalEve University', which will be a combination of workshops by professional trainers, and a 'skillshare' programme.

Once it is fully up and running, DigitalEve will provide women with any degree of interest or involvement in technology or new media with a valuable database of opinion and discussion. So those geeks who reckon technology is only for the boys better run for the hills.