A forum of computer and networking experts meeting in San Francisco this week explored the things that need to be done to make sure everyone is able to take part in the Information Age.

The panel discussion was part of the State of the World Forum, an annual gathering at which leaders discuss worldwide issues involving human rights, national security, science, art, spirituality, business and ecology.

The forum included a discussion of ways businesses, political leaders and volunteers can work together to ensure equal participation through communications and computer technology. The panel featured photographer Rick Smolan, editor of One Digital Day and 24 Hours in Cyberspace; Halsey Minor, CEO of Internet media pioneer cNet; John Gage, founder of NetDay and Sun Microsystems' chief scientist; and Lorna Thomas, director of the PBS series "The Digital Divide: Technology and America's Future."

"The harsh reality is that access to computers and the Internet will dictate who can participate in the Information Age and who cannot," said Oracle Corp. senior vice president Marc Benioff, moderator of the discussion. "... without computer and Internet literacy, our children will not be able to succeed. Now is the time for all of us to begin work on this critical issue."

NetDay founder Gage agrees, saying Internet access was only part of the solution.

"Now that there is a growing prioritization for wiring schools, our industry must begin to strongly focus on the next step of delivering computing hardware to schools, especially those in low-income neighborhoods," he said.