Monthly Archives: July 2011

Another look at Google and their default custom search

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I ran into the following info through a serendipitous route. I posted info on Google a week or so ago – the info here is sort of related. I thought I’d pass it on in case anyone wanted to send their screen shots.

Is Your Google My Google?

I recently learned that Google Search Results vary for the exact same keyword queries EVEN IF one is NOT logged into Google. Thus, Google Search picks up on other aspects of your online presence (browser, location, etc), and presents you with what it believes are your optimum results.

This appears to indicate my research will always be skewed by who I am. Watch this Ted Lecture to learn more about the subject.

If you would like to participate in an experiment, please conduct these two keyword queries, and send me screenshots of your results. Here is the experiment. I decided to go with one cultural search (Eric Whitacre) and one technical work related search (Corporate Hacking)…

You can link to the original post to get the details. The author (Richard Hoeg) told me he’s hoping to have the results soon. I look forward to seeing them and will report back when I see that they are available.

Strong Cities, Strong Communities to Support Local Development

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While not specifically broadband focused, it doesn’t take long to see how the following announcement might help a community plan for broadband deployment and/or adoption…

Today, the Obama Administration launched Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2), a new and customized pilot initiative to strengthen local capacity and spark economic growth in local communities while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently.

…

Additionally, communities nationwide will be eligible to compete for comprehensive economic planning assistance through a grant competition designed to spark local innovation. By integrating government investments and partnering with local communities, SC2 channels the resources of the federal government to help empower cities as they develop and implement their vision for economic growth.

They have already selected 6 communities to receive some assistance (none in Minnesota) but there are three ways in which Minnesota might benefit:

  1. A fellowship program that will place mid-career professionals in city agencies in the same six cities to work closely with the Community Solutions Teams, increasing the capacity of mayors and their staffs on key priorities
  2. A new Economic Planning Challenge grant that, through a national competition, will help additional communities – those without an economic blueprint – design a comprehensive strategy
  3. And the National Resource Network that, pending funding, will serve as a one-stop-shop for local governments to receive technical assistance from national experts with wide-ranging skills critical for promoting economic growth and resiliency

I hope that Minnesota communities will look into this. I’m assuming they are looking for cities, not rural areas. They do note that they are looking for a city in each of the six regional offices (Atlanta, Austin, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, and Seattle). The fellowship opportunity could be good for anyone.

Broadband boosts local radio programming in Bemidji

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It’s always fun to see how broadband makes a difference. If the Internet can make Rebecca Black famous – it may help boost some local Bemidji folks too! According to the Bemidji Pioneer…

Variety show

The Ice Box Radio Notebook will perform at 11 a.m. July 21 for Pioneer Days in Birchdale. The half-hour musical variety show featuring comedy skits about life in the Northland, with a few original songs thrown in by maestro Myron Hawrylak of Fort Frances, is timed to coincide with the serving of lunch, and right before the famed Tractor Parade. Using their new mobile broadband modem the IBRT tech team will beam the audio signal back to Sound Stages Radio which will broadcast the show live at http://www.soundstagesradio.com. Listeners who have iTunes can also find Sound Stages Radio in the radio section under the category, News/Talk Radio. Same-day radio coverage of the event will be featured on 91.9FM The Edge in International Falls at 7 p.m. July 21.

Rural Policies Update from FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn

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Sadly I wasn’t able to attend last month – but the National Rural Assembly recently posted presentations on their web site – including a keynote from FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn on rural broadband. It’s the next best thing to being there.

She started with a thought that resonated with me…

Broadband has the potential to address many of the challenges they [rural areas] face…

She notes that the FCC is looking at USF and ICC for deployment. She spoke about broadband deployment, specifically talking about how changes in the E-Rate program will help schools and libraries can get faster connections from the lowest cost providers through existing networks.

She recognized that cost is main reason most folks don’t get online – but skills to use broadband and interest follow closely behind. If fact, at least half of her talk focused on increasing adoption. She brought up OneEconomy/Comcast Digital Connectors Program and Minnesota’s own MIRC program (Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities). She really emphasized the need for provide-public partnerships and focus on consumers.

In the end, Commissioner Clyburn makes a nice analogy to rural areas need attention and the attention received by college athletes. You can see the speech on the National Rural Assembly web site.

MPR’s Broadband 7: Construction to begin on many ARRA projects soon

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Dave Peters from Minnesota Public Radio’s Ground Level has been following seven communities in Minnesota that are taking different paths to better broadband. This week he posted a two-part series/follow up on their progress. I’ll provide a super Reader’s Digest version below – click through to the story for more details…

Cook County: Locally they will be start laying fiber on July 25. The plan is to meet up with Arrowhead Electric Cooperative’s fiber next year. Arrowhead has been pre-registering customer this year – and that effort is going well.

Lake County: Lake Communications has taken over the project, which has had a rocky start. Lake County officials are meeting with RUS folks this week to talk about the project to make sure everyone is heading in the same direction. Local cable providers Mediacom are less than thrilled with the project.

Lac qui Parle County: LqP ran into a hiccup when construction costs came in high – but the local providers (Famers Mutual) have agreed to up their investment. Now they are just waiting on fiber. Turns out there’s a bit of a fiber shortage these days.

Windom: It’s going to sound familiar – the bids were higher than expected and fiber it tough to find – but they have a groundbreaking planned for next week – so movement is forward.

Sibley County: Sibley is still talking and trying to find a way to provide broadband to town and rural areas in Sibley and Renville Counties. The immediate goal is to get 3,000 to commit to an interest in service (not commit to service, just interest). So far they have received 1500.

Todd County: Todd County is doing a fiber feasibility study with support from the Blandin Foundation and are working with Arvig Communications Systems. It’s nice to have the private partner at the table.

Redwood County: Redwood is still thinking about broadband and they are watching to see what happens around them.

Fiber Groundbreaking in Lakefield

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It’s a season for groundbreakings and a good sign that the ARRA-funded projects are progressing. Next Friday Southwest Minnesota Broadband is having their official groundbreaking…

Southwest Minnesota Broadband is pleased to invite you to the groundbreaking for its Fiber Optic network. This groundbreaking is the culmination of the hard work of its members and the beginning of a new telecommunications future for Southwest Minnesota.

They have quite a lineup invited to present…

United States Senator Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator Al Franken
Colleen Landkamer Minnesota State Director USDA Rural Development

As you may recall…

SMBS will be building fiber-to-the-premise infrastructure to eight rural communities throughout Southwestern Minnesota. The network will consist of a 125 mile fiber ring which will connect the eight communities and an FTTP infrastructure within the communities that will support a total of over 3,500 passings.

The SMBS will be “Bringing real Broadband” to the following communities:

  • Bingham Lake
  • Brewster
  • Heron Lake
  • Jackson
  • Lakefield
  • Okabena
  • Round Lake
  • Wilder

Minnesota Top Digital Counties

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The Center for Digital Government’s Digital Counties and the National Association of Counties (NACo) survey US counties to identify best electronic practices among counties nationwide, regardless of size. According to Digital Communities…

“The Digital Counties Survey identifies the very best examples of how counties are aligning technology to support strategic priorities and create crucial operational and administrative efficiencies,” said NACo Executive Director Larry E. Naake. “Especially important during these tough economic times, counties across the country are using innovative technologies to reduce county operations costs and enhance service delivery.”

Here are the Minnesota counties that made the list:

Congratulations 2011 Digital Counties Survey Winners!

500,000 or more population:
5th Hennepin County, Minn.

250-499,999 population:
2nd Dakota County, Minn.

0-249,999 population:
None

Less than 150,000 population:
3rd Olmsted County, Minn.

Update on Norman and Polk Counties Fiber Network

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Sometimes local fiber project updates come in strange packages – this week I got an update from a Calix press release. The good news is that the ARRA-funded project led by Halstad Telephone Company seems to be going well. So well they’ve had an opportunity to be the first Calix customer to deploy the EXA Powered E7-20 multi-terabit Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP).

Here are the tech details…

HTC is leveraging both gigabit passive optical network (GPON) and Active Ethernet (AE) technologies delivered via the E7-20 and 700GE/GX family of optical network terminals (ONTs) to deliver advanced IPTV services, ultra high-speed residential and business data services capable of speeds of up to one gigabit per second (Gbps), and reliable session initiation protocol (SIP) voice over IP (VOIP) services. The combination of GPON and AE technology support in the E7-20 and auto-detect technology in every 700GE/GX ONT provides extraordinary flexibility for HTC and its subscribers. HTC can now match the right technology and service to any customer elegantly and efficiently, offering gigabit per second speed across different technologies with the same deployment methodology. The E7-20 was first introduced to Calix customers at the Calix User Group Conference last Fall, and HTC’s deployment is the first of many scheduled over the next month at numerous Calix accounts across North America.

TECHdotMN launches BRIDGEdotMN

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I’m a little slow on this news – but I didn’t want to let that stand in my way of sharing it.

Over a year in the making, BRIDGEdotMN was created to help underprivileged students in grades 5 – 12 throughout the Twin Cities increase their technology skills and facilitate the exploration of STEM careers.

We started this from scratch — by donating 51% of TECHdotMN’s gross revenues to seed fund the initiative, we’ve served seven youth to date. In addition to funding, we have been thoughtfully developing the program curriculum and measuring outcomes in collaboration with partners Project for Pride in Living (PPL), CTEP AmeriCorps, and Mobile Citizen.

We’re a for profit business solving a social problem relevant to the same industry you operate in and we champion on a daily basis. It’s up to our community to make it happen!

For $1,000, you can invest in Minnesota’s future by providing a computer, one year of mobile broadband and technical training for a local student in need. Both individuals and corporations can make tax-deductible contributions ranging from $100 to $43,000 — the amount necessary to fulfill this phase of the project and help 50 local youth become 21st century digital citizens.

TEDx1000Lakes – Call for Speakers

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I can’t even tell you how excited I am to share the following opportunity. I am a big TED fan. I have been to a couple of TEDx events and they always leave me energized – and somehow feeling a little smarter and a little hungry for more knowledge. If you have an idea worth sharing, I strongly encourage you to apply…

TEDx1000Lakes
x=independently organized TED event

The Itasca area’s first ever TEDx – TEDx1000Lakes – will be held from 9 am to 4 pm September 19, 2011 at The Myles Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids, MN. Our live audience will consist of 100 leaders and emerging leaders in the Itasca County area of Northern Minnesota; the event will also be video streamed live. TEDx1000Lakes is hosted by the Blandin Foundation.

“Expanding Opportunity” is the theme of TEDx1000Lakes. We are looking for speakers who have an “idea worth spreading” about the transformation that can happen in communities when economy, education and inclusion meet (see attached image). TEDx presentations can last between 3 and 18 minutes – long enough to say something of significance, but short enough to hold everyone’s attention and to be easily watched over the Internet. We are also looking for performances to sprinkle-in throughout the day. This TED* format has proven that the combination of carefully prepared talks and performances can have astonishing impact.

If you’re unfamiliar with TED, here are a few talks worth checking out:
• Eric Berlow: How complexity leads to simplicity (3 minutes 43 seconds)
• Mark Bezos: A life lesson from a volunteer firefighter (4 minutes)
• Kathryn Schulz: On being wrong (17 minutes 52 seconds)
• Ron Gutman: The hidden power of smiling (7 minutes 26 seconds)

As a TED offshoot, TEDx events follow many of the TED speaker rules. For example, speakers are banned from “selling from the stage,” and there is strict enforcement of the clock. TED has never paid speakers to appear, but has always committed to creating an experience that’s tremendously fulfilling and beneficial on all sides. As a TEDx event we plan to do the same. TEDx1000Lakes will cover speakers’ travel to and from Grand Rapids from any US airport and provide up to two nights of hotel accommodation.

An additional benefit of speaking at TEDx1000Lakes is that presentations can reach a vast audience on the web – available following the conference on the TEDx1000Lakes website, the TEDxTalks website and possibly on TED.com, where some talks have been attracting audiences in the hundreds of thousands or even millions. This exposure has transformed the careers of many TED presenters and performers, either by introducing them to larger audiences or recasting them in a new and thoughtful light. All talks will be recorded at TV production quality.

Next Steps
If after reviewing this information you feel that you would like to be part of TEDx1000Lakes, we ask you to complete the Call for Speakers Form and state your interest.

The form asks for the following:
• Your name and contact information
• The general idea of your speech
• The expected time you think the speech will take.
• A little bit about yourself. Since not everyone on the selection committee may know who you are, this is your opportunity to share anything that will help them understand who you are, your topic of interest and what you are about.
Call for Speakers runs through July 26, 2011. All interested speaker information will then be reviewed by a TEDx1000Lakes selection committee.

Thank you for taking the time to consider speaking for TEDx1000Lakes, please feel free to contact me at any time for any questions at 218.327.8764 or TEDx1000Lakes@gmail.com.

Warmest wishes,

Becky LaPlant
TEDx1000Lakes Lead Organizer

Background Information

TEDx is a local, self-organized event that bring people together to share ideas worth spreading. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks videos and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. The Blandin Foundation is hosting TEDx1000Lakes.

Learn more: http://video.TED.com/talks/podcast/TEDxIntro_480.mp4

*About TED
TED is owned by a not-for-profit foundation whose mission is simply to spread good ideas to the world. Much of the content ends up being offered free online. TED is also home of the famous TED Prize, which grants its winners a wish to change the world. TED is also an annual event where some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers are invited to share what they are most passionate about. “TED” stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design — three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. And in fact, the event is broader still, showcasing ideas that matter in any discipline. Attendees have called it “the ultimate brain spa” and “a four-day journey into the future.” The diverse audience — CEOs, scientists, creatives, philanthropists — is almost as extraordinary as the speakers, who have included Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Frank Gehry, Paul Simon, Sir Richard Branson, Philippe Starck and Bono.

Cell Phone Use: US not tops

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According to Wikipedia, there are 302,947,098 cell phones in the US. That works out to 96 percent of the population having a phone. It sounds like a lot – until you look at some of the other countries. Montenegro statistics for example show that 192.53 percent of the population has a phone. Ireland (my home this summer) isn’t on the list – but the UK is with 122.9 percentage of cell phone penetration. Ireland has got to be similar.

So why do I mention this? Because you don’t have to spend much time in Europe to see how far behind the US is in cell phone (aka mobile) use. A mobile number is required for different things here – the way an email address is required for so much activity online. Want a car? They’re going to want your mobile. Want to make a reservation? They’re going to want your mobile.

Kids get phones younger in Europe. In Feb 2009, the Telegraph (UK) reported that the average age for getting a cell phone was 8. I’m finding it tough to get stats for kids younger than 13 in the US. Since I have kids between 7-12 and we’ve spent a lot of time in Ireland and Minnesota, I can report firsthand that when my middle kid was in second grade several girls in her Irish class got mobiles (for First Communion). In Minnesota, cell phones started to emerge in fifth and sixth grades.

Also I see that folks are just doing more here – or at least there are more options for broader engagement by cell phone here. (I’m sure there are standout uses and users in all countries.) For example, I recently saw a Twitter hashtag broadcast before a live news-talk program in the Ireland. Viewers were invited to Tweet in questions and comments for the folks on the program. Now they don’t get the same response as a cell phone vote for American Idols back home – but the interaction is deeper. I see more silent concerts here – where attendees don headphones and plug into a streamed program. There’s a Times Square type billboard in Dublin where folks are invited to upload their videos to be seen by all. You can text a taxi in London. (I think that’s available in the US as well.)

And my top use of cell phone in Europe – a QR code at in the Vatican. QR codes are emerging in the US – but they seem to be more prevalent here. Often the QR code seems to replace a URL in print ads.

I know folks in dead zone in Minnesota are wondering if I’m just trying to make them jealous – I’m not but I wanted to point out that we seem to be behind the curve on this one. We can’t focus on broadband coverage to meet the US needs today – we should be looking at what folks are doing in Montenegro and plan our infrastructure and innovation based on their usage.

Emergency Vehicles get Laptops in Windom

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Thanks to John Shepard for sending me an article from the Cottonwood County Citizen on one of Windom’s MIRC (Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities) projects. Windom has used part of their funding to put laptops in 13 vehicles used by police, fire and EMTs and a two-year wireless Internet subscription.

The entire project budget was $54,400. MIRC funding covered half of the cost. The balance came from the City and County – either in cash or in kind.

They know the computers will be used to download Google maps of a location before responding, they will be able to get more info on topics such as hazardous materials when necessary and they’ll be able to do paperwork on the scene rather than taking time later to fill out reports. They expect that more uses will emerge as they start using the laptops.

Broadband brings jobs to Perham

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DL-Online reports…

Compass Consultants, Inc. out of Perham has added 42 employees to their staff since the beginning of the year.

Compass Consultants (in DL-Online) report…

“Compass Consultants has been experiencing a tremendous amount of growth this year due in part to playing a vital role in the expansion of the broadband communications network in the state of Minnesota,” said David Schornack, CEO of Compass Consultants. “It’s exciting to be playing a major role in expanding the broadband network in Minnesota. These are just the first of hundreds of jobs that we and other companies will create over the course of the next few years as a result of these projects,” he continued

Compass Consultants, according to their web site, has been providing consulting and engineering services to the telecommunications industry for over 50 years. It sounds as if they are working on three Minnesota ARRA-funded projects. Obviously their expertise makes them a good fit for the project. But it’s nice to see tangible jobs being created because of broadband – hopefully we’ll be reading about more as the new networks are deployed.

I also wanted to note that Perham’s population is 2,985. So 42 jobs is a good leap.

Daily Yonder’s look at broadband at the Rural Assembly

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I wish I coud l have attended the Rural Assembly since it was in my own backyard. Unfortunately I was out of town. I was glad to see the Daily Yonder cover it. Specifically Bill Bishop shares Mark Erickson’s (from Sibley County MN) view on the barriers to community FTTH…

But Erickson and others are running into difficulties and opposition on multiple fronts:

* Local non-fiber providers are resistant of new competition, and FTTH will be hands-down faster than older technologies.

* It’s hard to get right-of-way to lay down fiber networks. This process often involves dealing with city and state governments, who may not be immediately cooperative.

* It’s not easy to get local community support.

Erickson also points out that you need a local champion. Part of the problem underlying the specifics above is money – but part is education and persuasion – and that takes a local champion.

Blandin Broadband eNews July 2011

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News from the Blandin on Broadband Blog

Digital Inclusion Curriculum Online
Through the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) project, the Department of Employment and Economic Development has developed an online digital inclusion curriculum for folks looking for very basic computer instruction. http://wp.me/p3if7-1ki 

Making a Plan for Homeless Access
Open Access Connections recently released a study that reveals how homeless people currently access the Internet in the Twin Cities. Also it offers recommendations for increasing access and adoption with homeless people. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jT

White House Rural Council
President Obama established a Rural Council to better coordinate federal programs and maximize the impact of federal investment to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in rural communities. One of the priorities for the council is broadband and expanding broadband in rural areas. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jq

Broadband is a Human Right
United Nations released a report by the Special Rapporteur stating that broadband access is a human right. The report focuses on broadband as a means for civic engagement and a tool for advocacy. http://wp.me/p3if7-1j1

Local Broadband News

Anoka
Anoka County provides an update on their ARRA-funded fiber network and offers advice to communities looking at community access. http://wp.me/p3if7-1kl

Cook County
Arrowhead Electric Cooperative placed their first order for fiber in June and started successfully pre-registering customers for service. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jh

Crookston
IMPACT 20/20 is still promoting better broadband in NW Minnesota http://wp.me/p3if7-1kp

Duluth
The ARRA-funded Merit Network has selected CCI Systems as outside plant engineering contractor. Merit primarily serves Michigan, but the network will include parts of Duluth. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jw

Foley
Foley, A MIRC Demonstration Community, unveils a new community web site. http://wp.me/p3if7-1k7

Lac qui Parle County
Take a tour of the Lac qui Parle Computer Commuter, a tricked out mobile computer lab that tours area towns. http://wp.me/p3if7-1j6

Lake County
After a bumpy beginning, the ARRA-funded fiber plans in Lake County are moving forward. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jm

Monticello
Monticello is still receiving recognition for their successful community fiber network. http://wp.me/p3if7-1k0

Todd County
Todd County is working on their fiber feasibility study. http://wp.me/p3if7-1kc

Twin Cities
Minneapolis ranks 32 in the world in the number of Twitter users. http://wp.me/p3if7-1j4

Windom
The City of Windom and Blandin Foundation, PCs for People, WindomNet and Atomic Training are working to provide computers, broadband access and training to eligible applicants. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jF

(Many stories are gathered from local online newspaper. Unfortunately each newspaper has a different policy in regards to archive news and therefore we cannot guarantee access to all articles cited.)

Events

July 19-20 – Minnesota Cable Communications Association Annual Meeting http://tinyurl.com/5ta73y3

July 27-29 – eLearning and eFolio Summit – http://wp.me/p3if7-1gQ

Looking for more events? Check out TechDotMN’s calendar http://tech.mn/events/. Many events are based in the Twin Cities but it is a comprehensive list. (If you have an upcoming event, consider submitting it.)

Coleman’s Corner

I had the opportunity to briefly participate in the National Rural Assembly in St. Paul this week. I wish that I could have stayed longer.

It was interesting to hear the perspective of people from around the country. It was obvious that broadband availability in many rural parts of Minnesota is far superior to that of other states. We are lucky that we have the smaller independent telephone companies who have used the available federal programs and support mechanisms to build significant FTTH and FTTP networks in their communities and surrounding hinterlands.

Over the years, I have approached broadband as an economic development challenge, especially for rural communities. I have worked with community leaders to ensure broadband for business, education, health care and the general citizenry. I have recognized that broadband is critical for all people and promoted public access sites as a way to ensure widespread community access. I saw the need to focus on creating a business case to provide services in underserved areas as the primary focus of my work. The leadership groups with which I have worked have included the traditional community leadership circle – city officials, chamber of commerce, school superintendents, business, etc.

The attendees at the National Rural Assembly seemed to share a different perspective of ensuring broadband access, especially affordable access, as a social justice issue. Their leadership is centered on non-profits, advocacy groups, low-income residents and people of color. I plan to work to bring these often separate groups together around the broadband issue recognizing their shared end-goals – better and more affordable broadband that will enable rural people and their communities to thrive.

Bill Coleman helps communities make the connection between telecommunications and economic development. As principal in Community Technology Advisors http://tinyurl.com/3f4dx7g for ten years, he assists community, foundation and corporate clients develop and implement programs of broadband infrastructure investment and technology promotion and training. Bill is working with the Blandin Foundation on the MIRC Initiative http://tinyurl.com/2c6mhh4, Community Broadband Resource Program http://tinyurl.com/cseu7e and other broadband projects

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