Thanks a million to Geoff Daily for sending me information on the Alliance for Public Technology. Their mission is

To foster access to affordable, usable information and communications services and technology, in order to enable improved and more affordable health care for all citizens, expand educational opportunities for lifelong learning, enable people with disabilities to be more independent and productive members of our society, create opportunities for jobs and economic advancement, make government more responsive to all citizens, and simplify access to communications technology.

I just became a member – which is not a huge commitment of money for those who are looking for a cheap holiday gift for a co-worker.

I can see that there is going to be a ton of good information here. Today I really just checked out their latest publication – Broadband Initiatives: Enhancing Lives and Transforming Communities.

It’s 70 pages of case studies on broadband. It is a great attempt to answer the new age question – what could I do with all of that bandwidth anyways?

It also includes a lot of numbers, from the OECD, Pew, Speed Matter – or if not them the Communications Worker of America – but there weren’t any numbers I hadn’t seen – to me the stories were more compelling. That’s not to dismiss the numbers; I just think it’s time to start painting the picture to go with those numbers.

Here are a few snippets from the report:

Bay Cliff Health Camp – A summer camp for children with physical disabilities in northern Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula uses broadband to provide telehealth services from a regional hospital.

After School Astronomy Project – A program developed for low-income technology centers in Boston, where students can remotely control telescopes, called the MicroObservatory, in real time over the Internet.

TVbyGIRLS – A Minnesota based non-profit organization helps girls challenge traditional portrayals of women in mainstream media by giving them video equipment to pursue projects. Through broadband the Internet is used to collaborate on projects and post finished videos for viewing.

Winona Health: Electronic Medical – Records – I know lots of us know about this local innovator. Here are some of the things they can do now: Comprehensive electronic health records and resources. Online health management tools. “E-visits” with doctors and online prescription renewal. Privacy protections.