Net neutrality = Permission-free Internet
April 25, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
And AT&T = nightmare
Here is a 'must=see' video that explains why discrimination on the
Internet is a problem and will continue to be as long as net neutrality
rules are not enforced:
youtube.com
IP Democracy: "Main
April 25, 2006
Cerf: We Need to Preserve Permission-Free Internet
Cerf argued against the concept of a two-tiered Internet advocated by some broadband providers, telcos in particular. He recapped the idea that the Internet is built on an end-to-end principle, with one user paying for his access on one end and the other user paying for her access on the other end. Once each endpoint access is paid for, the two users are free to communicate back and forth.
“The reason that’s important is that the network allows people to do pretty much what they want to do. You don’t have to ask permission from the ISP,” Cerf said. “The permission-free way to the Internet has fostered all kinds of innovation.”
Broadband providers, therefore, shouldn’t have the right to alter users’ access to Internet content and applications based on the deals they cut. “They [users] should not be constrained by broadband carriers based on deals they made with someone else,” Cerf said.
He also advocated that broadband should be symmetrical. The notion that individual users might someday own their own servers for transmitting massive amounts of information across the Internet is not a far-fetched one, Cerf said.
Without symmetrical upstream communications, innovation is slowed.
Net Neutrality…this is a very big deal!
April 25, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
Net-neutrality laws must be upheld. The alternative scenarios are too grim to imagine.
broadband » News » Is Net Neutrality a Partisan Battle? - New PR pushes seem to indicate so....: "
Is Net Neutrality a Partisan Battle?
New PR pushes seem to indicate so....
Posted on 2006-04-24 17:18:14
Late last week, the net-neutrality debate took on a more partisan tone, as liberal groups such as Moveon joined the fight. The 527 group began circulating an e-mail to its members urging support of net-neutrality laws, preventing incumbents from degrading competing service traffic. 'Net Neutrality prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you based on which site pays AT&T more,' the alert proclaimed.
Update: IP Democracy reports that the Telecom and Antitrust Task Force of the House Judiciary Committee is slated to hold a hearing tomorrow on net neutrality.
Adding to my reading list: ‘The Wealth of Networks’
April 19, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
This is a hard-copy for purchase, or free downlaad PDF (thank you Mr. Benkler!!), which is highly recommended below. I encourage all my business clients to educate themselves about communications networks trends and forecasts. Its our future.IP DemocracyApril 19, 2006
Yochai Benkler's 'The Wealth of Networks'
After only a few days, I’m convinced that everyone in the communications business must read Yochai Benkler’s ‘The Wealth of Networks.’ Which is not to say I’ve actually read it…but I just ordered my copy and will dig in as soon as it arrives. (There’s a wiki for the book and it’s available for download at no charge under a creative commons license.) So many people I respect, however, have commented on the book (see here and here and here.) The latest is Dave Weinberger, who offers a summary of a talk that Benkler gave about the book. Although it’s a serious tome with somewhat complex discourse, I wouldn’t let that discourage anyone from delving into what sounds like analysis that pulls it all together. One point made by Benkler: the social production of content and information made available by the Internet is not a ‘fad’ but a long-term trend.
Wireless Philadelphia-EarthLink contract: an analysis
April 19, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
This is an excellent information piece with analysis re: Wireless
Philadelphia (WP) in partnership with Earthlink. The monthly consumer
fee will be $20. It will be an interesting model to compare to the
proposed (ad-supported) GoogleNet/San Francisco which will be free to S.F. consumers.
MuniWireless » Blog Archive » Wireless Philadelphia-EarthLink contract: an analysis
Wireless Philadelphia-EarthLink contract: an analysis
Philadelphia and Earthlink have developed the first contract between a major city and a private network owner for citywide wireless. This paper presents the highlights of the Wireless Philadelphia Broadband Network Agreement between Earthlink and Wireless Philadelphia (the city government-chartered non-profit), with my comments in italics. At the end is a summary of the overall lessons cities might learn from Philadelphia’s experience.
(Via .)
cable operators out of touch?
April 18, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
U.S. cable operators have a lot to be confident about. But they are facing a multitude of threats: IPTV, wireless, independent content providers, satellite, cord-cutting customers and municipal.
I'm fed up with arrogant leaders and suspect my feelings are shared by many citizens, consumers and broadband users. Perhaps cablecos can afford an arrogant stance towards their competitors but its a poor public image for them or for the telcos. While they publicly fight over turf and control, they lose customer focus and further erode loyalty. Anything they do (speed increase, intro offers) feels like they are just throwing the dog a bone. I want more for my $$.
April 17, 2006
Is Cable Out of Touch?
The U.S. cable industry has nothing to fear from anybody. Its plant is inherently broadband and interactive — no need for the exhorbitantly expensive upgrades that the inherently narrowband telcos must implement.
Cable systems can roll out any combination of new services in a heartbeat, crushing competition in the process. Satellite competitors don’t have a terrestrial network capable of offering voice and high-speed data.
VOD will trump anything the Internet can offer in terms of on-demand video programming. The government can’t justify a la carte or net neutrality or uneven franchising obligations.
If you attended the National Cable & Telecommunications Association convention last week, and didn’t know anything else about the broader communications marketplace, you’d believe all this. Apparently, cable operators do believe all of this.
Top 5 presentation strategies
April 18, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
If only half the leaders use the top 5 strategies, what do the other 50% use? I'd bet 'pitch/sell on features' and 'relate history' are still putting a lot of audiences to sleep.Fast Company Now April 18, 2006
Persuasive Presentations
Josh Gordon, author of the new book Presentations That Change Minds has identified 14 core practices used by persuasive speakers in conference and meeting settings. Additional research shows that the top five practices are used by only half of business leaders surveyed. The top five persuasive strategies: Sharing facts: 73.5% Offering a solution: 62.1% Sharing a new idea: 52.8% Telling a story: 51.6% Changing a perception: 50.9%
The remaining practices include humor, creating excitement, audience involvement, building trust, inspiration, building a financial case, creating an emotional appeal, getting competitive, and overcoming hostility.How many do you try to use when leading a meeting"
Blogs ‘essential’ to a good career
April 18, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
..and essential for SoLo's and leaders.
Good Boston Globe article and supports my design of my Get-it-Done! program.
Blogs 'essential' to a good career
''It's the new public relations and it's the new home page. Instead of a static home page, you have your blog," he said. It's a way to let people know what you are thinking about the field that interests you. Employers regularly Google prospective employees to learn more about them. Blogging gives you a way to control what employers see, because Google's system works in such a way that blogs that are heavily networked with others come up high in Google searches. And coming up high is good: ''People who are more visible and have a reputation and stand for something do better than people who are invisible," says Catherine Kaputa, branding consultant and author of ''Blogging for Business Success."
MuniWireless Broadband Penetration Rates and Population Densities: OECD Data Supports Their Non-Correlation.
April 13, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
I admit..I believed (at least partially) the 'population density' argument. 12th place for U.S. is not as bad as originally reported...but its a very sad statistic.
Broadband Penetration Rates and Population Densities — OECD Data Supports Their Non-Correlation.
Time and time again, I hear apologists state that the reason why the US is lagging behind many other countries in its broadband penetration rate is because of its relatively lower population density. A closer look at the recent OECD data (through December 2005) offers a pretty damning critique of this position.
More Women Are Enjoying Being Their Own Bosses – New York Times
April 13, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
There are 3 points I'd like to emphasize about this story (NYT$):
- SoLo (a business of one person) is a sensible and efficient model
- SoLo's build their business upon existing foundations: skills, experience, talent, desires
- You will finance your SoLo business yourself, and its worth it
More Women Are Enjoying Being Their Own Bosses - New York Times:
More Women Are Enjoying Being Their Own Bosses
Douglas Healey for The New York Times
The center estimates that about 5.4 million firms fall into the category of women-owned businesses with no employees, and they generate an estimated $167 billion in sales annually. Most run their businesses from home, and many are refugees from the corporate world.
"Work is changing," said Gwen Richtermeyer, director for research at the Center for Women's Business Research. "Women are becoming more independent and sorting out 'How do I do what I need to do to make living?' "
By not having employees, small-business owners are able to avoid headaches and extra costs associated with maintaining a payroll and health insurance. Still, keeping a small business alive can be challenging. Finding financing is rarely easy; many entrepreneurs rely on credit cards, family, friends and savings.
According to statistics provided by the Small Business Administration's office of advocacy, the one-year survival rate for start-up businesses is 81 percent, the two-year rate 66 percent and the four-year rate 44 percent.
Brain training takes aging Japan by storm – Aging – MSNBC.com
April 13, 2006 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off
Interesting how Japanese seniors are raising consciousness along with cognitive.
Brain training takes aging Japan by storm - Aging - MSNBC.com
Brain training takes aging Japan by storm
Programs offer quizzes, arithmetic drills to help keep seniors sharp
Those involved in the phenomenon agree that the interest in brain training comes from a desire to minimize the inevitable effects of aging among Japan’s graying population, but cited differing reasons for it becoming a national obsession.
Brain scientist Kawashima said people were fed up with materialism and were eager to seek other means of fulfillment.
“There is the issue of aging society, but more than that, I think people want to train and elevate their inner self.”
Nintendo’s Toyoda said it was part of a health-conscience craze which has been around for years now.
“Health consciousness is branching out ... It’s a trend.”