11 posts tagged “internet”
Information. I love it. The Internet has been a great means of satisfying my curiosity and thirst for knowledge. As the 21st century evolves, I am very interested in how the Internet evolves. There are so many currents to follow right now. I am particularly interested in the convergence of technology and education and technology and business.
I am keeping a close eye on the work of the FCC and its current chairman Kevin Martin. There is an upcoming conference at Stanford University that should prove interesting regarding the future of the Internet in which the FCC will be seeking public opinion as well as knowledge from leaders in issues related to broadband management practices and Internet related issues. There are several good resources with information about this upcoming conference. The conference is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2008.
My starting point for information regarding this upcoming conference is savetheinternet.com.
Also visit the web site for Stanford Law School's Center for Internet and Society which is hosting the event on April 17.
A complete definition is in order here because I can tell by the vast number of people on the street, family and friends that I ask about the subject; most people don't know what net neutrality is or what it means. Futhermore while I have a vague understanding of what it means I must do more research. However I do know one thing for certain, the Internet is such an awesome tool that truly promotes freedom of access to information that I hate seeing any authority, govermental or corporate, exercising undue control over access and the content of the Internet. I began researching issues of net neutrality over a year ago but kind of fell off in my efforts. I was prompted to do so again after reading some troubling news from these sources Wired.com, the AP wire, and ZDNet.
Go ahead and search for "Net Neutrality" and see what you come up with. Some good starting points are here, here, and here.
I am deeply concerned about access to high speed Internet. The limited choices among Internet service providers and the rates that most telecoms demand for high speed broadband are pretty much a joke for the average citizen of the United States. What is even more concern to me is how little attention the average American pays to issues regarding the Internet, new media, and technology which are in a revolutionary framework at present.
I have not had a chance to deeply delve into the issue and status of access to broadband services here in Albuquerque (I am aware of Comcast, Qwest, numerous WiFi "hot" spots in ABQ, and talk of a universal "free" access pilot project in ABQ) but I need to start putting my ear to the ground and keeping my eyes open a little more on the subject. I have blogged here before about my complete fascination with Brian Russell and Ruby Sinreich in Chapel Hill, NC. they provide a very concrete model of the online presence and type of civic engagement that I would evenutally like to get to for myself here in ABQ.
See Brian's recent post at Yesh.com regarding the development of WiFi "hot" spots in Chapel Hill. Kudos to Brian and Chapel Hill for progress.
Here are a couple of good resources related to broadband access that I really need to start paying more attention to:
Speed Matters - http://www.speedmatters.org/
MuniWireless - http://www.muniwireless.com/
One of my biggest pet peeves besides the ubiquity of MySpace users surrounding me at the public library where I am blogging from right now (My God don't people use the Internet for anything else these days?), is annoying ring tones that blare from people's phones. I've got my mobile phone set to a discreet electronic tone that is usually only audible to me when not on vibrate.
I was very curious this morning when reading the "New York Times" to see a story with the headlines "Family Challenges Verizon Wireless Deal to Sell Bob Marley Ring Tones". It looks like Verizon just circumvented the Marley estate or the consent of the Marley family and went directly to Universal Music Group to license the music of Bob Marley for ringtones on the Verizon wireless service. While I must admit that I might like to have "Exodus" or "Get Up Stand Up" as a ringtone, I view the music of Bob Marley as a little too special to relegate to ringtone status. It will be interesting to watch how this one plays itself out.
Here is the press release from Verizon surrounding the issue.
If you've read some of the most recent posts on this blog, you'll know that I love the NPR show "Latino USA" and its host Maria Hinojosa. I recently wrote to Maria and the show's staff about how much I appreciate their work. Here is the response I got ... Thanks to all at "Latino USA" for being personable and responding. The world of the Internet is a wondrous thing. As I was having a rather bad today, it was very nice to receive this email ...
"Hi James,
Maria wanted me to forward this message to you...thanks!
Mincho Jacob
Deputy Producer
Latino USA on NPR
Ph: 512-471-6178
Fax: 512-471-6873
From: "Hinojosa, Maria"
To: Mincho Jacob <mincho12@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 9:01:54 AM
Subject: RE: Maria Hinojosa post on my blog ...
his words and encouragement will keep me going thru the nite!
all best
mh"
As I child my mother had to make me read books. It wasn't that I did not like to read at all but I preferred the format of newspapers and magazines as opposed to books. I voraciously read our local newspaper "The State" and loved pouring over the numerous magazines that my father and mother subscribed to. I was a big fan of "Time", "GQ", "Better Homes and Gardens", "Reader's Digest", and "U.S. News and World Report". My reading habits continue until this day. After many years of working in bookstores and in publishing and including my stint as a graduate student of course I have read many books but my reading habits still gravitate toward periodicals. One of my favorite magazines to read these days is "Fast Company".
I first became familiar with "Fast Company" when I moved to Boston in 1999. This was right before the Internet bubble burst and there were also sorts of magazines out there that dealt with the new technology economy such as "Red Herring", "The Industry Standard", "Business 2.0". I think the greatest of these is "Fast Company". I am a subscriber and when I find the latest issue in my mailbox, I rush to the coffee shop or my office (the bathroom) and sit down to enjoy the latest from this magazine which delivers so much good information in such a stimulating and provcative way. This is how the magazine describes itself:
"Fast Company sets the agenda, charting the evolution of business through a unique focus on the most creative individuals sparking change in the marketplace. By uncovering best and "next" practices, the magazine helps a new breed of leader work smarter and more effectively.
Fast Company empowers innovators to challenge convention and create the future of business."
I was particularly intrigued with the latest issue that has Al Gore on the cover. The article on Gore is informative but it was the article on "Fast Cities 2007" that really drew my attention. If you are interested in business and technology, creativity and design then Fast Company is a wonderful magazine. Check out their website and also look for the print edition on newsstands.
The byline of my blog is math, myth, and metaphor. The major lens through which this blog should be ultimately viewed is LANGUAGE. I recently posted about foreign language study debates in Pennsylvania. I came across this today while reading LaBloga which is one of my favorite blogs on the Internet. Please go here for further information.
The Internet and the World Wide Web can be such a great place ... I recently overheard a young man refer to the Internet and his computer as one big porn box ... well even given the vast amount of pornography on the Internet ... one can still find things of so much more value ... I found this today after doing some more research on Carlos Fuentes ...
http://www.ClubCultura.com - the exact thing I have been looking for recently ... a web portal devoted to Latin American literature, music, film, and art ... this is a well designed and informative site that seems to hit every nail on the head that I've been studying over the past few months ...
http://www.clubcultura.com/clubliteratura/clubescritores/carlosfuentes/index.htm - WOW !... this is the OFFICIAL web page for Carlos Fuentes ... packed full of information, this is one hell of an interactive website ... I don't know why I should be surprised, Carlos Fuentes does everything with class and style to the utmost degree ...
Well I am interrupting my summer reading list to read what seems to be a very provocative book written by Jeff Chester who is the executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy. I stumbled upon the book when entering the main downtown Albuquerque public library. I have a deep interest in the future of the Internet and try and stay abreast of currents related to new media and communications. I'll report back on what I've learned after reading this book.
