Give children some broadband with that apple juice The allocation of broadband stimulus funds are being widely debated, and it seems like a lot of people are weighing in on how those funds are being used. I came across an article that talks about a program to offer discounts for broadband service to all the children that qualify for the National School Lunch program. I applaud the idea, but consider this: the odds that these [...]

The daily digest highlights stories I come across that I want to share.  I give you my thoughts and encourage you to give me yours. Net Neutrality The Net Neutrality debate continues to rage on, distracting the world from what I feel are more pertinent issues like broadband adoption. I came across an article that speaks to some thoughts I’ve been having for some time now. The point is that the people have the wrong [...]

Imagine the outrage from parents, teachers, and the community if a school announced that some of its students would have access to textbooks, research papers, and literature, but other students would be denied those resources.  Some students would be branded as worthy, while others as second class. It baffles me that broadband Internet access in our schools is not seen as such as concern. However, it is encouraging to hear that this digital divide is [...]

Between health care reform, climate bills and war-related news, some important ideas in Congress are not getting as much attention as they deserve.    I just wanted to bring a little more notice to bi-partisan draft language submitted by Reps. Rick Boucher of Virginia and Lee Terry of Nebraska “to curb waste in the Universal Service Fund (USF) and shift money from phone to Internet service in areas on the wrong side of the digital divide.” [...]

“Attend the workshop online!” I wonder exactly when that phrase entered our lives.   It is powerful.   There was a time when attending a conference meant a big investment, plane tickets, hotels, time out of the office, time away from family.   For young visionaries, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and leaders of cash-strapped communities, it was often a burden.  Broadband has changed that. I encourage everyone to attend or watch the workshop the FCC is conducting Dec. 9th [...]

Unfortunately, everything these days seems to be framed around politics and ideology, red or blue, left or right, R or D.   Some so-called pundits have already figured out the next wave of political fortunes — just based on the elections this week in New York, Virginia, and New Jersey – and what that will mean to proposed policies and ideas. Changing lives and creating hope, and embracing the full power of broadband access, should not [...]

First let me start by saying that I’m not in politics or a policy maker. I am a technologist and have been involved in technology for over 15 years, and I can honestly say that technology has had a significant effect on my life. The birth of the Internet has granted opportunities and access to knowledge I would not have obtained otherwise. I have created companies out of the comfort of my home and connected [...]