http://www.fastcompany.com/mba/node/343?video=1

http://www.fastcompany.com/mba/node/293?video=0

It is precisely because of the way media has impacted culture over the years, absent government intervention, that I get concerned when the government tries to jump in and say, “Let us help you.”   Journalism isn’t what it used to be, particularly when you look at the declining popularity of daily printed newspaper, and now, as a quick fix, some government men (or G-Men, as they were known in the 1930s when newspapers were in at the peak of popularity)  want to come to the rescue.

I’ve got to agree with Jeff Jarvis, a professor at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism who joined me on a recent panel sponsored by the FCC to discuss the changing landscape of journalism and the potential role of the government:   In a column entitled, “How NOT to Save Journalism,” he points out that “the barrier to entry into the media business has never been lower — and that means news can grow. “
Jarvis wrote: “The government should favor neither incumbents nor newcomers, but rather create a level playing field by helping every American get open, high-speed access to the Internet. That is the gateway to the real future of news and media. I believe that future is entrepreneurial, not institutional. The industry’s institutions have had 15 years since the start of the commercial Web, and we’ve seen how far they can come. What we need now are innovators — like my entrepreneurial journalism students — to invent new forms, structures, efficiencies and business models for news.  But those entrepreneurs don’t need government help. They need to be left alone with the assurance they won’t be interfered with by” government regulators.

If you want to read why I say amen, click here

Of course, when I went to the original article the list of comments were a mile long, and people from Free Press were calling the former Congressman a puppet and fueling the fire for others to attack his credibility and ability to think for himself.

My first question is, does this type of character bashing really help to educate the people about the issues at hand? Does it in any way advance the conversation towards solutions that will actually work? The answer is NO! It just continues to derail the conversation about Internet regulation into senseless bickering.

Really Free Press, what is it that you do? You have yet to give a clear definition of Net Neutrality. You claim to be advocates for free speech but you are hypocritical in even that stance when it comes to your own events.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/navarrow-wright/the-internet-is-open-unle_b_584822.html P.S. I’m still waiting for a response as to why my comments, and other voices of opposition, are consistently filtered out of any “dialogue” you guys initiate about Internet regulation.

The “Real” reality is that while groups like this draw more and more people into useless bickering that is more about “political” posturing than anything else, the Internet can and must continue moving forward. New technologies are being created, like HTML5, new devices are being launched and new companies are being created that are focused on bringing these products to the masses; all under the Internet’s current structure.

While some people sell hypothetical scenarios to cause anxiety, real people are getting things done. The “Real” reality is that there are people out there who need to be educated about the benefits of internet adoption now and not be confused by “what ifs” before they have a chance to get online.

The “real” reality is that the government can’t keep up with this innovation and should focus on adoption and education to bring more people to table.

The “real” reality is that unless they are willing to be a constructive part of the movement to get all Americans online, Free Press should get out of the way so that “real” solutions can take shape.

The point here is that states are looking for ways to cut budgets and are willing to jettison almost anything to get there.  I’m pretty sure that in most of these budget debates no one has really looked into how technology and broadband access can create cost savings. I know from experience it can, but am always looking for proof. I came across a story today about how the state of Oregon  has moved  to using Google Apps in every classroom in the state.  For those unfamiliar with Google Apps is it “offers simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools for any size business – all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.

Google Apps includes Gmail for business, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Sites, and more for $50 per user per year.” For  companies of 50 employees or less there is a free version.  So think of it as a version of Microsoft office products  that operate totally through your web browser.

The one key things is that Oregon will save 1.5 million a year  once they make the move for teachers and students, but honestly that is only one part of the value proposition. This will change the way students interact with each other, with teachers and how work is done and shared. Here are a  few examples

• All documents are stored in the cloud (over the internet) so that they are stored in a central location and available. (so the dog will never be able to eat your homework)
• Real time collaboration of documents allows to students to work on one document together real time from multiple locations ( THIS IS HUGE)
• Google Marketplace gives you access to other apps that can extend features even more. (expect an education marketplace soon)

There is a great except from the article that speaks to this

“If all goes smoothly, Casap wrote on the official Google blog, the Oregon experiment has the power to reshape the classroom experience. Students, for instance, will be able to access a range of documents from home; teachers will be able to provide feedback remotely; projects that once required hours in the library can be organized and executed via the cloud.

“It blows my mind to think about how far technology in the classroom has come since I was in school, and how far we still have to go to make sure kids in classrooms everywhere have access to these tech resources,” Casap wrote. “Cloud computing tools like Google Apps are one way teachers, schools – and now a whole state – are addressing the issue.”

Of course, Oregon students can already access the cloud, provided they have a working laptop and an Internet connection. The difference in Oregon is that the cloud itself will become institutionalized – a buzzing, whirring extension of the classroom”
So my question is why aren’t urban centers making changes like this. It gives them the dual value by saving money and also give the students access to a new suite of tools that allow them to collaborate and learn more effectively. Actually I believe in most cases there are school systems who can’t afford to give access to desktop computer tools to the entire school body now due to software licensing costs, etc.. So imagine the immediate benefits in those cases. And ALL IT TAKES IS AN INTERNET CONNECTION AND A COMPUTER, So instead of cutting teachers and cutting programs that make our younger generation more well rounded and in some cases keep them out of negative lifestyle choices let’s look at how technology and broadband access to can cut costs and improve the education experience at the same time. Let’s just take a cue from Oregon. Maybe I’ll give Governor Christie a call or better yet send him an email with the Google apps link in it. Maybe we can get some of our programs back.

You can follow me @navarrowwright on Twitter, hear my audio casts at http://www.cinchcast.com/navarrowwright

Navarrow’s Question for FCC Chairman Genachowski from Navarrow Wright on Vimeo.

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/031810-national-broadband-plan-business.html

I found an article that asked that very question. It mentions how even though the plan is primarily focused on boosting broadband adoption it does create some benefits for the enterprise. The key benefit they focus on increased telecommuting options for employees and companies. The plan will do this by effectively increasing broadband speeds for all and extending broadband into rural areas where employees currently have long commutes to work. I agree that this is a great benefit to both companies looking for ways to improve their bottom line and employees working to improve their work/life balance. The article brought a few other benefits to mind that the article did not cover. They are listed below:

1. Increase skilled workforce: By increasing adoption a new diverse set of workers will emerge once they have access to the information and skills training currently available online.
2. Travel costs: No longer will employees have to constantly travel for meetings. The notion of web conferencing from anywhere can truly become a reality.
3. Virtual Conferences: Trade Conferences  have been truly suffering in this economy. Now those conferences can be offered in an interactive virtual experience. Creating value and savings for themselves and their participants.  This is definitely coming.

These are just a few that came to mind. Can you think of any others?

Businesses started in garages and dorm rooms have achieved in years what used to take decades to achieve. The playing field is more level than it’s ever been, but I can’t help but think about all the people who are still not part of this world of opportunity.  There are millions of people who are not aware of the wealth of education, health, and career information available online that could change their lives.  They are not aware that even in this time of economic depression, the barriers to creating new businesses online are lower than they’ve ever been.  Based on almost any study you get your hands on, minorities and people living in underserved communities are the ones that are on the wrong side of this equation. The FCC is introducing it’s National Broadband plan on March 17, 2010 as a means of correcting the digital divide that has plagued our country for far too long, and we have to all make sure that it includes the steps and resources necessary to bridge the Gap that keeps too many in our communities behind. We can’t wait another 25 years. The time is now. I have read a few articles on this topic where people have added their predictions for the next 25 years so it makes sense for me to add my predictions/hopes as well.

• Every public school will have broadband internet access and classes will be taught on digital literacy at the elementary school level and technology development will be taught at the middle school level.
• Mobile broadband devices will replace credit/ and debit cards as means of payment
• Entertainment will be delivered via broadband instead of cable and satellite
• Internet based health care will help change the way we interface with doctors
• There will be 10 new minority technology entrepreneurs who will make it on the Forbes billionaire list by making one of the other predictions happen. Will it be you?  I hope so!

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20000267-94.html

So today I came across an article on CNET News that explains how proposed Net Neutrality rules (rules that will enabled the FCC to regulate private sector Internet providers in a manner that could potentially stifle the competitive landscape, shift the costs of expansion and advancement into the hands of everyday consumers, and slow down the adoption of high-speed Internet by minorities and the under-served by ultimately raising prices for everyone) could be adapted. Now you see why everyone just uses the term Net Neutrality The article gives a good explanation of the difference between Title I and Title II Classifications that were put into place in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 . It explains how neutrality proponents want the FCC to reclassify Internet service providers to be governed under Title II. By reading this you can get an understanding of what effect that will have on the services currently available. The key word here is “explain,” and as I have mentioned in the past, my key complaint with pro-neutrality groups is that they don’t explain anything in their arguments. They give opinions and the same examples in almost everything I read. I’m a cause and effects kind of guy. Show me the cause and the actual effect based on real examples, not based on conceptual ones. Anyway give this article a read and it will help you better understand the issue.

National Broadband Plan Has Everyone Talking

If you have not heard, the FCC is releasing it’s broaband plan on March 16th and there is no shortage of coverage on it. I like this post from Rey Ramsey, CEO of One Economy, where he illustrates how the Internet changed the life of one businessman. And as you can see below there are alot of people wating to see what is announce on the 16th.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rey-ramsey/broadband-for-all—ameri_b_496751.html

http://kara.allthingsd.com/20100311/if-its-tuesday-it-must-be-the-national-broadband-plan-if-your-connection-isnt-too-slow-you-can-tune-in-online/

http://www.convergedigest.com/regulatory/regulatoryarticle.asp?ID=29879

iPad Frenzy is Starting. Go to Techcrunch and Try to Win a free One!

http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/12/techcrunch-friday-giveaway-an-apple-ipad-crunch/

The pre-orders have started. The iPad arrives in April but TechCrunch is giving one away! Just go to this article and follow the directions.

http://www.nbler.com/internet-high-priestess-esther-dyson-on-net-neutrality.html

I thought this was a great statement and sums up what I have been saying for a while now. People are not being given all the information about why the currently proposed Net Neutrality changes will not work to their benefit. Esther Dyson talks about this and how two tiered pricing is not necessarily a bad thing. The most important part of the dialogue is that she gives concrete reasons why!!!!  Something i have repeatedly said the the current proponents of Net Neutrality have yet to be able to do. People also don’t understand that tiers of Internet access already exist and that most of us are on the lowest tier and are doing fine. The big issue is that there are heavy users who are bogging down that tier and will continue to do so to your detriment unless new structures are put in place.

The National Broadband Plan is Coming to Town. Did You Know?

http://4g-wirelessevolution.tmcnet.com/broadband-stimulus/topics/broadband-stimulus/articles/77826-national-broadband-plan-has-two-major-provisions.htm

http://gigaom.com/2010/03/07/national-broadband-plan-will-be-a-day-early-but-fall-short/

Most people are not aware that the FCC is working on a National Broadband Plan that should create provisions to ensure that at some point in the future everyone has access to the Internet and then those who have access to it are given the knowledge on how to use it to their benefit. This is a pretty big deal and It’s important for all of us to understand the issues involved and how this plan will affect our future. Give these two articles a read and start the dialogue with your friends.

Get Serious about College With a Virtual Advisor

http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/11/myedu-will-be-your-curriculum-guide-and-virtual-college-advisor-rolled-into-one/

As part of my commiment to show different examples of things you can do with a broadband internet connection I present MYedu.com. MYedu is a service that allows you start building a plan towards your college goals right now and see that plan all the way through to graduation. What I like about this service is that is gets you and your child thinking about how to plan for college now and also puts tools in place for when you get there. Take a look a let me know what you think.