It's
been a couple days, and it was not our most focussed meeting. But
I
will try to give you my recollection of what went on at the 5/12
Broadband meeting.
There
were fewer people. Maybe nine. A nice contingent from Leverett. We
sorely missed our two powerhouses, Stephen Bannasch and Dick Nathorst,
but I have since learned that they were kept away by more urgent things.
And some of the slack was taken up by Steve Cook, an extremely
knowledgeable IT engineer/administrator from UMass. We hope he continues
to contribute his perspectives and finds an alternative to his current
plan to get broadband: move out of Shutesbury.
We
began with a presentation from Walter Palmer at Peak Networks, a New
Hampshire-based wireless network provider. Walter, and an engineer
associate, presented via speakerphone. For those who attended the
meeting where Joe and Ernie from Blue Sky Wireless/Treo presented,
the
content was quite similar. 2.4 gigahertz versus 900 mhz, over-the-top
speed versus some measure of non-line-of-site ability. Walter did
seem
able to site more, and more relevant, experience than the previous
presenters. They also do not do installation. We also discussed the
example from some other town where arrangements were made with the
town
church to host an invisible access point (antenna) within the steeple.
In addition to all the other factors, it was generally agreed that
the
"how far will the signal travel?" question was the most
concerning
(trees, hills, low residential density, and sheer distance). Walter
agreed to come take a look.
Next,
we meandered among the following topics:
1.
Our Survey (http://deanbrook.org/broadband/survey.html) and PR
Praise and admiration were heaped upon Stephen Bannasch (in his absence)
for his work creating the survey and implementing it via wireless
pocket
PCs. We agreed that it was more of a marketing document, and an
annotated petition. Both the survey and one-page handout were prepared
for, and launched amid the glitter and glamor of the Shutesbury Annual
Town Meeting. But most of the people who are receiving this email--our
members--have not completed the survey. If for no other reason than
that
it will be embarrassing for the Group if we can't get ourselves to
fill
it out, go to the link above and do so. It takes two minutes. Louise
Dunphy agreed to distribute a modified hand out at the library trustees
meeting, and Michael DeChiara has already taken a stab at sexing up
(turtling up?) the flyer. (both versions are attached as word docs.
Feel
free to modify either and do whatever with it. We also agreed we need
to
do a better job getting the word out: schools (road town news, etc),
libraries, web sites, and news letters for Shutesbury and Leverett.
Other ideas? I'd like to get a NY Times or Boston Globe piece on quaint
little us.
2.
Fiber-to-the-Home Network
(www.ftthcouncil.org/everythingftth.tpl?category=Case%20Studies)
Mark Bucciarelli and I (Aron Goldman) agreed to do some additional
research. We are also hoping to get ongoing feedback from Steve Cook.
Steve revived the coaxial network idea. I mentioned that when Paul
Borneo (I think) proposed the idea at the last meeting, people (?)
said
it would cost about the same because labor would be comparable. Steve
suggested the connections and stuff are just that much more expensive.
But I suppose the idea is on the table again until we are convinced
(again) that it isn't worth it.
3.
Misc.
Louise Dunphy agreed to look further at funding options
http://www.ruralbroadbandcoalition.net/LoanGrantinfo.html
click
here
We
didn't get to discuss Stephen Bannasch's extended ethernet discovery
(www.cisco.com/warp/public/779/servpro/solutions/long_ethernet/).
Dan
Mishkind discovered that it looks like the Charlemont Connect model
won't work for us because the have a central office in their town
already (and we don't) (www.charlemont.com/charlemontConnect.htm).
Harry's
DSL 548 model still has interest, in part because it is less of
a big deal.
People
asked if the Verizon PR director who presented at the last
meeting had relayed any information about certain Verizon "mystery
boxes" around town he agreed to look into. He has not, thus far.
We
didn't discuss the need to make more of a stink with Verizon and
Comcast, but it needs to happen. Maybe someone could research the
phone
numbers, postal addresses, and web addresses we should contact to
ask
for services?
Our
next meeting will be Wednesday, June 4th, at 7pm at Shutesbury Town
Hall. All are welcome.
Thanks
everyone!
Aron
PS.
Amy Zuckerman, who heads Hidden Tec (hidden-tec.net) contacted me
to
lend her organization's support and cooperation, and asked for the
same
in return. I am going to meet with her next week. Also, apparently
you
don't need to be a tech professional to be part ot it, you just need
to
use tech to accomplish your work. Broadband is critical for her and
her
group. She's in Amherst. A great connection. Their next event is June
16
(5-8 pm) in Three Rivers. An author of a book on this subject, Joel
Kotkin, and a researcher with federal funding, Delore Zimmerman, will
be
there and interested in learning more about regional needs. See the
web
site for more info.
--
Aron P. Goldman
Policy Development
73 Weatherwood Road
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002
Tel: 413 549 1193 Fax: 413 549 1194
Email: goldman@policydevelopment.org
Website: www.policydevelopment.org
