From the monthly archives:

February 2010

Astroturfing: Fake Grass Roots Organizations

by joe on February 28, 2010

Astroturfing is the practice of creating fake grass-roots organizations to sway public opinion.  According to freepress.net, “Astroturf groups fighting media reform manufacture the impression of public opposition to issues like Net Neutrality to sway policy makers and the media. What these groups won’t tell you is that they’re bought and paid for by the phone and cable industry.”

One recent example of astroturfing cited in Wikipedia includes several self-proclaimed seniors groups, whose biggest contributor is the pharmaceutical industry.  Another is the “Save Our Species Alliance”, which calls itself a grass-roots organization but is actually a front group for wealthy cattle and timber interests.

For the past several years, the telecommunications and media giants have engaged in some pretty shady practices, including astroturfing, in order to obfuscate the so-called Net Neutrality, or Internet Neutrality debate.  Click on the interactive control to the right of the text (couresy of freepress.org) to learn more about how much these companies are spending in order to convince the public and our lawmakers that net neutrality is a bad thing.

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Genesee County Should Host Google’s New Fiber Network – an Update

by joe on February 26, 2010

Last week I mentioned that I was trying to raise awareness in Genesee County of Google’s interest in building a high-speed fiber network.  I had sent out several emails, mostly to members of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) and the Genesee FreeNet.  Not having received any responses as yet, today I placed a call to Keith Edwards, Senior Development Director of Economic Development of the GRCC.  Mr. Edwards informed me that they are indeed aware of Google’s intent, and were planning on meeting Monday to discuss this.  Apparently he did not receive my email, but said someone in their IT department had brought it to their attention.

Hopefully we’ll see something come of this.  Maybe I’ll call him back after Monday to see how things are going.

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Genesee County Should Host Google’s Experimental Broadband Network

by joe on February 19, 2010

Google is seeking one or more communities in which to develop an experimental broadband high-speed fiber network. Google is interested in hearing from state, county, and municipal agencies in order to determine where to develop this network.  I’ve been trying to raise community awareness of this for several days.  So far, I don’t think I’m getting through to anybody.

Below is a copy of an email I’ve been sending to community leaders.  On February 16th I sent it to the Michigan Works Association, The Genesee County Board of Commissioners, the Genesee FreeNet, and the Economic Development arm of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.  I also placed a call to the Genesee FreeNet (of which I’m a charter member) to make sure they got the email.

The message to the Regional Chamber of Commerce was to a generic office email address, and it bounced as undeliverable.  So the next day I sent the same email to various office-holders of that organization, including the CEO and 3 vice presidents of economic development.

At the time of this writing (evening of February 19th) I have received no reply.  I intend to send out more emails, and to follow some of these up with phone calls.

The letter:

Greetings from a hopeful Genesee County citizen. This email is meant to bring awareness to the fact that Google is seeking one or more communities in which to develop an experimental broadband high-speed fiber network. Google is interested in hearing from state, county, and municipal agencies in order to determine where to develop this network.

I believe Genesee County is the ideal place for Google to build out this infrastructure. Not only do we have the talent and drive to help Google achieve its goals, but we understand the economic and cultural importance of a connected community. For example, we founded the Genesee FreeNet over 15 years ago, and it still exists because of the knowledge and generosity of its volunteers and members.

I know there have been efforts by insightful groups of people to develop community-wide broadband access in the past. Perhaps this initiative from Google can serve as a springboard toward realizing that worthy goal.  Time is unfortunately short. Google is asking for input between now and March 26th before making its decision. Please visit the site, watch the short video and read the introduction Google has prepared. We then need to bring to bear all powers of persuasion possible, to convince Google of the wisdom of investing in Genesee County.

Google Fiber for Communities:

http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi

–
Joe Poniatowski
Charter Member, Genesee FreeNet


If you can think of anyone else who can help make Genesee County the site of an exciting new model of high-speed interconnectivity, either pass this information on to them or send me their contact information and I’ll do it.

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Facebook Charging a Fee?

by joe on February 15, 2010

Rumors have been circulating for months that facebook would begin charging a monthly fee for usage beginning some time in 2010.  The idea that the site, beloved by millions of members, might no longer be free carried so much momentum that hundreds of thousands of facebook users have joined groups protesting any such move.

Facebook spokespeople have repeatedly denied the rumor, stating that ”We have no plans to charge users for Facebook’s basic services.”   Note that this wording doesn’t say that they will never charge for anything, or that the definition of “basic service” may be subject to change, but it does refute the idea that facebook would begin charging a monthly fee.

This is just another example of the gullibility of the masses when it comes to the Internet.  The whole notion that facebook would begin charging money appears to have originated with this hoax email.  Rule of Thumb – any email message that intends to incite fear, raise awareness of impending disaster, promises some reward for forwarding it, or nearly any other message meant for mass distribution should be checked out.  Snopes.com is a good starting place.

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