From the monthly archives:

March 2010

Genesee County’s Bid for the Google Fiber Getting Some Exposure

by joe on March 13, 2010

Updated 03/15/2010 – added information from Flint Journal article

Ron Fonger, a writer for the Flint Journal and the guy who broke the story about Genesee County entering the competition to woo Google for their announced high-speed fiber-optics network, phoned me yesterday.  He’d  apparently come across this blog much the same way I found his story – a Google search for information on Genesee County’s involvement.  We chatted about some of the benefits Genesee County might reap if Google were to choose to invest in their experimental network here, and what some of the obstacles are to making that happen.  Ron is writing a follow-up story which should appear on mlive.com tonight, and in the Sunday edition of the Flint Journal.  (Online Version Here)

One thing Ron told me was about a website called Flint Area Broadband, which is an attempt to raise awareness of Genesee County’s initiative to attract Google to our area, and to call for community support.  I took a look at the site, and I posted a message with my own thoughts on why we would be the best place for Google (mirroring what I said in my initial post on the subject).  My message is currently awaiting moderation.

The site does not seem to have any official sponsorship from civic or community leaders.  It is registered to Paul Knific, a successful Flint-area entrepreneur.  The site is new, and obviously still under construction (note – as of 3/15/10 the site appears more complete), so it could be that Paul will be the official outlet of information for the County’s involvement.  Or maybe he’s just impatient, waiting for some official buzz about the project, and decided to take the initiative to get community support.  In any case, I applaud the site and hope it gains some momentum for the Flint area.

In a related story, the Associated Press has reported the Governor Granholm met with Google leadership this week to encourage them to put their new network in Michigan.  No details were given as to whether Her Honor expressed any preference for potential locations within Michigan.  One can only hope that Genesee County was mentioned favorably if she did.

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Genesee County Finally Joins the Google Fiber Fray

by joe on March 9, 2010

I can’t say for sure if I had anything to do with it, but I’ve been trying to drum up awareness of Google’s intent to build experimental fiber networks in one or more comunities for about 3 weeks now (see Genesee County Should Host Google’s Experimental Broadband Network and it’s follow-up).  While I never received any replies, I see that there has been an announcement that we’re finally throwing our hat into the ring.

The Mayor of Topeka, Kansas has temporarily renamed his city “Google, the Fiber Optics Capitol.”  Duluth, Minnesota’s mayor jumped into Lake Superior.  Other cities have facebook pages.  All to drum up awareness and community support for their efforts to get Google’s attention.

So far Genesee County hasn’t announced any publicity stunts, but hopefully with the mayor, the board of commissioners, and “several institutions or municipalities, including Genesee County government,” we’re putting together an attractive proposal.  Lord knows we can use the positive impact Google could make on our community.

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Beware of Scareware

by joe on March 6, 2010

Fake anti-virus programs, rogue security software, extortion-ware – whatever you want to call it, this kind of malware is still prevalent.  They usually start with some pop-up message warning you that your system is infected and offering some free download to clean your computer.  Generally, no matter what you choose, if you click on it at all, it installs a worm or virus.  After that, this malicious software will peform a fake scan, and report all sorts of nasty infections, none of which your PC will actually have.  The program will try to convince you to pay for an “upgrade” which will clean all these reported nasties out.  From beginning to end, the whole ordeal is a scam designed to steal your money.

I’ve put together a short guide, showing how to spot and avoid these scams, links to ways to remove them, and where to report them if you become a victim.  Please check out How to Protect Yourself Against Scareware, on Associated Content.   For more in-depth analysis of scareware, see this article from Viruslist.

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