Filed Thursday, August 17. 2006
With all the domestic and global issues going on right now, it could be helpful for tomorrow to understand how the world’s leaders viewed issues in yesterday’s critical moments. They are worth applying to your position in management, education or politics.
Filed Wednesday, July 19. 2006
While there is a lot of interest and rhetoric when it comes to getting up to speed with broadband services in Illinois, a true framework just hasn’t been thought out yet let alone built. As mentioned in a previous column: “Well-intentioned politicians and municipal administrators are not enough to build cohesive, reliable networks.” This really struck home as feedback came in from various people who think some municipal wireless enthusiasts have “only read a book on first aid but they think they are now ready for brain surgery”.
Filed Wednesday, July 5. 2006
OAK BROOK, Ill. – At last week’s municipal wireless conference put on by SkyPilot Networks at Hamburger University in Oak Brook, Ill., Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn made some good statements to rally municipal attendees. He said we need to focus on high-speed Internet if we are going to make a difference.
Filed Wednesday, May 24. 2006
CHICAGO – When there was a monopoly phone service prior to the 1984 divestiture, the prime directive in providing telecom was to “give exclusivity in the territory and we will provide universal service to everyone”. In exchange for getting exclusivity to a geographic subscriber base, the traditional phone companies ensured that everyone got service to their house or business at a fair price. There was one price across the board. That worked very well and the network infrastructure in the United States was second to none worldwide.
Filed Thursday, May 18. 2006
There are many municipalities around the Midwest looking for new ways to increase sales tax revenues. Some are into the traditional approaches of bringing in developers to develop open lands and renovate old structures. Others are trying to entice businesses with tax incentives and reduced fees to relocate a business within their municipalities. This is a common practice with even large municipalities in Chicago giving away tax incentives and adjusting building codes to help shore up the loss of commerce. Few, though, are looking at simple remedies. As I have stated for many years: “Leading-edge organizations do not maintain their position using trailing-edge technologies.” The same goes for municipalities. Leading-edge municipalities will not maintain their tax base by restricting the use of applying technology – such as electronic signs – to generate sales.
Filed Wednesday, April 5. 2006
Since this topic was suggested, quite a bit of feedback rolled in on a DSL Reports discussion thread. “Are they delivering what they are charging for with these various broadband products?” “What speed are you really running at on your PC? Have you ever checked?” “Are you getting a half T-1 for a full T-1 price?” Comments from various people on the thread ranged from very observant to very lame. One comment captured at least some type of everyday analogy that needs to be applied to this situation:
Filed Wednesday, March 29. 2006
As more people are very concerned about their jobs and others taking them (for reasons ranging from they are better skilled to they are just cheaper to hire), let’s talk about H-1B openings again. Contrary to the great employment numbers blared out on news programs every week, there are many people who are still out of work in the IT and telecom areas. Going from a $90,000 job at Motorola in 2001 to jobs paying no more than $27,000 in the last five years, a reader asked me if the economy has really gotten any better. It hasn’t for him. For others, it is turning dark as well in various industries.
Filed Friday, March 24. 2006
With all the recent discussions, testimonies and other rhetoric given by spokespeople from the incumbent telephone companies, cable companies, their opponents as well as their lobbyists, we should be asking this simple question: “Are they delivering what they are charging for with these various broadband products?” What speed are you really running at on your PC? Have you ever checked? Are you getting a half T-1 for a full T-1 price?
Filed Friday, February 10. 2006
CHICAGO – Is the newly proposed Illinois Broadband Act a feeble attempt to catch up with other states that have true broadband initiatives? When you read through the act, it becomes apparent that the intent is to create a broadband initiative without spending what’s really needed, writes adjunct Northwestern professor James Carlini.
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