Comment

Comment by DeWain Feller on September 28, 2011 at 11:07am

It is very important to close the "digital divide" that leaves those without good computer/Internet access at a disadvantage when it comes to fnding jobs.  The digital divide issue is like many other important social issues... it is an important issues that needs to be addressed, but there isn't the funding available to address all of our needs.

 

I just got a telecom newsletter in my email that had this article about a program that Comcast just launched to provide lower cost Internet access, low cost computers, and computer training.

 

http://www.vision2mobile.com/news/2011/09/comcast-launches-program-...

 

One alternative to trying to find ward-wide free Internet access would be to engage our area's two residential carriers (Frontier and Time Warner) to provide a program similar to Comcast's.  (Comcast is a "cable" company similar to Time Warner that provides cable TV, Internet access and VoIP phone service).

Comment by Ken Maher on September 28, 2011 at 6:51am

Thanks, Georgia, for expanding our vision of the usefulness of wifi.

Comment by Georgia NeSmith on September 27, 2011 at 9:21am

Mark, wifi isn't just for laptops. I have wifi in my home, extending out about 150 ft.  I have my main computer linked to it. Anyone with a wifi capable computer could access it if I set up a guest account.

Wifi capability is included with ALL Macs at least, and has been for some time. I don't know about Windows junk. 

I can drive just about anywhere in Madison, stop my car, and get on to someone's non-password protected wifi. No doubt the fact this is a university town & is wired because of that has something to do with that. On the other hand, the 19th Ward is a university neighborhood. 

You would be surprised how many people in the neighborhood do in fact have computers. Whether they are wifi capable is another story. 

Internet access isn't just about creating a network to enable increased communication in the neighborhood. It's about the difference between information "haves" and information "have nots." Those who have access to the internet have an increased chance of getting employment and of success in school. 

 

Comment by Joan Roby-Davison on September 26, 2011 at 8:18am

MicreCycle, a non-profit venture, gives refurbished computers to day-care centers and other non-profits, and very, very low cost systems to individuals.    Here's there web-site if you want additional information.  I've worked with them over the years, and they get a lot of computers out into the community.   When they sell a low cost ($50?) system, it includes all of the basic software which can be the most significant cost.

 

http://www.micrecycle.org/

Comment by Louise Wu on September 25, 2011 at 3:22pm

The Arnett librarian said that WIFI is reachable as far as their parking lot for people who need it after hours.  Free, but not ideal.  Free WIFI has been a boon to aging urban areas that have adopted it, such as in Baltimore, a city that has some similarities to Rochester (socio-economic, age of housing, etc).  It made it a much more desirable place to live, go to school,  and in which to do small business.

Comment by Margy Meath on September 25, 2011 at 1:36pm

Mark-

you have done a LOT of outreach to your neighbors and I know it gets frustrating at times when people don't respond and/or choose to not get involved. Your efforts are appreciated. I didn't get the sense that you were opposing the wi-fi idea but your question is useful. Wi-fi will be useful to those with computers and/or those who want internet access. It may or may not make the neighborhood more desirable for new homeowners.

I am not sure, but I wonder if the Arnett library offers computer access for those who don't have it. I remember that Julius Cafe offered this for a while and they did this for the reasons Louise outlines below (jobs, homework, etc) but the cafe didn't last and I never saw anyone using the computers when I was in there.

IF we ever get WiFi, a LOT of education would need to happen so that 'non-technical' people are aware of the security risks with an open/readily accessible network.  those with computer savvy can fairly easily track sensitive/confidential/personal information in a municipal wi-fi setting.

Comment by Louise Wu on September 25, 2011 at 6:15am

Mark,

When you want to know where to find give-aways like this, all you have to do is contact the University's or the Hospital's public affairs office.  Same goes for big corporations like Kodak and Xerox.  The community center in Corn Hill that hosted the give away had a board member who is a tech employee at the hospital.  He told the members of an up grade of computers in his department, and the community center arranged volunteers to pick all the older computers up and then host a give away. But that kind of info is available to anyone who takes the time to call. The science center also has these computer give-aways periodically.  

Comment by Mark Sweetland on September 24, 2011 at 11:48pm

Ken,

I certainly would not let a dream come true.   Go for it, if interested!  My block club efforts are always door-to-door, as few on the blocks involved are on my e-mail list for the group. 

I wish someone would provide us with a name and contact for this group that hands out computers.  I have never heard of it.    Thanks.

Comment by Ken Maher on September 24, 2011 at 2:42pm

M

ark, you and DeWain have made some very useful points to consider, but no one is asking the 19WCA to take on this project. DeWain made that very clear tat that would not happen, but now the SWCC has decided to consider it. If anyone believes that it can't be done, then s/he should put his/her time, effort, and money elsewhere. Folks who do think it can be done may come to the same conclusion as you after they've considered your input and DeWain's. There's no harm in letting people with a dream look for ways to realize it.
By the way, our extended block organized several get-togethers mostly by email, but we went door to door to make sure that those without email were kept in the loop and made to feel welcome.

Comment by Gone on September 24, 2011 at 12:10pm

I agree with Louise.  Maybe we could make contact with the person in charge of these give-aways and arrange a location in the Ward for people to take advantage of this.  As I was watching last night, information and access to that information is power.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE63BYWdqC4&feature=relmfu  It's inspiring to think that maybe with access to the same resources as everyone else those in socioeconomically poor situations can significantly improve their lives.  I certainly think we should pursue this opportunity with the University and maybe even offer up some good PR for them because it's still a good deed.  I know RIT is in a similar position, constantly upgrading computers.  If they see what UofR is doing they may also want to partake.  Since the 19th ward is bordered by both colleges it would behoove both to invest in the surrounding community.  

I do also agree that we would not want the funding for a wifi project to take away from other projects for the community, which is why this is not the only idea which should be pursued.  The safety of the community and prosperity of the community should come first but there certainly is no harm in pursuing those multiple avenues.  Maybe we should form a committee for improving information access and only devote so many of our resources/time to that project while still working on others.

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