MTN & Portals
From:
Tim Salo
Date:
2007 Nov 11 21:28 UTC
Short link
c lee wrote:
> ... the quesion still IS, 'why was the MTN budget singled to take
> this hit?' ...
If the decision were up to me, I would argue that neighborhood
Web portals and public-access cable TV have nearly identical
missions (empowering communities and facilitating resident
communication). The principle difference between the two projects
is that they have chosen different strategies (i.e., media) to realize
this common mission. And, in my view, neighborhood Web portals have
adopted a strategy (i.e., the Internet) that appears far more likely
to be successful than the strategy adopted by MTN (i.e., public-access
cable TV). Given two projects with essentially the same mission,
is it any surprise that the Mayor has suggested that funds be shifted
to the project that is more likely to be successful?
> Still have not received an impact study or a cost:benefit analysis.
In a large sense, numerous volunteers have already made the case
for neighborhood Web portals, as well as for ubiquitous Internet
access. See, for example:
http://metrostability.org/UserFiles/File/Wireless-CBA-Recommendations.pdf
http://www.digitalaccess.org/documents/MDITF%20complete.pdf
If there is a similar summary of the benefits of public-access
cable TV, I would love to see it. And, I would really love to
see a comparison of the benefits of public-access cable TV and
the benefits of ubiquitous Internet access (which really seems
to be the question on the table).
Having said that, I don't think that MTN, as an organization,
necessarily needs to wither away (although I assume that the
utility of public-access cable TV will continue to drop).
If MTN sees its mission as "empowering communities and
facilitating resident communication" (a phrase I stole from
the public-access TV Wiki page), then it may be able to adapt
to the Internet age. MTN might even offer to use the $100,000
in question to develop neighborhood Web portals. But, if MTN
views its mission as ensuring that public-access cable TV
channels and an expensive TV production studio are fully
utilized, then it may have a hard time surviving.
> MTN is not obsolete and has shown an ability to compete.
I don't know whether MTN is obsolete. I do believe, however,
that public-access cable TV is either obsolete or soon will be.
To the extent that MTN is unable to move beyond public-access
cable TV, it seems destined to become obsolete as well.
As an outside observer, I don't see any signs that MTN is even
trying to compete.
> In '94 it started the River project...internet dialup and web
> host for non-profits.
That was at roughly the time that the Web browser was invented.
What is MTN doing with the Internet _today_?
What has MTN done with the Internet this century?
What should MTN do with the Internet?
.