Post in Minneapolis Wi-Fi: Time to Pull the Contract?

Mar 21 00:16 UTC

I am not a Mpls Wi-Fi subscriber, so I cannot comment on service.

I can, however, chime in and share my experience of working with USI Wireless
on a community service project.  They have been nothing but supportive and
helpful.

My kids' school -- MPS' Windom School in SW Mpls -- is carrying out an exciting
and innovative "service learning project."  The idea of service learning is for
student to learn by doing and to give back to the broader community by
performing a community service learning project.  Windom's project is called
"Adopt a Wood Duck House" project.

USI Wireless was approached to donate a wi-fi account (and modem) for the
project.  The request was made so that a camera could be mounted inside one of
the Wood Duck Houses and subsequently live/real time streamed to the school and
others in the community via the Internet.  The Mpls Wi-Fi providers had a
"can-do" attitude, were patient, offered useful advice, and were encouraging.
This is in sharp contrast to other public entities at the local level.

I am happy to report that wi-fi streaming of the interior of the Wood Duck
House started officially last night -- thanks to fellow list serve member and
selfless commmunity volunteer, Sonja Dahl.  It is up on Grass Lake.

These types of enrichment activities for our young people (and, in this case,
the surrounding neighborhoods and beyond) do not happen and the flick of a
switch.  They happen because of receptive, open-minded and supportive companies
like USI Wireless and volunteers.

Now, I don't know all the details about stucco, trees, installation delays and
the like.  I can report that USI Wireless has been a good corporate citizen to
our little urban school service learning project. I wanted to publicly thank
them.  I wish others -- public and private -- modeled the same behavior.

For those interested in the live web cam of the house...it is coming.  We will
link to Windom's home page in the coming days.  Right now, our volunteers need
a little rest from sorting out all the IT complexities to making this happen.

If you want to "adopt a Wood Duck House" -- meaning, you would be willing to
clean the wood shavings, egg shells and downy feathers from the box each spring