Fwd: Panama -(was Small Towns Build Their Own High-Speed Internet Systems

[tom poe]

Hi, Alex:  As you can see, I have waaay toooo much time on my hands.  :-)

The thread, below, is about this global knowledge discussion group, which I 
have been following for about 3 years, and their intensive effort to milk as 
much money as possible from recipients in the name of developing countries 
recipients, if that makes any sense.

Looks like there is a small faction, comprised of individuals throughout the 
world, that sort of think this is a better way to do stuff.  Which is a good 
thing, but needs more "mass" to move.  See what you think.
thanks,
Tom

----------  Forwarded Message  ----------
Subject: Panama -(was Small Towns Build Their Own High-Speed Internet Systems
Date: Thu, 2 May 2002 06:39:18 -0700
From: John Hibbs <hibbs at bfranklin.edu>
To: gld at onenet.net


There is a **hugely** interesting project underway in Panama,
spearheaded by a remarkable fellow, Bob Wolford, from Houston. Bottom
line, what he's trying to do is trying to get tens of thousands of
jobs for Panamaians -- not by making shoes or weaving baskets, but by
doing telework on behalf of clients in the developed world.

He's doing this on an shoestring and could use lots of help from many
who subscribe to this list.

For example, he needs ways to speed the learning of English for many
thousands; Eric can't really help because most of his work is
"custom" - one on one. But there are software programs - and people -
who I think could guide Bob - or perhaps keep him from some of the
pitfalls.

We will showcase Bob during GLDVI. If he can do what he says he can,
then some very bright spotlights should shine on him. More important,
a whole lot of people from Latin America, Africa and Asia will be
flying to Panama to see how a country can turn to knowledge exports
as a way to improve their GNP.

Read on for more about what others are doing....with thanks to Tom Poe.

>From: tom poe <tompoe at renonevada.net>
>To: gkd at phoenix.edc.org
>Subject: Re: [GKD] Small Towns Build Their Own High-Speed Internet Systems
>Date: Wed, 1 May 2002 13:14:52 -0700
>Sender: owner-gkd at phoenix.edc.org
>Reply-To: gkd at phoenix.edc.org
>
>Two years ago, as you may dimly remember, I posted this:
><http://www.worldccr.org/kiosks.htm> in response to the discussions here,
>and through the Stockholm Challenge. The missing piece, turns out to be
>the market consultant that could open the  door to a corporate partner
>for "making it happen". Even with the promise of a multi-million
>dollar commission that took nothing away from the recipients, this step
>remains open.
>
>Today, there is an alternative path being pursued.  This path is
>directed at  the schools, directly.  By providing a means to set up
>networks that are  without licensing restrictions, on computers that can
>be obtained through  donations and programs similar to what is mentioned
>above, entire countries  can have the infrastructure filled in with
>pennies.  The wireless aspects can  be pursued without regulatory
>"approval", and the governments of so many  countries working to control
>broadband access requirements can sit on their  expensive and
>questionable decisions. I encourage you to visit
>
>http://www.seul.org/ and its ISO project,
>http://www.seul.org/edu/projects.html
>
>and see how it might fit with your efforts.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Tom Poe
>Reno, NV
>http://www.studioforrecording.org/
>http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/
>http://renotahoe.pm.org/
>
>On Friday 26 April 2002 01:10, Alan Levy wrote:
>>  Peter Burgess <Profitinafrica at aol.com> wrote:
>>  > The posting by Alan Levy regarding small towns building their own high
>>  > speed internet system is also the justification for the rural strategy
>>  > being implemented by ATCnet in Africa. The technology is powerful
>>  > enough and low cost enough for service to be universal and sustainable
>>  > .... but not at the high cost of capital and high cost of fees and
>>  > taxation that are recommended by many international development
>>  > advisors and institutions.
>>
>>  I am desiring that one non-profit public/private partnership Internet
>>  infrastructure initiative receive spectrum and funding. This was the
>>  lauded advice from the World Economic Forum, in their report contracted
>>  by and issued to the G-8, "Sustaining Growth and Bridging the Digital
>>  Divides." Although the report provided the underlying basis for DOT
>>  Force, and was issued a couple of years ago, not one infrastructure
>>
>  > initiative has been developed.

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