By Norm Richards
Today, I read a CP report by Jennifer Ditchburn that former Chairwoman of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Francoise Bertrand has come out in support of the CRTC in the wake of the government demanding usage-based Internet billing (UBB) be removed from a regulatory decision to make it legal. She asserts the CRTC must be left alone to make decisions without government intervention. I have news for Madame Bertrand. If the public cannot appeal to government with good data that it’s unfair and damaging to allow UBB, then what is left to us (public) if we don’t agree with CRTC decisions?
No, simply doing interventions at public hearings is too bureaucratic and is seen that way by most people. The so called due process must be overstepped every once and awhile, in the greater interest of the people. For Bertrand to support the CRTC by saying “ What it means for business is that there is no longer predictability in the system,” is taking a side I don't agree with but, she is predictable in this report.
I’m glad for one thing that business is not able to ramrod billing methods through the CRTC which works against internet usage in the long term. I for one, in another story on this Blog, wrote we pay no fees at all. How about them apples? I don’t firmly hold to that but I would like see what is possible and what the “system” is recommending before we are forced to pay.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Manitoba Flood Threat 2011
By Norm Richards
It's early February 2011. Perhaps self preservation comes first but Fargo, North Dakota has begun creating sandbags against possible flood. This action will create a funnel to move water faster up the Red River toward Winnipeg where a half million people live. Although in 1997, the city did not flood, the city was on alert. As a caution I moved my mom north to our hometown of The Pas. She lived in a seniors home in south east Winnipeg. It turned out, it wasn't far from where flood struck.
Then, I was a member of the television production team to cover the flood threat. We knew before anyone else where and when flood was impacting life in the south region.
I remember, though we got the stories on screen quick, residents constantly phoned the studio seeking inside track news. I learned, I was responsible to remain calm and give people assurance not to panic. At the same time, we constantly kept in touch with stories coming in that reflected a change in the threat. Since I had experience as a writer / producer, I volunteered to produce stories for the emergency broadcast. I was otherwise at home developing a movie script on my own time and in charge of my life as I knew it at the time. I could dedicate time to help my community.
Calls to get involved and help in any way grew. There were calls for people to go sandbagging. I knew helping a television broadcast on the threat would be more effective for me. A meeting was called for experienced people and even those just interested in being a part of it. The community cable channels combined efforts overnight and teamed up together to create a cablecast team second to none. Experienced people were quickly adopted as leads on the production. I became a producer and found myself thrown into action. Although fun and challenging at the same time, I could not help but think I was on the front line for a whole city.
Those phone calls reminded me, if it had rained for two days or more as the river’s crest approached, Winnipeg would have suffered substantial flooding. I knew that but could not have shared that openly at the time. We learned our story telling was number one around the world in TV ratings for a brief number of days. That felt good.
It's early February 2011. Perhaps self preservation comes first but Fargo, North Dakota has begun creating sandbags against possible flood. This action will create a funnel to move water faster up the Red River toward Winnipeg where a half million people live. Although in 1997, the city did not flood, the city was on alert. As a caution I moved my mom north to our hometown of The Pas. She lived in a seniors home in south east Winnipeg. It turned out, it wasn't far from where flood struck.
Then, I was a member of the television production team to cover the flood threat. We knew before anyone else where and when flood was impacting life in the south region.
I remember, though we got the stories on screen quick, residents constantly phoned the studio seeking inside track news. I learned, I was responsible to remain calm and give people assurance not to panic. At the same time, we constantly kept in touch with stories coming in that reflected a change in the threat. Since I had experience as a writer / producer, I volunteered to produce stories for the emergency broadcast. I was otherwise at home developing a movie script on my own time and in charge of my life as I knew it at the time. I could dedicate time to help my community.
Calls to get involved and help in any way grew. There were calls for people to go sandbagging. I knew helping a television broadcast on the threat would be more effective for me. A meeting was called for experienced people and even those just interested in being a part of it. The community cable channels combined efforts overnight and teamed up together to create a cablecast team second to none. Experienced people were quickly adopted as leads on the production. I became a producer and found myself thrown into action. Although fun and challenging at the same time, I could not help but think I was on the front line for a whole city.
Those phone calls reminded me, if it had rained for two days or more as the river’s crest approached, Winnipeg would have suffered substantial flooding. I knew that but could not have shared that openly at the time. We learned our story telling was number one around the world in TV ratings for a brief number of days. That felt good.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Can we live without Internet Service?
I think it's interesting where this thing will all go now that government listened and got on the bandwagon for low internet fees. I would like to see a system where large users carry us all. We simply plug into that big black tube that stretches around the world and we pay a small one time fee to be there. Producers of large programs, cable and telecommunication companies cover the cost for us to be hooked up on the internet. Don't you think it's something that could happen. We already think of the internet as a place of free exchange, dialogue and communication world wide, so what's the problem?
The move to charge consumers and pass on the cost for internet access has to be made fair for users. Yes, I read all the recent data including legal arguments on the pro's and con's of services we know and enjoy. But commerce is where the cost is paid. When funds are exchanged for goods purchased is where cost carriers must look. We can't ask government and agencies to rule except to keep things fair and inexpensive. We do buy better devices to remain current and active.
The move to charge consumers and pass on the cost for internet access has to be made fair for users. Yes, I read all the recent data including legal arguments on the pro's and con's of services we know and enjoy. But commerce is where the cost is paid. When funds are exchanged for goods purchased is where cost carriers must look. We can't ask government and agencies to rule except to keep things fair and inexpensive. We do buy better devices to remain current and active.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Conception or Inception?
Internet users are sperm in search of a suitable egg. Conception takes place when positive interactions happens. How rich it is, is not up to anyone else but the participants who score. It's pure and real social and electronic birth. Why change that? Why make money on it? Who should have the right? Is this person or entity worthy?
Do we need government agencies making decisions on how we interact on the internet and open a hell's gate on billings to users?
Here is a story on it today. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tech-news/harper-steps-into-web-dispute/article1890567/
Yet, another view - http://mhgoldberg.com/blog/
Here's one for you deep readers - http://www.gstconferences.com/LagOrLead.pdf
Do we need government agencies making decisions on how we interact on the internet and open a hell's gate on billings to users?
Here is a story on it today. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tech-news/harper-steps-into-web-dispute/article1890567/
Yet, another view - http://mhgoldberg.com/blog/
Here's one for you deep readers - http://www.gstconferences.com/LagOrLead.pdf
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Will Facebook Get Better or Worse?
Facebook and Me
By Norm Richards
If you send a request to a stranger, it will be considered spam and your friend request will be blocked temporarily. Please only send this request if you know this user.
I began using at FB some time ago. I joined when it was new and interesting. I also wasn’t sure it would take me anywhere. It began during a period when I was writing a book and a few screenplays. I was in search of different ways to promote and expose my book and writing to the public and be on-line with friends at the same time. My school alumni were hardly interested in their own school’s web site. Why would FB be much better? I wondered. It turned out, it was. It reached more people and quicker. Vancouver Film School was not attracting many followers as far as I could see except those who were part of the school. I’ve stuck with FB through many changes. Now, I’m questioning their moves to exclude rather than include.
I think things got out of hand having an open policy while managing the friend or fan file. Well known personalities began inviting fans as friends since it could be done. Yet, FB made a distinction. You weren’t told once you reach an arbitrary count of five thousand fans you were no longer able to continue. Friends were lost! Even if the personalities wanted to continue interacting and remain networking, things changed. Some discovered a place called “Like” page so they went there. But that was not the same as being open to interact. I noticed that some came back by using an altered but familiar name to some who knew them. Or maybe it was just self invented since interacting was as important as having a presence on The Facebook web site that seemed to be growing in leaps and bounds. I think a nice mix of friends, fans and others is not so bad. Why not? What harm is there in that?
I’ve been very public and open. I’m a known writer with a track record as a producer and a performer. I play drums, I‘ve acted and enjoyed being a personable performer wherever I‘ve been. I was a hometown amateur and later, I became a professional. I’ve worked in radio, film and television. Yet, I love the craft of writing over other professional endeavours. I found social networking serves my needs well. I’ve grown to expect social networking to keep me in-touch with a public and make possible for anyone world over to respond. That’s fair and open interaction with no limits and impediments. Writing for the media has never been interactive like social networking. When performers are brought together to raise money for good causes they are asked to leave ego behind and participate. I think the same decorum should be assumed when being social on a site exposing you to five hundred million people around the world in real time. I think FB could sort spam from friends in better ways, don't you think?
By Norm Richards
If you send a request to a stranger, it will be considered spam and your friend request will be blocked temporarily. Please only send this request if you know this user.
The aforementioned is a phrase created by Facebook (FB). It got me thinking. I wonder if FB is doing the right thing creating the phrase for 'Users' who appear to be well known publicly? What motivates this decision to make this phrase available for use?
I began using at FB some time ago. I joined when it was new and interesting. I also wasn’t sure it would take me anywhere. It began during a period when I was writing a book and a few screenplays. I was in search of different ways to promote and expose my book and writing to the public and be on-line with friends at the same time. My school alumni were hardly interested in their own school’s web site. Why would FB be much better? I wondered. It turned out, it was. It reached more people and quicker. Vancouver Film School was not attracting many followers as far as I could see except those who were part of the school. I’ve stuck with FB through many changes. Now, I’m questioning their moves to exclude rather than include.
I think things got out of hand having an open policy while managing the friend or fan file. Well known personalities began inviting fans as friends since it could be done. Yet, FB made a distinction. You weren’t told once you reach an arbitrary count of five thousand fans you were no longer able to continue. Friends were lost! Even if the personalities wanted to continue interacting and remain networking, things changed. Some discovered a place called “Like” page so they went there. But that was not the same as being open to interact. I noticed that some came back by using an altered but familiar name to some who knew them. Or maybe it was just self invented since interacting was as important as having a presence on The Facebook web site that seemed to be growing in leaps and bounds. I think a nice mix of friends, fans and others is not so bad. Why not? What harm is there in that?
I’ve been very public and open. I’m a known writer with a track record as a producer and a performer. I play drums, I‘ve acted and enjoyed being a personable performer wherever I‘ve been. I was a hometown amateur and later, I became a professional. I’ve worked in radio, film and television. Yet, I love the craft of writing over other professional endeavours. I found social networking serves my needs well. I’ve grown to expect social networking to keep me in-touch with a public and make possible for anyone world over to respond. That’s fair and open interaction with no limits and impediments. Writing for the media has never been interactive like social networking. When performers are brought together to raise money for good causes they are asked to leave ego behind and participate. I think the same decorum should be assumed when being social on a site exposing you to five hundred million people around the world in real time. I think FB could sort spam from friends in better ways, don't you think?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thoughts of the Day
by Norm Richards
Most musicians who started in the sixties and seventies are blossomed into their own. Most are being reflective. What comes next? Fewer gigs are the order. Stresses of the road are too familiar. Classic tours are down and big shows harder to pull together. Summer festivals have their draw but where do we go from here? Downloading?
For most, looks have faded, hair gone, going grey and wrinkles invade. Project to project thinking is the order of the day. Some have money, most don’t. Some still play bars, but most won’t. It’s a niche world. Those who have it in them are writing books, if they can remember it. Keith kept notes, can you believe it?
I’m preserving my memories in all kinds of ways. I’d do radio if anyone would have me. TV takes over your life so I won’t go there. I love writing. I love music, not much else moves me, art and movies perhaps. Oh, yes, family is precious for me. I’m reading a great deal and can’t read fast enough since another project gets in the road. The years I didn’t read much are lost, but maybe not. My daughter bought me an e-reader at Christmas loaded with the classics. I’ll catch up.
Meanwhile, before the internet takes any fun left - I’m fixing and warming up the drums. The Chicago built Leedy drum kit is good for practice and I’m gearing up to buy a new DW set. I’m excited. Now if I can get my Facebook musical buddies together in a live space we'll jam the blues. Man, I’m going to be alright afterall.
Most musicians who started in the sixties and seventies are blossomed into their own. Most are being reflective. What comes next? Fewer gigs are the order. Stresses of the road are too familiar. Classic tours are down and big shows harder to pull together. Summer festivals have their draw but where do we go from here? Downloading?
For most, looks have faded, hair gone, going grey and wrinkles invade. Project to project thinking is the order of the day. Some have money, most don’t. Some still play bars, but most won’t. It’s a niche world. Those who have it in them are writing books, if they can remember it. Keith kept notes, can you believe it?
I’m preserving my memories in all kinds of ways. I’d do radio if anyone would have me. TV takes over your life so I won’t go there. I love writing. I love music, not much else moves me, art and movies perhaps. Oh, yes, family is precious for me. I’m reading a great deal and can’t read fast enough since another project gets in the road. The years I didn’t read much are lost, but maybe not. My daughter bought me an e-reader at Christmas loaded with the classics. I’ll catch up.
Meanwhile, before the internet takes any fun left - I’m fixing and warming up the drums. The Chicago built Leedy drum kit is good for practice and I’m gearing up to buy a new DW set. I’m excited. Now if I can get my Facebook musical buddies together in a live space we'll jam the blues. Man, I’m going to be alright afterall.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
A Look Back at 2010
By Norm Richards
I’ve struggled with myself this year about projects and not finishing or developing the ideas and concepts further. On the other hand some things were quite satisfactory to me. I started to think about this and I came to realize I shouldn’t fret. The fact that I’m so active and living the life I’m living is good. It’s not entirely fulfilled but that will come if I’m patient and keep working. Creative work is a deep stimulant for me. It has it’s own payoff and yet someday, I expect to sell. I can’t struggle forever. No, I can’t.
In 2010, I got to do some fun things. My day job has been good in many ways but it does take a big chunk out of my productive hours of the day I could otherwise be locked in my personal and creative ventures, some of which I committed several years ago to do and not completed, yet. I’ve worked on them but for various reasons, either started over or decided to ignore them for awhile so I might get a brain wave and help me produce a gem for the world to see. It will come. I travelled to visit my family. That sponsors me. I live better afterward. I know they’re ok. I worked to capture some of that joy in my photos.
Jack told me our hometown wants to see our sixties rock group get together again. The town has a centennial celebration coming up in 2012 in which we are invited to play a summer concert. I’m beside myself with it’s possibility. I retrieved my drum kit and since it needs repair I may buy a new kit. I looked at what’s in the stores. I got even more excited and dam near bought one on the spot. Glad I held out cause I saw another kit I prefer. Meanwhile, I’ll repair my old kit you see below and jam just to warm up. Some blues artists in town have invited me to jam and that warms my heart. Pray my limbs can take the action. My mind is strong for it.
What’s good is I’m writing more. Got to be a good thing. The way my freestyle brain works, I wrote some thoughts about marriage failure. I got a response but it wasn’t quite what I expected. The person was terse and aggressive. Besides living a long life with a woman who loved me, I’m grateful we produced two wonderful offspring together. I’m proud of our adult kids. My wife has continued to manage well without me. I’m not resentful she left me. Then the terse one has challenged me to writing a work of fiction. I’m not sure about that motivation. I have to do projects that fit for me. I’ll go on regardless. Doing a novel is a fine venture though and I’ll see if it fits in in the future.
It seems as if the past year was to prepare me for many positive activities in the coming year, like rehearsals, reading, writing, making things better for myself and those around me. I’ve come to know being generous is not just about money but being genuine, real and honest with others. Wish me luck and Godspeed. Some say, break a leg! But I’ve already done that and I don’t recommend it. A rebuilt leg slows you down.
I’ve struggled with myself this year about projects and not finishing or developing the ideas and concepts further. On the other hand some things were quite satisfactory to me. I started to think about this and I came to realize I shouldn’t fret. The fact that I’m so active and living the life I’m living is good. It’s not entirely fulfilled but that will come if I’m patient and keep working. Creative work is a deep stimulant for me. It has it’s own payoff and yet someday, I expect to sell. I can’t struggle forever. No, I can’t.
In 2010, I got to do some fun things. My day job has been good in many ways but it does take a big chunk out of my productive hours of the day I could otherwise be locked in my personal and creative ventures, some of which I committed several years ago to do and not completed, yet. I’ve worked on them but for various reasons, either started over or decided to ignore them for awhile so I might get a brain wave and help me produce a gem for the world to see. It will come. I travelled to visit my family. That sponsors me. I live better afterward. I know they’re ok. I worked to capture some of that joy in my photos.
Jack told me our hometown wants to see our sixties rock group get together again. The town has a centennial celebration coming up in 2012 in which we are invited to play a summer concert. I’m beside myself with it’s possibility. I retrieved my drum kit and since it needs repair I may buy a new kit. I looked at what’s in the stores. I got even more excited and dam near bought one on the spot. Glad I held out cause I saw another kit I prefer. Meanwhile, I’ll repair my old kit you see below and jam just to warm up. Some blues artists in town have invited me to jam and that warms my heart. Pray my limbs can take the action. My mind is strong for it.
What’s good is I’m writing more. Got to be a good thing. The way my freestyle brain works, I wrote some thoughts about marriage failure. I got a response but it wasn’t quite what I expected. The person was terse and aggressive. Besides living a long life with a woman who loved me, I’m grateful we produced two wonderful offspring together. I’m proud of our adult kids. My wife has continued to manage well without me. I’m not resentful she left me. Then the terse one has challenged me to writing a work of fiction. I’m not sure about that motivation. I have to do projects that fit for me. I’ll go on regardless. Doing a novel is a fine venture though and I’ll see if it fits in in the future.
It seems as if the past year was to prepare me for many positive activities in the coming year, like rehearsals, reading, writing, making things better for myself and those around me. I’ve come to know being generous is not just about money but being genuine, real and honest with others. Wish me luck and Godspeed. Some say, break a leg! But I’ve already done that and I don’t recommend it. A rebuilt leg slows you down.
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