Blogs

The FCC decided that big American cable companies shouldn't be able to withhold access to competitors' channels. Today, the commission upheld regulations to prevent big cable companies from doing this.

Find this article in The Tyee, rabble.ca, Common Ground, and VUE Weekly.

There is something uniquely powerful about everyday people having access to the Internet from tiny devices in their pocket. That ubiquitous access to each other creates possibilities that are worth fighting for and saving. The mobile- and wireless-accessed Internet, combined with emerging open web and open-data applications, has the potential to usher in a new era of connectedness and, with it, dramatic changes to social practices and institutions. If we get digital public policy right, Canada could become a leader in mobile communications, leading to empowerment, job creation and new forms of entrepreneurialism, expression and social change.

To harness this opportunity, politicians and policy makers will need to develop a digital strategy for Canada with a central focus on mobile communications and Canada's broadband infrastructure. To be successful in the long term, we'll need a "made in Canada" strategy that captures the imagination, vision and ingenuity of people from across Canada.

Rabble's latest entry on MakerCulture describes socially concious, sustainable and environmentally friendly production. The article explores sustainable DIY housing and furniture and includes an interview with Dean Reeds who built a 3 bedroom straw bale cottage which he currently rents out weekly. The article also details the creations of Maker's in Nunavut, as well as politically aware 'craftivism' in which artists use their crafts to raise awareness for pressing social issues.

Since its release the Public Radio Player for the iPhone has reached 2.5 million downloads. This app was developed by the Public Radio Exchange (PRX) who also introduced an app for "This American Life", a popular public radio show. This recontextualization of local radio has introduced some problems since the ability to stream a favourite program from multiple channels may errode listener loyalty to local stations.

Michael Geist has recently proclaimed that the new legislative agenda reset is the perfect time for parliament to focus on digital issues. He notes that Minister Tony Clement is familiar with the need to update digital policy, which it has been ignored since the late 1990's. This need is especially relavent in recent revelations that Canada's internet ranking has been in a steady decline, with Canadians now paying more money from slower internet when compared to other countries.

The changing shape of internet networking and massive traffic increases are creating problems for scientists in charge of understanding and tracing the many intricate connections on the net. They note that peering (companies connecting their networks together) has greatly impacted networking practices, taking traffic away from main internet companies. Instead the internet "has begun to cascade in torrents of data on the edges of the network, as if a river in flood were carving new channels".