webnetic.net

How will your privacy be protected?
Can we get more than 300k speed (Mtn Vw gets 1000k)
Digital Inclusion funding (philly got 10,000 computers)
How well will it work indoors (SF asked for 90% indoor coverage)
Will there be significant Pilots before the contract is signed?

Anyone can speak at the hearing

you can also watch online live streaming at SFGTV
http://sfgov.org/site/sfgtv_index.asp?id=11463

San Francisco City Hall, Room 263
1 Block from Civic Center BART
Agenda:
http://www.sfgov.org/site/bdsupvrs_page.asp?id=29796

Posted by admin at 06:21 PM | Permalink

The main topics will be Privacy and Digital Inclusion.

Privacy - includes library-like privacy for people who are undocumented migrant workers, those without credit cards (required for usage), members of unpopular political groups.

Digital Inclusion - includes training and computers for those who need it, coverage that meets the RFP requirements of 95% outdoor / 90% indoor and at real-world bandwidth speeds (not something slightly over dial-up 300k currently offered).

Continue reading "TechConnect City Hearing Fri May 19th 2pm PST" »

Posted by admin at 10:37 AM | Permalink

http://www.sfgov.org/site/bdsupvrs_page.asp?id=29796

Continue reading "TechConnect Hearing Mon May 1st 1PM PST" »

Posted by admin at 03:46 PM | Permalink

We should ask for a pilot/trial to see if the Earthlink/Google solution works as advertised. Philly is requiring a 15 mile plot before rollout.

Just how well does outdoor and indoor coverage work?
How secure is the network?
What speed does it perform at?
What privacy issues are addressed?

Let San Francisco techies kick the tires!

Posted by admin at 10:28 PM | Permalink

(I recently did an email interview of Carlos Rios a vendor that participated in the San Francisco TechConnect WiFi franchise initiative, Here are his predictions about what actual coverage people can expect and what he believes happened in the RFP, Also how he says his solution combined with Earthlink will provide good outdoor and indoor universal coverage and protect privacy - Kimo)

Thursday, April 8, 2006

KC: You recently stated that "Google bailed out on San Francisco". Explain.

CR: In my personal opinion Google's bold vision for a free San Francisco wireless network was derailed by a sad combination of not-up-to-the-task technology and only-in-San-Francisco politics...

Continue reading "Behind the Scenes of the TechConnect RFP" »

Posted by admin at 10:12 PM | Permalink

Left at the GoogleWiFi Altar
by Carlos A Rios

He was indeed a charmer, the big fella from down the Peninsula. Just a few months of secret courtship and then, a very public marriage proposal. The news burst across the society pages: “Google and San Francisco, the Wedding of the Century!” and “A Marriage Made in Heaven! Free WiFi Internet for everyone!” The press worldwide was abuzz, other belles (Houston, and soon perhaps Silicon Valley and Chicago) rushed to announce similar nuptials, and the bride’s family giddily anticipated the wonders to come. Google, the idol of the information age, would bear their baby across the threshold of Digital Nirvana.

The progressive and media-savvy family promptly announced they would of course entertain proposals of matrimony from others as well, but only until a certain mid-winter date so to not compromise the gala June wedding plans. But to the amazement of all, that date came and the G-man was nowhere to be found. Although six other suitors did profess their intentions, the family fell into despair- What? No GoogleWiFi cloud over the City, bestowing wireless Internet everywhere betwixt the Breakers and the Bay? WHY did he disappear? That CAD!

Continue reading "A humorus and insightful perspective from an RFP participant" »

Posted by admin at 03:03 PM | Permalink

Just got a call from a reporter asking for comments

1) It has become apparent that Universal Indoor coverage and especially above the second floor has not been addressed.
2) As we approach the 100th Anniversary of the 1906 earthquake, why isn't the solution created to be reliable after an EarthQuake?
3) How will an ad supported network with ad revenues going to an outside vendor affect local News Media as well as Participatory Democracy for citzens who will get less local political coverage due to cutbacks on beat reporters.
4) Contract length of 10 years plus 8 years is ridiculous - with Technology changes - it should be more like 4 years max.

Outstanding:

The RFP was created with:

1) No Needs Assement
2) No Financial Analysis
3) No serious Community Buy-in
4) No interest in a solution owned by the city

Interesting work being done in Austin Texas:

http://www.austinwirelesscity.org/

Posted by admin at 12:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well it’s been a bit since the last posting on SF TechConnect issues.

I’ve been hard at work on the issue but just not blogging.

I’ll start up again, over the next few days. First a reminder of what we’ve been striving for:

1) Bank/Library-like security and privacy
2) Cell phone quality coverage – indoors and outdoors, on all building floors
3) Diasterproof to allow all to communicate, not just public safety

I’ll be comparing the proposals out there shortly to my list. The city should be announcing their own rating of them I anticipate in the next week or so.

Posted by admin at 10:51 PM | Permalink

The concept I am starting to see is that everyone realizes that the first round of WiFi transmitters won't and don’t work so well, but that the selected Vendor gets access to all the good light poles (many poles can’t be used for a good number of reasons (blocking Trees, no power except at night…) and due to weight and power can only support one WiFi box).

So it will be very hard for second WiFi Vendor to come into that local market. Also on the second round of WiFi technology in two-three years, the 1st Vendor already has all the good spots and now can charge a fee for this new WiFi for ALL when it is finally a usable solution which lets you drop your cable, cell, land line etc. Vendors are asking for 5 year contracts with 2 renewals typically. 15 years! That is called Lock-in.

And by the way, two WiFi solutions unless very very carefully designed in advance will conflict, so that is still another reason why this is a monopoly in the making.

So this is a lot about light poles – it’s a backdoor monopoly. And it gives bragging rights to a selected Vendor announcing that SF went with them - PR for all the other cities in the US - many which are following SF because of the Free WiFi Google offer.

Posted by admin at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

San Francisco shows world how not to do Muni Wi-Fi

"San Francisco's TechConnect venture has done something hitherto thought impossible, and united progressives and conservatives in the city in mutual concern about the venture."

Posted by admin at 07:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Civic Center: The San Francisco WiFi Battle: Part 1

Civic Center: The San Francisco WiFi Battle: Part 2

Posted by admin at 07:31 PM | Permalink

Mayor proposes WiFi in Public Housing closer to Monster Park : SF Bay Area Indymedia

Mayor Gavin Newsom proposes free WiFi in Public Housing at Double Rock with used, cold, old computers to permit poor folks have free access to WiFi provided by Google and a few connected cronies that are very dubious in nature - have got millions of dollars but did not say a word at the Public Meetings - OneEconomy in particular and another entity at 200 Paul Avenue.

Posted by admin at 10:50 AM | Permalink

City of San Francisco's DTIS/SFPUC Departments released the Municipal Wireless TechConnect RFP without Needs Analysis, Feasibility Study, Financial Analysis and Inclusionary Process as requested by LAFCO

Multiple requests by interested parties to help shape the RFP were blocked by DTIS, SFPUC and City Attorney.

An initial review of the RFP appears written for the benefit of a Vendor who can finance the solution based on the privacy of the Public (targeted advertising).

It has opened-ended questions about Privacy rather than setting minimal standards (unlike the minimal security requirements).

It has no minium Bandwidth standards for the Free Basic Service portion, it just asks the Vendor to povide something.

Unfortunately, DTIS allows that they may waive criteria stated in the proposal during contract negotiations.

The RFP has no serious provisions for Disaster-Proof communications for the general public

Oddly there is no Pre-Proposal Conference planned for the RFP.

(From draft LAFCO minutes 12/16/05)
"Chairperson Commissioner Mirkarimi moved, seconded by Commissioner McGoldrick, to request that the Executive Officer send a letter to the Mayor, Board of Supervisors and Department of Telecommunications and Information Services indicating SF LAFCO's interest in pursuing a municipally-owned WIFI system and addressing issues, including but not limited to, a feasibility study, financial, and inclusionary process, and needs analysis, etc"

See RFP: Here

More coverage at: sfist.com Leftinsf.com

Stop the backroom deal.
Library/Bank-like privacy and security, disaster-proof communications for all, cell-phone-like coverage.

Posted by admin at 05:15 PM | Permalink

Chris Vein, acting Director of DTIS got his hat handed to him, watch the fireworks
here 142 mins windows media, select the top item on 12/16/05

Posted by admin at 01:10 PM | Permalink

"The city should be driving ... if it is going to give out a virtual monopoly."
San Francisco Bay Guardian- WiFi: Who's in control? 12/21/05

Posted by admin at 11:58 PM | Permalink

you can see it here (7 pages)

The city only considered the 5 Turnkey proposals (Google, Earthlink, HP, MetroFi, Skytel/MCI), there has been a strong desire by the City to quickly implement a solution, (the mayor discussed this over a year ago at his State of the City speech).

This desire for speed is shown by the Direct Decision timeline.

The last public hearing is tomorrow:
Friday 12/16 2pm PST GMT-8 City Hall Room 263 LAFCO
If you want to speak up about the process or solution, they may be your last chance - you can watch it online too and live chat http://www.webnetic.net/2005/12/what_we_thought_san_francisco_1.html

Posted by admin at 01:11 PM | Permalink

We thought TechConnect would be Wireless Internet for all that closed the Digital Divide and which:

+ Worked as well as your Cell Phone service
+ Had Library/Bank-like privacy and security
+ Was Disaster-proof so that the Public can communicate when they really need to, not just Public Safety.

The leaked draft RFP lacks or only partially has these features.

Anyone can speak for three mintues: Come tell the three Supervisor's McGoldrick, Ammiano and Mirkarimi (he called the hearing) why this is unacceptable. (the selected Vendor will most likely be using City Light Poles, Power, Buildings and possibly fiber)

Ask for Transparency and Accountability in the whole RFP process - in the drafting, due dilligence and selection process. As it stands, while DTIS has been embarassed, they are still writing the RFP to exclude Public Participation.

Fri Dec 16th, 2 PM, (PST GMT -8) City Hall, Room 263 (across from chambers), LAFCO SFGTV2 called by Sup. Mirkarimi
http://sfgov.org/site/lafco_page.asp?id=36018

(you can watch it online from home or work too on SFGTV2 live internet streaming or LIVE on cable channel 78 on Comcast & cable channel 28 on RCN):
http://sfgov.org/site/sfgtv_index.asp?id=11463

Continue reading "What we thought San Francisco TechConnect Municipal Wireless Internet would be" »

Posted by admin at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So the concrete results are that DTIS was beat up. They'll now have to pay lip service to gathering Community input - before the RFP is released to bid. Of course, DTIS in the leaked RFP explicitly excludes the Public from reviewing the Proposals submitted during the RFP - DTIS is allowed to view them with no Public Input and to contract with whomever they like. Oh and the RFI/C submittals continue to stay secret too. Watch online here

Something like: They're real sorry, just a miscommunication, they won't do it again and they weren't being secret at all. But they get to keep all of their allowance.

Unfortunately, the Supervisors declined to actually exercise any legislative authority. They treated it more as an interesting intellectual discussion.

This isn't over yet - DTIS messed up so badly there is Another hearing Friday 12/16 by Another group of upset Supervisors - even if you spoke on Monday, you should speak again because these guys need to hear what you have to say:

Continue reading "TechConnect Monday Hearing Results" »

Posted by admin at 10:39 PM | Permalink

We have received what appears to be a Draft RFP for San Francisco's Techconnect Wireless Internet Initiative, dated 12/8/05. View 30 pages (flickr.com)

Due to worldwide interest in Google's Free Wireless Internet offer to San Francisco and ongoing complaints about the lack of community buy-in and Open Government processes, we will summarize some discussion points of the apparent draft RFP to provide insight into the City's current thinking.

Since this is a draft RFP, the Community still has a chance to influence the process.

Continue reading "Techconnect secret draft RFP - San Francisco, Municipal Wireless Internet, GoogleFi?" »

Posted by admin at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You'll have three minutes to say what you like at Public Comment.

Anyone, Yes you! Can speak at these hearings, no quailifcations, age, voting status, height or technical ability required.

We are going to setup Internet for Live Blogging, They'll be televised Live on Live streamed online. There is a Live Chat Room (if you can't be there in person). You can bring your laptop for a short demo or powerpoint or for Live Chat, Live Collaborative Notetaking, and Live Blogging.

You can bring Overheads/Slides, Digital cameras for Live Blogging. Video and Audio Recorders, and Power Strips and Extension cords.

Continue reading "Techconnect WiFi Public Hearings Mon Dec 12th, Fri Dec 16th" »

Posted by admin at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (1)

Nope. I'm just a private citizen who wanted to see the RFI/C submittals and now we are here. I don't represent anyone else. No one is paying or providing consideration to me. Apparently we are having some effect and City Hall and others are feeling the heat. Kinda cool that one guy and a blog can affect anything.

Here's QT Video

Continue reading "Is this blog or is Kimo Crossman being paid under or above the table by other interests? NOPE" »

Posted by admin at 10:08 AM | Permalink

Chris Vein, leading the Techconnect Initiative, seems to send minions to do his bidding.

Ron Vinson, DTIS, says many disturbing things on KALW's City Visions Radio show (11/28) regarding TechConnect WiFi

it's a *real disaster* for the City (Real Audio)

21:00 Ron says they are still vetting the input from the RFI/C submittals, yet the RFI/C is already done (11/8/05) with an announcement that it is going to a RFP Bid.

30:00 Ron says they want a process that is as "Transparent as Possible"

It gets much better:

Continue reading "Techconnect: No Public input on Draft RFP, DTIS can release RFI/C submittals but won't & doesn't know the details for their own hearing" »

Posted by admin at 01:06 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)

View image>

Why are anonymous comments being suggested as a course of action?
One wonders for what purpose, a suggestion is made that Emy Tseng a representative of Comunity Technology Foundation of California (which so far, seems like a good group) who was on the secretive Techconnect RFI/C Due Dilligence group and who's organization submitted a seven page brief (seems like a possible conflict of interest?), should comment without attribution. While 160 pages of emails were delivered today, there is no subsequent email provided from Chris Vein, the DTIS director, disagreeing with this approach.
.

We read this as an Analyst following orders from the top.

Posted by admin at 08:37 PM | Permalink

As part of a Sunshine request, I received this email today. Of 160 pages provided today, this is the only obvious redaction.

Smoking Gun? The phrase Oogle comes to mind. Why does the City continue to prevent an open discussion on WiFi?

No explaination was provided for this Redaction. This Redaction was not called out in the materials delivered.. We have asked for an explainaton from the City for this redaction - So far, silence

UPDATE: 11/9/05, City says that one line is Client Attorney communication. - Sorry Folks, that's not how Protected communication works - of course, the City only made this claim after we brought the unexplained redaction to their attention in thei first place.

Posted by admin at 06:40 PM | Permalink

From Christopher Caen, Sf Examiner:

On a more civic matter, Kimo Crossman checks in with the latest on the imminent decision on our citywide wireless Internet connectivity. And Kimo is loaded for bear and is planning to set up a wireless net right there for blogging, a live chat room and possibly streaming video, too. All of which will create more transparency than those hallowed halls have experienced before. Do you have the feeling the phrase “hung by their own petard” might be bouncing through our Supervisors’ heads right about then?

Remeber these hearings are not even Official Public Comment on RFP - They are a demand to include community before releasing the RFP..

Printable Version

Posted by admin at 03:41 PM | Permalink

Geek Entertainment TV- Kimo Crossman Hates Secret WiFi in SF

Posted by admin at 01:32 PM | Permalink

The only member of the secretive RFI/C due dilligence committee for Techconnect (which was disbanded on 11/8/05 with no recommendations) who does not receive a check from the city, represented an organization that submitted a seven page brief (page one)

Emy Tseng, Senior Policy Advisor for Comunity Technology Foundation of California sat on the Techconnect Responses Review Panel. Bios (Word)

Posted by admin at 08:33 PM | Permalink

Folks, the Fix-IS-IN for Wifi in SF unless you take a moment below

We aren't against Wifi. We just think maybe it might be good to see what is being considered and to provide suggestions to real people. Not just emails sent off to a generic email address that some low level analyst reads, Maybe.

Do you care about your online anonymity? Your Financial Privacy?
Are you concerned about being tracked all the time by your WIFI connection?
If you drop your land internet connection to save money do you expect WIFI to work better than cable does?
Do you want WIFI to work on BART or MUNI on the Bridges, in the parks, in the tunnels, in the Bay?
Do you want WIFI to work after the Earthquake Disaster?
Do you want WIFI to work well enough to get rid of your land line? cell phone? Cable TV?
Do you think that Nonprofits should get help to get online?
Do you think that this might help with the Digital Divide?
Do you want local advertising dollars currently in Newspapers for Display ads and Yellow Pages to go to a International Search Engine?
Do you want a default search engine that promotes local and unique businesses rather than Big Box retailers on the top listings?
Do you want to make sure that if you start using all these free features that you aren’t later charged for them?
Do you think the City could save a bundle of money standardizing on WIFI for All Communication rather than all the incompatible special public safety radio networks that make vendors rich?

Continue reading "Let the People Speak - SF Techconnect WIFI" »

Posted by admin at 12:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I love tech and wifi and google.

You will see nothing below about LBS (Location Based Services).

What’s the rush? Most people have internet at home, at work and on their cell if they like, Let’s try to get this right before we grant a monopoly in the way the Automobile interests quiety purchased all the street cars/routes and turned them into automobile roads only – not to the long term benefit of our society.

Continue reading "Why should You care if Google wants to give us free Wifi?" »

Posted by admin at 01:59 AM | Permalink

law.com - Will Going Wireless Bring Legal Entanglements for San Francisco?

"The best thing they can do is candidly think of it as best they can through the eyes of people who will oppose the project," Kreucher said. "And do the best job they can of creating a record, swaying public opinion [and] having the relationships necessary at state houses to ensure the success of the project."

Posted by admin at 12:44 AM | Permalink

W2i Digital Cities Convention (West): Executive Summary

Vein said: The most telling thing for me is to go to a housing project and talk to the people in those projects who ask me, ‘When? When are they going to get affordable or free access to the Wi-Fi. We need it now.’ When you talk about the time it takes to make sure it’s a fair and open selection process, you can see the disappointment. ‘Here it is, government again, going to disappoint me.’”

People come up to Vein in the street and ask, ‘When is it going to be? What are you going to do for me? I want it now?” “The general reaction to the people we serve has been incredibly positive response to this.”

Understandable since the Gavin Newsom promoted Wifi for San Francisco over a year ago.

Posted by admin at 12:38 AM | Permalink

Chris Vein, the mayor's top point person for TechConnect...

Chris Vein, Executive Director of San Francisco Department of Telecommunications and Information Services has a message on his voicemail saying that he is out of the office and will return calls on Nov 25th.

This is kinda Evil
He has probably gone Dark to work on the RFP without public input. And to avoid the Sunshine requests that are outstanding.

Continue reading "Chris Vein, Ron's Boss stepped out too thru Nov 25th" »

Posted by admin at 07:42 PM | Permalink

City of Mountain View - City Government - Click for Attachments
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2005
CITY HALL - 500 CASTRO STREET
6:30 P.M.-REGULAR SESSION

7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1—AGREEMENT WITH GOOGLE, INC. AND PG&E FOR THE USE OF
STREETLIGHT POLES FOR A CITY-WIDE WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS
SYSTEM

Continue reading "City of Mtn View provides more info on Google WiFi, unlike SF" »

Posted by admin at 01:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

0) What we are asking for is reasonable - Public Hearings on Infrastructure - This is being done in cities around the world. We are not promoting a solution, we are just asking to help form the questions. We know what is best for us.

1) We don't have a news cycle, we can blog real-time

2) We can record interactions and take pictures and post all of it online.

3) We can hold individuals who represent secrecy, lethargy and self dealing individually accountable. And the Internet Never Forgets.

Continue reading "Why Can We make a difference?" »

Posted by admin at 10:25 AM | Permalink

MercuryNews.com | 11/10/2005 | Google expands coverage offer to Mountain View

``This proposal is in the same spirit of making the world's information easily and quickly accessible as our recent San Francisco WiFi bid and is technically comparable to that initiative,'' Google said in a statement released Wednesday. ``Google has no plans at this time to expand our WiFi efforts beyond the Bay Area.''

Posted by admin at 09:49 PM | Permalink

Posted by admin at 09:03 PM | Permalink

Even with the requested ten day extension the Unredacted RFI/C's by the 26 companies were to be produced today. As well as Techconnect Advisory proceedings. Looks like Ron's bosses wouldn't let him release the documents.. So they arranged to send some unhelpful documents and to approve an unanounced two week vacation.

Lots of people seem to be going on sudden 90 day leaves (Brian Roberts) and now Ron two weeks off, when the chips are down.

Here's the email:

Ron Vinson [Ron.Vinson@sfgov.org] Thu 11/10/2005 4:06 PM
Ron Vinson is out of the office.

I will be out of the office starting 11/10/2005 and will not return until 11/21/2005.

I will respond to your message when I return.

This is actually great news, now we will take the battle to his boss, Chris Vein.

Posted by admin at 08:06 PM | Permalink

i will be posting a bunch of revealing and funny public records later today (Wed)

In the meanwhile, be sure to read the 11/9 San Francisco Bay Guardian article on this topic
http://www.sfbg.com/40/06/news_wifi2.html

(photo Lori Spears, 2005, SFBG.com)

Posted by admin at 01:49 AM | Permalink

Looks like they heard about the Guardian article coming out tomorrow, 11/9 critical of their secrecy, and maybe the Sunshine requests I've filed over the last few days helped them to see that they were in trouble.

Still no Public Process defined, apparently PUC/DTIS and this secret Techconnect panel know best. This ain't over.

What's the Press Release term for Cock Block? Whatever - Nope, it didn't work guys. This was rushed out so quickly (7pm) it hasn't even been posted on the Techconnect website they reference. Now they say 26 proposals and nearly 300 comments, this should be interesting to reconcile with my other data sources.

Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 7pm PST

SAN FRANCISCO TO ISSUE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO CREATE UNIVERSAL, AFFORDABLE WIRELESS BROADBAND INTERNET NETWORK

Continue reading "Press Release with No New Info" »

Posted by admin at 10:33 PM | Permalink

Om Malik’s Broadband Blog — � San Francisco To Request RFP Soon

Many companies who have participated in the RFI process have been told that the city has disbanded the board that had been studying the RFI process, and the city will issue a formal RFP in next 30 days

Posted by admin at 06:10 PM | Permalink

AlterNet: Google's WiFi Bid for San Francisco

Continue reading "At least four firms offer San Francisco Free Wifi" »

Posted by admin at 06:59 AM | Permalink

Internet Archive Forums: View Post

Continue reading "Sunshine request" »

Posted by admin at 11:57 PM | Permalink

SF TechConnect: Welcome to TechConnect

Continue reading "TechConnect" »

Posted by admin at 11:44 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)