Future Tools: Open Drone Map
Open Drone Map, or ODM, is an open source photogrammetry toolkit that can process aerial imagery into maps, 3D models, and similar composite imagery.
Future Fibre: Cedar Falls Utilities
CFU is another solid example of municipally own Internet infrastructure that is run by a municipal utility. Much like EPB in Tennessee, there seems to be a definite advantage for municipalities that have their own utility arms.
The radical benefits of virtual participation
We tend to have a false collective assumption that health is binary. Either we’re healthy, or we’re sick. If we’re sick, we should be fixed, so we can be healthy again. Otherwise if we remain sick, we’re broken, and then tend to be marginalized by society and sometimes forgotten.
Future Tools: Qubes OS
The Qubes operating system, while focusing on computer security, also illustrates an aspect of digital we tend to ignore or take for granted: that identity is fluid and flourishing.
Future Fibre: Ultra Broadband?!
One of the most important insights or lessons is the necessity of fibre optic connectivity rather than wireless. While this remains true in any community, it is particularly essential in rural and remote communities that are already suffering from expensive, slow, and unreliable access.
Future Tools: Parrot OS
The Parrot Project is a great example of the versatility and security possible when using free and open source software. Today’s issue of Future Tools looks at Parrot OS, a secure operating system with a strong focus on privacy and cybersecurity.
Future Fibre: Althea
Althea combines open source software, accessible hardware, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology towards achieving a community ISP that can be set up anywhere.
Future Fibre: Ammon Idaho's open fibre utility
Imagine if Internet was neither a significant monthly cost, nor congested due to low speeds and poor connection quality. This is what’s possible when the infrastructure is owned by the public, and the market is configured towards healthy competition.
Future Fibre: FairlawnGig
FairlawnGig is a municipal broadband utility in Ohio that offers a stellar example of what communities can accomplish when taking control of their Internet.
Future Fibre: Ubiquiti
Ubiquiti's role in the community and wireless internet provider industry has been substantive and has been a catalyst for their proliferation.
Facebook as Shadow Government
Facebook is not (as far as we know) overtly malicious and evil. Rather their aggressive and ambitious pursuit of their self interest (and bottom line) blinds them to the impact they have on media and society.
Future Fibre: The Commotion Wireless Project
As a tool the Commotion Wireless Project has been used in a range of situations and locales. However as a concept, it has helped raise the profile and possibility of mesh networking.