Net Neutrality 11-14-2006

November 14, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

There are a few reasons that net neutrality is on the netroots legislative agenda. One is quite obvious – without NN, we couldn’t do what we do. The second is not so obvious, and that’s the organizing work that has gone into this issue. There is a genuine popular movement to expand and clarify the internet’s legal and technological status. From DJs to video game players to sportsbloggers to small businesses, the movement to keep the internet neutral has used this people-power to fight on a Federal level and on state levels. And now we’re going to go on offense. But this isn’t because it’s the right thing to do, or because the Democrats win. It’s because there’s a genuine popular movement organizing around this political change, and there’s a clear consensus around the issue, and it’s all backed by a strong and broad coalition of which the netroots is only one piece.

So I guess this is as good a time as any to talk about power and why we’re going to be disappointed by this Congress. As much as we might want to see a good number of great and good policies passed, electing a Democratic Congress means only that the Democrats control the legislative agenda. It does not mean that great and good policies will be enacted. While Speaker Pelosi is going to be enormously influential, power in our political system flows from the people. Specifically, it flows from organized groups of people willing to force politicians to do the right thing through systematic pressure on various institutions.

Want to know what you can do?
MA Bell Monopoly Versus the Free Internet Ã¢â¬â Tell the FCC Net Neutrality Is Not Negotiable

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Ann Michael Is a B.A.D. Blogger

November 13, 2006 by Liz

Blogger A Day Call: Hello is Ann there?

They say content is king. But I hear the king can be unmanageable. If you’re having a content management problem, do what I did yesterday, call in a content management expert — Ann Michael. Gosh we had fun talking. I’ve been making content all of my career, and I hadn’t met a content manager until Ann. They do some really cool stuff.

In her consulting business, Ann makes sure that misbehaving intellectual property does what it should. Talk to her for five minutes, and you’ll know her real love is helping clients manage change successfully. She’s so positive and centered on the needs of others that you want to check where you might use her this very minute. She says she hasn’t ever had to turn anyone away yet . . .

Ann’s a fascinating person with a sense humor, and a great laugh. Ask her a question and you can hear her thinking how she’s going to help you solve it. It’s so fun that we took this time to talk blogger to blogger.

B.A.D. Blogger Quote

Ã¢â¬ÅStrategy without action is just philosophy.Ã¢â¬Â — Ann Michael

Stop by Ann’s Blog, Manage To Change and say hi to her!

Thanks, Ann, you B.A.D. Blogger!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Want to be a B.A.D. Blogger see the. . . a B.A.D. Blogger? page in the sidebar

Blogs Aren’t Books, But Revising Is Still Revising: 6 Gating Questions to Make Revising Easier

November 13, 2006 by Liz

How to Decide What to Change

So, you’ve looked at your stats, and you’ve found the entry pages where readers frequently land. Now you’re checking them out to make sure that those pages are fresh and welcoming.

How far do you go? Some were written way back when. Do you edit the content? Do you change the design? Scott of 99 shades of grey asked those very questions this morning.

Those are the money questions. I can’t help but note the irony in the name of Scott’s blog, because these decisions are about as far from black and white as decisions can get.

The money answer is

Change what makes a difference leave what doesn’t.

Not much help is it?

That’s why I’m going to give you 6 gating questions to ask yourself about the landing pages you are looking at.

Using them, you can decide quickly and feel confident in what you decide. Take a look.

[Read more…]

Net Neutrality 11-13-2006

November 13, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Follow the money

So I’m trying not to get too excited about all the Democrats running things on Capitol Hill right now. I know that things may not work out. On the net neutrality front, the punditry is that there won’t be a big telecom bill for a long time because the Bells have gotten the video franchise rules they wanted from the states. Some people think net neutrality isn’t really a standalone issue, so it can’t fill up an entire bill on its own.

But there is an angle that might work. Democrats should be, if they think about it, the party of long-range social planning. They should be the party that worries about investment in fundamentals that will support society into the future. Education! Stem cell research! National parks! Basic science of all kinds! And — universal access to broadband.

Want to know what you can do?
MA Bell Monopoly Versus the Free Internet Ã¢â¬â Tell the FCC Net Neutrality Is Not Negotiable

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Bloggy Life Question 29 — Will You Sell the URL to the Porn King?

November 12, 2006 by Liz

On Second Thought . . .

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life hypothetical question. . . .

You’ve been blogging a children’s book for three years. It’s part fairy tale, part science fiction meant for kids who are 10-12 years old. Hallelujah and happiness! You’ve not only finished it, but you’ve got agent who’s sold it to a publisher — one of big ones. We’re talking major advance. You’re not J.K. Rowling yet, but you’ve made the minor leagues. Your book will be on library and classroom shelves.

The story is about a boy named Jack who is genetically altered. He can become a giant when the world needs saving. Jack is a superhero with all of the qualities that kids need to read about. The publisher loves Jack but wants to call him Slate to make the book appealing to a wider audience.

You don’t mind. You kind of like the name. Besides, they’re going to build you a fabulous website, and they are already talking a movie deal.

One condition of your contract is that you take down your old URL. You plan to remove the content, and so you put the blog up for sale.

As soon as you put the URL — www.jackthegiant.com — on Site Point the bidding goes crazy. Suddenly you realize what that means. . . . It would make a perfect porn URL.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

I Want to Call You a B.A.D. Blogger! Wanna Be One?

November 12, 2006 by Liz

It all started when I went to Blogher and met up with Sabine Kirstein, and we met up with Janice Myint. I found out what it’s like to converse in real time with bloggers. It was an invigorating experience.

After that, I went to Seth’s seminar in NYC with Ann Michael. I talked to Joe Hauckes when my plane was delayed. I met Phil Gerbyshak for his speaking gig in Chicago. All in all, I’ve talked to some 50 other bloggers. To a person, the bloggers I’ve met are cool, vibrant people. I learned something from every one of them.

So I’ve decided to form a B.A.D. habit.

I Want to Call You a B.A.D. Blogger

i’m calling a Blogger A Day every day. I’d like to do a voice chat with you. Would you like a call? I’d like to get to know who you are, what you do, and tell you a little about me too.

It’s one more way to link up the blogosphere. It’s one more way that we can get smarter. It’s a way we can take blogging to the next level. It’s a way you and I can meet to say a real “hello.”

After we talk, I’ll call you a B.A.D. Blogger and I’ll post a word and link on Successful-Blog. It’ll be fun. It’ll also be great promotion for you and your blog.

Here’s what to do.

Write an e-mail to me at lizsun2@gmail.com.
Put Call Me a B.A.D. Blogger in the subject line.
Include the following information in your message:
a number or Skype contact to call (Int’l has to be VoIP)
your location on the planet and good times to call.

I’ll email you before I call to make sure you’ll be around. Of course, the only one who reads my email is me.

I’m calling a blogger a day from now on. With some 57 million blogs indexed at Technorati. I figure I should be able to find at least one blogger a day who’s willing to talk.

What do you say? Do you wanna be a B.A.D. Blogger?

Send me an e-mail now. So I can arrange the call. I’d sure like to meet you for a conversation.

Liz's Signature

PS. THERE WILL BE THE COOLEST BUTTONS YOU’VE EVER SEEN!