stephen blyth’s blog

The Engage your community mini-conference in Hamilton earlier in the year was a great day. About 140 people showed up to learn about and discuss how blogs, social media and other online tools can help community groups. Read my post about the presentation I made at the conference, “Wikispaces workshop notes”).

Based on the success of the first Engage your community event, other conferences are popping up around the country. And more are planned.

Wellington ICT are hosting a conference on Thursday 4 September, at Massey University, Wellington. The programme is out and registrations are open, see www.eyc.org.nz.

On 28 November Rotorua Community ICT Trust are planning a one day event.

I’m doing a short presentation on “Spreading the word” using online tools at the Wellington conference. Then in November I’ll be running my hands-on workshop about using wikispaces.

Other sequels expected to be coming to a venue near you soon.

I generally cross to the sunny side of the street when I can. It’s an attitude that I try to cultivate generally, not just during this bleak, long winter. Given the deluge of facts about human impacts on the natural world it’s not always easy.

When someone argues convincingly we’ve got a 100 months before runaway climate changes begins having really catastrophic impacts, it’s pretty sobering.

Andrew Simmons, from the new economics foundation (nef), and other colleagues presented evidence in the Guardian over the weekend suggesting we’ve hit “the final countdown“. In a nef technical note Simmons calculates “that 100 months from 1 August 2008, atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will begin to exceed a point whereby it is no longer likely we will be able to avert potentially irreversible climate change.”

The new economics foundation is staying resolutely positive. They believe a new green deal will help people living in the UK take the urgent action required to address climate change. A Green New Deal group proposes:

… drawing inspiration from the tone of President Roosevelt’s comprehensive response to the Great Depression, propose a modernised version, a ‘Green New Deal’ designed to power a renewables revolution, create thousands of green-collar jobs and rein in the distorting power of the finance sector while making more low-cost capital available for pressing priorities.

Then there’s Pete, Andrew and the whole OneHundredMonths.org crew starting a website to encourage people to be politically active on climate change. You can sign up for a monthly message.

Practical knowledge gained from the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales seems to keep Peter Harper buoyed up. He reckons a radical reduction in the amount carbon we consumer per household is needed in the next 20 years. At a recent talk in Melbourne Harper shared his analysis of just how difficult it will be to shift to a low carbon society. Using two fictitious families he names the “WOTs” (Well-Off Techie greenie household) and the “LILs” (Low-Income Lifestyle greenie household) Harper argues the former won’t bring about carbon emission reductions because of unnegotiable lifestyle decisions, and the latter lifestyle option is unappealing on a mass scale. Both video and audio versions of the 17 April talk are online.

In the opinion piece I contributed to a review of progress with the e-government strategy published in June 2008, my source of optimism is more theoretical. I recall Mark Roseland’s pithy description of the “environmental crisis as a creativity crisis”. I suggest there needs to be “…greater responsiveness by government to the creativity of citizens. An effective and far-sighted e-government programme can make a big contribution by freeing up talents within the ranks of government, better engaging with citizens, and ensuring citizens are well equipped to organise themselves locally.” Read the full piece at “An e-government response to the climate change crisis: tapping into citizen creativity“, or the other 14 think pieces.

I wrote this over a year ago. Remarkably, my sense of optimism rings true. That’s partly as I’m hopeful civil servants with environmental sensitivities will use e-government tools and culture change to share alternative advice and begin debating how we transform society to bring about changes we urgently need. I’m also convinced that the Internet still contains within it a disruptive thread that supports and sustains activism.

So whatever alarming prognosis people come up with, it’s both the message and the medium that keeps my optimism alive.

At $50 for a hard copy I’ll be reading the results of the the World Internet Project survey of NZ internet use available freely on AUT’s website.

At a pre-release briefing for important people, the good people who paid for the survey and other hangers on (including the likes of me), we talked about the reliability of the data in the survey.

Yes, the survey sample was sizeable at 1,500 people and we were assured it is representative of the NZ population. However, as it was a phone survey the habits and views of those people without a landline are not reflected.

When you then muse on the fact that those on household incomes of under $25,000 have the lowest levels of reported internet access - something that I can’t find a reference to anywhere in the final report - I begin to wonder if a different data collection method would show an even lower level of access. We just don’t know.

The worrying persistence of a divide between information haves and have nots is probably more to do with a growing underclass in NZ than the price of internet connectivity. Regulating to increase competition won’t address basic structural inequality in society. I’m hoping the results might spur some debate along these lines.

In other data reported, it’s helpful to see how common the habit of checking Facebook is - 28% of New Zealanders who are online use some social networking sites. And apparently we’re top bloggers.

The WIP survey is a useful and up-to-date companion to the Statistics department’s Household ICT use survey from the last quarter of 2006.

There’ll be a second WIP survey next year, and then there’s the other 25 odd countries running the same survey. Plenty of numbers if that’s your thing.

Findings in a nutshell (as reported in the NZ Herald article “Kiwis top of international survey for blogging”):

Of the 78 per cent of New Zealanders who use the internet:
* 66 per cent have broadband.
* 77 per cent check their email every day.
* 28 per cent use social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook.
* 25 per cent have made a friend online, and half of those have gone on to meet an online friend in person.
* 13 per cent maintain their own website.
* 10 per cent have a blog.

We’ve been a bit coy of singing too loudly that a new website for the tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector is coming soon.

With major website developments timing can be fickle. It’s really difficult to be sure you have enough to show others.

But later next month, we’ll be unveiling CommunityCentral. There’ll be spaces people can set up to work together. This could be on a discrete project or as part of an ongoing network. And then there’ll be some news sources and big projects to keep an eye on.

This is just the start and the project aims to get people talking about what online tools will best support work in communities. Although we have yet to secure an ongoing source of funding, the aim is to keep growing and modifying CommunityCentral in response to what people working in grassroots organisations need.

To find out some more you can read our early marketing brochure (200 KB, PDF), read a few posts on the CommunityCentral blog where we’re talking about the development process, or listen to a recent interview.

Last week Ros and Michael from Collaborative Voices interviewed me as part of the their monthly radio show. The show keeps the not-for-profit and social service sectors up to date and informed. There is an mp3 file or your can listen on demand to the “NFP Computer Stuff You Need To Know” feature. If downloading the mp3 file, be warned it is a 25 MB file, so it’s best not to use dial-up.

Later in the year we’ll be doing a roadshow around Aotearoa sharing the website and getting feedback on where we should head.

I’ve been working on this project since November last year, so it’s great to be finally making visible progress. Get in touch with any questions or feedback.

The recent decision to open anyone to create any internet domain name has been widely reported as starting a potential boom on the Internet.

The release of an unlimited number of domains, currently restricted to just 21 top level acronyms, (including .com, .net, etc), will allow for unrivaled personal expression. Every family of individual could register their own name. The decision is due to come into affect next year.

What has been little reported is the opportunity the new name structure allows indigenous people to assert their identity. The NZ Maori Internet Society is delighted at the outcome.

“It has been a long time coming we just hope that associated set up costs for Top Level Domain names will be affordable not only for Maori but for all Indigenous Peoples worldwide” said Ross Himona on the NZMIS website.

Karaitiana Taiuru, from Otautahi, a stalwart of NZMIS and a representative on the global body (called ICANN) that makes the rules on the internet naming conventions. He was due to the attend at the 26 June meeting in Paris that opened the floodgates, but regrettably missed the historic event.

He believes that there are perils in the decision, but it’s good news for Maori and other indigenous people.

“While conglomerates may see gTLDs [top level domains] as a branding exercise, cultural based groups around the world now have an opportunity to be represented on the Internet regardless of their countries majority rule or impacts of colonisation,” he wrote on his blog.

Concerns have been raised about the new system to perpetuate new scams by criminals and allow for profiteering. See the “Domain name shakeup may bring new net goldrush“.

There will be rules and hurdles in the registration process, but there seems to be lots of optimism this will recognise the rights of people to assert their identify. Non-roman characters will be able to be used for the first time.

Although I won’t be racing out to be the first to register .blyth, I’m glad there’ll soon be a choice.

Beer brewed by European monks stands out for its flavour and strength. The trappist monastery appellation is strictly controlled, though there has been known to be some scrapping, and the seven breweries accredited with the label all brew their strong ales with distinctive flavours.

In Aotearoa we get most of the trappist bevies: Chimay, d’Orval, de Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren.

Until recently, a wee drop of the trappist was only available by the bottle.

That changed on 12 June. The Malthouse, in Courtenay Place, begun serving Chimay Blanch by the glass. Making world history, they’re the first to be granted such a privilege in this country.

It tastes fresh and supple, and unbelievably wicked (what were those monks thinking). At $12 a glass and family responsibilities, I won’t be having too many.

I don’t know how long it will last, so get in quick to try this heavenly nectar.

On Wednesday I finally decided how I’d rejig my computer set up. Because of the amount of work I do in front of a screen I thought I’d probably be more productive with a bigger one. Plus a couple of times recently, my presentations haven’t worked 100% because I included multi-media that can’t be handled by my iBook, aged almost four years.

It wasn’t until about 8pm on Wednesday that I got around to placing my order. I decided to get a refurbished laptop directly from the New Zealand Apple store. A major attraction is that refurbished computers come with a one year warranty, albeit a limited one. This provides a level of comfort that I couldn’t get if I bought a computer off an individual.

The next day I got several confirmation emails, one of which came with a TNT consignment number. I thought I’d track progress and write this up.

I didn’t get a chance. My refurbished computer arrived 3pm Friday - just over 40 hours after I ordered it. Wow!

Notwithstanding a niggardly problem using the migration assistant to transfer my existing user profile, settings and files, I’m wonderfully impressed at both the speed of delivery and excellent communication. The computer itself is pretty fast and solid (a good thing as I will be carting it around in my cycle pannier). I’m sure I’ll sort out my migration problem with a call to the Apple helpdesk, which was highly rated in a recent survey of suppliers by the Consumer’s Institute.

BTW: I purchased a MacBook Pro, with a wireless keyboard and Viewsonic 22in monitor (see a review from the Good Gear Guide) on order. The iMac which I’m replacing has worked seamlessly since the day I got it second-hand from TotallyMac. I wouldn’t mind hanging on to it, but three computers is a tad excessive. It’ll be up for sale on TradeMe shortly.

I’m sure I could find somewhere on the Internet everything I want to know about Google, plus tonnes I don’t. There are websites with search guides, how-to videos, gossip, a Google maps mash-up list and much more.

Next week I’m running a one hour training course on effective search techniques for people working as elder abuse and neglect coordinators. For a change I’ve turned to old fashioned print resources to learn more about Google search to share with participants. An added bonus is I’ll be able to pass around the books, which will help people who like to read things to learn that way.

Yeah, so I got a couple of books. Pretty hefty ones at that.

Michael Miller’s second edition of “Googlepedia: the ultimate Google resource” is a mammoth 822 pages. About a third of the book is devoted to searching, but virtually all the other Google applications and services are covered too. It’s designed for everybody internet user so has lots of diagrams and tips. Michael shares his opinions so it’s not too dry.

“Google Hacks: tips and tools for finding and using the world’s information” (3rd edition) published by O’Reilly is a very different beast. Apart from the first 80 odd pages on searching, I don’t know if the workshop participants will appreciate the other 420 pages. Its a technical book with scripting and code descriptions, guidance on how-to create your own maps and stuff like that. The amazing things you can do, well, it’s pretty overwhelming actually.

Sandy Berger has written a book for baby boomers, and their parents. “The Great Age Guide to the Internet” is for people new to computing and the Internet. The basics are covered really nicely. I’m particularly fond of the Blooper alerts - things don’t always go as predicted, so lets not be shy about that.

Over the weekend I’ll grab a copy of Netguide and ComputerWorld from the library to supplement these tomes. Plus, if Reuben Schwarz’s computer page in the Dominion Post is relevant, I’ll grab that too.

I’d love any other ideas for top search tips. Either physical or virtual, I don’t mind.

When I met Beth Kanter after having read her blog for several years she made a real impression on me. It wasn’t just her committed personal activism, wide ranging knowledge and willingness to share, so much as her phenomenal connectedness that struck me. Set loose on the keyboard and she connects with people, for just causes.

During a one-day workshop after the Connecting Up 08 conference a small group of 20 or so got see what it means to be really connected online.

It soon became obvious she has formed connections online with hundreds and hundreds of people. These might be people she’s worked with in depth, somebody she chatted to at a conference, or just someone who has accidentally found her online.

When she needs to, as she did when fundraising for the Sharing Foundation in Cambodia, Beth will (carefully) reach out to her networks. At other times she’ll ask people for help with research for an article or presentation she’s making, or as the example she gave us, ask what is the best sim card to use in Australia.

I have no doubt this is reciprocal. Beth is happy for people to know about what she is doing and is very open about this. She blogs in several places, has a twitter account anyone can follow, is on facebook, has an avatar on second life and is out there in numerous other places too no doubt.

The types of relationships formed transcend any easy description. Friend, colleague, fellow-professional, neighbour, supporter? It’s hard to know how to describe members of the online network Beth has built up. It probably doesn’t matter, but what it suggests is that when you match the internet medium with trust and reciprocity you get a pretty powerful combination.

There might be a drawback to all this. It would seem that Beth lives a very online life. Perhaps one which means you’ve got to be stuck in front of a computer. Interminably.

As I’m Twitter-averse and Facebook challenged, I don’t imagine myself joining let along creating such networks. Even though they could be immensely valuable, my introspective side flares up when I think about it. This ultra connectedness is not for everyone. Nor should it be, for the internet really is about people having choice. However, I do now really understand the potential of creating networks, particularly for organisations.

There are ways of managing the temptations of constant, ubiquitous connectivity. Beth talked about how she keeps things under control. She has at times designated Twitter Tuesdays, or Facebook Fridays. And it’s obvious she communicates on her on terms (ie seldom instantly unless the time is right).

And before you think Beth is baring all (something she has done, see the Beth 5.0 flickr photo set), when we go online it’s obvious we only present the parts of ourselves we want others to see. That is, we use a persona. It’s a word that came out during the workshop as another online survival gambit.

So, what was it that we actually covered in the workshop? The day long session was a practical how-to advice on using social media, including a chance for Beth to share some of her frameworks.

Beth introduced a common sense framework for community and voluntary organisations wanting to use new online tools. The three basic steps are:

1. Listen
2. Join the conversation
3. Experiment. Start by blogging.

Capturing what you learn as you go was considered pretty important. Beth suggested using a learning diary and saving material on a shared wiki or web page. Other participants suggested giving permission for team members to experiment with the web on the condition they report to the rest of the team.

The main point to underline is permission to explore social media in your own time, on your own terms.

You can take a look at the record of the workshop (and part instructional tool) at http://take-to-the-social-web.wikispaces.com.

My biggest takeaway (a north American colloquialism which stands in for “what I learned today”): online networks can involve new people and reinvigorate others to get active or give.

A loud happy yelp goes out to Beth, an avid dog lover. Thanks for coming all way down under.

Downstairs in my office I’ve got a webserver running. On Wednesday night it began hosting this blog along with some other websites, programmes and my email from its new possie. The only thing I know about keeping it going is how to switch the power back on if we have a powercut.

I appreciate the wonders of technology, but I’m not actually that keen to get my hands dirty. The server is only here because AJ departs for adventures in Europe early next month.

It was an effort to better cater for the webserver I wanted to get fast cable broadband through TelstraClear. I wrote earlier about some hassles I was having (see “Broadband tale of woe”) which meant I was without broadband for three weeks, surviving only on some inadequate, temporary measures and forking out over $200 to get a Vodem with a one month account.

Irony pervades the whole saga, as I am back with ihug after TelstraClear concluded it is uneconomic to connect my house to cable broadband, at the moment anyway. It’s something I wish they’d known before agreeing to take me on as a customer - it would have saved a lot of anguish.

After about eight humble apologies, I accepted an offer of compensation from TelstraClear, though it is yet to materialise in my bank account. The $12.50 for each apology I’m receiving makes me think they really did understand the inconvenience caused by the inept way the installation proceeded.

My conclusion that large hierarchical organisations are inherently flawed - not matter how many nice people work for them - has been confirmed. It’s not a saga I’d like to repeat, but I’m sure as long as bureaucracies exist, it’s bound to happen again.