Trivia question: What is the most important decision you will be making at the ballot box at this November election? (Hint: it’s not the election of any candidate).
Answer: Whether or not to hold a Constitutional Convention or “ConCon”.
Every 10 years, voters have the opportunity to decide whether or not we can hold a ConCon which is where wholesale changes can be made to our state constitution.
Our last ConCon was 30 years ago and in 1978 some important changes were made, according to Dkosopedia including among others:
• Creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs
• Term limits for governor
• Requiring a balanced budget
And so in 2008, we once again have the chance to hold a ConCon.
So where’s the historic “Geek Component” opportunity?
I believe that we have before us the potential to put our heads together and create a web application that lends itself to democratic participation and decision-making. I believe this model can be applied to ConCon and if successful can subsequently be used for other public decision-making systems like the City Council and State Legislature.
Open source development paradigm meets public decision making
From what I’ve learned so far, my understanding is that ConCons have strong grassroots elements. They are a chance for the people to engage in an open conversation about Hawaii’s future. In 1978, they didn’t have the Internet. Today, we have broadband networks and powerful computers. Do we have sufficient technological resources to enable digital debates? I think so.
We have Internet-based political campaigning. What about Internet-based lawmaking?
Barack Obama has taken Internet-based campaigning and fundraising to a new level. He has permanently “torn the fabric of space” in regards to merging Internet with politics. I believe we can take the next logical step and use the Internet for public debate, decision-making, and perhaps even legislation. Imagine the kind of input and diversity of thought that would result if any citizen could participate in a serious debate on important issues from the comfort and convenience of their home. What kind of increased participation could we get from that?
A bold step has been taken
There’s only one way to find out and I’m proud to say that together with other leaders like Burt Lum, Ryan Ozawa, Former Congressman Ed Case, Jay Fidell, and Representative Della Au Bellati, we’ve launched HawaiiConCon.org. Today, it’s a combination of Ning social networking and pbwiki.com wiki infrastructures. Tomorrow, who knows? The users will drive the need.
E Komo Mai!
I’m cordially inviting all of you to come over to HawaiiConCon.org and participate. Get involved. There are some issues about Hawaii’s government you must hold dear or want to change. What are they? Tell us about it! We too are using Ning so there’s no signup process.
We need Geeks Like You to get involved!
So far the initial success has been great. But as the site grows in popularity, people will need both help and more features. And that’s where YOU come in. Hawaii’s tech community could and should be the ambassadors that herald in a new age of Digital Democracy. It can happen if you help us make it happen.
Be a part of the solution
This year, the voters will decide if they want to hold a ConCon. Right now there is only one site that is encouraging learning, discussions, and decisions regarding this most important issue and with your help and participation, HawaiiConCon.org can become the epicenter of a new paradigm of public political participation.
See you there!
@outloudopinion your tweets ar…
/in tweets@outloudopinion your tweets are just fantastic. pithy, entertaining, and informative. the model tweeter. (brown nosing not intended)
Get traffic alerts sent to your mobile phone
/in Heard on the RadioWouldn’t you love to get a call any time there was a traffic incident on the route you take to work in the morning? Well now there is. Go to YourComputerMinute.com where you can sign up for FREE text messages whenever something goes wrong on the roads YOU take to work. Find out about potential jams before anyone else and plan your way around them.
When was the last time you VERIFIED your backup?
/in Heard on the RadioFolks, with digital cameras and mp3 players, our computers store precious family memories and music collections. What would you lose if your computer crashed? Now run, don’t walk, to the online services that automatically backup your computer.
Teach your kids to use fake identities
/in Heard on the RadioIf your children are going online, chances are they visit web sites which ask for their name and email. Train your kids to make up fun, fake identities instead of giving out their real names and explain to them why it’s important. My kids use their favorite superheroes or cartoon characters when web sites ask them for their names. They have fun and it’s safe.
A Historic Opportunity for Hawaii’s Tech Community
/in Posts I've readTrivia question: What is the most important decision you will be making at the ballot box at this November election? (Hint: it’s not the election of any candidate).
Answer: Whether or not to hold a Constitutional Convention or “ConCon”.
Every 10 years, voters have the opportunity to decide whether or not we can hold a ConCon which is where wholesale changes can be made to our state constitution.
Our last ConCon was 30 years ago and in 1978 some important changes were made, according to Dkosopedia including among others:
• Creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs
• Term limits for governor
• Requiring a balanced budget
And so in 2008, we once again have the chance to hold a ConCon.
So where’s the historic “Geek Component” opportunity?
I believe that we have before us the potential to put our heads together and create a web application that lends itself to democratic participation and decision-making. I believe this model can be applied to ConCon and if successful can subsequently be used for other public decision-making systems like the City Council and State Legislature.
Open source development paradigm meets public decision making
From what I’ve learned so far, my understanding is that ConCons have strong grassroots elements. They are a chance for the people to engage in an open conversation about Hawaii’s future. In 1978, they didn’t have the Internet. Today, we have broadband networks and powerful computers. Do we have sufficient technological resources to enable digital debates? I think so.
We have Internet-based political campaigning. What about Internet-based lawmaking?
Barack Obama has taken Internet-based campaigning and fundraising to a new level. He has permanently “torn the fabric of space” in regards to merging Internet with politics. I believe we can take the next logical step and use the Internet for public debate, decision-making, and perhaps even legislation. Imagine the kind of input and diversity of thought that would result if any citizen could participate in a serious debate on important issues from the comfort and convenience of their home. What kind of increased participation could we get from that?
A bold step has been taken
There’s only one way to find out and I’m proud to say that together with other leaders like Burt Lum, Ryan Ozawa, Former Congressman Ed Case, Jay Fidell, and Representative Della Au Bellati, we’ve launched HawaiiConCon.org. Today, it’s a combination of Ning social networking and pbwiki.com wiki infrastructures. Tomorrow, who knows? The users will drive the need.
E Komo Mai!
I’m cordially inviting all of you to come over to HawaiiConCon.org and participate. Get involved. There are some issues about Hawaii’s government you must hold dear or want to change. What are they? Tell us about it! We too are using Ning so there’s no signup process.
We need Geeks Like You to get involved!
So far the initial success has been great. But as the site grows in popularity, people will need both help and more features. And that’s where YOU come in. Hawaii’s tech community could and should be the ambassadors that herald in a new age of Digital Democracy. It can happen if you help us make it happen.
Be a part of the solution
This year, the voters will decide if they want to hold a ConCon. Right now there is only one site that is encouraging learning, discussions, and decisions regarding this most important issue and with your help and participation, HawaiiConCon.org can become the epicenter of a new paradigm of public political participation.
See you there!
A Historic Opportunity for Hawaii’s Tech Community
/in Neat Tech & NewsTrivia question: What is the most important decision you will be making at the ballot box at this November election? (Hint: it’s not the election of any candidate).
Answer: Whether or not to hold a Constitutional Convention or “ConCon”.
Every 10 years, voters have the opportunity to decide whether or not we can hold a ConCon which is where wholesale changes can be made to our state constitution.
Our last ConCon was 30 years ago and in 1978 some important changes were made, according to Dkosopedia including among others:
• Creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs
• Term limits for governor
• Requiring a balanced budget
And so in 2008, we once again have the chance to hold a ConCon.
So where’s the historic “Geek Component” opportunity?
I believe that we have before us the potential to put our heads together and create a web application that lends itself to democratic participation and decision-making. I believe this model can be applied to ConCon and if successful can subsequently be used for other public decision-making systems like the City Council and State Legislature.
Open source development paradigm meets public decision making
From what I’ve learned so far, my understanding is that ConCons have strong grassroots elements. They are a chance for the people to engage in an open conversation about Hawaii’s future. In 1978, they didn’t have the Internet. Today, we have broadband networks and powerful computers. Do we have sufficient technological resources to enable digital debates? I think so.
We have Internet-based political campaigning. What about Internet-based lawmaking?
Barack Obama has taken Internet-based campaigning and fundraising to a new level. He has permanently “torn the fabric of space” in regards to merging Internet with politics. I believe we can take the next logical step and use the Internet for public debate, decision-making, and perhaps even legislation. Imagine the kind of input and diversity of thought that would result if any citizen could participate in a serious debate on important issues from the comfort and convenience of their home. What kind of increased participation could we get from that?
A bold step has been taken
There’s only one way to find out and I’m proud to say that together with other leaders like Burt Lum, Ryan Ozawa, Former Congressman Ed Case, Jay Fidell, and Representative Della Au Bellati, we’ve launched HawaiiConCon.org. Today, it’s a combination of Ning social networking and pbwiki.com wiki infrastructures. Tomorrow, who knows? The users will drive the need.
E Komo Mai!
I’m cordially inviting all of you to come over to HawaiiConCon.org and participate. Get involved. There are some issues about Hawaii’s government you must hold dear or want to change. What are they? Tell us about it! We too are using Ning so there’s no signup process.
We need Geeks Like You to get involved!
So far the initial success has been great. But as the site grows in popularity, people will need both help and more features. And that’s where YOU come in. Hawaii’s tech community could and should be the ambassadors that herald in a new age of Digital Democracy. It can happen if you help us make it happen.
Be a part of the solution
This year, the voters will decide if they want to hold a ConCon. Right now there is only one site that is encouraging learning, discussions, and decisions regarding this most important issue and with your help and participation, HawaiiConCon.org can become the epicenter of a new paradigm of public political participation.
See you there!
The Wisdom of Crowds
/in Posts I've readI had a great time presenting to a crowd of about 200 people on Friday, Sept 28 on a topic I’m really in love with known as “The Wisdom of Crowds”
“The Wisdom of Crowds” Based on the Book by James Surowiecki
that basically says you can setup a method of getting input from people in such a way that the result is nearly always the right answer.
You can download the slide deck here. Enjoy!
psst! Double your upload speed with Road Runner right now
/in Neat Tech & News, Road RunnerI got the inside scoop. Oceanic Time Warner just doubled the upload speed of their Road Runner High Speed Online service from 512kb to 1mb. For those of us doing online backups, bitTorrent downloads, and video/audio uploads, it’s HUGE.
I did this myself just now and have the screen shots below. I am running Mozy online backups on my computer. The 358kb upload is about the average speed I’ve been getting for the past few months.
I took a screenshot of that window just before I performed the fix. As Mozy was running, I did the fix, then took a screenshot immediately after. I didn’t restart my computer or the software.
This has got to be the coolest, quickest, easiest speed boost I’ve ever seen.
Before “the fix”
After “the fix”
What’s the secret?
Just reset your modem. I unplugged mine from power and plugged it back in again. In one minute I had a 162% upload speed increase.
Now this might not be a big deal for everyone, but for those of us that do any of the above geeky stuffs, this is just a godsend. My backups will take 1/2 the time. I’m going to be curious to see what this does to BitTorrent.
Tell them Peter Kay sent you. Enjoy!
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/in Posts I've readTechnorati Profile
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