St. Louis WizKids - Advisory Council

World Radio Forum

I found the World Radio Forum site intriguing simply because it has an international youth focus that includes UN activism. I really believe that people would be amazed if they knew how relatively easily it is to be part of the worldwide body of organizations working to make change even in giant institutions like the UN.

I came to the Forum through Penelope's Radio which led me to Pickleberry Pie's Children's Music Web.

They all share lots of resources, tips, guidelines, and programming.

Japan Media Review -- OhmyNews Makes Every Citizen a Reporter

This Japan Media Review article is very inspiring. It covers OhmyNews' "citizen journalists" of all ages who are putting the word out about their communities and, quite likely, influencing Japan's political processes in unprecedented ways. I think it assumes a certain amount of homogeneity--similar backgrounds, academic skills, literacy, and access to some kind of technology that they're not afraid of, know how to use fairly well, and have something they want to discuss openly with others (and don't mind doing so in this way).

Japan Media Review -- OhmyNews Makes Every Citizen a Reporter

ComNET - Welcome

ComNET is a neighborhood environment tracking project using handheld computers to record and submit information to the agencies that are supposed to deal with the conditions. The program also tracks the changes in the conditions (it didn't say it tracks the agencies, but my guess is that it does).

Make sure to check out the examples of how ComNET can be used and how other cities use ComNET, as well as the Fund for the City of New York's (FCNY) Center on Municipal Government Performance. One of the Center's projects measured the smoothness of NY's streets--yes!-- potholes, uneven repairs and other conditions leading to uneven street surfaces.

Neighborhood WiFi in Detroit

I met Garrett Myers at the recent Atlanta Summit on Municipal Wireless. His organization is installing WiFi all over lower income areas of Detroit as explained in this Detroit Free press article. In many cases, they're installing antenae on churches (which are on almost every block) so they'll have really good coverage. Their business model is for the community organization, a church or communty center, to pay the startup fees of $15,000-$20,000. They will use recycled computers with wireless functionality which families can buy for $150 each. Broadband connectivity will cost each family about $100/yr.

movabletype.org Spotlight :: Youth Media Distribution

MovableType's (MT) customer Spotlight Sites includes:

Youth Media Distribution is an innovative site aimed at helping young people share their independently-created radio, video, film, and new media projects with a broad audience. In addition to the standard news area... the first comprehensive listing of youth-produced media and a free on-line toolkit. [Note: MT's list of recently updated sites may include expletives.]

Youth Media Distribution is a MediaRights.org project.

Municipal and Community Wireless News

Visit Muniwireless for a comprehensive look at current municipal and community wireless projects.

Pittsburgh Wireless Neighborhoods: Welcome

Pittsburgh Wireless Neighborhoods The Pittsburgh Wireless Neighborhoods Cooperative was formed to provide advanced network services to traditionally underserved communities. Coop members can gain access to advanced network infrastructure, resources and expertise. They provide Healthnet, Fatherhood: A Site for Today's Fathers, Digital Story Telling, Digital Resumes and School/Community Connection. Pittsburgh Wireless is the community lan group there.