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Viodi View Menu<\/strong><\/p>\n Current Issue<\/a>Field Trip To the Heartland<\/a>Impressions of the National Cable Show<\/a>A Day at Digital Hollywood<\/a><\/p>\n Previous Issue<\/a><\/p>\n Viodi View Subscribe<\/a> <\/p>\n Viodi Forums<\/strong>Club Viodi<\/a>Local Content<\/a><\/p>\n Multimedia Search <\/a><\/p>\n Viodi Workshops<\/strong>Local Content<\/a>Telco Video 101<\/a>Incremona Training<\/a><\/p>\n Industry<\/strong>Industry Calendar<\/a>Favorite Links<\/a><\/p>\n About Viodi<\/a>Contact<\/a>Biographies<\/a><\/p>\n Interested in Sponsoring the Viodi View? Send an email to: sponsor@viodi.com<\/strong><\/p>\n Please forward<\/strong> this free publication to anyone you know who is involved in some way with independent telephone companies. <\/p>\n Mission of the Viodi View:<\/strong><\/p>\n In this on-line publication, we share our analysis, opinions and direction on the interactive television news and views that we believe will be of interest and use to our friends associated directly or indirectly with independent telephone companies. For more information as to the various ways Viodi works with independent telephone companies, please go to http:\/\/www.viodi.com\/alliance\/<\/a><\/p>\n Disclaimer:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] and its associates used their best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, the Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.<\/p>\n All displayed trademarks, logos and service marks are the property of their respective owners. \u00a9 2005Viodi, LLC<\/a>. All Rights Reserved. Viodi View Newsletter – April 13th, 2005 <\/strong><\/p>\n My favorite thing about grade school was the occasional field trip. A field trip was an interactive adventure<\/strong> into the real world; a break from sitting in uncomfortable wood chairs, while listening to the teacher drone on and on. Thus, I jumped at the chance to go on a field trip with USTA and many of its member companies last week. The bus trip took us from ADC\u2019s<\/strong> manufacturing plan in the suburbs of Minneapolis to the rural environs of Hutchison Telephone<\/strong>. <\/p>\n This field trip was part of USTA\u2019s Small Company Caucus<\/strong>. As usual, the USTA staff did a great job of putting together a program that was relevant and timely. The important message from this conference is that the industry must work together<\/strong> on many fronts; particularly in the quest to achieve a level regulatory playing field. And the regulatory bodies need to figure out how to keep pace with industry changes, otherwise, they may find that independent telcos will figure out creative ways to restructure the playing field. <\/p>\n Field Trip To the Heartland<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Viodi synchronized the audio from the various speakers to their overheads. USTA is generously making these presentations available online, at no charge. The USTA URL has not been established yet, but this link<\/strong><\/a> will take you to their site when it is up and running in a day or two. Click here<\/a> to read some of the things that were not recorded, such as the field trip to ADC and Hutchison Telephone and the live demonstration of pre-standard, WiMAX<\/strong> gear that is currently being deployed by at least one independent telco. <\/p>\n Just prior to USTA\u2019s Small Company Caucus, Viodi held the Local Content Workshop<\/a> in Eden Prairie, MN at ADC\u2019s headquarters. We really appreciate ADC<\/strong><\/a> opening their facility to us and to Entone<\/a><\/strong> for supplying the textbooks. This was our best workshop yet, because noted Intellectual Property attorney, Thomas Crowell<\/a><\/strong>, joined us, we had a brainstorming session that involved the attendees and Chuck Lehrke of New Ulm Telephone <\/strong>explained the challenges and triumphs of producing local content. Email me at local@viodi.com<\/strong> to learn more about the Local Content Workshops<\/a> we are planning for Oregon and the Midwest. Impressions of the National Cable Show<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The bad news about my travels to Minnesota is that my visit to the National Cable Show was cut short. The National Cable Show is one of the few that mixes content providers and hardware vendors in the same venue. I once did booth duty at the National Show where I had to contend with the loud noise caused by the pounding of bodies hitting the mat in the booth of one of the wrestling channels. This problem was pretty much eliminated at this year\u2019s show, as the cable programmers <\/strong>and equipment vendors <\/strong>were segregated<\/strong> in different halls. To read some impressions from my whirlwind tour of this event, please click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n An Interactive Awards Ceremony<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n One of the many events I missed at the National Show was the 2nd Annual ITVT Awards for Interactive Television<\/a><\/strong><\/em>. ITVT<\/a><\/strong> is Tracy Swedlow\u2019s <\/strong>newsletter that is the premier destination for news regarding Interactive Television. Fortunately, the video of the awards ceremony is online<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n It is not like a normal awards ceremony, as there is some good insight from industry luminaries, such as Mark Hess<\/strong> from Comcast<\/strong>. Hess pointed out that Comcast delivered 92 million on-demand streams<\/strong> last month, so iTV is happening. Congratulations<\/strong> to the winners of these awards, particularly Don Dulchinos<\/strong> from CableLabs for his efforts with OCAP. We had the privilege of hearing Dulchinos speak at the IP Video @ Telecom 04 conference<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A Day at Digital Hollywood<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The company serving up these video streams for ITVT is Continental Vista Broadcasting Group<\/strong>. Continental Vista Broadcasting Group provides an interesting way for niche programmers to stream their content over the Internet. I had a chance to hear Greg Demetriades<\/strong>, CEO, of Continental Vista Broadcasting Group speak at Digital Hollywood\u2019s spring conference a few weeks back. As usual, Digital Hollywood presented an interesting mix of speakers from the entertainment, distribution and advertising industries. Please click here<\/a> to see the latest on Akimbo, <\/strong>as well as to read some of the insights from speakers such as Amy Friedlander<\/strong> of SBC<\/strong>, Sean Riley<\/strong> of Fox Cable Networks<\/strong> and Patricia Karpas<\/strong> of AOL TV.<\/strong> <\/p>\n Monetizing Free VOD<\/strong><\/p>\n Advertising is becoming a critical element for MSOs and others as they roll out interactive services like the ones discussed at Digital Hollywood. Cox\u2019s press release regarding their efforts to monetize their \u201cfree\u201d VOD offering is very insightful. The following parameters are what they will be providing advertisers, which is much more detailed<\/strong> and accurate<\/strong> than what could be provided via traditional reporting<\/strong> mechanisms.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to read the full release. <\/p>\n See You Soon<\/strong><\/p>\n Advertising, especially of the interactive kind, will bet the subject of a couple panels at the IP Video @ Supercomm <\/a><\/em><\/strong>conference in June. This is self-serving, but I highly encourage you attendance at this event. Additionally, Viodi will try to organize a special get together for Sunday afternoon, June 5th for friends and families from Independent Telcos. Please email me at supercomm@viodi.com<\/strong> if you are interested in attending or sponsoring such an event. <\/p>\n I am disappointed that I will miss this week’\u2019s VoIPossibilities. It promises to be bigger than last year\u2019s event. Viodi will be attending the California Telephone Association\u2019s Supplier Showcase<\/a> next week in Sacramento, on April 19th and 20th. On the 26th of April, we will be attending the IPTV 2005 conference<\/a> in San Jose. Give me a shout if you are going to be in town for this event. <\/p>\n It Clearly Is A Mixed Up, Muddled up, Shook Up Viodi View<\/strong><\/p>\n Again, I am looking forward to participating in the Telecommunication Association of Michigan\u2019s (TAM) Politech 2005<\/strong><\/em> conference in Lansing, Michigan on May 11th and 12th. They have invited some heavy hitters, such as FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, to speak at this event.<\/p>\n I am impressed<\/strong> with the folks at TAM, if no other reason than they found subliminal references (references I didn\u2019t even know were there) in the last issue of the Viodi View. From the April 1st issue of TAM\u2019s newsletter:<\/p>\n KINKS CAUSE KINKFREETELECOM CONSPIRACY:<\/strong> The Association\u2019s KinkFreeTelecom site received a very nice review in the Viodi View newsletter this week. But something subliminal seems to have slipped into the author\u2019s consciousness. Discerning readers will note two references to \u201ckinks\u201d in sprinkled into the newsletter. Coincidence? We think not. Clearly, it\u2019s a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world. (TAM reference in \u201cMake Your Voice Heard\u201d<\/a> section.)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Korner: Thousands of Miles from the Sea<\/strong><\/p>\n His answer was 14.7 miles. The question he posed was how many navigable miles does the Minnesota River have? This led to a number of other interesting queries, such as just what is the definition of navigable. This would seem to be sort a strange conversation to have on a bus, driving in the middle of the fruited plain, thousands of miles from any ocean. It seems even stranger that the person with such an encyclopedic knowledge of boating and homeland security would be the owner of a\u00a0Minnesota-based<\/strong> independent telephone company<\/strong>. <\/p>\n My bus mate, as it turns out, is the equivalent of a Navy Lieutenant in the Coast Guard Auxiliary<\/strong>. What I did not realize is that the Coast Guard Auxiliary is staffed by volunteers. Over 30,000 volunteers support this organization that serves as the civilian, non-military component of the Coast Guard. It provides more than just safety training for boaters, as each year, according to their web site, Auxiliarists save<\/strong> almost 500<\/strong> lives<\/strong>, assist some 15,000 boaters in distress, conduct more than 150,000 courtesy safety examinations of recreational vessels. <\/p>\n The Coast Guard Auxiliary is integral to national security, as evidenced by its inclusion as part of the Homeland Security Department<\/strong>. In the year following 9\/11, my bus mate spent 1,975 hours volunteering<\/strong> for the Coast Guard Auxiliary. This is the equivalent of a full-time job in addition to his full-time income-generating career. Much of this time spent with the auxiliary was spent on weekends and nights; time taken away from family and other activities. <\/p>\n So, a heartfelt thank you <\/strong>to the volunteers<\/strong> of the Coast Guard Auxiliary<\/strong> for their unsung role in helping to protect America\u2019s navigable waterways. <\/p>\n What is not surprising is that the people who work for and own independent telcos routinely put the community\u2019s interest above their own. Whether it is the provision of broadband services or helping to build a new playground, independent telcos are often the difference between growth and decline in rural communities. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is just another example <\/strong>of how the people<\/strong> associated with independent telcos<\/strong> are helping both their local<\/strong> and national communities<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Next Article<\/a><\/p>\n Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n Previous Issue<\/a><\/p>\n Viodi View Subscribe<\/strong><\/p>\n IP Video @ Supercomm Agenda<\/strong><\/p>\n Services – Is the future now?<\/a><\/p>\n It’s 2005 and content is still King<\/a><\/p>\n Studio Requirements & the Impact on Tech Decisions<\/a><\/p>\n Grassroots content – Grow it locally<\/a><\/p>\n Success cases of Telco deployment of video and broadband services<\/a><\/p>\n The regulatory landscape for broadband – roundtable<\/a><\/p>\n Advertising – Content or clutter?<\/a><\/p>\n Practical uses of interactive television<\/a><\/p>\n The impact of the back-office on a successful rollout of broadband and video services<\/a><\/p>\n The impact of operations on the consumer experience<\/a><\/p>\n Speakers Include<\/strong><\/p>\n Viodi Job Board<\/strong><\/p>\n Technical Support person on the East Coast for video encoder company. Email me at job@viodi.com, if this is of interest. <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Viodi View Menu Current IssueField Trip To the HeartlandImpressions of the National Cable ShowA Day at Digital Hollywood Previous Issue Viodi View Subscribe Viodi ForumsClub ViodiLocal Content Multimedia Search Viodi WorkshopsLocal ContentTelco Video 101Incremona Training IndustryIndustry CalendarFavorite Links About ViodiContactBiographies Interested in Sponsoring the Viodi View? Send an email to: sponsor@viodi.com Please forward this free […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newsletter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=305"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":867,"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305\/revisions\/867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viodi.com\/classic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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