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Network Neutrality: NYC Council Committee on Technology in Government

On April 30, 2007, the Committee on Technology in Government will hold an oversight hearing on establishing strong network neutrality principles in order to protect the Internet. The hearing will also examine the issues surrounding the network neutrality debate in the Federal Government and focus on Resolution No. 712, which calls on Congress to create strong network neutrality principles. The Committee is interested in hearing testimony on what network neutrality entails, community concerns regarding its use, and the future of the Internet without protections for network neutrality.

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InfraGard Annual Geospatial Meeting

InfraGard Annual Geospatial Meeting
Wednesday March 14, 2007, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Great Hall at The Cooper Union, Foundation Building, 7 East 7th St, NYC<
http://www.nym-infragard.us

The March GISMO Meeting will be held in conjunction with the 2007 InfraGard Annual Geospatial Meeting.

InfraGard is an FBI program dedicated to promoting ongoing dialogue and timely communication between the private sector and the FBI concerning critical infrastructure protection issues. The FBI and InfraGard members are engaged in this cooperative undertaking in recognition that a public/private strategic partnership is of vital importance to our nation’s security.

We are looking for interested Speakers and Vendors and Volunteers for this years meeting. Contact Geospatial Coordinator George Davis at 516-694-1722 for information or email gdavis@nym-infragard.us.

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First Reponders: NYC Council Committee on Technology in Government

On November 16, 2006, the Committee on Public Safety, the Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice Services, and the Committee on Technology in Government, will hold a joint oversight hearing on improvements in communication technology among New York City first responders.

This hearing will focus on the progress of radio communications for New York City first responders since the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, as well as the creation of the Citywide Mobile Wireless Network (

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Call for GISMO Coordinators/Volunteers

From Jack Eichenbaum:

Dear GISMO colleagues,

At the last GISMO Steering Committee Meeting (in July before the regular meeting) I spoke about withdrawing from much of my leadership role at GISMO. I’ve been doing this for 16 years.

I have been retired (from NYC DOF) for more than a year now and I no longer have access to property data files or GIS software. My urban interests have shifted almost entirely to teaching and the understanding of the changing city through the medium of walking tours. I still retain an engaging interest in data and its interface with reality. I will continue to be advisor to OASIS. And I can consult on related NYC urban issues.

GISMO needs additional committed leadership. Leaders should be younger and more GIS-technically aware than I am.

I told the Steering Committee that I would maintain my present leadership level through the end of the year.

Meanwhile, here are some immediate needs:

1. One or more persons who lead or co-lead meetings (I will continue to do this sometimes!)
2. A person to be listed on the GISMO website who can respond to questions about GISMO (might be George
Davis) This should be a GISMO veteran)
3. A liaison with the Fund for the City of NY- our hosts. (possibly filled)
4. An overall leader ready to deal with organizational issues and the stuff between the cracks. As I have.

Possibly this could be done by two people but I’d shudder to hear that it became a committee.

If you have an interest in these issues or in helping with GISMO in general, please attend the next GISMO Steering Committee meeting, Thursday, September 7 at 3:30pm- location TBA. It will be important to know your colleagues. If you think you will be coming please email me (jaconet@aol.com) with any ideas and so I can advise you of any schedule change.

Let me list some colleagues who continue to provide leadership and service to GISMO:

Ken Reid runs meetings and services new members.
Noreen Whysel manages our listserv and yahoo site.
Amy Jeu updates our website (@Hunter).
Mark Ryvkin manages our database.
Karen Rutberg organizes GISMO programs.
George Davis, Joel Grossman, Zvia Naphtali, Wendy Dorf and Dorothy Nash are active members of the GISMO Steering Committee.

We recently feted Greg Studwell (ran meetings) who has moved to Massachusetts.
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Taxonomy at The Economist

I am always on the lookout for good articles on taxonomy, because of my interest in the taxonomies of Information Architecture and classic linnean classification of birds. Here are a couple of features from Feb 9 Economist:

Names for sale
Feb 9th 2006
From The Economist print edition
The ancient science of taxonomy might benefit from a little modern marketing
http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5494618

Today we have naming of parts
Feb 9th 2006
From The Economist print edition
A global registry of animal species could shake up taxonomy
http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5492016