A Discussion Of Technology and Telecom Issues in Wisconsin
What do you do when the Wisconsin State taxpayers are completely tapped out of their ability to support ill-conceived and failed telecom infrastructure? Why, join the line to Washington asking the taxpayers living in economically well-managed states to share the profits resulting from their thrifty ways. Who could say”no”?
From prehistory to the present day, success in technology integration is coupled to success in business and effective government. History is replete with examples of both good and bad technology planning, reflecting the profound changes in the social order wrought by many of mankind’s new inventions.
Wisconsin’s budget is experiencing a “shortfall”, according to the Governor. At least some of the red ink is due to the paleolithic “Badgernet” network that occasionally turns up in archeological digs and Harvard lawyer’s speeches.
The Soul of the Machine
Wisconsin rates #7 in overall tax burden. Our per-capita income is below the median value for all states, and our best and brightest are leaving at record rates. Wisconsin’s taxes have always been relatively high, but in the old days we received good value for our money in terms of educational applications and infrastructure. This is certainly no longer the case - we read every day about failed technology and educational initiatives, costing the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. It is clear to everyone (except carrier lobbyists) that the culprit is CENTRAL PROCUREMENT.
The diagram below traces the path of a new technology initiative through the design and implementation process at CENTRAL PROCUREMENT at the WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION (DOA).
Recently, several proposals have been brought forward (that means: have asked for funding) that seek to use the electrical service grid to transmit integrated media services. With respect to the systems analyzed by this reviewer so far, these proposals appear to either ignore or cavalierly dismiss the obvious structural problems of efficiency and security.