Industry Canada - Moving Forward the Digital Strategy

On June 22nd, 2009 the Canadian Minister of Industry hosted The Digital Economy Forum.

The purpose of the forum was to provide a one-day forum to identify the key areas of action necessary for Canada to regain its leadership position in the Digital Economy.

More information on the The Digital Economy Forum can be found here:
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ecic-ceac.nsf/eng/h_gv00526.html

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For more information on broadband and how Muskoka is building technology capacity, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at www.mcnet.ca

MCN - We Are Hiring!

Muskoka Community Network(MCN) is a not-for-profit organization facilitating the implementation of telecommunications solutions for the regions of Muskoka and Almaguin by forming partnerships with both the public and private sector. MCN works to develop technological capacity in our area.

Youth Intern – Technology Project Officer - Bracebridge

The Technology Project Officer who will work closely with the Executive Director to meet the goals and objectives of our organization and specifically technology programs which MCN delivers to our stakeholders and clients. This is a 1 year position as a Youth Intern.

Who is eligible? Unemployed or underemployed youth (under the age of 30) who have graduated with a degree or diploma from a post secondary institution within the last three years, are legally entitled to work in Canada, and have not been previously employed under a FedNor Youth Internship funding Agreement , or other Federal or Provincial Internship with pay for a period of six (6) months or more. Candidates must have reliable transportation.
This position will be exciting, challenging and rewarding for the right candidate. The position requires an individual who has strong understanding of business and technology projects. The Technology Project Officer will be required to work with stakeholders including small and medium sized enterprises, as well as technology vendors. A passion for technology projects, comfort with public presentations, computer technology, and technical material will round out the ideal candidate.

Responsibilities include:
Coordination and marketing of workshops and presentations on associated projects
Processing client applications
Interacting with project stakeholders
Some travel within Muskoka/Almaguin

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
Excellent Time Management and Organization Skills
Written and oral proficiency
Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite
Excellent interpersonal skills
Knowledge of telecommunications and broadband technologies
Knowledge of web technologies and the web development process
Knowledge of the Muskoka/Almaguin area

If you can demonstrate that you hold the required skills and are interested in working on this exciting project please forward your covering letter and resume in Word or PDF format to rob.mcphee@mcnet.ca or fax to (705)-646-9522.

Closing Date for this competition is: July 31, 2009 - 4:00pm
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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

'Digital nation' key to economic recovery, academics say

Today, the Globe and Mail reported that the"Digital Nation key to economic recovery, academics say".

This report by Elizabeth Church indicates that Canadian Leaders are pushing to make Canada a leader in digital media.

Key speakers include: Ken Coates, Dean of Arts - University of Waterloo, Tony Clement, Ministry of Industry, Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, and Tom Jenkins, CEO Open Text.

For more information you can view the complete story at the Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/digital-nation-key-to-recovery-academics/article1172651/

For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

Muskoka Digital Animation Studio Gets Name and Logo from Students

Through a competition to develop a logo and a name, Six Degrees Muskoka has developed a new digital animation studio named "Pixels on the Parallel" Students in Muskoka participated in creating and naming this studio.

You can view the YouTube video showing the logo creation here or learn more about the digital animation studio here .



For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

Japan's mega-fast rural broadband

The BBC reports that Japan is working it's way to the front of the the rural broadband scence with speeds up to 48Mbps.

Watch the video......


For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

More Broadband in Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Lake of Bays, Georgian Bay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGH SPEED INTERNET ARRIVES IN FOUR ADDITIONAL REMOTE AREAS OF GRAVENHURST, HUNTSVILLE, LAKE OF BAYS AND GEORGIAN BAY

MUSKOKA, Ontario ─ April 23rd, 2009 ─ Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is pleased to announce that high speed internet has arrived for the first time ever in the remote areas of:

· Baxter, Township of Georgian Bay
· Port Stanton, Gravenhurst
· Lake Waseosa, Huntsville
· Hillside, Township of Lake of Bays

“I had the new service installed earlier this month and it is wonderful to be off dial up internet. It’s reliable and it’s fast.” said Joe McRobb, beneficiary of the newly established broadband tower in Port Stanton, Gravenhurst.

Additional service is being expanded in the Townships of Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay, as well as the Towns of Huntsville, Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. Please check http://www.mcnet.ca/projects/broadsched/ for more information.

To date, Muskoka Community Network has successfully coordinated the arrival of high speed internet in 25 previously unserviced locations, including the first nation community of Moose Deer Point.

Within Bracebridge:
Clear Lake
Portions of Falkenburg Station
Portions of Springdale Park
Stephenson Road 1 near Highway 11
Outlying areas of Taylor Road

Within the Township of Georgian Bay:
Baxter
South of the town of Mactier
West of the town of Mactier

Within Gravenhurst:
Barkaway
West Gravenhurst
Housey Rapids
Port Stanton
Ryde

Within Huntsville
Clearwater Lake Road (Port Sydney)
Deer Lake Road (North)
Lake Waseosa
Lancelot
Madill Church – just south of Huntsville

Within Lake of Bays:
Bella Lake
Blue Lake
Parts of Camp Lake
Hillside
Tasso Lake
Toad Lake

Within First Nations Communities:
Moose Deer Point


This newly established wireless broadband coverage is expected to reach 80 per cent of the unserved population within these areas. Coverage will continue to improve as more towers come on-line. For those unable to access high speed wireless service, satellite high speed may be available.

IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT in these communities, or areas, and would like to determine if you are eligible for high speed wireless on this network, contact a Core Broadband reseller. To find a Core Broadband reseller visit http://www.corebroadband.ca/ and click on ISP’S (internet service providers).

You can also find a complete list of ISP’s IN MUSKOKA by visiting http://www.mcnet.ca/servicedirectory/ISP/


About FedNor

FedNor is a federal regional development organization in Ontario that works with a variety of partners, as both a facilitator and catalyst, to help create an environment in which communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper.

To date, Muskoka Community Network has secured 2.5 million dollars in public funding from FedNor. 1.7 million dollars was secured for broadband alone. Additional funding has been allocated towards improving online communications for our communities, and providing training on how best to leverage online opportunities.

About Muskoka Community Network

Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the implementation of telecommunications solutions for the regions of Muskoka and Almaguin, by working with and forming partnerships with both the public and private sectors.


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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Rob McPhee
Muskoka Community Network
705-646-9044
rob.mcphee@mcnet.ca

or

Alison Withey
Blue Whale Communications Inc.
705-788-0080
alison@bluewhalecommunications.com

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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

Creative Muskoka - Vision to Reality

VISION TO REALITY

May 1, 2009 - 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Nipissing University Bracebridge Campus, 125 Wellington St., Bracebridge, ON
$10 per person - lunch provided
Facilitator: Kathy Simpson,
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Organized by: the Creative Muskoka Working Committee

YOU ARE INVITED to a meeting of Creative Muskoka, an open, flexible and informal working group facilitating collaboration within the Muskoka area. Our vision is to make Muskoka the cultural centre of Ontario with a vibrant and internationally recognized creative economy based on our rich natural heritage, the arts and our culture. This will be the day on which we make some big decisions and start moving forward significantly, so be sure to have either yourself or a representative of your organization there to have your input heard!

Who Should Attend
Representatives from: the arts, culture and heritage in Muskoka; municipalities;
culture and tourism businesses; natural heritage/environmental groups; festival/event organizers; educational institutions; and other champions of the arts.

Outcomes:

• Raise awareness, understanding and appreciation of Muskoka’s cultural resources
• Share the Creative Muskoka vision
• Identify opportunities for collaboration/coordination that move Muskoka’s cultural
  agenda forward
• Develop project action plans that support Muskoka as a Designated Arts Community

For more information, to register (by April 17, please) or to reserve a display table, contact Muskoka Tourism 1-800-267-9700 or info@muskokatourism.ca, or register online at
http://www.mcnet.ca/creativemuskoka/

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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

DGRB-009-09: Extension to Comment Period for PCS/Cellular Consultation / DGRB-009-09: Prolongation de période de réception des commentaires pour consu

To assist in information distribution, Muskoka Community Network has posted this article which is supplied by Industry Canada on April 16th, 2009.
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The following document is now available on Industry Canada's Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Web site at: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/h_sf02092.html: Gazette Notice DGRB-009-09 – Extension to the Comment Period: Consultation on the Renewal of Cellular and Personal Communications Services (PCS) Spectrum Licences
The Gazette Notice will be published in the Canada Gazette April 25, 2009.
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Le document suivant est maintenant disponible sur le site Web de la Gestion du spectre et télécommunications d'Industrie Canada http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/fra/h_sf02092.html: Avis de la Gazette DGRB-009-09 – Prolongation de la période de réception des commentaires : Consultation sur le renouvellement de licences de spectre pour systèmes cellulaires et services de communications personnelles (SCP)
L'avis de la Gazette sera publié dans la Gazette du Canada le 25 avril 2009.

Heather HallManager, Emerging Networks Gestionnaire, Réseaux émergentSpectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications Sector Secteur du Spectre, des technologies de l'information et des télécommunicationsIndustry Canada Industrie Canada300 Slater Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0C8 300, rue Slater, Ottawa ON K1A 0C8Note new email Heather.Hall@ic.gc.caTelephone Téléphone 613-990-4411Facsimile Télécopieur 613-991-3514Government of Canada Gouvernement du Canada

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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

CRTC opens online consultation on Internet traffic management practices

Today, CRTC announced that it is opening "online" consultation on Internet traffic management practices. http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/news/releases/2009/r090331.htm

This consulation stems from the previous complaint put before the CRTC by CAIP. See http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/NEWS/RELEASES/2008/r081120.htm for more history on this issue.

For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at http://www.mcnet.ca/

MCN Announces LinkedIn Group

Muskoka Community Network is please to announce the development of a Muskoka Community Network group on LinkedIn.

The purpose of this group is to allow people to communicate and collaborate on the development of technology capacity in Muskoka.

Please feel free to join this social network and discuss technology issues in Muskoka.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1776862&trk=hb_side_g

For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

The Power of META TAGS in Search Engine Optimization

Putting information on the Internet is a great way to provide information to the world about your product and services. Providing information on the Internet can improve your efforts by using technology to provide the marketing legwork. You can significantly improve the number, and more importantly the relevance, of the people you bring to your site, or directory, or blog by paying some attention to Search Engine Optimization(SEO). One of the key components of proper SEO is the use of META TAGS.

Web traffic typically consists of three distinct types. These three types of traffic are referred to as Direct, Organic, and Referral traffic. In this posting we will examine how direct and organic traffic are different, and how to use META TAGS to build organic traffic.

Direct Traffic is traffic that is generated from information that you post on the web simply because people already know to look for it there. For example, you may be wondering what the Government of Canada is doing these days, so you go to your computer browser and you type in http://www.gc.ca/. You have just created “Direct Traffic” for the Government of Canada. Generating “Direct Traffic” assumes a degree of existing brand recognition, and doesn’t require the use of any META TAGS, because people already know the website address.

If someone knows your website and types it in, they are creating “direct traffic” for you. In fact if someone already knows your website address, then the your marketing is already somewhat done since there is already brand awareness.

WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DON”T KNOW WHERE YOUR INFORMATION IS?

“Organic Traffic” is very different. Organic traffic can attract visitors to your website even though they don’t know anything about you or your products or services. There are several techniques to create Organic Traffic. One of the techniques to build “Organic Traffic” is the use of META TAGS.

Putting the proper information into the META TAGS of any information that you create on the web significantly improves the ability of people to find you through search engines such as Google, Yahoo, AltaVista, etc. If you are trying to create brand and product awareness on the Internet why not let the search engines do the heavy lifting of marketing. This heavy lifting is attracting the “right clientele” to your web content.

There are 3 essential META TAGS that need proper and complete information to boost your organic traffic. These 3 essential META TAGS are the META TITLE, META DESCRIPTION, and META KEYWORD tags.

META TAGS FOR SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION EXPLAINED

The META TITLE tag is what will show up in the title bar of your web browser. The figure below demonstrates where META TITLE information shows up.







The META DESCRIPTION information that you submit is not visible to the human viewer, but is visible to search engines such as Google, Yahoo, AltaVista etc.

The META KEYWORD information that you submit is not visible to the human viewer either, but again is visible to search engines such as Google, Yahoo, AltaVista etc.

These search engines send out their little SEO bots to have a peek at your web content periodically and they scan your web content for META TITLE, META DESCRIPTION, and META KEYWORDS, as well as the information that you actually submit (your content).

So now that you know what META TITLES, META DESCRIPTIONS, and META KEYWORDS are, let’s examine how to use these.

Let’s make up a fictitious business called Muskoka's Fine Flower Shop.

The META TITLE should include a short title on what the page is about and the market you serve. For example:
Muskoka's Fine Flowers– Fine Flowers and Floral Arrangements

The META DESCRIPTION should include a short paragraph on what the page is about. For example: Muskoka's Fine Flowers is a flower shop located Muskoka, ON. Muskoka Fine Flowers will design flowers and floral arrangements. We can deliver or you can pickup. An excellent choice for weddings, funerals, anniversaries or Valentines day.

The META KEYWORDS should include several words that people searching for flowers might be looking for even though they don’t know about Muskoka Fine Flowers . These keywords should be separated by commas. Not any keywords will do. Your keywords should be related to the service or product you provide, and if you only serve a specific geographical location it should be included in your keyword selection. Respectable keyword choices for this ficticous company may be: Muskoka, flowers, floral, weddings, funerals, anniversary, Valentines day.

However, keep in mind that people are searching for terms which may be different than you might expect. For example, Muskoka Fine Flowers might cater to weddings, funerals, anniversaries and Valentines day. However, “roses, tulips, daisies,” may be good keyword choices too.


For an excellent learning resource on how to drive you organic traffic through keywords visit http://tourismkeys.ca/lesson_1.html This lesson is industry specific, but with only very little imagination it really applies to all industries.


For additional information on making powerful keyword choices, which are based on what people are actually searching for visit https://adwords.google.ca/select/KeywordToolExternal


The keywords that are important to your organization should appear in the body of your text as well as META TITLE, META DESCRIPTION, and META KEYWORDS. This builds keyword density, and keyword density is important in building organic traffic.


Good luck with using your META TAGS!

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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

Calling All Muskoka Business and Technology Geniuses! - Business and Technology Centre

We Need Your Input

Muskoka Community Network is facilitating the development of an advanced Muskoka Business and Technology Centre and we need your help.


Our vision is to create a centre of excellence that will support Muskoka business and technology development and to deliver training to further develop the technology workforce, economy, and culture in Muskoka.


We have an appropriate facility with UltraBroadband capacity, but we want your input into the design and capability of this facility. Come and join us on February 25th, 2009 at 1p.m. and contribute to the vision of the Muskoka Business and Technology Centre.

It will be exciting to hear your ideas on:

• What technological capacity your organization needs, but doesn't have access to;


• What human capacity your organization needs in relation to business and technology development, but doesn't have access to;


• What technological capacity Muskoka needs;


• The culture of a community based "Business and Technology Centre";


• How a community based "Business and Technology Centre" might operate.

Some possible ideas include:

• Community Video Streaming Centre


• Video Rendering


• Public Fibre access point


• Application Development


• Shared access to advanced computing resources


• Technology Training Catalogue


• And of course a technology training centre

We encourage you to post a comment on this article to get us all thinking about what this centre might look like.

We hope to see you on Feb 25th, 2009 at 1 p.m. at 440 Ecclestone Drive, Bracebridge, ON. We are located here....http://www.mcnet.ca/servicedirectory/map

Regards,

Muskoka Community Network
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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

HIGH SPEED INTERNET ARRIVES IN FIVE REMOTE AREAS OF MUSKOKA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGH SPEED INTERNET ARRIVES FOR FIRST TIME EVER IN FIVE REMOTE AREAS OF MUSKOKA

Muskoka, Ontario ─ January 19th, 2009 ─ Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is pleased to announce that high speed internet has arrived for the first time ever in the remote areas of:

· Moose Deer Point, a first nations community
· Bella Lake, Lake of Bays
· Clear Lake, Bracebridge
· Madill Church, just south of Huntsville
· and the outlying areas of Taylor Road, Bracebridge

“High speed is more than a business advantage, it’s a basic business requirement,” said Eric Lindgren, head potter, Lindgren Pottery Showroom and resident, Madill Church.

“In its absence, all communications – be it with customers, suppliers or even the government – are a struggle, and at times counterproductive,” Lindgren added. “I’m looking forward to a substantial decrease in the insanity now that we have high speed in the Madill Church area.”

Additional service is being expanded in the Townships of Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay, as well as the Towns of Huntsville, Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. Please check http://www.mcnet.ca/projects/broadsched/ for more information.

“At a time when the economy is under duress, the extension of high speed to as many people as possible is more important than ever,” said Rob McPhee, Executive Director, at Muskoka Community Network. “In fact, in December FedNor echoed this sentiment with an additional investment of $491,200.00, enabling Muskoka Community Network to continue coordinating the deployment of broadband services and provide training opportunities to the residents and businesses of Muskoka and Almaguin,” added McPhee.

To date, Muskoka Community Network has successfully coordinated the arrival of high speed internet in 18 previously unserviced locations, including the first nation community of Moose Deer Point.

Within Bracebridge:
Portions of Springdale Park
Portions of Falkenburg Station
Stephenson Road 1 near Highway 11
Outlying areas of Taylor Road
Clear Lake

Within the Township of Georgian Bay:
South of the town of Mactier
West of the town of Mactier


Within Gravenhurst:
Ryde
Barkaway
Housey Rapids
West Gravenhurst

Within Huntsville:
Madill Church – just south of Huntsville


Within Lake of Bays:
Tasso Lake
Toad Lake
Blue Lake
Parts of Camp Lake
Bella Lake

Within First Nations Communities:
Moose Deer Point

“Core Broadband was retained by Muskoka Community Network to build the actual infrastructure and we’re proud to have played such a large role in connecting 18 communities to date, said Neil Smellie, Core Broadband. “Having said that, we are incredibly appreciative of the work done by Indigiinet, an internet service provider, whom we sub-contracted to assist in the establishment of high speed within the first nations community of Moose Deer Point. It was Bill Hay, Chairman and CEO of Indigiinet who worked closely with the communities’ Band Council to make it happen.”

This newly established wireless broadband coverage is expected to reach 80 per cent of the unserved population within these areas. Coverage will continue to improve as more towers come on-line. For those unable to access high speed wireless service, satellite high speed may be available.

IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT in these communities, or areas, and would like to determine if you are eligible for high speed wireless on this network, contact a Core Broadband reseller. To find a Core Broadband reseller visit www.corebroadband.ca and click on ISP’S (internet service providers).

You can also find a complete list of ISP’s IN MUSKOKA by visiting http://www.mcnet.ca/servicedirectory/ISP/


About FedNor
FedNor is a federal regional development organization in Ontario that works with a variety of partners, as both a facilitator and catalyst, to help create an environment in which communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper.

In 2007, Muskoka Community Network secured $1.7 million from FedNor towards the development of an infrastructure to deliver broadband to unserved areas; and through an open bidding process retained Core Broadband to begin building the necessary infrastructure early last year.

About Muskoka Community Network
Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the implementation of telecommunications solutions for the regions of Muskoka and Almaguin, by working with and forming partnerships with both the public and private sectors.

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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Rob McPhee

Muskoka Community Network

705-646-9044

rob.mcphee@mcnet.ca

OR

Alison Withey

Blue Whale Communications Inc.

705-788-0080

alison@bluewhalecommunications.com

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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

Industry Canada - Spectrum Operations

To assist in information distribution, Muskoka Community Network has posted this article which is supplied by Industry Canada on January 14th, 2009.
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NOTICE: The following documents are now available.


Gazette Notice No. DGTP-003-08 - Consultation on the Possible Use of the Extended-Ku Spectrum Bands for Direct-to-Home (DTH) Satellite Broadcasting Services
Gazette: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09193.html
Consultation: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09183.html

Gazette Notice No. DGTP-004-08 - Consultation Paper on Using a Portion of the Band 14.5-15.35 GHz for Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) Systems
Gazette: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09194.html
Consultation: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09184.html

Interested parties should submit their comments no later than March 13, 2009.
Reply comments will be accepted until April 17, 2009.

Moratorium on Fixed Services in the Bands 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.7 GHz, 14.66-14.82 GHz and 15.135-15.295 GHz
SAB-001-08: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09185.html

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AVIS: Les documents suivants sont maintenant disponible.


Avis DGTP-003-08 - Consultation sur l'utilisation possible des bandes de fréquences Ku étendues pour le service de radiodiffusion directe (SRD) par satellite
Avis: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/fra/sf09193.html
Consultation: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/fra/sf09183.html

Avis no DGTP-004-08 - Document de consultation sur l'utilisation d'une partie de la bande 14,5-15,35 GHz par les systèmes de liaison de données commune tactique (TCDL)
Avis: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/fra/sf09194.html
Consultation: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/fra/sf09184.html

Les intéressés doivent présenter leurs observations au plus tard le 13 mars 2009.
En outre, le Ministère offrira aux intéressés l'occasion de répondre aux commentaires reçus. Ces réponses seront acceptées jusqu'au 17 avril 2009.

Moratoire sur les services fixes exploités dans les bandes 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.7 GHz, 14.66-14.82 GHz et 15.135-15.295 GHz http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/fra/sf09185.html

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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

Sign up for new best practices workshops today!

Get The Most From Broadband & Technology

With the start of a new year there are going to be new Muskoka Community Network workshops delivered this January. As part of MCN's commitment to delivering technology training education and awareness to Muskoka, we will be running many more workshops over 2009. Our workshops are designed to help Muskoka's businesses and residents get the most benefit from broadband and technology.

All of our workshops are delivered in easily understood language to suit everyone from those who just started using a computer yesterday to more advanced users. We are offering two new workshops, Plan Your Web and Technology Management.

Plan Your Web:
MCN Office, 440 Ecclestone Drive, Bracebridge
January 19th, 1:30pm

The first of two workshops will be a Plan Your Web workshop. This workshop teaches participants about what makes a good website and how to integrate planning website into your business structure. Plan Your Web participants will also learn some of the important points of search engine optimization, picking a good host and website developer plus much more! This workshop is sponsored by the Business Enterprise Resource Network, visit their website here.

Technology Management:
St. Thomas' Anglican Church, 4 Mary Street, Bracebridge
January 28th, 5:00pm

The second workshop is about Technology Management. This workshop covers a variety of important topics for today's business owner. Some of the highlights include developing strategies to cope with advancing technology and obsolescence, security for your computers and on the internet. Plus, the Technology Management workshop will show you how to avoid data disasters and ease recovery. This workshop is hosted in partnership with Muskoka Futures.

To sign up for either workshop or for more information please send us an e-mail at mcn.info@mcnet.ca or call us at 646-9044. Watch out for more information on other upcoming workshops on this blog or on our website.

For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

Web 2.0 Developers Provide 'Fast and Easy" Solutions For Businesses.

Web 2.0 technology has been around for a few years now. This article in the Globe and Mail illustrates how tech companies are using Web 2.0 to provide new services to make businesses more efficient.

Read more at:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081125.wsb-missioncriticaldiscussion1211/BNStory/MissionCritical/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20081125.wsb-missioncriticaldiscussion1211

For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

FedNor contributes to Muskoka Community Network

Muskoka Community Network Recieves FedNor Contribution

A FedNor investment of $491,200 will provide Muskoka Community Network (MCN) with funding to support and expand its regional ICT Network. Specifically, FedNor funding will allow MCN to coordinate the deployment of broadband services in unserviced communities and deliver a variety of ICT-related services and training opportunities to residents and businesses throughout its service area.

An additional FedNor investment of $48,000 was also provided to MCN to host Ontario’s Digital Economy Conference, a very successful pan-provincial ICT conference that took place in Huntsville from October 1st to 3rd, 2008.


For more information about this announcement please visit the follow URL's:

http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/fednor-fednor.nsf/en/fn03047e.html

http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/fednor-fednor.nsf/en/fn03046e.html

For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

Saskatchewan invests $129 Million in Broadband

The Province of Saskatchewan is investing $129 Million dollars to bring broadband to the entire province over 3 years. For more details visit:

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/11/26/internet-access.html?ref=rss

For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca

CRTC Denies CAIP request

On November 20th, 2008, the CRTC announced that is has denied the request to have Bell Canada cease it's bandwidth shaping policies.

More information on this decision can be found at :
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/NEWS/RELEASES/2008/r081120.htm

For more information on broadband, and digital technologyMuskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at www.mcnet.ca

Canadians Purchase $12.8 Billion. How much in Muskoka?

On November 17th, the Globe and Mail reported that Canadians placed $12.8 Billion worth of goods in 2007. This is an increase of 61% from the year 2005.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081117.wgtstatscan1117/BNStory/Technology/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20081117.wgtstatscan1117

We don't have statistics for Muskoka readily available regarding online purchasing, but for sake of argument, let us assume that Muskoka is an average place. Based on the numbers above, if we reverse engineer the national numbers and then re-calculate for Muskoka population the numbers would look like this. ($12,800,000,000 online sales) divide by (Canada's population of approxmately 33,431,565) = $382 per capita in Canada for 2007.

Now, lets see what Muskoka might look like. ($382 per capita) times (estimated permanent population of 53,000) = 20,460,000. That is Twenty Million-Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand dollars. This is a rough estimate of the size of Muskoka's online purchasing power. These calculations don't even include the seasonal population.

Arguably, we have our own demographics and the numbers will vary somewhat from this estimate. But let's think about this.......The size of the market in Muskoka for online transactions is somewhere in the neighbourhood of $20 Million dollars per year. That's enough to make you sit up and take notice.

For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit Muskoka Community Network's website at
www.mcnet.ca