Scott Page's blog

Just to keep everyone updated on the continuing development of Wi-Fi, Muni-wireless released a new report on the state of the Wi-Fi market. The long and short of it is the market is expanding rapidly with just about every city looking to get in on the action.

On the flip side, the Philadelphia Inquirer last weekend ran a story about the uncertain future of wireless as a city-led initiative.

When recently working in a distressed community in Philadelphia, we were thinking of the best ways to communicate what we were planning for the area and guide residents toward local resources that exist but are rarely used. As a cost effective solution, we worked with the Klip Collective to implement a video installation within a vacant storefront. The installation runs every evening. Besides providing some valuable information, we used the installation to instill some street activity along what was once an active commercial corridor.

Interesting idea under development at the University of Cambridge.

"Printed maps can be designed and printed to show fine detail and yet remain easy to take in at a glance. They are also simple to use in group discussions. However, a new map needs to be printed whenever information changes. Computer-based maps on a screen can change dynamically to represent a changing situation, but are not as easy to use. Dr Tom Drummond, Dr Gerhard Reitmayr, and Ethan Eade are combining the benefits of printed maps with the benefits of computer based dynamic maps, creating a dynamic high resolution map by augmenting printed maps with digital graphical information.

The "trace", as some designers and planners refer to them, are marketed and annotated tours that cover specific topics including waterfronts, historic districts and parks. Traditionally, they've been undertaken through marketing efforts and physical improvements such as signs, markers and designated trails. Until recently, they have been developed top-down with funding and the identification of historic markers and sites by specific organizations. Ken Snyder's excellent post

Just an added note on personal rapid transit. Some years ago, Bruno Latour wrote "Aramis" which documents the French government's attempt to create a PRT system for Paris (later killed by the government itself). Written as a cross between a socialogical study and a mystery novel, its worth a look for those interested in the subject.

In Adam's spirit of "tweaking" fellow bloggers, (Hi All) I'd like to emphasize Adam's last point - "Is it still a utility if no one utilizes it?"

For all of the talk about municipal wireless, particularly in my hometown of Philadelphia, I've always been concerned about the ultimate use of the investment despite the fact I agree that anti-municipal broadband laws are detrimental to the flexibility of any City to serve their population. I'm reminded of an interview posted on Muniwireless

Less a cool application and more of an example of the power of information put in the hands of neighborhood groups. The Philadelphia Inquirer a month or two back put together this interactive map showing the frequency of shootings in the City (which Charlie's map reminded me of). Illustrated like a topographical map, many neighborhoods reacted quite strongly to the information. The unfortunate trends, represented and placed on the front page, has further inhibited any ability to market specific neighborhoods as improving and/or attractive places to live.

One of the best travelogues of pictures i've seen. Escape Route provides a unique method for organizing and viewing photos. The site also offers dphoto - a kind of ophoto with pizazz. This is one step away from what could be a great application for organizing and documenting change at the scale of a neighborhood, city and region.

One of students was kind enough to forward this to me. The Cool Space Locater is designed to match innovative and creative firms to spaces that may not traditionally appeal to businesses looking for office space. I could have used this in Philadelphia when I really needed office space that wasn't overpriced nor in Center City. The only resource we really had was Craig's list as there are few coordinated resources for finding office spaces for rent - particularly small, non-traditional spaces.

murmur is one of those inexpensive but creative ways of combining technology with space. to me, its exciting to see public art move into this realm - dealing expressly with communications rather than focused solely on physical beautification. potentially so much more than a mural....

"[murmur] is an archival audio project that collects and curates stories set in specific Toronto locations. At each of these locations, a [murmur] sign will mark the availability of a story with a telephone number and location code.