[19881] in APO-L
WebCam debate
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Richard Edward Vehlow)
Wed Jan 6 17:20:44 1999
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 17:20:33 -0500
Reply-To: Richard Edward Vehlow <vehlor@RPI.EDU>
From: Richard Edward Vehlow <vehlor@RPI.EDU>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
The several brothers who argue against the proposal bring up some valid
technology points which even I must agree with. However, I am suggesting this
for the future, when undoubtedly the technology will allow it more and more.
Based on the progress of technology in this country, I foresee this being
affordable and technically workable in 10 years.
10 Years ago, who would've thought that we'd be posting still pictures of the
convention on email accounts, accessible with one keystroke half a world
away.
I did not see GIF technology until 1991 myself. We've been postibg pictures
on the web now for 4 years.
As for wiring the hotel, what about wireless? Currently, most cell phones are
too staticy to support data transmission, but I'm sure that is changing.
Omnipoint advertises crystal clear transmission now. Then there's the service
fee. If a brother has a phone which gives 150 minutes of included talk time a
month locally for $30 (like I do), then more than half of 4 1-hour daily
broadcasts would be paid for, the rest costing maybe .10-.25 a minute. A lot
cheaper than the hotel hassles.
As for confidentiality, there is none. You have spectators. You have minutes
which we can read. You have people on and off the floor with cameras, totally
unregulated. (Based on my experiences in Phoenix and Boston, with being a SAA
and a freelance videographer/photographer.) You'd be blacking out the ritual
stuff, but outside of that, everything else discussed even in today's
conventions is fair game for publicity.
I am for the 1 hour broadcast digest rather than round the clock. Not only
would it have a bigger audience, but it would involve more of the 1000+
nonvoting delegates who will be idle at times during the afternoons in the
convention.
Whereas I see logistics in today's world, you gotta look ahead and say "How
could this be pulled off" I'm sure Galileo and Bill gates had Naysayers from
the get-go too.
-REV
