[Vision2020] Thank you for the catch up

[Abu Dmaharra]

Greetings all,

I would like to thank you all for the public forum, it has enabled me to
catch up on what has been going on these past years I have been gone.

I will be the first to say, like many others on here, I am anonymous, and
have taken precautions to keep it that way for my own personal reasons.  I
am no one famous, nor distingushed, nor criminal, I am simply an "average
joe" and would like it to stay that way, for now.

Secondly, my games and expertise is business, marketing, and technology.  I
am still quite young by most standard measures, but I am old enough, and
have been 'blessed' (I use that term loosely) with experiences that have
provided me with wisdom in these areas beyond the years of most.

It is the technology aspect which brings me to the whole reason why I am
posting.

I read the archive about slander on public forums and what not, and I doubt
if any of you really get what the "anon person that is in no way associated
or even could considered to be associated with First Step" (haha) is saying
in a beat around the bush sort of way.  Most of what they posted is about
90% BS.  (I am assuming it was "them", but I don't actually know, although
it seems blatently obvious.)

In order for them to be truely liable, LOTS of things have to happen first,
none of which have to do with them and what they support.  They are
federally protected by their status as an internet service provider, and
even then, I really doubt even THAT applies to them, as no one is PAYING
for their services.  This is a free-will pro bono unregulated public
service they are providing, and therefore I don't believe that any
presedence has been set for that sort of thing.

All of the e-slander/e-liable cases to date have involved some sort of paid
venue in some shape or form.

BTW, in case you were wondering, in order for a domain host to be liable
for anything like that, a complaint must first be made directly to them,
officially by registered mail (differs by state), and that letter must be
signed in front of a notary (and again differs by state).  This makes
public record of the complaint, and of the sending of the complaint.

Still with me?  Now, lets say a complainer doesn't have to do all that in
the state they live in.  So they complain about a poster, and write a
letter to support detailing the "abuse".

All that the provider has to do is say "As this is a public forum provided
as a public service that we neither moderate nor regulate short of
archiving old messages and adding/removing subscribers via an automatic
process, we are not responsible for the content of this public forum.  We
understand your concern about this incident, however, as we are simply the
medium of public communication, and not party to the offender, nor the
offended, in any manner, we have no right to take any action on any user
due to a lack of an end user agreement."

Although that is stated on the mission page in not so eloquent words...
okay sure same thing really.

This statement, assuming it is totally accurate in the scenario, will show
that the digital provider is simply providing the service.  The offended
party can still suponea whatever details are available of the offender from
the service provider, but that would be about the extent.  To actually name
a service provider providing a free public service in a law suit is a very
hard thing to do, and only the most slimiest or desparate of lawyers would
even take the retainer to write up the suit, as in most cases it doesn't
even make it beyond interrogitories due to it being a FREE service, and
lack of criminal violation.

In essence, it would be like suing a radio station for doing a public
service announcement because it offended you personally.  Good luck with
that case.

More to what the user is stating, who is probably associated, or works for,
First Step Internet, is that they are tired of providing this service for
free, and taking up some of their "very limited" bandwidth.  It's not going
to matter in 3 years anyway as they will probably be replaced by something
else, but to all those that think that First Step Internet has provided a
monumental public service at their cost, let me dissolve that for you.

Vision2020 is a sub-domain of the moscow.com domain.  Moscow.com is owned
by first step internet.  Google "WHOIS moscow.com" and you will find a
bunch of tools that will verify the owner.  Any domain, although there are
exceptions, can have unlimited sub-domains, you simply need to register
them.  As FSI owns the domain, and is hosted on their privately owned
servers, they are only limited to storage space on that server, and of
course, bandwidth.

Bandwidth however has nothing to do with storage space, which is a common
layman error.  The entire data contents and code of this website, with all
archived messages dating back to origin, probably fits easily on my thumb
drive with tons of room to spare.  It loads fast, because there is not much
data to go through, for the most part it is simply text converted e-mails.
Therefore, it is not as if 15 years of emails take up anything substantial
on their server, especially with archiving and auto compressing.  If it
does, well that would then have more to do with lack of current technology
at First Step because a standard HDD or Hard Disk Drive is about 500GB now,
and I would be real suprised if this site took up even 1GB.  (assuming it
did take up that much, you could still make just under 500 copies of this
exact website, so just short of 500 other addresses, with the exact same
amount of data)  That is just STANDARD, not a brand spanking new 2TB drive
which is 2000GB.  (1000GB = 1TB ~ pronounced Terra Byte)

The actual bandwidth is what First Step is hurting for at the moment I
would think, as is every other ISP in the area.  Think of bandwidth like a
steel plumbing pipe.  In this case a 6 inch pipe.  The circumference of
that pipe is all the volume that pipe will take at any given moment or 6
inches of volumetric flow.  This forum is part of that flow.  In relevance
to the data flow associated with this pipe on the bandwidth, vision2020's
bandwidth is equivelent to a toothpick's width of flow in that 6 inch
pipe.  In most other cases, other individual clients are equivelent to
about this width of flow, with the exception of major establishments, like
say the hospital.

The hospital pays a premium for using a bigger portion of the volume.  The
other users pay considerably less (although still stupidly overcharged) for
the flow they take up.  From reading the archive, what appears to be going
on is that First Step is getting nervous about not charging for all of
their bandwidth, as there are a few other public service type provisions
they do.

In addition, this site does use their coveted "moscow.com" domain name,
that they also have not charged all these years for.  This has probably
become disconcerting to them in recent months, as they seem to be all about
having income for just having that particular domain name.  To dissolve
that illusion that it is something special or hard to acquire, in 2017, any
bloke on the planet can acquire the domain if it is not renewed.  I think a
10 year renewal is like 300 bucks or something like that? So take that with
what they charge businesses for having a website through them with the
"blahbusiness".moscow.com per month/year and figure their markup.

Of course to be fair, there is their own server equipment which could, but
probably doesn't, cost upwards of 20K  or more when you get into decent
server configurations, but like I said, I really doubt they are using
something like that.  It is probably like most small business ISP's and
piece-mealed together over time.  Even with a 50K figure, in one year their
mark-up is still considerable, because that server will not be replaced if
it can be helped for about 5-10 years.

As they are in the process of trying to negotiate a long overdue equipment
upgrade/additional towers, as well as increase their "pipe" size, I would
imagine that in this economy they are trying to do everything they can to
get whatever they can.  I don't blame them for this, however, they are at
the same time trying not to "stir the nest" on here, and cause some PR
damage to themselves by starting to charge for the site.  Usually the first
step of changing a public service forum to a private fee forum, is some
kind of announcement, or in this case a "nervous Nelly" post about
something that wouldn't even affect them, and making the forum private to
begin with.

What comes next is some completely overstated post about how oh because
it's private we have to moderate and blah blah blah, and takes resources,
so we are charging a small fee, etc. etc.  Pffh... I could moderate 10
years of this website's posts in a week, and I sleep for the first 5 days.
It takes nothing with the way it is set up, no code to manage, automated
sign up and unsubscribe pre-fabricated inserts.  It's really not much and
by leaving the forum public, they would not be doing anything wrong
legally.  This forum is really nothing more than a e-mail forwarder to list
members, and a site to access old messages from.  Completely automated
setup going on, nothing to maintain, unless it breaks on their end.

So what was the purpose of that e-mail on the 1st?  I absoulutely detest
companies, especially computer, internet, etc. digital providing companies
that try to beef up what they do, simply to make it seem like they move
heaven and earth, so they can charge something or charge more.  To put this
in even more perspective for people, if I could sit down with an individual
to educate them in this kind of technology for a month straight, 8 hours a
day, by the end of that month they could replace all of what First Step
Internet does by building a setup and run it out of a closet.  Even funnier
is that with what some remote server management places are offering, you
could run what First Step does in a remote closet somewhere else in North
America!  (Going across the atlantic causes issues with packet information
delay, although those trunk cables are getting better everytime they
upgrade)

Upon moving back into this area I am apalled at what passes for a computer
service professional.  There is so much gouging and price hijacking going
on with the tech and tech services around here, it makes me sick that these
people act more like a repugnant combination of used carsalesperson and
corporate lawyer, than an educated technical professional that provides
excellent service with a smile.  As digital services grow ever more like
the other life dependant utilities that are in a home, I suppose it
shouldn't really surprise me that companies are starting to act this way.

I wish I had about 100K fall into my lap to show the people of Moscow, my
hometown, what true professional technical services are like.  I have
already had the extreme pleasure of revealing the existing "technical
businesses" true natures to a few local business owners since I have been
back.  In one instance I did this by fixing what 5 technicians could
not fix in 2 months.  It took me 30 seconds, if that.  (true story)  I
almost didn't accept payment that was offered for it, but I spent some
additional time setting up other things that other technicians won't touch
because it's "3rd party", or to translate that, NOT BOUGHT THROUGH THEM.
Who cares?  This client of yours needs your help with it.  Get on the phone
with the tech support of the item if you don't know much about it, no shame
in that.  You are doing it so they don't have to, that is what they are
paying you for.  But I guess I should thank those that have that policy, it
made their client my client.

Which leads me to my next issue - I am told that I am "sorely needed"
here.  I wish that were the case.  A year ago when I visited, I was offered
4 interviews on the spot by 4 different places simply because I needed to
do some tech shopping and was out of timeframe reach of my normal vendor.
Now, those places still haven't hired anyone, and they are no longer
looking.  Not because they don't need the skilled person from the looks of
it, but because the populus has allowed the economy to dwindle to such
that most establishments are afraid to hire anyone skilled.

I use the term "populus" because I don't blame an individual grouping of
people, I blame everyone equally.  Candidates for not being aware that at
any point they may lose their job and preparing for it, also known as a
contingincy plan, business owners for not hiring when they need someone,
tightning of belts by consumers who haven't had any loss or reduction in
income, lack of advertising by establishments that need advertising, and
just about anyone that thinks to stave off reduction you increase your
prices.  I especially blame those idiots.  Less client base, so instead of
reducing the price to draw more in, you penalize the loyal clients... that
is smart how?

Take McDonald's for instance.  It has done exactly that.  Yes, the owner
wants to make money, sure, I get it.  However, by increasing his profit
margin, he dropped his loyal client base pool.  I do like the fact that
when I am in an extreme hurry there is no wait for a cheeseburger, but
usually I find myself looking at Wendy's value menu more often, and as a
boy to young man I went in there all the time with my Dad because it was
affordable.  Now, instead of continuing the tradition someday with my son,
it will be cheaper to just use elk burger, homemade buns, and slice of
cheese and trimmings from the store instead.  (Tastes better too, but you
all know that.)

Anyway, my current count as of yesterday through all media of jobs
available in just Moscow alone was around 500.  I have applied for about a
tenth of these, and even more before I had moved back, now no longer
listed.  In most cases I don't even get a letter of "thanks for applying
but....etc. etc."  I believe I have received one from the U of I out of
about 200 total since this spring.  Some jobs I have even verified that
they have been relisted.

So what the heck gives here?  I call to verify each and every one that my
material has been received, and they can't even send me a letter of
appreciation for applying?  If they are in such bad shape they can't afford
a dollarish courtesy for pool candidates, they might want to rethink about
hiring someone.  I think its even less than that- 12c for the paper, 8c for
the envelope, and 44c for the stamp or whatever it is now, so ya not even.

In my last position, I would literally drop everything to review an
application when submitted (not counting undroppable things) because to me,
that person that applied is so much more than somebody looking for a job.
They may be a potentially skilled or trainable asset that I don't have
yet.  If I see someone that has the potential to make my company that I
work for 200 bucks a day or more, and they are fine with getting paid
80-100 bucks a day, well lets see, thats a Benny and possibly more per day
the company didn't have before right?  My math isn't wrong is it?  This
translates to the company makes more money, I make more money, duh.  So why
is it I am the only one that can see this apparently?  Why is everyone so
afraid to pay a skilled wage for someone with skills, or even call back a
skilled person?

The other side to this arguement is that employers want too many skills and
don't want to pay more than they have to for them.  That is equally as
ridiculious.  Someone with a Masters degree is not going to take a 35K year
job if they can help it.  You will always be that individuals LAST choice
because right off, you have labeled yourself a "cheapass".  In the history
of anyone ever employed, no one stays employed to this sort of employer.
As soon as a better opportunity presents itself, all offers and/or loyalty
to the "cheapass" goes out the window.

Finally the great equalizer "or equivilent experience" and "year for
year" is another joke I see on most of the listings.  What exactly is
equivelent to my present day not even 6 month old real life business
experience compared to a textbook written 2-10 years ago?  I don't
understand that.  Sure, I can see where there might be a need to state
that, but it a real comparison, there isn't anything comparable when
considering classroom knowledge and practical application knowledge.  Show
me what page in your book tells you how to broker a multi million dollar
contract deal.... Show me the class you took that describes how to
integrate this newly developed and released technology to existing
infrastructure.  Describe to me your class lab you did that gives you the
ability to identify the needs and desires of your new and potential
clients, and where to take them to wine/dine/entertain them deeper into
your business.  Tell me the base formula to use for generating additional
revenue when your pretty flow chart starts declining.

You can't, because it doesn't exist in a college classroom, you get that
knowledge by "swimming with the sharks" so to speak.    I luckily acquired
mine in a slightly less hostile enviornment, with a very huge (but docile
underneath) shark in pastor's clothing.  It may sound strange, and
laughable almost to the unknowing, but anyone that has a letter of
appreciation handwritten from the CEO of Google back in it's massive
growth days is probably worth about 100 top of the line professors.  The
letter itself alone is probably worth 5 of their yearly salaries to the
right collector.  This letter was addressed to my instructor, trainer, and
company owner of my previous employment establishment, who are all the same
person.

On the flip side, the statistical average of someone leaving a company that
has been employed with the same employer for 4 or more years drops
considerably at that point.  At 8 years, it is virtually null for the next
5-10 years, without substantial compensation.  Proof of point:  I have
recently heard that the CIO for the U of I is leaving to "jump the border"
for the VP of tech or something like that at WSU.  I can only imagine what
was offered.  (If I jumped ahead of the press release, um... ya.. forget
that I wrote that.  I don't read the controlled media that is the local
paper, it is way too biased.)

Right now, my current employer is probably thinking that I am wonderful
addition.  I am mature, professional, aware of the nature of the work, and
I work for minimum wage part time.  Given the other people that come and go
through there, and the colorful history of employees the place has had, my
employer is probably glad to have a break from the chaos.  Someone to rely
on, who will show up, do their job, be self sufficient, etc etc.  That
is at least until I find full time work.  Wanna know what got me the job?
I worked there 12 years ago, and did exactly the same thing.  Pretty sad
eh?  All of my qualifications and skills mean naught, because the position
is unrelated.

My point with all this is: this group is called vision2020.  Right now the
Vision of 2020 for Moscow looks quite dismal if the trend doesn't turn
upwards.  I have read your mission statement(s)/objective(s).  I do agree
with most of them, however, when I left this community 10 years ago, I felt
that I was leaving a good community with a strong foundation and was a
little sad to go off into the world.  Heck, I even helped developed late
night youth activities, and I WAS one of the youths at that time.  Can you
imagine?  One of two 17 year olds going up before the city council for
development outline and facility usage permission, having the full backing
of the moscow school district, and developing a plan that "grown-ups"
couldn't devise on their own.  So much potential, so much opportunity, all
seemingly evaporated and condensed down to the cauldron of decaying sludge
that appears to pass for this city.

This is like a nightmare dark-world version of the city I grew up in.  I am
willing to do my part to help turn it around, but I can't do it alone.  I
need contacts, resources, game plan, adversary profiles, etc.  This forum
has done much to fill in some blanks as to some events that turned Moscow
into "Mush Co.", but I am still left with a feeling that something big
happened to sprawl it out of control, and break it as it fell, and I don't
know what that is.  My only question that I will leave all of you with is
this:

What the heck happnened to the Moscow that I knew?

Regards,
AnonAbu

P.S.  Thanks for your time in reading the novel, I can already tell that
there are, and/or were, some pretty important people that read this, and I
know how busy your lives and jobs can get.
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