CYBER-BYTES: An "E-Mail" from Pam Colby
ERA Ends : MTN No Longer an I.S.P !
On November 30, 2000 MTN sold our Internet business to Infinetivity - a local Internet Service provider. The MTN Board of Director's made the decision to stop providing Internet Services to non-profit, Government and Civic organizations based on financial losses and increased competition, along with a recognition that the special niche that we were serving in the community was no longer necessary. In the purchase agreement, Infinetivity agreed to honor MTN's current pricing structure with all existing clients for five years.
MTN became an Internet Service Provider relatively early on in terms of Internet history. We first became an Internet Node in 1993 and began selling Internet access through dial up accounts in 1994. Our Executive Director at the time, Anthony Riddle, believed that having access to the Internet would be important for all citizens and MTN actively trained and connected about two thousand community members from 1994-2000. Much of what we accomplished as an Internet Service provider was due to volunteers who gave much of their knowledge and time to the cause of making sure non-profit organizations with small budgets but great missions would have Internet access.
Our mission from the beginning was one of equality and justice. Thus our system servers were named Freedom and Liberty. Although access to the Internet remains an issue in our community we believe that MTN's free speech mission is better served by promoting content development and WEB publishing. We will continue to teach these classes and encourage our producers to reach new audiences and promote their programs utilizing the Internet. We will also embrace the Internet as a delivery system by streaming more and more community video through our WEB site. For information on our next WEB design course call Karrie at 612-331-8575 (xt. 302) for a current class schedule or check out our WEB site at http://mtn.org
STUDIO's
A & B - to be Updated By
Doug Cain, MTN Instructor
This past year MTN's studio B upstairs was given three brand new "three-chip" cameras to match the quality we have had downstairs in Studio A for almost two years. As we struggled with reduced equipment funds - studio B's original (nearly 15 yrs. old) Hitachi three-tube Z-31's were fast becoming museum pieces as tech- nological relics from a long gone era. We also have plans (and newly approved funds) to further renovate the control rooms - with a badly needed intercom system, switcher and character generator upstairs, and digital (DVCam format) tape decks in both studios - this spring. The historic limestone walls will be represented even more authentically - in yet a higher resolution.
Classes continue to be offered regularly and we have many weekly or monthly programs which tape here at MTN who need crew. This is a great way to hone the skills covered in the short (3 session) studio class - and to learn more about Live Television - Live to tape or actually Live, through our modulator out to the city. Shows expressing a desire for crew assistance recently include : SPECTATOR - which usually goes out LIVE every other Monday from 5 pm. to 6 pm.: LEMMY O LIVE - runs LIVE every Thursday at 5 pm for half an hour : and in the evenings Floyd Child - probably our longest continuously working director - works on "The Mary Hanson Show" (Monday bi-weekly taping), "The Judy Corrao Show" (bi-weekly Weds. taping) and "We,The People" with host, and MTN board member - Joan Higinbotham of The League of Women Voters. All these shows would be happy to get volunteer commitment in exchange for valuable hands-on experience as part of a team - producing cable access television. Many of the shows also run on Metro Cable Network (MCN) Regional Channel 6. There are also some new shows in development such as "Viva Volare", "Hard Core Sports" and "Wings of Life" among others... And during day hours - two regularly taped award-winning shows -"Strictly Seniors" and "Viva & Jerry's Country Music Videos" - have a need for help as well. Give us a call here at MTN - (612) 331-8575 - press 0 for a live person during business hours - and when we are not wrapped up with troubleshooting or edit & studio assistance. a staff person can help you find a time where you can learn while doing.
Page One: MTN Channels on the Move