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City Lights Got Nothin’ on Country Nights

You’ve packed up your things and moved your family away from the BIG City out Rural Town, U.S.A. Then you realize, “What do we do for high-speed internet?”

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City Lights Got Nothin’ on Country Nights
City Lights Got Nothin’ on Country Nights

City Lights Got Nothin’ on Country Nights

Moving from the bustling city to the serene countryside can be a refreshing change, but it often comes with the challenge of finding high-speed internet. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate internet options in rural areas:

Satellite Internet: A Viable Option

When traditional cable or fiber-optic connections aren’t available, satellite internet becomes a practical solution. Both HughesNet and Viasat offer reliable services with the latest advancements in technology.

HughesNet Gen5:

  • Speeds: Offers speeds up to 25 Mbps.
  • Data Limits: No overage charges; speeds are throttled after data limits are reached.
  • Reliability: Ranked #1 by the FCC for delivering advertised speeds.

Viasat:

  • Speeds: Provides speeds up to 200 Mbps in select areas.
  • Plans: Offers unlimited data plans, though these can be costly.
  • Contracts: Guaranteed rates for three years with a two-year contract.

Gaming and Streaming

While satellite internet allows for most online activities, certain high-demand tasks may face limitations:

  • Gaming: Most games are playable, but fast-paced, online multiplayer games may suffer from lag due to latency.
  • Streaming: Services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime can be streamed in HD. However, data usage can quickly add up, especially on tiered plans.

Fixed Wireless Internet

Another option for rural areas is fixed wireless internet. Providers like Rise Broadband use antennas to deliver internet service, bypassing the need for extensive cable infrastructure.

  • Speeds: Up to 50 Mbps in some areas.
  • Installation: Usually requires a small antenna installed on your property.

Installation and Costs

  • Installation: Typically free, though credit checks are often required.
  • Monthly Costs: Satellite plans range from $60 to $150 depending on the speed and data limits.
  • Equipment Fees: Around $10 per month, with lifetime lease options available.

Conclusion

Switching to country life doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice high-speed internet. With satellite options from HughesNet and Viasat, and fixed wireless from providers like Rise Broadband, you can stay connected and enjoy the tranquility of rural living.

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3 Things to Know about Rise Broadband

There's the big players in the ISP industry with their usual technology. Then there's Rise Broadband; gaining ground doing it at a fraction of the cost.

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3 Things to Know about Rise Broadband
3 Things to Know About Rise Broadband

5 Ways to Stop Teddy Maynard

Called "The Ad LIbrary," Google is tracking political ads across its platforms to increase transparency. This is bad news for Teddy Maynard.

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5 Ways to Stop Teddy Maynard
Stopping Teddy Maynard: A Lesson in Political Transparency

Stopping Teddy Maynard: A Lesson in Political Transparency

In John Grisham’s novel “The Brethren,” Teddy Maynard, the cunning Director of the CIA, orchestrates a covert operation to influence a presidential election. This narrative provides a fictional yet insightful look into political manipulation and transparency. Today, tools like Google’s Ad Library aim to prevent such secretive interference by tracking political ads' funding and reach.

The Importance of Transparency

Google’s Ad Library, launched in 2018, catalogs political ads across its platforms, offering transparency by revealing who funds these ads, the costs, and their audience reach. This transparency helps prevent manipulation, akin to Maynard’s tactics, by enabling public scrutiny of political advertising.

The Role of Technology

Modern technology has the power to both aid and obstruct political transparency. While fictional figures like Maynard use covert means to sway public opinion, contemporary tools like Google’s Ad Library work to expose such efforts, promoting a fairer electoral process.

Learning from Fiction

Grisham’s portrayal of Maynard's plot in "The Brethren" highlights the risks of unchecked power and secretive political machinations. In reality, the push for transparency in political advertising helps safeguard democracy, ensuring that no single entity can unduly influence election outcomes without public knowledge.

Conclusion

While the fictional world of “The Brethren” provides a gripping narrative of political intrigue, real-world efforts like Google’s Ad Library play a crucial role in maintaining electoral integrity. By promoting transparency, these tools help prevent the kind of manipulation orchestrated by characters like Teddy Maynard.

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Digital Literacy; Seeing Through Technology

Digital technology is an amazing thing, but not without its dangers. To protect ourselves, we need to learn digital literacy.

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Digital Literacy; Seeing Through Technology
Digital Literacy: Seeing Through Technology

Digital Literacy: Seeing Through Technology

Digital technology is a fantastic tool, but it comes with risks. To navigate these effectively, digital literacy is essential.

Understanding Digital Literacy

Digital literacy involves understanding how to use technology responsibly and safely. It helps individuals recognize scams, false information, and the overall impact of their digital footprint. Programs like Facebook’s Digital Literacy Library and Cyber Civics are excellent starting points for learning digital literacy skills.

Key Aspects of Digital Literacy

1. Recognizing Scams

Online scams come in many forms, from phishing emails to misleading advertisements. Learning to identify these is crucial.

2. Understanding Digital Footprints

Everything we do online leaves a trail. Being aware of your digital footprint helps protect your privacy and personal information.

3. Evaluating Information

Not all information online is credible. Learning to discern the quality and reliability of sources is vital. The CRAP test (Credibility, Relevance, Accuracy, Purpose) is a useful tool for evaluating information.

Cyber Civics Program

Cyber Civics, developed by Diana Graber, is a comprehensive digital literacy curriculum for middle school students. It covers digital citizenship, cyberbullying, sexting, online research, and the CRAP test. The program is designed to help students navigate the digital world responsibly and safely.

Conclusion

Digital literacy is essential for anyone who uses the internet. It helps protect against scams, ensures responsible use of technology, and fosters critical thinking about online information. Programs like Cyber Civics provide valuable education in this area, helping individuals become more informed and safer digital citizens.

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3 Ways the Writers' Room is Changing

When it comes to television, the success of a show hinges on writers in the writers' room. And these wrtiers' rooms are getting smaller.

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3 Ways the Writers' Room is Changing
3 Ways the Writers' Room is Changing in 2024

3 Ways the Writers' Room is Changing in 2024

The landscape of writers' rooms in the television industry is undergoing significant transformations. Here are three major ways writers' rooms are evolving in 2024:

1. The Rise of Virtual Writers' Rooms

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of virtual writers' rooms. Many production companies have embraced this model to facilitate collaboration across geographical boundaries. Writers now use platforms like Zoom and collaborative software to brainstorm, write, and revise scripts in real-time, irrespective of their physical locations. This shift not only reduces costs but also opens up opportunities for a more diverse pool of writers.

2. Increased Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

In response to industry demands and social movements, there is a stronger emphasis on diversity and inclusion within writers' rooms. Networks and production companies are actively seeking writers from various backgrounds to bring different perspectives to their shows. This shift aims to create more authentic and representative content that resonates with a broader audience. Initiatives and fellowship programs are being introduced to nurture talent from underrepresented communities.

3. Mini-Rooms and Freelance Writers

Mini-rooms, smaller groups of writers tasked with developing scripts before a show is officially greenlit, are becoming more common. This approach allows studios to test the viability of a show with minimal investment. Additionally, the gig economy has influenced the rise of freelance writers in television. Writers are often hired on a per-project basis, providing them with flexibility and the opportunity to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

Conclusion

The writers' room of today is vastly different from what it was a decade ago. With the rise of virtual collaboration, a stronger focus on diversity and inclusion, and the adoption of mini-rooms, the industry is evolving to meet new challenges and opportunities. These changes are paving the way for more innovative and inclusive storytelling in television.

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