The broadband future web site now has Google Moderator ‘Open-to-your-ideas’ online forum functioning, which I just checked out!
I haven’t used Google moderator this way before but it looks like a great way to pitch your big ideas for the NBN (relatively succinctly 
and get them into the mix heading into the main conference on Thursday/Friday. Once you have posted your idea/s, you can also have a look around and vote on the ideas you think are most important. The concept is to get a feel for what issues ought to be a priority for discussions at the forum. So the more ideas, and the more votes, the more representative it will be …..
For example, it was great to see that Gayle from Ballarat has already posted some e-health ideas. I remember at the recent NBN Senate Select Committee hearing in Melbourne (pdf: page 72 of transcript) the Grampians Rural Health Alliance shared their experience about how they use high bandwidth networks to provide enhanced health services to the remote communities they serve and I reckon are a great prototype when the whole country is on the NBN. They provided a terrific insight into the practical challenges of implementing a new online-enhanced health service. If you are interested, their evidence is a must read…. So congrats to Gayle for making sure their experience is part of the Broadband Futures conversation through the Open To your Ideas forum!
If you are already doing something in your local area using broadband that has much greater potential when we have a universal high bandwidth network, this is great place to articulate how it could work!
I also want to shout out to local governments in particular who are great innovators when resources allow: lets hear your thoughts! maybe it is an idea you are trying with existing patchy adsl, but one that will really come into it’s own with the NBN…..
In general I am really pleased to see this kind of online engagement. There will live streaming of the combined plenary sessions. Keep an eye on the web page on the day where a wiki will capture comments and provide updates throughout proceedings. It won’t be up until the day but here’s the link in anticipation.
Given the success of the Public Spheres, Pia and I are really proud of the fact that some of these ideas are catching on! Let me know if you have any questions, or as always, please comment!
