As each day passes on, the divide is growing larger. Those that have easy access to the internet can gain information and conduct business that those that do not have easy internet access can not. At Y-FI, our aim is to assist in reducing this divide.

Next American City: The Digital Divide

Most readers of Next American City take the Internet for granted, a utility like running water or electricity. You e-mail at work and communicate with colleagues using instant messenger; you check blogs for the latest news or gossip. At home, you download music or movies, pay bills online or Google old friends. Civic life, too: instructions on obtaining a marriage license, the date school starts for the kids, how much the house next door sold for and how it will affect your property value, all can be found on city websites. Heck, if you want the city to fix a pothole, you send the info over the Internet.  (Read the rest of the article here…)

At Y-FI we are continuing to search and develop partnerships that that will get our free internet service into the homes and onto the computers of those that most need it.  If you, your business or a community organization wants to partner with Y-FI to bring free wifi internet to your neighborhood PLEASE contact us.

We’ve been busy working on the network but slacking at keeping the blog updated.  We’re excited to announce that we have brought on partners at both the East and West ends of the central business district and right smack in the middle of the central district.

On the West we have Star Systems Engineering, Inc. at 232-236 West Market St.  On the square Inside Out Creative has graciously allowed us to install a repeater on their network and provide signal to a large portion of the square. And finally on the east, at the intersection of Philadelphia and Queen street we have a repeater installed in the basecamp/home of the local musicians “Free Breakfast”  All three partners deeply care about the resurgence of energy that’s currently growing in York City and are eager to participate in our network which allows freedom of movement to work and play and use the internet to get things done.

Stay tuned, we have other exciting things coming up soon!  As always if you’d like to help our network check out our page on how to contribute

Click here for more info about Faith in our City

We gladly welcomed new support for our network from Idea Tree, a software development company. As a young software startup, Idea Tree sees the value of providing our free wifi using our mesh network and was eager to help us expand even before their office space was complete. The staff at Idea Tree regularly telecommute and enjoy central market and have found the Y-FI system to be invaluable.  Idea Tree who recently relocated their office to Clarke Ave just behind Central Market gave us a great launching point to expand our coverage into Cherry Lane which has been a target for us since our network’s creation.

Our coverage now extends into Cherry lane court and covers the seating area.  The shade tree coverage and the tables and chairs make Cherry Lane and excellent place to take your work outside and enjoy the fresh air.

If you haven’t checked it out, take a look at our network node location map.

Tomorrow York City will host the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Pennsylvania festivities and awards program. We will be out and about all night and will be tweeting and possibly doing live video streaming from various parts of the evening. If you’re on twitter follow #govawards to keep up with the action. Check out our Ustream.tv page for videos we post.

Watch it streamed live here 

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/y-fi-videos

York Drive Aware Contest Rules

The “Drive Aware – drive unimpaired” Media presentation is a continuation of the Impaired Driving Initiative by the City of York and its Police Department to eliminate impaired driving.

The Center for Traffic Safety in partnership with the York City Police Impaired Driving Initiative is hosting a “Media Presentation Contest” among York County S.A.D.D. chapters and similar organizations in high schools throughout York County.

The challenge is for each school to create the following…

1. A 30 second radio PSA (MP3 file) (Public Service Announcement)
2. A 30 second television DVD PSA (AVI file) (Public Service Announcement)
3. A 5 minute television DVD PSA (AVI file) (Public Service Announcement)

The topics addressed for the above Public Service Announcements should be centered on one and/or two following themes or ideas…

1. Your Future, Degree & Career Matter
2. The “Drive Aware – drive unimpaired” Campaign

The Award Presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, March 30th 2010 at the Holiday Inn by the West Manchester Mall. The judging is scheduled for Saturday March 20, 2010 at the Strand Capital Theater starting at 6pm. This will give your group approx. 4 months to create the above media. Each school is permitted two entries p/category.

Additional Details will follow. Please Contact Officer Blymier by c#717.586-8919 or email rblymier@yorkcity.org with any questions and the groups contact person/advisor.

What? Information sharing on what’s happening downtown

When? Wednesday, February 24, 8 – 9:30 a.m.

Where? The Studio at the Strand (entrance on Philadelphia Street)

Why? These quarterly presentations will give you a chance to hear all about what is happening in downtown York. Downtown Inc committee chairs will report on their work, the Roger Brooks Implementation Team will give an update on their efforts, and Mayor Bracey and her department directors will present on current projects within the central business district.

Please join us for this sharing of information. A continental breakfast will be available. There is no charge to attend, but if you are coming, please RSVP to info@downtownyorkpa.com.

Click here to view our LiveStream on our Ustream Channel

Free Videos by Ustream.TV

The Strand-Capitol, up until now has not had wifi access for it’s patrons, performers or staff and this will provide a huge benefit to the Strand-Capitol as they use their building to promote culture and arts in the community. Conferences that use the facility will be able to use the free Y-FI as well as guests before, during or after a show. The Free Y-FI will also benefit they Strand-Capitol as they look to future endeavors along their street frontage.

The Camera Center of York, has long been a mainstay of the N Beaver Street merchants. The staff at the Camera Center of York is very knowledgeable about the camera equipment they sell. They can take care of your regular photo printing needs and are also able to do large or unique photo print orders that can’t be done at the 1hour photo shops. The Camera Center joined on with Y-FI as a way to show their support for this community endeavor as well as increase exposure for their business.

If you or your business would like to help support Y-FI please see our FAQ

Check out the clip below (we can’t help the advertisement they put in front of their clips – sorry)