Cook’s Collaborative Edge

In 1992 I founded the first newsletter focused on the development of the commercial Internet. Fifteen years later as Editor, and Publisher of the COOK Report on Internet Protocol, Technology Economics and Policy, I have compiled a uniquely detailed documentation of its development.

I am the “one man band” behind that enterprise. Beginning with the physical network layers in 1992 I have worked upwards to try to cover the whole stack including the relationship of broadband to economic development. I am appalled at what the LECs and MSOs are getting away with. Future is not walled gardens but the open field of collaboration and cooperation.

Why You Need My Knowledge Base

In view of the Phone and Cable Operator capture of the national agenda, I am exploring ways to show local communities, policy makers and enterprises the value of the Internet as locally owned and controlled infrastructure. My research focuses on the collaborative and innovative use of the Internet for business and economic development. I contrast to this the efforts of the Telcos and Cable Operators to keep their customers narrowly confined through restrictive terms of use. Broadband is not just faster web surfing. It is a critical enabler of business activity through real time collaboration among geographically-dispersed entrepreneurs.

In order to understand why local control and independence is critical for the creation of new economic activity one must understand what John Seely Brown and John Hagel mean by “value creation” and “talent building” and what Jerry Michalski refers to as the “relationship economy.” Since the duopoly has bought its way into power in Washington DC, I see the best return on one’s investment as education at the edges in our local communities.

The edges are where the opportunity lies and where individuals are innovating and building solutions that enable cost effective change and local control. I offer an ongoing inventory of strategic leadership and tools for local change agents. Valuable new tools include Michael Bookey’s America at the Internet Crossroads”; Tom Vest’s The Wealth of Networks, and CENIC’s Community Self Assessment Guide.

I can be the scout you use to identify edge-based opportunity. I am working to help decision makers understand why local investment is necessary and then to find the best value for the investment of their resources. I am available to speak at meetings and work with new and existing groups to replace their MSO and Telco infrastructure. On a selective consulting basis and for worthy topics I may write whitepapers for clients.

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