Soon to be 24 years....

People don't leave a good thing. 

Around 23 years ago, I was running my first MTP company: MaritimeTechnologyPartners.com That happened because the Maritime Association of the Port of New York (MAPONY) needed to rent 'cellular phones' for their ship captains coming into NYC. Back in the 80s the 'roaming fees' for cellular services was outrageous - and INTERNATIONAL ROAMING was like $5 per minute. So, it made more sense to 'rent' a phone with a local number for the few weeks that a ship would be in port. It was a great business, renting cellular phones to bypass the onerous roaming fees. 

And then came BlackBerry phones. Most reading this Sunday blog missed out on the BlackBerry phenomenon. I needed to offer BlackBerry phones and service to the Maritime industry and the members of MAPONY. At the time, AireSpring was my vendor for all things BlackBerry. I became an AireSpring Master Agent. 

Life is certainly full of twists and turns, and when BlackBerry phones and service fell out of fashion, my need to work with AireSpring went away. Ah, but from MAPONY we met NAMO: National Association of Maritime Organizations. Ah, so MTP went from NYC to servicing all of North America. Cool. 

A few years ago, I was on an SD-WAN webinar (Google It) and I said: "Oh look! It's the folks from AireSpring! Wow, they sure came a long way from selling BlackBerry! Wow...

So I followed up with them and said "Hey, I was on your SD-WAN webinar. Many years ago, I was your Master Agent selling BlackBerry. I would like to become your Master Agent again. We can offer the entire AireSpring portfolio to the millions of members of the Distance Learning Association."

After a long Zoom meeting with their Channel Leadership, they said "Well, we are not activating any new Master Agents. You are welcome to work through one of existing Masters Agents." 

I thought about it. And I told them thanks, but no. At this point in my career, I did not want to work with or through 3rd parties. No hard feelings, but I'll pass. But, before I go, I just want to say that you guys (AireSpring) are the most honest company in telecom or technology that I ever met.

Huh? WHY would you say that?

Because... after all these years, you still send me a commision check. There was some business still on the books from 23 years ago, and every month, I still get paid. It is only a few dollars, way less than $50 but it always arrives. We joke about it: "Hey everyone, lunch is on me today - the AireSpring check arrived!" 

AireSpring: well, if you (MTP) are still getting checks, then you are still in our system. You are still an active MASTER AGENT. 

This conversation was a few years ago. In the 90s my second MTP company that I formed was MyTeachingPartners.com which lead to me taking over running the NYDLA.org (I took it out of bankruptcy after the last recession). Now in 2024, going into 2025, the DLA is now GLOBAL. And AireSpring is now GLOBAL. 

Today: we are offering the entire portfolio of AireSpring to the millions of (now) global members of the GlobalDLA.org 

There are many business lessons to be learned here. AireSpring is a family owned business. Profitable for 23+ years. Never borrowed money. Never laid off workers. Never missed a commision payment since they opened their doors. And they made the major pivot from selling wireless (BlackBerry phones and service) to becoming one of the largest and most profitable telecom and technology providers in the entire country. 

It was almost 24 years ago, that I sat on the couch in my living room, speaking to Daniel Lonstein about MTP and our need for BlackBerry phones and service for MAPONY. Two days ago, we meet on our www.ZoomTalks.us video podcast (which reaches millions) to discuss AireSpring Global and the needs of the GlobalDLA.org 

I opened up this blog talking about how people don't leave a good thing. AireSpring and the Lonstein brothers are a very good thing indeed.

And now, a word from our sponsor....

www.ZoomTalks.us

The New York Megalopolis (Part II)

 

Today's Blog is not political. I promise. But it is factual. 

Back in June of 2024, I wrote a Sunday Blog about the New York Megalopolis. I don't know if it has anything to do with the November 5th election, or with people Googling 'New York' or whatever, but that blog from 2024 has now become my most read blog post of the past 10 years. 

Earlier this year, we launched a marketing partnership with HVEDC.org to bring awareness to the economic and lifestyle opportunities of living in the Hudson Valley, NYS. If you live (or move to) one of the 7 counties that make up Hudson Valley there were many incentives to do so - one of which was FREE membership in the NYDLA.org  I don't know if it has anything to do with the election, or with people Googling "Are Americans Moving from Blue to Red States" but the links to our HVEDC pages are now blowing up. And organic traffic to the HVEDC.org site is also off the chart. 

In the last couple of years, large U.S. states where a majority of voters support Democrats – so-called Blue States – have been losing population, while some large red states, where there is majority support for Republicans, have gained residents. An analysis of Census Bureau data shows that there are in fact some big movements of people from states currently defined as blue to those currently defined as red. However, the situation is more accurately described as more people exiting certain blue states – for example New York and California – and heading to other states in general, may they be red or blue. The 'data' is in the books, if you will.

Now it will be VERY interesting to see if anything changes after the election. You can read up on the Northeast Megalopolis yourself. The Northeast tends to Vote Blue. Very Blue. 

The Northeast Megalopolis (often referred to as the BosWash Corridor) is a densely urbanized region in the northeastern United States, stretching from Boston, Massachusetts in the North, to Washington, D.C. in the South. This urban corridor is one of the most heavily populated and economically significant regions in the U.S., with a highly interconnected network of cities and metropolitan areas.

This region is known for its heavy population density, extensive infrastructure, and economic power, making it a central hub for commerce, finance, politics, education, and culture in the U.S.

Characteristics of the Northeast Megalopolis:

High Population Density: The region is home to more than 55 million people (about 1/6th of the U.S. population), making it one of the largest population centers in the world.

Economic Powerhouse: The region includes some of the wealthiest cities in the U.S., with major industries ranging from finance and technology to healthcare and education.

Transportation: The megalopolis is well-connected by an extensive network of highways, rail lines (including Amtrak), and airports, facilitating easy movement of goods and people.

Urbanization: There is little rural land between the major cities, with continuous urban development from Boston to Washington, D.C.

The Northeast Megalopolis plays a crucial role in shaping the social, cultural, and political landscape of the United States. Its cities are among the oldest and most historically significant in the country.

If you jump to the West Coast, California is the 5th largest economy in the world for the seventh consecutive year, with a nominal GDP of nearly $3.9 trillion in 2023 and a growth rate of 6.1% since the year prior, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. On a per capita basis, California is the second largest economy in the world among large economies.

Where are you going with this, Tom?

Well, you cannot ignore the math. You cannot ignore the facts. If you take the very 'Blue' Northeast Megalopolis and add it together with the very 'Blue' California Megalopolis you have the majority of the money and power of the entire country. And the leadership of the entire world knows this. 

It does not matter if you voted Red or Blue this month. Math is math, facts are facts, and the math and facts says that the money, the power, the economy, and the most highly educated people as of today's Sunday Blog, are living in Blue States. 

Govern yourselves accordingly. Plan your business, plan your lives, plan your family's futures accordingly. I truly do hope the best for everyone, no matter where you live, or how you vote. 

Be safe and be well. 

www.JoinNYDLA.org

https://www.hvedc.com/about-the-hudson-valley/

Just VOTE

This will be one of my shorter Sunday Blogs. Vote.

If you did not already vote (I did) then you should vote on November 5th. 

Born in 1960, I remember when we only had three major TV channels. I remember when the broadcast would 'end' sometime after midnight, and they would play the National Anthem, and then you would get a test pattern. 

Test Patterns were primarily used in television broadcasting to help with various technical aspects of signal quality and calibration. They served several purposes:

Calibration: Test patterns allowed technicians to adjust and calibrate the broadcast equipment, ensuring proper color balance, contrast, and brightness.

Signal Quality: They helped in assessing the quality of the television signal. By using standardized patterns, technicians could identify issues like distortion, interference, or incorrect aspect ratios.

Equipment Testing: Broadcasters used test patterns to evaluate the performance of cameras, monitors, and other equipment during setup and maintenance.

Color Accuracy: Patterns with different colors helped ensure that televisions displayed accurate colors and that the transmission process preserved those colors.

Overall, test patterns were essential for maintaining the technical standards of television broadcasting.

The combination of the national anthem and test patterns was a common sight on television, especially during the early days of broadcasting. When broadcasts ended for the day or during maintenance, stations would display a test pattern alongside the playing of the national anthem. 

This served several addition purposes:

Signaling Downtime: It indicated to viewers that the broadcast day was ending or that the station was temporarily off the air.

Cultural Significance: Playing the national anthem fostered a sense of patriotism and connected viewers to their country.

Visual and Audio Standard: The test pattern provided a visual and audio reference for the technical aspects of the broadcast, ensuring that equipment was functioning properly.

These practices (Test Pattern AND the National Anthem) have largely faded with the advent of 24-hour broadcasting, but they remain a nostalgic part of television history.

The practice of playing the national anthem on television at night began to decline in the 1980s and 1990s. Many stations transitioned to 24-hour broadcasting, eliminating the need for a sign-off period. By the early 2000s, it had become rare for broadcast networks in the U.S. to air the national anthem at night. While some local stations might still have done it, it was no longer a widespread practice. This change reflected broader shifts in media consumption habits, as audiences increasingly expected constant access to programming.

It's 2024. News is different. TV is different. Mass Media (and now Social Media) is very different. The world of Politics is very different as well. When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s if by some chance you were still up to see the TV Test Pattern, if you were still up to watch and listen to the National Anthem being played, you would know that in the morning - when you woke up - the TV would be back online, the world would restart, and everything was going to be 'OK' in your home, in your neighborhood. 

You felt safe, you felt protected. Your country was saying 'Good Night, sleep tight, we'll see you in the morning.' ALL OF US were to sleep well. The UNITED STATES of AMERICA. 

Vote On Tuesday. I'll see you in the morning on Wednesday. 

Speakers On

Teaching, Training, Coaching, Mentoring FROM ANYWHERE

 If you are on a smartphone, hold the phone landscape.

EDUCAUSE 2024 is in the history books. Their 'virtual' event is next month in November. In my humble opinion, they are the 'gold standard' for the promotion of and the evangelization of TBLS (Technology Based Learning Systems). I'm a big fan.

EDUCAUSE 2023 – 3,680 GlobalDLA.org members attended LIVE.

EDUCAUSE 2024 – 4,530 GlobalDLA.org members attended LIVE.

It really struck me this week, when I reflected on not only the educators, the attendees, but thinking about the VENDORS and the SPONSORS of events such as EDUCAUSE. You cannot function in today's world without technology. You cannot run a business, a school, even a household - without technology. 

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association that focuses on advancing higher education through the use of information technology. It provides a platform for higher education institutions to share knowledge, resources, and best practices related to IT. EDUCAUSE offers conferences, publications, research, and various initiatives aimed at improving IT services, enhancing learning environments, and addressing the challenges of technology in education. It also plays a significant role in advocating for policies that support the effective use of technology in higher education.

Because I was born in 1960 if and when I heard the word 'school' I would instantly think of 'schoolhouse' or the actual building that we would physically go to. Teaching and education were directly connected to a physical location. Grade School, High School, and then College all gave an immediate mental picture of building or a campus. 2024: When I say 'College' you say 'Football'. 

A "schoolhouse" typically refers to a building where educational instruction takes place, especially in a traditional or historical context. It often evokes images of small, rural schools, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The term can also represent the concept of a community-focused place for learning, encompassing not just the physical structure but also the educational activities and community interactions that occur within it. In a broader sense, "schoolhouse" may also refer to the entire educational system or environment.

A campus is a collection of buildings and grounds that belong to an educational institution, such as a college or university. It typically includes classrooms, laboratories, libraries, administrative offices, and recreational facilities. Campuses can vary greatly in size and design, from large universities with extensive landscapes to smaller colleges with compact layouts. The term can also refer to the overall environment and community of students, faculty, and staff within the institution, encompassing both academic and social activities.

We used to "go to work" which was a physical location. We also would "go to school" which was also a physical location. And if you needed to research something, you would "go to the library" because that's where the books were found. Are you old enough to remember going all the way to the library only to learn that the book that you needed was already checked out? 

2024 is the time of TED Talks and Master Class and Udemy and LinkedIn Learning and Kajabi and Mighty Networks many other platforms. We are in the age of Netflix documentaries and Audible and eBooks. And now with high-speed GLOBAL Internet connectivity for as low as $120 per month (Starlink, Viasat, etc.) you can attend a K-20 class from ANYWHERE in the world. 

Viasat is a global communications company that provides satellite and wireless broadband services. It offers high-speed internet access, particularly in remote and underserved areas, and serves various markets, including residential, business, and government sectors. Viasat is known for its innovative satellite technology, including the Viasat satellite network, which delivers reliable internet services over vast geographic areas. The company also develops cybersecurity solutions and other communication technologies. Its mission focuses on improving connectivity and expanding access to information worldwide. 

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX, designed to provide high-speed broadband internet access across the globe, particularly in remote and underserved areas. The system consists of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) that communicate with ground stations and user terminals. Starlink aims to offer reliable internet service with low latency and high speeds, making it suitable for various applications, from residential use to business and government needs. The service has gained attention for its potential to bridge the digital divide by making internet access more available in rural and hard-to-reach regions.

The big theme at EDUCAUSE this year was AI and its impact on education. I feel that AI will be the most dramatic change in education - in teaching, training, coaching, mentoring. Instructors powered by AI, along with global connectivity will convert any room into a classroom. 

There are 174K+ (K-20) schools in North America serviced by the (now) GlobalDLA.org Which means that anyone from anywhere in the world can attend class and access an amazing education from an amazing college or university. 

www.GetZoom.us

Teaching, Training, Coaching, Mentoring

"The EDUCAUSE Annual Conference connects the best thinkers in higher education technology. Join the (now) GlobalDLA.org in San Antonio October 21–24, and online November 13–14. This is THE event where professionals and technology providers from around the world gather to network, share ideas, grow professionally, and discover solutions to today’s challenges. It’s the largest gathering of your peers…people you can relate to, learn from, and stay connected to throughout the year." ~ TomCapone.com | CEO | GlobalDLA.org

That was my blurb promoting EDUCAUSE. If you are in education at any level (teaching, training, coaching, mentoring) you should attend EDUCAUSE LIVE or virtually. It is by far the best conference of the year. So far over 3,000+ DLA members have already registered to attend. 

I ran MyTeachingPartners.com since the days of dial-up Internet. Back in the day, 'Distance Education' was putting VHS tapes in envelopes and mailing them out. 

I remember my days at PURDUE. I live 735.3 miles East of PURDUE campus, and I must have made that trip a few dozen times in the 80s. I also remember flying home a few times for the holidays. It was cool that PURDUE had its own airport. As I reflect on my days at PURDUE, I am reflecting on the classroom experience.

The lecture halls were huge. And way down in front would be a Professor, with a Overhead Projector. Oh man, the memories of going to EE129 (Electrical Engineering 129) Lecture Hall at PURDUE to listen to a lecture, with a grease pencil in the hands of a teacher. I remember taking Freshman Calculus in that room, with probably over 1,000 other students. Several lectures a day, several hundred students (shuffling in and out) of EE129, to watch a teacher with a PhD do Calculus, on the overhead. I remember one time, the 'bulb' burned out in the Overhead five minutes into the lecture, and class was dismissed. 

Today, in 2024 I think back about how many times I drove back and forth to PURDUE in West Lafayette, Indiana. I think about how there were 'some' classes (like Chemistry Lab) where you HAD to physically be on campus. But English? Or Calculus? I am reflecting how many times I made the trip to PURDUE just so that I could sit in a lecture hall with that Overhead Projector. Today, you can do that lecture via Zoom, or maybe even via YouTube. I could have easily attended PURDUE Freshman Calculus from home, if the technology existed in the day.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, there are more people paying tuition to attend college or university online (remote) than from a traditional campus. No dorm rooms (or meal plans) required. And now via high speed global Internet via services like Starlink, you can truly attend PURDUE UNIVERSITY ONLINE from anywhere in the world. 

There are 174K+ (K-20) portfolio schools serviced by the NADLA.org across North America. And they are all fighting for the same tuition dollar. I am sure that this year at EDUCAUSE we shall see many new and amazing education technologies, and TBLS (Technology Based Learning Systems). There is no longer a 'geographic boundary' that separates a RUTGERS from a PURDUE from a UCONN (or any school). All 8 Ivy League Schools offer online programs. NYDLA.org/HARVARD has been live on our website for many years. 

What will become the next Overhead Projector? I wonder what education technology will become 'just a memory' of days gone by - and trigger conversations of "Hey - do you remember sitting in a lecture hall, watching someone draw with a grease pencil on a piece of plastic?" And of course, we had to take notes.... in a notebook. With pen and paper. How about this memory:

"Hey, I missed class - can I see your (handwritten) notes from the lecture?" 

Ah yes, good times. 

www.JoinNYDLA.org

Who are you and what do you do?

Tomorrow I'll record (another) CoffeeInTheClouds video podcast interview. This time with the amazing Judah Taub, Managing Partner at Hertz Ventures (Forbes 30 Under 30).

When I first started doing my podcast it was audio only. Then it became a video podcast, Powered by Zoom. I am pretty sure that over the course of 100+ interviews, I always open with the same question:

"Who are you and what do you do?"

I'll do the interview from my home office in BOONTON USA. There is only 'one' Boonton in the entire USA, and it is always nice to make a note of that. 

Boonton New Jersey is around 30 miles West of New York City. The Big Apple. The 'Center of the Known Universe' if you want to be cute about it. Now that I get the Senior Discount (sigh) round-trip from BOONTON USA to THE BIG APPLE is around $18. This past Thursday we had event(s) plural at Chelsea Piers and at Javits Convention Center. In a typical year, prior to COVID-19 Javits Center would host 175+ events, up to 40,000 exhibiting companies and more than two million visitors. I thought to myself how many times did I attend an event at Javits Convention Center, and walk 'serpentine' up and down the rows of booths, working the entire room (like a good salesman should). Now at 64 walking a trade show floor like that is just a distant memory. 

The main reason for going to NYC on Thursday was our 'kick-off' of nationwide marketing for IoT. Internet of Things. Energy. Solar. All things telecom and technology, with a twist. There were around 25 people invited to the kick off of NADLA.org IoT marketing from Chelsea Piers, and I would say that around 50% showed up. That is pretty normal attendance for 'live' events. 

Last week was also the annual Zoomtopia event with people both attending LIVE and virtually from all around the world. I attended THAT one via Zoom, from.... BOONTON USA. No need for me to fly to CA for that one. Last year I did attend Zoomtopia LIVE in CA with 3,500 onsite/60,000 virtual reported attendees. Not sure about the numbers for this year, but I would predict higher. Short version: Virtual event companies beware. Zoom has remarkable hybrid implementation.

As I write my Sunday Blog from good ol' BOONTON USA I think about how I saw a 'video phone' for the first time at the 1964 World's Fair. So around 59 years ago we went from thinking about the amazing future of video, to in 2024 telling the entire world to GetZoom.us  And maybe, if you do indeed GetZoom.us you don't need to get a hotel room, or buy an airplane ticket. You can do it all from home. 

And, I am thinking about how for the first time in history, more people are paying tuition for an online education, from anywhere in the world. They will never step foot in North America for their education. So, you can attend a school like Harvard.edu or PURDUE.edu or NYU.edu from Nigeria, or Nepal. And of course from Nebraska. 

I walked from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to Chelsea Piers, with my first stop at Javits Convention Center. I walked the Hudson River, watching the helicopters land, with their VIP passengers. And, when I got to our IoT event, I was able to watch 200' yachts come and go from the docks. And I thought to myself, would it not be cool to walk up to someone coming off their yacht, or deboarding from their 'chopper' to their waiting Black SUV (with driver) and ask them:

"Who are you, and what do you do?"

Chelsea Piers NYC

How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

I walk my dog every day. Our current dog 'Konta' is a rescue. Our dogs went as follows: Norton, Casey, Bella, Colin, Mandy, and now Konta. Our black lab Norton was a purchase - all others were rescues. There are several dog parks where I live in North New Jersey. There are a few where you can let the dog off leash, but most of the parks require a leash. Which is fine. 

I am a big fan of Audible. Especially when the books are read by the author. The ability to have a book - business book or fiction 'read to me' while I am walking Konta in the woods is, well, a little thing. 

But today something hit me. As I was walking in the woods, looking at the leaves falling, seeing the sun getting ready to set between the trees, it just felt very different this time. It felt like Malcolm Gladwell was walking along side me.

I read Malcolm's book 'The Tipping Point' when it first came out - hardcover. His new book, 

'Revenge of the Tipping Point' is in my Audible library. It came out on 10/1/2024 and I bought it that same day. So now, when I walk Konta, usually at around an hour before sunset, Malcolm Gladwell joins us.

This is going to be one of my shorter Sunday Blogs. I did not write it until 5:25 PM EST - after returning from the dog park. I was compelled to take pictures today, as we walked through the woods, just Konta and me. And, of course, Malcolm. 

It hit me when I got back to the car. About how the little things can indeed make such a big difference. How listening to a book on Audible - in the woods - away from people - is very different. I guess we could have been on the beach, or in Central Park in NYC, or just about anywhere. And I guess that there could be a million people right this minute listening to Malcolm's new book on Audible. They could be on a plane, in a car, or listening from anywhere in the world. 

Audible, Inc. was founded in 1995 by Don Katz, who came up with the idea while jogging in Riverside Park in Manhattan: 

1995: Audible is founded 

1997: Audible releases the Audible Mobile Player, the world's first commercially available portable digital audio player 

1999: Audible goes public on NASDAQ 

2000: Audible introduces its first subscription model 

2003: Audible becomes Apple's exclusive audiobook provider 

2004: Audible launches in Germany 

2005: Audible launches in the UK and France 

2008: Amazon buys Audible for $300 million 

The Audible early years were challenging, including a stock market crash and the death of its CEO, Andrew J. Huffman. It took the company 10 years to turn a profit. It was in the early to mid-2010s, that Audible service began to really take off. How much revenue does Audible generate? As of September 2024, annual revenue reached $750M.

So, I am a little reflective today. I am thinking about how Audible went from an idea while jogging in the park, to going public, to becoming part of Amazon. I am thinking about how Audible had a Tipping Point.

I am reflecting how I rarely read books any longer, but how much I enjoy having books 'read to me' by the author - folks like Malcolm Gladwell. And, I am reflecting how 'the little things' become the big things, like rescuing dogs and going to the dog park. Or walking in the woods. Every. Day. 

Just me, Konta and Malcolm.