First time I heard about the yellow pages test was in this post over at SCSU scholars. (And btw, the existence of that SCSU web site is making me prouder that I got a degree from that University, even though it had nothing to do with the departments that these guys come from. I even found myself looking for an excuse to mention SCSU the other day — as the place where I got my first computer job when I was in grad school.)
The yellow pages test reminds me of Coldwater, Michigan.
This photo was taken on my last bike ride to Coldwater, two years ago. I really shouldn’t have let two years elapse, because it’s a favorite riding destination. There is a shop on main street where I can get a decent sandwich while keeping an eye on my bike, and there are lots of good Black Hawk era history places in and around the town. Main street (shown here) was part of Black Hawk’s route back in the 1820s before it became the Chicago Road.
One thing I haven’t understood, though, is why the city fathers decided to go into the ISP business. Why did they want to provide residential wireless service as a city utility?
You’d think they’d have wanted to put their energy into making Coldwater a good place for private ISPs to provide wireless, cable, whatever. Private ISPs would have property, employees, and revenue that could then be TAXED and provide revenue for the city! Given the way Michigan governments like taxes, you’d think this would have been all the incentive they would have needed. But no, they had to go and cut into their own tax base by providing internet as a public utility.
Maybe it’s something in the (cold)water that made them act that way. I will continue to enjoy the sandwiches, but maybe I will bring my own water next times I ride there.