Yellowknife Online

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Yk Quick Tips is your guide to Yellowknife, NT. Whether you are moving to the city,  just visiting or live here, we can offer information about all the best things. The show will contain information about what to do while visiting, things to know about moving to the City and everything else interesting about Yellowknife.

Internet Service Providers are the topic for Episode 7 of Yellowknife Quick Tips and we have all you need to know about this local attraction.

Last week I received an e-mail from a someone who was about to move to Yellowknife. She asked who the Internet Service Providers were in town and if it was possible to get Unlimited Bandwidth.

The two main ISP that I am aware of are SSi Micro and NorthwesTel. That being said, NorthwesTel owns all the internet pipes coming into the north. Therefore, SSi has to purchase the Internet from them and then resell it to residences and businesses. Below is more information about both:

SSi Mirco: Can provide 8gb of bandwidth a month at the price of $59.99. The nice thing about SSi Internet is that they use a wireless system. They give you a modem that connect to their Internet wirelessly, which ultimately means you can take it anywhere in town or where they have coverage. Their wireless modem is also a down fall though. It needs to be in a location it can see the sky and won’t work very well in high traffic areas.

NorthwesTel: Has 3 different options for Cable Internet. Plans ranging from 5gb to 60gb and prices going from $42 to $84. Their cable Internet is, abviously, done through the cable. They install a special modem. NorthwesTel is often times more reliable for steady Internet, but on occasion does has it outages.

Arctic Data: I mention Arctic Data in the show as a reseller of SSi Internet.

Hopefully this answers most of everyone’s question about ISP’s in Yellowknife. If not, please send me an email to info@ykonline.ca or comment below.

This morning I sent out a message saying that Javaroma WiFi was back. At the time I had no idea how truthful that was so I wanted to check for myself.

Upon arriving at Javaroma just after lunch I was greeted by the manager, who I knew. I asked him if the rumors were true, was WiFi really back. Sure enough he said with a smile, it was. My next question was the one I cared about more, price. Months ago when WiFi was first taken out I suggested that they charge for it to discourage people from abusing the service, later I changed my outlook. The proper way to do it would be to continue offering the service for free but with limitations. Such as no downloading.

Well that is exactly what Javaroma has now done. Now, I unfortunately didn’t stay long enough to test it out, but was told that there would be no downloading only browsing online. Which is fine by me, what ever keeps the costs down while making customers happy.

So Yellowknifers who enjoy getting out of the office or house to do some relaxing internet browsing you are once again able to.

Are you going to take advantage of the free WiFi? Well if you do, I’ll see you there!

Today is  Sunday and it is the day of rest, so I’m not going to post anything to deep. I thought a video would be perfect.

Along my travels through the Internet, specifically YouTube, I came across this interesting video of none other than old town. The video was produced by WAMP Film production and Paul Gordon. I’m not sure as the exact time the video was shot but in the description it states it aired in 2001 or 2002. Take a look.

I also found the video below by the same user and thought I would share it to. I actually found this video years ago while in high school and thought it was a neat idea. It is called “Dump Talk” and I thought and still do a think it would make a great web series. *Note there is a little bit of bad language in the video, among other crappy things, so be warned.

I’m sure by now everyone who reads this is aware of the upgrade Northwestel has just done to their Internet Packages. I know I was excited even though I am unable to use it where I currently am. They are now offering faster speeds and high bandwidth caps the same as their old packages, which for a heavy user such as myself wonderful news. No longer will I need to continuously check my usage, always in fear of going over.

So that brings us to today and to the article in the Yellowknifer about how SSi considers what NWTel is doing unfair towards them. You see NWTel owns all the cable transporting Internet in to the Northwest Territories and so what SSi does is purchases bandwidth (Internet) as a wholesaler. Now you would think if your are purchasing it in bulk they would be getting the better deal or a more discounted price so that they can afford to resell it to the public. Well that does not seem to be the case SSi says. They believe they are paying 5 times more than what NWTel is offering their Internet Packages for to the public and small businesses. NWTel stated in their advertisements that the rates for small businesses will be going down by 40% and also says that over the last year they lowered wholesaler rates by 35%.

Now personally I have always used NWTel because of a couple reasons. One being it is easy to bundle with cable and second being they offer higher limits and faster speeds. The one thing I do like about SSi though is that portability of their modems. I would also like to point out that the average user does not need more than what SSi offers therefore still making it a semi level playing field. A suggestion would be if you can not match NWTel’s prices would be to focus strongly on something like customer service.

Now as everyone who reads this most likely uses one or the other I would love to get your take on the matter and which provider you use. I can see pros and cons with both and that is the case with most things, how do they affect you?

UPDATE: Shortly after this post was officially published the site was taken down. For the better I suppose.

I was recently sent a link to a blog that I am assuming is written by a local student. I’m not sure how to take the site.

Photo Credit: cchiao

This person calls them self the Gossip Girl of YK. I’m sure not all of you are familiar with the TV show Gossip Girl so I will try to explain it the best I can.

In the upper east side of New York there is a school of high class kids with rich parents who seem to get everything they want. The show is full of sex, partying and scandals and it is all based around this Gossip Girl who is anonymous. She runs a website, a blog if you will, about the gossip around these students lives and every time she makes a post about some dirt she has uncovered they all instantly get the update to their mobiles.

Now I would say that this site here in Yellowknife is a long way off from being anything like that and one must remember that the real Gossip Girl is a fictional character in a TV show. That being said seeing this site slightly worries me because if you read through it, it really is making some big accusations about people and making those people mad. Knowing enough about how the internet works I can also guess that the “Gossip Girl” will be found out soon enough through a simple IP check and call to a internet provider.

Then there is the part of me that is intrigued by it and would keep reading but at the same time I feel bad for those being written about.

A word of caution to the writer. You may want to rethink what you are doing. You have already received many threats if you are found out. Be Careful whose toes you step on!

Yellowknife, what are your thoughts on a site like this? I know most of my readers are adults but how would you respond if you read something about yourself you didn’t want anybody to know. What action do you think should be taken?

Next up for our Blogger Profile series is Liz Hargreaves. Liz just moved back to Yellowknife after finishing up studies at BCIT. She’s a journalist, videographer, web designer, editor, photojournalist, writer and award-winning newspaper designer and we are so glad to have her here in the north. Read all about her:

Who are you?
I am a new media nerd/videographer/journalist/photographer/designer/mum to a rambunctious toddler. I am also a limey gypsy who has lived in many diverse spots across Canada. I have a partner of 10 years and together we do fun family activities on the weekend (like our picnic to Long Lake today). I keep busy ☺

Where do you blog?
From wherever I am living at the time, so mostly from our home office, or living room since I am using a laptop.

Why do you blog?
I blog to keep up my writing skills and as a way to archive interesting information I come across that is mainly new media and tech related. I am also interested in provoking debate or discussion. For instance the Vimeo vs. YouTube thread I started was fun for me (though the comments for this came on the Facebook link as opposed to the blog!)

What is the best part of blogging? …Or worst?
The best part of blogging is the community it creates, and debate about what’s happening in the community – or around the world. The worst part of blogging – writing is hard.

Who do you write for? Yourself? Your Readers? Google? For a living?
I write mainly for myself. Blogging helps me research new technologies. But I am always aware there are other kindred nerd-types who might enjoy the information and ideas I come across.

Do you or would you ever censor yourself?
Of course! I wouldn’t want to burn any bridges or look like a new media douchebag. Blogging is like life and requires a social filter.

PC or Mac?
I work on Mac as my British Columbia Institute of Technology program required the purchase of a MacBook Pro. But the hard drives of my last two Macs died within months of use so I am feeling less love for Apple these days.

Blogs you read or would recommend?
Links people post on Twitter and I follow all the Yellowknife bloggers I can find by doing a search for hashtag #yzf.

You recently finished studies in New Media Design and Web Development, what prompted you to take that program?
I worked in the print and newspaper business for more than a decade and I wanted to keep my technology skills up-to-date. There are so many more interactive ways to reach viewers these days, through websites, social media channels, videos, gaming, etc. We live in an exciting time of change for communication and I love to learn about new ways of storytelling.

Are you originally from Yellowknife? Or what made you decide to move here?
We moved to Yellowknife in 2003 after my partner found a job for me on journalism job site jeffgaulin.com.   I worked for Northern News Services in its photo and production departments. For the past year, we lived in Burnaby, B.C. so I could complete my courses at BCIT. But we missed our friends and the great community feel of Yellowknife so we moved back as soon as the ferry was running this spring. I am looking forward to lots of great media adventures here as Yellowknife has a very Internet focused population, perhaps because of the harsh winters. You can bet I’ll have cool Yellowknife photo/video ops all over Flickr and YouTube in the coming months.

She’s some lady in Yellowknife, NT. Who has opinions and things. Her blog won first place in the Best New Blog category and second place in the Best Post category in the Best NWT Blogs 2008 competition. And yes I did just steal this introduction from her blog. Although she is leaving Yellowknife here is her blogger profile:

Who are you? Your average person would probably call me a nerd, but I’m not actually smart enough to fit in with the real nerds. I’m more of a turd.

Where do you blog? On the Internet, mostly.

Visit me! http://theferrytales.blogspot.com

Why do you blog?

I had a hard time getting famous with rock and roll.

What is the best part of blogging? …Or worst?

The best part so far is being part of the Northern blogosphere. It’s amazing how bloggers spread out from Whitehorse to Arctic Bay have formed this online community. And it goes beyond nerdy gatherings in Yellowknife – this winter, when I organized a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, several of the items that sold in the silent auction came from bloggers I had never even met in real life.

The worst part is when you make a typo and can’t get back and change it. I did that in my most recent poll.

Who do you write for? Yourself? Your Readers? Google? For a living?

I keep my readers in mind when choosing topics, and occasionally I go on a self-indulgent photography spree or rant.

I think it’s fun to write about things that will attract random Googlers, so I must admit I write for Google as well.

Do you or would you ever censor yourself?

**** yes. My blog attracts a lot of readers, and I don’t want to air any of my dirty laundry to creepy randoms. Sometimes I think writing about something of a personal nature can be helpful to others, such as when I write about OCD or coping with death. But people don’t need to read about intimate relationships, my work or my bowel movements.

…they don’t, do they?

PC or Mac?

PC

Blogs you read or would recommend?

My favourite blog is Slap Upside the Head. Mark posts about LGBT issues and completes each post with hilarious illustrations.

Visit him! http://www.slapupsidethehead.com/

What made you decide to move to Yellowknife?

I came here for work in 2007, but found other reasons to love it.

You recently announced you would be leaving the north, do you think you will ever return?

I love the North. I want to return for visits, but I’m pretty sure my happily ever after is going to be in Newfoundland.

Well I suppose this is past due as I have been going on about this website now for almost two weeks. So this is my semi-official review of the site, filled with my opinions, suggestions and comparisons. I introduced YkClassifieds.com back in our Online Classified War post and now I want to go over some things with the site so lets begin.
I want to start with the Domain Name and the Site Name, as they are what everyone will know and refer to them as. YkClassifieds.com is a pretty much bang on name; it won’t confuse, mislead, or deceive you. You would assume that the “yk” is an abbreviation of Yellowknife, which it is. Most of the Yellowknifers I know refer to the city by that name, then the word classifieds, which can’t really be mistaken for anything else either. What I have noticed that has nothing to do with YkClassifieds itself, is that a lot of Yellowknife websites have taken up using “yk” in their names, mine included. We have YkCity.ca, YkTrader.com, YkOnline.ca, YkOffroad, and than there are clubs and sports teams using it as well. I’m just wondering if it is getting over used, what do you think?
What I can’t fully understand with the site name is why it is called YkClassifieds but yet is advertised as a Northern Classified site. I just went over that the name is good for a Yellowknife Classified site as it clearly was directed to that market.  So why if intended for all of the North or NWT still use YkClassifieds.com, why not change the domain? I have registered enough domains in my day to know that they are only around $10.00 a name and easy to get. If this site is marketed outside of Yellowknife, I think it wouldn’t take to well as people would see the name and automatically consider it just another website for Yellowknife.

Once in the site you will see a very Craigslist or Kijiji kind of look. You see all the categories and all the sub-categories right in front of you. Personally I don’t like this look, my eyes go crazy trying to read everything, and I would much prefer a drop menu or how eBay does it. You choose the category, sub-category, and so on until you are where you want to browse threw ads. I don’t think this can be changed as that is probably how the script is set up, but I feel like I am constantly trying to get back to a none existent home page, then again I could just be to use to the way YkTrader works.

With the navigation of the site fresh in your mind I want to continue talking about it. I am assuming that the site wide navigation bar is the one in the left sidebar but I feel it is lacking and needs some serious reconsideration. First we have the HOME tab, which is fine and only makes sense to have. But then we have Post Ad, Post Event, and Post Image for the next 3, which I don’t like. I don’t think we a need the 3 of them always showing. What I think would make more sense is to have a general “Post” tab and when the mouse rolls over said tab a pop out menu slides out with more options. Yes, this is similar to how YkTrader does it but I think it works and gives a cleaner, sleeker look.  Before I move on to the next tab I have to wonder what exactly is the “Post Image” for, there is no explanation as to why you should post a picture. You don’t know where it is going or what it will be used for. Huh.
On to the next tab Help/FAQ, which is essential to any site like this. So having it in the navigation bar is a good thing but what is currently on that page is another story. There are only 6 questions or how-tos on the page so far, all with very brief explanations. I don’t think someone who has no idea of what they are doing would be able to figure it out. The key to any FAQ site is to explain how to do something in the utmost detail so that even the most Internet illiterate person can figure it out.
The Events Photo tab, which is next down the list, is probably the one tab I shouldn’t talk about right now, as it goes nowhere. You click it that tab, see where it takes you. You end up on the creator’s photo site at a gallery that the public is locked out of. Now I am all for self-promotion and new features but really, a dead link? Wait until everything is working properly before adding it to an active site, even if you add the tab and just have it loop back to the homepage would be fine with me but don’t send people on a wide goose chase for nothing.
The Contest tab is the last tab I am going to talk about, as the My Account seems pretty self-explanatory and needed. The Contest tab is a good idea if the site is going to be holding contests frequently but that doesn’t appear to be the case at the moment. The tab is linked to a PDF and I’m sorry but I can’t stay when PDF’s are used for stupid things like this. Don’t get me wrong, I like PDF’s but you should only use them when needed. For forms, e-books, newsletters, etc. not something like brief contest details. The details should be right on the site as that is where the contest is being held.

Well it seems I have lagged this Review on for longer than I anticipated, so I am going to stop it here and make this a 2 part series. This being Part 1. I would like to encourage all my readers to comment below on YkClassifieds, do you agree with me? Don’t you? What would you suggest?

This is just a quick update for those interested in getting Internet at Yellowknife’s Greatest Indoor Show. I talked to someone at the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and they informed me there will be Hot Spots at the event this weekend.

There will be WiFi throughout the building but it may be faint in some areas.

Hope to meet up with some new people as well as see some old faces.

Remember first 500 mom at the Show on Sunday get a free flower.

I was recently informed by Nancy via Twitter that Javaroma has canceled their free Internet Access because of a $700 Internet bill they received. I can’t say I’m surprised that they got the bill, it was bound to happen. What really shocks me is how it only happened now. They have had free Wifi there for years and surely people have taken advantage of it before and downloaded that big file or movie.

What I really don’t understand is why they are not looking in to their options. There are many Internet Cafe/ WiFi Hot Spot solutions out there. Look at Starbucks, they are partnered with AT&T, Boingo and others to provide WiFi access at almost every shop across North American. That’s a damn lot of Coffee Shops so surely our one Javaroma can come up with some sort of solution. If you Google “Internet Cafe Software” instantly you find several companies that offer software that can be used to regulate users Internet usage. I am also willing to bet if a small fee was tacked on to being able to use the Internet, people wouldn’t mind. I mean if they are spending $6 on a coffee, $5 for a hour or day of Internet shouldn’t be a big deal. Am I not right?

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think they are going in the wrong direction in this online era? Should they charge for Internet use? Let everyone know in the comments below.