Visioning 2026 Blog

Smartphones, Voice Recognition, Standards and Social Networking Changing our World Now

The world is ever faster changing around us, are we ready for this impact to us and our community. I'm amazed at these trends while researching and experimenting with advertising on social media networks for our business.

Interesting article, Tweeting Your Way to the Top, and how Twitter, the social network tool, is impacting the news media and customer service operations.

Another interesting video from the Jump the Curve by Jack Uldrich website about IBM's Five Future Predictions for the Next Five Years, specifically how voice recognition will be change our daily lives.

Mobile computing is moving fast as shown in this video Nine Trends Shaping the Future of Social Interactions, covering the Lift Conference.

Here's an excellent post on why Twitter is gaining is such popularity in the business world.

The US military is looking out 10 years and seeing even more advancements in mobile communications/computing with a new Advance Extremely High Frequency (EHF) communication satellite network.This communication satellite network gives a glimpse of the sort of data rates (~8 Mbps) and global network you might be using on mobile devices within the next decade. The Transformational Satellite Communications System (T-Sat) is planned to replace Advanced EHF starting in 2013.

Standards are being proposed by the consortium Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) for the exchange of digital content. This should ensure the likelihood of more internet dissemination (versus more traditional methods), unlocking the mobile platforms even more than what Apple has done with iTunes and the iPod. This is covered in more detail by a BusinessWeek article, Digital Content Wherever You Want It.

NAR Receives Funding from Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act

Funds from the Nebraska BECA grant will be used for the Norfolk Area Recruiters Initiative, a partnership between the cities of Battle Creek, Madison, Norfolk, and Cuming County to implement a recruiting campaign aimed at former northeast Nebraska residents that includes Web site development and direct mail. Norfolk Area Recruiters and the city of Norfolk will provide matching funds for the project.
http://www.neded.org/content/view/656/  

Grant applicant was the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District.

Learn more about how Norfolk Area Recruiters are bringing professional back to their home town at http://www.NorfolkArea.org. Also see how this organization is using social networking websites to connect with existing local and distant area alumni using LinkedIn and a NAR Group at http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/1071067.

Logo Design Contest by NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project

Contest announced to produce a logo for the project.  Deadline is 5 Dec 08. Norfolk Daily News reported on November 19, 2008 the logo design contest. The logo should have the words North Fork in the logo and can include an expanded tag line. Contest rules can be found at http://www.northforkne.com/logo_contest.pdf.

Here are some theme examples from the board of directors.

The word "river" should not be used in the logo and the word "riverwalk" restricts the vision of the overall project.

 Bridging Generations - The North Fork Riverpark!
Riverpointe Plaza - A Transformational Way of Life.
The Riverwalk - Connecting Tradition to the Future
North Fork Riverpointe Plaza - Traversing the Good Life
North Fork Riverpark - A Calm New Tradition

               North
               Fork
       Powering a Rebirth
For All Seasons ... For All Ages ... For All Times

The North Fork lettering would be part of the logo. The logo along with "Powering a Rebirth" would be the short version of the mission statement. The "For All ...." could be used to expand on the short version of the mission statement.
- Possibly use a curved line to go through logo, e.g., through letters starting down the slanted of the "N", under and around the "o" to the curve on the "r", through the cross in the "t" and over the hump on the "h", etc. through the Fork.
- Lonn's version of the symbol of scrolling/spiral circles making up the two "o" in North and Fork and connecting the two words.
- This symbol provides the image where we don't need to include the word "river" in the logo.

Mark personally likes this version, similar to River Point, it is short and sweet, it is significantly different from River Point yet allows for a logical and visual "connection".  For example, ".... On the North Fork", " ... At the North Fork", "'Restaurant' on the North Fork", "'Living' on the North Fork", "Shopping on the North Fork", "Meeting on the North Fork".
This will give us licensing authority similar to what the Norfolk Parking District has done for River Point.

Other options that I came up with (based on an earlier input from Lonn)

North Fork .... Powering a Rebirth

North Fork River
Endless Possibilities

NorthFork Riverwalk
Powering a Rebirth

I'm a little concerned that when we use "Riverwalk" that people's idea will be a sidewalk along the river versus the much larger vision we have.

North Fork River
Rebirth for Tomorrow

North Fork River
Future Connections

North Fork River
Rebirth for Power

North Fork River
More Than a Namesake