Comments on: Cecil County Council Considers Live Web Video of Meetings; Audio, Archive Questions Remain

By: Nancy Schwerzler

Nancy Schwerzler — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:06:52 +0000

Bob, when it comes to humor, we figure laughter about all things Cecil County government beats the alternative of tears. Security is a big concern of any government agency and given the level of hacking that goes on these days, I can understand regulations that might require a more closed system either through the county’s own operations or through a private vendor with enhanced security systems.

Our only concern in all this is that the county keep in mind the many county residents who do not have access, for financial or location reasons, to highspeed Internet services. The audio service currently provided works well, doesn’t cost anything extra, and should be retained regardless of whether additional video services are initiated.

By: Bob Laird

Bob Laird — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:46:48 +0000

Hi everyone! With full respect to Nancy, Bob G and Al R, I bring the following info. First, although this article doesn’t specifically call out the County for the method that is being employed to resolve the matter of Video & Audio for these meetings, the humorous angle does imply that there is something not quite right either.

On to the topic at hand, though. I have spoken with the folks who are working on the tech side of this for us. They cannot use options like YouTube and Google Hangouts because these options do not comply with REGULATIONS SET FORTH BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND!

In other words, we really shouldn’t be giving Cecil folks any guff over this as they are trying to bring the best product to all of us while staying within the restrictions that Annapolis has provided.

So, if we have a beef with Cecil folks that is something that they actually have full control over, go for it! But, in this case, we need to lay off.

Thanks a bunch.

Bob

By: Al Reasin

Al Reasin — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:47:58 +0000

I spoke about this at the legislative meeting but forgot to mention Youtube, where my videos of just about all of the meetings since September of last year are available – at channel alreasin.

Anyway 4 tera bytes storage for a computer costs $170 and that would store 1600 meetings of 1 hr 15 minutes each. Don’t know the cost for that amount of added storage for the county’s server or whether it is capable of serving more than one person at a time.

Real time streaming, IMO, is not worth the effort since except for the legislative and citizen’s corner, the meetings are during most people’s working time.