LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Jack Tipshus will lead as IT Director for the 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship First/Second Rounds at Alltel Arena March 21 & 23. “Nothing this size or scope has ever come to Little Rock or the Alltel Arena. I’m ready to put my plan into action for the NCAA and millions of fans worldwide watching these events. When it comes to March Madness, I’m going to take the madness out of the technology,” said Tipshus. National and world media outlets will broadcast everything from live high definition television, radio, Internet blogs, and other traditional means. Photographers will upload action shots almost instantly as the action happens all thanks to high speed Internet links. “On the Internet front, I plan to provide massive Wi-Fi access for hundreds of media with laptops throughout the arena on a separate network. For the digital media, another dedicated Internet link will provide the kind of bandwidth they demand. Backup links will be in place to add capacity and eliminate a single point of failure.” said Tipshus. Real-time game statistics on a separate secured wireless frequency will display on ultra thin screens for media and game tracking. Tipshus adds, “I’m also delivering live stats to CBS Sports for their Internet sites. This sports ticker feeds around the world to sites including New York City’s Times Square, Las Vegas, and every sports site on the Internet.” As the action moves on the court, so goes the pace of the media. Tipshus says he plans to exceed media expectations and showcase Little Rock as a technology powerhouse. “I’m rolling out the red carpet for media. Everyone from the Malvern Daily Record to CBS Sports Telelvision will have everything they need and more.” With over 100,000 fans expected in the Little Rock and North Little Rock downtown areas for the four day event, city leaders are expecting a slam-dunk economic impact for the twin cities. Hotels are already sold out in a fifty mile radius of Little Rock. “When people look back on this event I want them to remember our expertise and service. We want to see more things like this in central Arkansas,” said Tipshus. The Alltel Arena hosts eight of the nation’s top teams as they compete for the right to advance in the NCAA Tournament, with winers sights set on the 2008 Men’s Final Four in San Antonio.

Spencer Watson, Technology Writer for Sync Weekly, has sourced me for their technology column regarding tips & traps for Microsoft Vista. I know the audience, so my comments are targeted to them. Their readers are young, hip, and raised on technology. Over the years, I’ve fostered a good relationship with state and local media, so it is always nice to be quoted and sourced for information I feel can help empower people.

Read the article: Sync Weekly: A Very Vexing Vista

I was recently interviewed by Rachel Grant regarding the vast changes made to my workplace wireless networks. Most people think of wireless and Wi-Fi networks as merely Internet hot-spots. The reality is that wireless is so much more than that. My wireless is used for ad-hoc live video cameras, remote key card gate controllers in parking areas, environmental monitoring, and location based asset tracking. The Jack Stephens Center, the UALR Trojan’s basketball arena, features a completely wireless ticketing system. Handheld PDA-type ticket scanners validate the patron’s ticket instantly and also provides valuable data about the ticket holder. It’s an unobtrusive way to provide VIP and specialty services to our guests. Also, I designed, deployed, and maintain point-to-point wireless networks spanning several miles. These wireless bridges pay for themselves quickly by saving costly recurring monthly charges for leased wire lines. With carefully planned deployments come cost savings and value added services. I’m always looking for ways to get more out of our investments.

Read the article: The Rock Reporter

Back by popular demand, I’m volunteering again with DeAnna Shannon, Executive Director of Riverfest, Inc. to bring ubiquitous free Wi-Fi to both sides of the Arkansas River.

Riverfest is the largest gathering of Arkansans and is showcased as the annual Memorial Day Weekend, “Food – Fun – Family” on the banks of the Arkansas River. Last year (2005), organizers hailed my efforts to help coordinate communications and provide this service free of charge to patrons, vendors, and the many agencies involved. Police and emergency management officials, independent artisans, and VIP headline stage acts relied on this sophisticated coverage cloud. Zone coordinators sitting in temporary kiosks used their laptops and instant messages to relay information and stay connected. Even though key staff were equipped with two-way radios, the background noise and constant chatter was deafening. Everything from ordering more ice, monitoring developing weather conditions, and providing seamless communications for multi-jurisdiction city services ran on my broadband Internet Wi-Fi network.

Last year, Little Rock’s television media interviewed me live at Riverfest. There are technical challenges to installing and then tearing down an ad-hoc metropolitan Wi-Fi cloud that spans a mile divided by a river. I’m looking forward to another exciting opportunity to showcase Arkansas’ expertise to the region and help make this event safe and fun for everyone.

Read the article: Arkansas Democrat Gazette – Northwest Arkansas Edition

I was interviewed by the Arkansas Times for an article on Wi-Fi security best practices for mobile professionals. After this article published, I received hundreds of e-mails and phone calls with very positive feedback. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to empower you all. Thank you for the kind words and encouragement!

Read the article: Arkansas Times – Surf at Your Own Risk!