[Tcadvisors] Re: [Advisors] podcast -- Early internet in Canada, TC, Freenets, Blue Sky network in Manitoba

Thanks so much marita - I've listened and been inspired! I've shared it on LinkedIN! VCN is actually in the process of evolving member's digital democracy. The freenet network was so much a part of getting the internet into the community's hands I love it!  I feel humbled to be leading the next wave - with one of the most important iterations of Digital sovereignty.  We're building what is called Legacy Shield. *Legacy Shield*, a new project emerging from the freenet movement -  I believe speaks directly to the mission we all share through Telecommunities Canada — building *community-owned, values-aligned digital infrastructure* for the public good. *Legacy Shield* is envisioned as a *nonprofit digital vault* designed to protect people’s most sensitive legacy documents — wills, directives, key identity records — and more importantly, to *shield their digital identities from theft, misuse, and erasure after death*. Unlike commercial platforms, Legacy Shield is: * * *Mission-locked* to remain in the nonprofit space * *Governed by its members*, not shareholders or private interests * *Technically secure* and privacy-first by design * Structured to resist capture by venture capital or Big Tech * Built with *interoperability and permanence* in mind, rather than obsolescence * As we all know, platforms fade and accounts get wiped — but personal digital legacies deserve the same permanence and dignity as any other estate. Legacy Shield aims to make that possible in a *public interest framework* that scales — without selling out. We’re preparing to launch a *crowdfunding campaign* this fall, alongside nonprofit membership, and would love to connect with fellow community network builders about how this could serve as a *model of digital trust infrastructure* in the nonprofit sector I'll share more, and am always  open to collaboration or shared governance ideas as we grow this work. In fact - I can't think of a better group to help on the project. here are the current tiers we've developed for the crowdfunding process *Shield Bearer* *$25* *1-year VCN membership, tax receipt, project updates, and governance polling* *Legacy Sentinel* $50 All Shield Bearer benefits + early access to platform demo + optional name on supporters page *Shield Builder* $100 All above + access to Builder Polls on major platform decisions *Legacy Defender* $500 All above + invitation to virtual design session + beta tester access + recognition in founding project report (opt-in) + one personal vault with no fees for 10 years — no renewals, no strings attached *Shield Ally* $2,500 All above + 100 client vaults + 2 years waived client registration fees + priority tech support + legal roundtable invitation + Founding Ally recognition (opt-in) IThoughts? all the best, Tracey ----------------- Tracey Axelsson Executive Director - *Vancouver Community Network (VCN)* 280 - 111 West Hastings Street,    Vancouver, BC  V6B 1H4 t: 778.724.0241 *Consider the environment before printing.* VCN offers great services to all for IT support and web development at very affordable rates. We deeply appreciate your referral of Tech|team <https://www.techteam.vcn.bc.ca/> & Web|team <https://www.webteam.vcn.bc.ca/> services. On Wed, Jul 30, 2025 at 8:26 AM Marita Moll <mmoll(a)ca.inter.net <mailto:mmoll@ca.inter.net>> wrote: Hi folks. I am really happy to share with you Joel Templeton's (ISOC Manitoba) podcast documenting some of the history of the early Internet in Canada, Freenets in general, the development of TC and particularly the story of the Blue Sky network in Manitoba. 1:23 min podcast. Garth and I both contributed to this episode. The Past - The Freenet Dream–ConnectedMB – Apple Podcasts <https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-past-the-freenet-dream/id173538... Something to do on another very hot summer day when many of us are stuck inside. 🙁 Marita _______________________________________________ Advisors mailing list -- advisors(a)tc.ca <mailto:advisors@tc.ca> To unsubscribe send an email to advisors-leave(a)tc.ca <mailto:advisors-leave@tc.ca>