 |
TroopTube: YouTube For Military And Families
TroopTube is the U.S. military's answer to YouTube; the goal is to provide soldiers and their families with a way to communicate in a secure way.
All videos placed on TroopTube will be screened by the Pentagon to make sure that no copy-protected material or material that might threaten national security is posted. YouTube is just one of the many websites that the military has blocked to try to improve security.
(Sample videos available on TroopTube)
The military has always tried to support the families of the troops, but the current fascination with social networking tools like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter has left the military in catch-up mode.
Science fiction fans may recall a similar incident in Star Trek: Voyager. In the series, the crew are stuck in Delta Quadrant 75,000 light years from Earth; now, that's a long way from home. In one episode, they are excited to learn of the remarkable Hirogen transmission arrays, which are powered by miniature black holes. Over a period of time, the crew begins to catch up with the doings of family members.
(Hirogen Communications Network)
At some point, the Hirogen demand that they stop using their official network, and attack the Voyager. During the resulting exchange, an antithoron burst initiates a sequence that takes down the entire network.
It turns out that one of the reasons the U.S. military is concerned about the use of YouTube and similar sites by the troops is that they put an undue burden on their internet capacity.
I don't know what kind of services the military sets up for families on a regular basis; here's another science-fictional example from the Transformers movie. One of the soldiers sees his wife and daughter. I don't know if this is a commonplace scene; maybe readers in the military can let us know.
(Connecting troops and families in fiction)
From the Guardian and Trooptube.tv; thanks again to the wonderful Moira for supplying the tip and the reference.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 11/13/2008)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Communication ")
Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence (METI) Workshop
SF writers have thought about this since the 19th century.
Burner Generates Temporary Phone Numbers
'Interesting phone system he's got, by the way...' - John Varley, 1984.
HushMe Bluetooth Device Reinvents The Hush-A-Phone
'Talking into a hush-a-phone which he had plugged into the telephone jack...' - Robert Heinlein, 1940.
Ubiquiti FrontRow Camera Records Your Life
Why be choosy? Just upload your whole life to the Internet, and be done with it.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Sleeep PRO Earplug For Maximum Rest
'Merton... placed the electrodes of the sleep-inducer on his forehead.'
Inspired By Japan, Nap Pods For Hajj
It's always a good time for a nap.
Amphibio 3D Printed Gill Shirt
'... we can descend and live down there at one of those year-round aquatic resorts.'
How Do You Put An Asteroid Into Earth Orbit? Carefully!
'...she would have to be coaxed by another series of pats into a circular orbit.'
PD Aerospace Space Plane By 2023
'The sleek, tapered space shuttle lay immobile upon the private landing field...'
Foldimate Folds Your Clothes Perfectly
Look ma, my room is clean! I can hear you now.
Robots Help People Get Dressed, As Predicted In 1931
Yes, people of the future, robots will dress you.
International Space Station Leak Plugged - With Finger
'These tag-alongs search out stray leaks.'
Robot Snake Flies, Fights Fires
Just a prototype, but still amazing.
IPAL Chinese Robot Babysitter
'But Nanny is different...'
ZKZM-500 LASER Assault Rifle
'The Iranian reached back into the locker and got a pair of laserifles.'
LA Subway Scanner, As Seen In 'Total Recall'
'I'm afraid to tell you this Mr. Quaid, but you have suffered a schizoed embolism...'
Sion Electric Car Covered With Solar Panels
'It drew its power from six square yards of sunpower screens on its low curved roof.'
PAL-V Liberty Flying Helicopter Car
'...lifted themselves to skimming flight upon whirling helicopters."
Space Drones - UK's Effective Space To Launch Rocket Tugs
'Twenty rocket tugs towed it from its Earth hangar out into space.'
DIY Autonomous Robot Detects Trash
'The search-bug detached itself and rolled forward.'
