The machine that is the Obama campaign is producing what I can only imagine was their goal 2 years ago -- the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America. The Obama campaign machine is a digital marvel and did a fantastic job of capitalizing on the changes in communications media that has occurred in just the last few years. We are after all much more media driven than 2 years ago, if that's possible. We want to know what you're thinking, where you are and what you're doing at any given moment via Facebook, Twitter , Skype or any combination of those via your iPhone. I want to know NOW.
On that thought let me expound a little on the technical preparations that are being done in DC for the inauguration. Sprint, AT&T and other astute wireless carriers are beefing up cell sites in and around the White House to handle the expected increased cell, text and Internet traffic. They are adding mobile cell site trailers or "cell on wheels," or COWs to help. Did you know that text messaging traffic spiked 44% above normal on election day as the results came in. Is the fact that it spiked 44% some sort of cosmic reflection on the fact that the 44th president was getting elected or was it just coincidence?
So if you're lucky enough to have a ticket to the inauguration or one of the balls, just know that texting takes less cell overhead than voice and sending pictures so a text is more likely to get through a jammed network. Speaking of jamming, Secret Service agents do have the capability to jam wireless communications in the immediate vicinity of the president - that is, if they think there's a threat. But if you have trouble getting though from the parade route, it will probably be due to congestion rather than national security.
Get your official Inauguration poster here and if you're feeling generous, for $500 you can get a signed one. Signed by who I don't know but it's signed none the less.
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