MWW Moves to the Cloud

Montague WebWorks will be moving its servers to a cloud environment in March

After five years of hosting our websites on a single server (or even a shared server, back in the old days) Mik Muller of Montague WebWorks decided it was time to take the next step in the evolution of Montague WebWorks -- to move up to the cloud.

The big move will start Friday morning, March 15th, and continue through Sunday evening, March 17th. Every website and email we host will move from our existing servers to our new Cloud Servers. There should be no interruption of service, though we ask you to bear with us.

What are Cloud Servers?

Cloud Servers are the same as regular servers, except that a very large number of them are tied together through networking and software to act as a larger, faster single server, that you can then take a "slice" of as a virtual single server.

The main benefit of this is that upgrading to more processing power and storage is literally a mouse-click away, rather than physically cracking a server case open and adding resources to a single box.

This means that, for Montague WebWorks, we will be moving from ONE server that hosts all our websites, our databases, our email server, to TWO cloud servers that will each actually be multiple processors spread across many machines. One of the servers will now be dedicated to only hosting the websites, and the other server will host the databases and the email server.

The plan is to further expand, by the end of the year, to a third cloud server so we can split our databases and email server onto separate machines.

And while we're moving up to two cloud servers, we're also upgrading all the software. Our web hosting server software will get a double upgrade -- from IIS 7 to IIS 8, and from ColdFusion 8 to ColdFusion 10 -- and our email server software will upgrade from SmarterMail 8 to Smartermail 11, which has major improvements for mobile devices.

What's the Bottom Line

The bottom line is that everything will become faster. This website will load faster, and if we also host your email, your email will send and arrive faster, and the webmail interface will run faster, and on all your mobile devices.

Montague WebWorks is moving up, and expanding. By the end of April we should have around 150 RocketFusion websites, with a goal of 200 by the end of the year.

If you're ready to switch your website over to Montague WebWorks, please call Mik at (413) 320-5336. We can get started early next week.

http://www.MontagueWebWorks.com
 

Chauvette comments on the “Big Box Store and Virtual School”

Lee Chauvette, of Athol a Democratic candidate for State Representative has issued his opinion on two issues that he has been asked about most frequently besides the proposed biomass project for Greenfield. Chauvette stated that over the past couple of weeks the issues of the proposed “big box store” and the Greenfield Public School’s “K12 Virtual School” have been on the minds of the voters.

“First on the issue of the “K12 Virtual School, I as an immediate past member of a regional school committee have concerns about leaping so quickly into a contract with a single source bidder of something as important as the delivery of education to students. In the business we are all are used to single source bids on matters such as bus transportation from local companies that bid more frequently then out of the area providers. The other issue here of concern is the fact that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Massachusetts has been delaying formulating regulations for such virtual school approaches. The DESE is still researching and reviewing the overall issues with virtual schools. Hopefully the system did not act hastily.”

“I am supportive of alternate ways of delivering quality education to students and I am a strong supporter of trying to combat the tides of school choice and making local districts attractive once again to enhance the return of students that have left. The “virtual school” is definitely a policy issue and must be monitored to ensure that the education offered is in the best interest of the students and that the overall process benefits the Greenfield Public Schools.”

“On the subject of the proposed plan for a “big box” retail store for the community of Greenfield, I have spoken with opponents, supporters and middle of the road voters on this issue. I do state that I have seen more "middle of the road" people on this store. The “middle of the road” voters are those who have signed a petition to ask the Planning Board to conduct an unbiased Community Impact Assessment. This assessment would look at impacts on traffic, business, neighborhoods etc. This assessment could look at what size store would provide the least negative impact on the community. This study would show the positives and negatives up front.”


“I personally believe that the route of the Community Impact Assessment makes the most sense and hope that the Planning Board and the local government of Greenfield will seriously consider this action as part of their decision making process. There is room to debate and look at what fits the needs of Greenfield, local businesses and the residents prior to making decisions on this store. This upfront study and working together may alleviate the stress and tense situations that were seen throughout the biomass process during local governmental meetings.”




 

Lee Chauvette of Athol a Democratic candidate for State Representative for the 2nd Franklin District that includes Greenfield and Gill two towns directly affected by the proposed 47 megawatt biomass plant suggests that Greenfield officials check with the state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs to review the processes used in conjunction with the progression of the plant thus far.

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a strict policy entitled the Environmental Justice Policy which mandates enhanced public participation as well as enhanced review of such projects by the Executive Office for communities that fall under this particular program. Greenfield does in fact according to the policy website have a neighborhood that is an Environmental Justice Policy neighborhood. Montague also has a qualified neighborhood. Gill does not.” says Chauvette.

“In Greenfield beginning with the area of I-91 from Conway Street and Sullivan Lane down to Woodlawn Road across the neighborhood over to Hope Street to James Street then to High Street back to Beacon Street and Pierce Street back over to Conway Street forms this Environmental Justice neighborhood. This neighborhood meets the criteria according the policy website due to it’s having a median annual household income at or below 65 percent of the statewide median income for Massachusetts.”

“Section 14 of the policy clearly states that any project that exceeds ENF (Environmental Notification Form) thresholds for Air and it is within 5 miles of a policy neighborhood then enhanced public participation is required during the review. The proposed project is a new source of Air Emissions. Certainly one can ask if the locality and Executive Office offer this enhanced public participation.” states Chauvette.”

“Of more concern and possibly causing an additional review process is that Section 15 of the policy states that projects under going a MEPA review requires enhanced analysis towards an EIR (Environmental Impact Report) if again the project triggers a threshold for an Air project within 5 miles of the policy defined neighborhood. It is certainly worth the time for local officials on behalf of its residents to check to see if the review of project materials by the Executive Office that resulted in no filings of an Environmental Impact Report on this project is aligned with the Environmental Justice Policy”

“The Environmental Justice Program is designed to give residents enhanced participation in projects that may cause harm to their neighborhoods. As an Environmental Manager, I think it would be prudent to look at this issue and review if the biomass plant project has been aligned properly under this policy and if in fact the Executive Office should have moved towards requesting the enhanced analysis for an Environmental Impact Report. I urge local officials to review this issue.” Chauvette added.
 

Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts Endorse Chauvette for State Representative in 2nd Franklin District

BOSTON -- The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts are pleased to announce their endorsement of Lee Chauvette, candidate for State Representative of the 2nd Franklin district.

“Lee Chauvette has strong roots in the district, having grown up in Athol and having dedicated his professional career to the area. He has a strong record of public service, having served as a firefighter, School Committee Chairman and small business owner. In these tough economic times we need a fighter who understands the role public safety plays in keeping residents safe but also helping local cities and towns prosper.
The Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts’ 12,000 strong membership is proud to endorse Lee’s candidacy,” PFFM President Robert B. McCarthy said.The 2nd Franklin district includes parts of Athol, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Orange and Warwick.

“I’m grateful and humbled by the endorsement of my fellow firefighters. My colleagues represent the kind of hard-working, selfless, courageous and bedrock citizens we all need to be in this time of economic uncertainty and political cynicism. I promise them and the voters of the 2nd Franklin district to work tirelessly during the election campaign and, once elected, during my tenure in office,” Lee Chauvette said.

“Firefighters will never call one of our own heroes, but we know firsthand the fearless courage and integrity we bring to the job each and every day to keep residents safe. Lee will bring that same courage and integrity to the State Capitol and residents in his district should rest assured that they will be well served with Lee as their State Representative,” McCarthy continued.

Chauvette was born and raised in Athol, where he resides today with his wife and two sons. Chauvette has more than 25 years of serving the Athol area. He rose to the rank of Deputy Chief with the Athol Fire Department before being laid-off in 2003.

He served for nine years as an elected member of the Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee, where he helped to save the local high school from non-accreditation status. In 2008, he used his life-savings skills learned as a firefighter to help rescue a local family that fell through the ice.

He currently serves as an Environmental Manager in Fitchburg.The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts represent more than 12,000 professional fire fighters from across the Commonwealth. More information about the PFFM can be found at www.pffm.org.

 

ATHOL-- Lee Chauvette of Athol, who is seeking the office of State Representative for the Second Franklin District, recently attended a meeting at the Greenfield Veterans Resource and Referral Center to hear Veterans' concerns first hand and observe conversations with Veterans and Governor Deval Patrick. Chauvette said that while he is a candidate for office the long line of Veterans in his family makes him genuinely concerned for all Veterans past and present.

" In my family my Grandfather the late John Abbott of Orange was in World War I. My Father, Lionel Chauvette served in the Army during the Korean War as a personal chef to General Douglas MacArthur. Three of my uncles served, one during World War II and two during the Vietnam Conflict. Extended members of my family currently are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan along with family friends. Veterans are a very important part of my life."

Chauvette stated that he was moved to hear the plight of a young female Veteran who returned home from service and found it difficult to access services during the off hours of local Veterans Services offices. " She made it quite clear to Governor Patrick that more needs to be done to assist the new generation of disabled Veterans who return home."

Another woman the mother of a son who had served abroad talked about how the state needs to support the families of sons and daughters that fight for our country especially regarding suicide prevention. Chauvette said that one Veteran stood before the crowd and talked about himself as an alcoholic and how Veteran services said his life.

Chauvette stated that he did feel that Governor Patrick truly listened to the Veterans who spoke and that he took notes and informed Veterans he would have his staff look into their concerns. "A lot is said about our current administration and the state budget etc. but I personally witnessed Governor Patrick's commitment to the Veterans that were there and I witnessed him caring about what they had to say."

Chauvette feels that the Veterans Resource and Referral Center in Greenfield is a tool for Veterans that needs to be replicated in other communities.

Chauvette said, "My commitment to helping the Veterans of the Second Franklin District extends beyond campaign rhetoric. I truly care that our past and current Veterans get the help they and their families need to assist them back into the main stream. They have fought hard for us now we need to fight the fight for them."



 

Montague WebWorks | JW DeWitt Business Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘Montague WebWorks now offering high-quality streaming media'

Tom Adams, Reelife Productions' award winning director & editor, joins the Montague WebWorks creative team as Senior Advisor for Strategic Media and Creative Direction

ORANGE, Mass., June 16, 2009 – Montague WebWorks, in association with strategic partner and marketing arm JW|DeWitt Business Communications of New Salem, MA, today announced the addition of Tom Adams of Reelife Productions to the Montague WebWorks creative team. Adams was named Senior Advisor for Strategic Media and Creative Direction said co-founder and Director of Business Development, Patrick Davis.

“Since we began our creative relationship a few years ago, Tom has consistently delivered high-quality video and production assistance to our clients. Montague WebWorks understands the need for professional quality promotional and on-line video programming in today’s on-demand world. With the ever growing infusion of streaming video staples such as YouTube, Hulu, Vimeo and Google Video, Tom brings his video expertise to our clients and will be a powerful value-add for the future of our business”, Davis said.

Tom Adams is owner and director of Reelife Productions based in Williamsburg, MA. Reelife serves a wide array of educational institutions, governmental offices, arts organizations and business clients. Working locally in the Pioneer Valley since 1996, Tom has built a strong reputation for excellence and creativity.

Davis said Tom’s addition as a Senior Advisor will allow Montague WebWorks to increase its offerings to its clients, while taking an important creative step in bolstering its on-line marketing strategy programs.

“We never thought ‘video’ would make a difference in our small manufacturing business,” said Chris Duval, Owner of CRD Metalworks in Williamsburg, MA, who manufactures the Woodbine Firewood Processor. “ When we put Reelife's video on on on YouTube and our website, the impact and result was immediate and very noticeable. The video of our product, the Woodbine Junior, has had over 107, 000 views and has undoubtedly led to many of our most recent sales.”

If you are interested in learning more about how the power of video can grow your business, on-line and off, please contact Patrick Davis, Montague WebWorks at 413.522.4808 to set up a free consultation and strategy session. Find Reelife productions on-line at www.reelifeproductions.com.


About Montague WebWorks and JW DeWitt Business Communications

J.W. DeWitt Business Communications, an independent consulting firm based in New Salem, Mass., specializes in marketing and communications for business-to-business, technology, environmental, retail, and industrial markets. In partnership with Montague WebWorks, a web development and marketing firm serving more than 100 clients in the Quabbin and Pioneer Valley region, they provide strategic communications programs for large enterprises as well as comprehensive marketing, public relations, Internet, and sales support programs for small to mid-size companies. For more information, visit www.jwdewitt.com and www.montaguewebworks.com.

 

I have decided to run a write-in campaign for the 2 year seat on the Greenfield School Committee. If I win I intend to do all I can to promote stability and to build an exciting long term plan for our district. I will also work to make that plan a centerpiece of the City of Greenfield Master Plan. I am not interested in furthering some factional agenda on the committee. My only interest is to work with all members of the Committee, the Superintendent, Town Council, Mayors office, the State and the community to build world class opportunities for our children starting with the basics, and working towards the ideal.

I recognize that any meaningful plan for our schools must be within our means as a community. Budgets should be designed to move a consistent sustainable plan forward - you start with what you have and work towards what you want. Taxpayers are investors. The community needs to see a plan before they can feel entirely comfortable with their investment. I believe budgets will be more clear and less politicized when the “extras” are in the context of a long term strategic plan that has buy-in from the community. Planning on the fly contributes to chaos and the perception of constant desperation.

I understand that a thriving school system is the core of any strong community. Everything from real estate markets to crime rates are a reflection of a town’s willingness to work together and focus on smart solutions for their schools. I am unwilling to sit by and accept the status quo as good enough. I think we have a responsibility to do much better. I am beyond impressed and very appreciative of the ability of Susan Hollins to stand this district up last fall and to move us into a position from which we can build.

I have 2 children in the Greenfield School system and a baby due a few days before this election (yes that could get interesting). My kids are my main motivation. I became an education activist and founded ChangeGreenfield.com last February. I have 10 years of executive experience creating and managing budgets of up to $5 million as the East Coast Regional Director with Greenpeace. I managed 16 offices and up to 300 staff in that position. I started a web development company in 1995 which I sold in 1998. I have worked the last 9 years as the Internet Strategist for The Yankee Candle Company. I am also a musician and enjoy growing as much of my own food as possible.

I have always been impressed with the generosity of the people of Greenfield. Business leaders, elected officials and the community are always willing to help when they understand what is needed and the difference it will make. I believe Greenfield is a great place to live, but that it has been challenged to recognize and build on its own potential.

As a member of the School Committee my basic responsibilities will be policy making, planning and communication. If elected I also intend to remain an education activist. I have opinions on the big issues in public education, which I find are evolving (the issues and my opinions) the more I learn about them. I believe it’s important to work with the state to propose truly out-of-the-box local and regional solutions for the crisis in education that we face nationally. I also believe it’s our responsibility to question authority if top down proposals make no sense for us or are rushed.

I will work towards:

• Stability & sustainable solutions within our means
• A 5 year strategic plan for education in Greenfield and incorporating that plan into the Greenfield Master Plan
• Updating the district technology plan
• A cooperative and respectful working relationship on the committee
• Opportunity for community to be engaged in all discussions
• Continue to explore ALL opportunities for funding efficiencies and new funding mechanisms

I will also be open to exploring public private partnerships, the possibility of a virtual / online school, consolidated administrative services, additional charter schools, and just about any other idea brought forward by a member of the committee or the public. If there is a chance an idea will improve the educational experience in this district I want to hear about it. If there is a chance an idea will make us more efficient and therefore free up more funds for education, I want to hear about it.

My name is Michael Phillips. I hope you’ll vote for me on June 9th.

I'm not sure how this discussion board works and if you can post them here, but if you have questions please let me know. If you have input, suggestions or ideas please let me know. My email is mike@changegreenfield.com


 

1.} WARM-UP: Greetings, student @ GCC conducting evaluation for my advertising course.
2.} DEMOGRAPHICS:
A) Approx Age: 31
B) Highest Level of Education: Grad School
C) Employment: Full time
D) Household Size: 5
3} LIFESTYLE:
A) Currently involved in any hobbies?Pool, skiing, politics, business
B) What are your interests?see above, plus music, networking, grilling, yard work, family
C) When you think of shopping and your needs what comes to mind? what we need and where we can afford it.
__________________________________________________ __________________________
D) When you think of the expenses of shopping how do you feel? depends on the expense
4} GENERAL DISCUSSION REGUARGING SAVING STRATIGIES & SAVING MONEY:
A) How important is saving money to you? right now, it's not
B) Why is saving money important to you? right now, it's not; trying to survive in this crappy economy!
C) How has the importance of saving money changed for you in today’s economy? It's impossible for us to save right now.
D) How do you save money? __________________________________________________ __
E) What influences the way you save money? _______________________________________
F) What strategies do you use to save money? ________________________________________
5} SAVINGS AWARENESS:
*IN REFERENCE TO YOUR LAST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE/EVENT*
A) How often do you need to save money? ____________________________________
B) How did you select strategies for saving money? ______________________________
C) How do you find savings strategies to use? __________________________________
D) How do you select which savings to utilize? _________________________________
E) How do you feel savings strategies could be improved? ________________________
__________________________________________________ ____________________
F) Which savings strategies did you use? ______________________________________
G) How happy where you with your savings strategies of choice? __________________
H) How happy were you with your savings? ___________________________________
6} I thank you for your time and feedback regarding this evaluation,
 

Greetings fellow Greenfielders! I am a college student and need some help from people who choose to utilize savings strategies when shopping. I have a Case Study due tomorrow and need 10 responses to an evaluation, which I have posted below.
If you have time and utilize savings strategies could you help me make the grade and reply to this post with your answers to the evaluation questions? I do not know which area of GreenfieldMA.net this should be placed so I am guessing here...

Thank you soooo much. Also, this is for my Principles of Advertising college course.

Screener Requirements: Consumers who utilize price saving strategies.


1.} WARM-UP: Greetings, student @ GCC conducting evaluation for my advertising course.
2.} DEMOGRAPHICS:
A) Approx Age: _______
B) Highest Level of Education: __________
C) Employment: ________________________________
D) Household Size: _______________________
3} LIFESTYLE:
A) Currently involved in any hobbies? _______________________________________________
B) What are your interests? __________________________________________________ _____
C) When you think of shopping and your needs what comes to mind? ______________________
__________________________________________________ __________________________
D) When you think of the expenses of shopping how do you feel? _________________________
__________________________________________________ __________________________
4} GENERAL DISCUSSION REGUARGING SAVING STRATIGIES & SAVING MONEY:
A) How important is saving money to you? ________________________________________
B) Why is saving money important to you? ________________________________________
C) How has the importance of saving money changed for you in today’s economy? ________
__________________________________________________ _______________________
D) How do you save money? __________________________________________________ __
E) What influences the way you save money? _______________________________________
F) What strategies do you use to save money? ________________________________________
5} SAVINGS AWARENESS:
*IN REFERENCE TO YOUR LAST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE/EVENT*
A) How often do you need to save money? ____________________________________
B) How did you select strategies for saving money? ______________________________
C) How do you find savings strategies to use? __________________________________
D) How do you select which savings to utilize? _________________________________
E) How do you feel savings strategies could be improved? ________________________
__________________________________________________ ____________________
F) Which savings strategies did you use? ______________________________________
G) How happy where you with your savings strategies of choice? __________________
H) How happy were you with your savings? ___________________________________
6} I thank you for your time and feedback regarding this evaluation,