Net Neutrality

I’ve avoided this subject for a reason, because most people don’t understand it enough to care about it, but I can’t resist mentioning it.

The basic idea is that the telcos think they should be able to charge sites like Google or Amazon for using all of the internet provider’s bandwith. They see it as sending customers to the big websites, and they want their cut.

Normally these big cable and telephone companies foul up by trying to run the internet like it’s a telephone or cable company.

(I’ve mentioned earlier how my old DSL company only routed me along their lines, so when a server in chicago went down, I couldn’t access any websites hosted in Chicago. As if there were only 1 way into the city).

This is just flawed thinking. The internet is NOT similiar to a telephone or cable infastructure. It just uses the same lines. I know that’s a hard distinction to make, but it’s crucial.

In the phone industry, I pay for who I call. If I make a long distance call to India, they recipient in India doesn’t pay for it.

In the cable TV world, I pay the company for access to channels that they in turn paid the content provider for. If Comcast wants to carry ESPN, they pay ESPN, and I pay Comcast.

Now, I’m already paying Comcast to access the internet. What the big companies want to do is now charge Google or Amazon for me accessing them. But I’m already paying. And if they do charge the big websites, guess who’s going to pay on both ends? The consumer.

If Amazon gets stuck with a charge from internet providers, you can bet prices are going to rise.

Do we really need to give PayPal another reason to add another surcharge?

It’s time for the telcos to start replacing their management with people who understand what the internet is and how it works.

July 5th, 2006

new phone time

I spent the last 5 days up north at my cottage, and not having broadband internet access or cell phone reception really changes what you do.

I did get a lot better at horseshoes and golf though.

Honestly, I can’t believe how slow dial up access is though (although it is just a free dialup provider from U of M).

Some websites just wouldn’t load in a decent time (like my bank website to check my account balance… who knew crown royal could have been so expensive)

Also, if you run the only store that sells ice in a 20 mile radius, it’s probably a good idea to order more than usual for the 4th of July weekend… Next year eh?

If you emailed me, I’ll try to get back as soon as possible. I’ve sorted out the spam and I have about 30 some at home to reply to, and I have no idea what’s waiting for me at work tomorrow.

I’m also looking for new phone reccomendations. My Nextel dropped 8 calls on me on thursday, and 1 today. I’m thinking of switching to cingular (my whole family has it and it works up north, so the mobile to mobile would be great no?)

Anyway… tell me your praise or horror stories about cingular, and let me know which phone I should buy. I want one with a camera in it and text message capabilities (yeah my phone doesn’t do either… old huh?)

July 4th, 2006