The future of the internet?

[orbsycli]

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060213/chester

The nation's largest telephone and cable companies are crafting an alarming set of strategies that would transform the free, open and nondiscriminatory Internet of today to a privately run and branded service that would charge a fee for virtually everything we do online.

[orbsycli]

Is it possible to have....

another internet?

[Tormod]

Yes. It's been in the works for a while now - split the traffic lane in two and charge for guaranteed, priority traffic, and let the rest go free. Easy way to turn the Internet into another service which is mostly for the haves, while the have-nots will have to share the rest.

[orbsycli]

Good....

I have no idea what I would do if couldn't hop online and read what's going on....

The internet has become a crucial aspect of my existence.

[Tormod]

Well, see, that's the problem. Some of the people who run the infrastructure wants you to pay for the pleasure.

[orbsycli]

Yeah, and I don't mind paying for the service I have now....

but they're talkin' about tracking EVERYTHING we do and placing charges on EVERYTHING. Which is ABSURD, and SCARY.

The internet is so free, right now.
I can learn anything
talk to anyone
right now.

Despite their greedy efforts
do you think there will always be a
"freedom channel"
like there is now?

I'm studying computer technology (have been since I was a kid, but I'm actually in college now) and I would like to be one of the people that keeps this portal open!!!!!!

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by orbsycli

Despite their greedy efforts
do you think there will always be a
"freedom channel"
like there is now?

I think so, yes. Seeing as so many businesses are built on the fact that using the net is free (well, usually only free for students, households usually pay for their access but not actual usage) I think they will have to find other methods.

I think the "guaranteed traffic lane" is more directed at large publishers and websites with tons of cash (ie Google et al) so that they can make sure people get to use them, while others are harder to reach or download more slowly because they can't afford to pay to offer their content. Like Hypography, for example - we'd never be able to pay more than what we already do for servers. If we also had to PAY for people to be able to use our site, that would sort of kill the Internet as we know it. I don't think it's likely. It's possible, though.

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Tormod

Like Hypography, for example - we'd never be able to pay more than what we already do for servers. If we also had to PAY for people to be able to use our site, that would sort of kill the Internet as we know it. I don't think it's likely. It's possible, though.

That's when we'd break out the old 286 and get a BBS going.

[hallenrm]

Internet today is like Tea was about a century ago (in India) at that time tea companies used to distribute free tea packets to the general public. Today tea has become the "national beverage" in India, almost everyone needs to drink it, and also pay for it; minimum 1 cent (as per the current conversion rate of INR and USD). That's the same story everywhere, clever business people first get you hooked at very low charges, and once people get hooked any charge is allowed!

[alexander]

Internet 2.0 has finally spanned coas to coas, the 100 Gigabit line is now in place for the interschool network..... cant wait for internet 2.0