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Net Neutrality 7-31-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

What’s Microsoft Afraid Of?

Reuters reported last week that the Free Enterprise Action Fund – which holds more than 4,000 shares of Microsoft stock – wants the company to explain its rationale for supporting Net neutrality. The fund wants to put a proposal before shareholders, for an up-or-down vote at the next meeting, which would direct Microsoft management to prepare a report “analyzing the business and economic rationale, regulatory impacts, legal liabilities and any effects on product development and customers” of Net neutrality.

Sounds reasonable enough.

But Reuters reports that Microsoft has “asked the Securities and Exchange Commission if it could exclude the proposal from its annual shareholder vote without facing enforcement action by the agency.”

“What is Microsoft afraid of,” asks Tom Borelli, a portfolio manager at the Free Enterprise Action Fund.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Net Neutrality 7-30-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

VoIP Over WiFi WILL Disrupt the Cellular Industry

It’s official. You can read all about it in The New York Times today.

“What if, instead of burning up minutes on your cellphone plan, you could make free or cheap calls over the wireless networks that allow Internet access in many coffee shops, airports and homes?” asks Matt Richtel.

The Times has recently discovered what you probably already knew, The next generation of cell phones have WiFi access built into them. Although there are some nasty non-technical details to be worked out, these phones can go online via a hotspot as easily as they connect to a cell tower.

But, here’s the rub for the cellular industry: when these phones log on in a hotspot, they can become VoIP phones as in free or very cheap calling, as in Skype. Telco have invested their typical borrowed billions in wireless frequency auctions and in so-called 3G services. These investments were made on the premise that wireless prices for voice and some services would stay astronomically high compared to landline and Internet connections. Whoops. You can hear the write-offs and bankruptcies coming! . . .

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Net Neutrality 7-29-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

VA-Senate: Jim Webb Comes Out for Net Neutrality

I just got this statement from Virginia Senate candidate Jim Webb on net neutrality:

. . . . The internet has been open and free since its inception, and it should remain open and free moving forward. Just as importantly, the blogosphere provides strong checks and balances on the corporate media and on governmental power. . . .

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Net Neutrality 7-28-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Net neutrality ‘weaklings’ must answer to shareholders – FEAF

Tom Borelli, [The Free Enterprise Action Fund] FEAF portfolio manager, told The Register FEAF thinks companies that “run” to government – especially Microsoft who has a habit of usually going in the opposite direction when it comes to officials and regulation – are acting against “innovation.” They should focus on improving their products not legislation, he said.

“Our antenna goes up when big companies seek regulation. In our view that’s a sign of weakness. A free market should be out there competing and innovating, rather than running to the government to protect the market. That’s a defense strategy.” . . .

[snip]

The group has already used the shareholder resolution tactics over General Electric’s policy on global warming, which FEAF believes is damaging shareholders’ value, at an annual meeting in April. FEAF believes GE has succumbed to non-government organizations and environment advocates who Borelli calls “looters” interested in using GE’s resources to “achieve their social and political agenda.”

FEAF’s actions can be seen in a broader US context. With the argument over net neutrality breaking down along partisan lines, lobbyists and other interested parties are now springing to the fore to shape the issue.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Net Neutrality 7-27-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Influencing the political process for advancment of technology

Need an example? Think about IM in the context of what it really is…delivering text messages. How much revenue do you think the Netheads make from IM? Combine AIM, MSN and Yahoo all together. How much revenue do you think the wireless carriers make from text messagin? Who wins the revenue war?

That isn’t the only place the Bellheads win. Look to political process. I’ve often wondered about our own ranks. Jeff Pulver. David Isenberg. Tom Evslin. Several others. Leading voices fighting the battle from without rather than stepping into the political fray of politics to redirect the system from within. If we’re going to win some measure of control away from the Bellheads, there is only one way. The political power base needs to shift. Netheads have to become the influencers of policy, something we are clearly not today.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

After the Music Died — It Got the Link Leak Virus

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Tueday Night Music Comment Night

Open Comments Last Night was held down in Nashville. Folks were singing and dancing. Songs were stuck in our heads. Some folks admitted a predilection for men in uniforms, especially those who had swords. We danced so hard we lost the server. Then, the nasty link leak virus played a tune on things as well. Link Leak Virus is a special strain of the indie virus with blogtipping mutations that occur in threes edged its way in.

Cool links were shared.

If you listen you can hear, Joe singing Crimson and Clover over and over.

Successful Blog School of Music

The following members of the class of 2006 were in attendance:
Trisha, Joe, Tracy, Doug, Christine, Susan, Rick, Shirley, Starbucker, Candice, Cat, Ben, HART, Tom, Gerard, Samuel, Meikah, Dwayne, Chris,

Here’s a quick peek at some things that were said. [Read more…]