For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week, I offer this Blogging Question.
What do you wish someone would invent?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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9rules has finished their 4th round of submissions. Paul Scrivens has published the official list at the 9rules Network blog. Of the 700 that were submitted, the 9rules team selected 111 blogs to join the 9rules Network this round.
Naturally among that group are a few folks I’d like to send my good wishes.
This list is merely in the order following the list on the 9rules blog.
If you have time this weekend to stop by to leave a comment, please tell them that I sent you over.
Congratulations to Paul and all of 9rules Network too, for such a great list of new blogs.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Note the new LINK LEAK VIRUS PAGE
I’ve added these links to the Net Neutrality Page today.
Tangled Web [via Daily Kos]
We follow the story of Blip.tv, an ambitious video-streaming startup. They’re fighting for a corner of the Internet marketplace in the midst of a battle over so-called ‘net neutrality’ — the idea that all Internet content and websites are given the same access to audiences and customers.
If telecommunication giants have their way, companies like Blip.tv might be forced to compete in a marketplace wherein firms with large coffers can buy access to greater bandwidth and faster Internet speeds, leaving sites who can’t afford to pay in the slow lane.
Craig Aaron of Free Press, a media watchdog group, says big telecom companies have declared open season on ‘Net neutrality.’ He’s afraid these companies will dictate how we use the Internet.
“I think one of the beauties of the Internet is that it’s been open to views across the political spectrum. And if you hand the control of the information so that some can be preferred over others, you’re going to be handing that control to the big media companies that already control our television, airwaves, radio, you name it,” Aaron says.
For their part, telecom companies argue that a fast lane on the Internet for those willing to pay will allow them to make a return on their multibillion-dollar investment in broadband infrastructure. At present, companies such as Verizon and AT&T only charge for access to the Internet, but make virtually no money from content.
Net Neutrality Is More Than Meets The Eye
What’s bewildering in the net neutrality debate is that both sides say they have the same goals – they want the Internet to maintain its usefulness, to keep maturing, and to continue to get better. At first glance, it would be easy to think that one side wants that done via government regulation and the other through the free market. But that’s really not the case. Network neutrality is a much more complex issue than “Big Business vs. Consumer Rights” or “Big Government vs. Free-market Competition”.
Realist View on Net Neutrality: Only the Lawyers Win
Ray Gifford offers a realist’s prognostication on the likely effects of network neutrality: only the lawyers win.
Not the end of the world if network neutrality laws pass, not the end of the world if they fail to pass. Only, if network neutrality becomes law, low latency high-speed service will be routed through “private networks” while ordinary traffic travels via the “public network” internet. The distinctions between the two will be somewhat arbitrary, but important to the law, and that is why lawyers win. Overall, a sensible if not too hopeful view.
Compare the calm Gifford tone to the more alarmist sounds of eBay CEO Meg Whitman (that’s her smiling face in the picture) in an email sent to members of the “eBay community”: . . .
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE
Working at Home on the Internet offers something new every day — advice, links, articles, general information and tips — for anyone who uses a home computer to make a living on the Internet. SOB Joe Hauckes readers include self-employed small business owners, telecommuters, and folks who work part time and work at home.
Notes from Liz: Anyone who spends time around Successful Blog knows that Joe is a guy who’s here for all of us, and he’s here every day cheering us on. Joe’s a champion of all Internet folks who work at home. If you are one, spend some time getting to know his blog. Working at home can seem like not a job at all and unsocial sometimes. Having blogs like Joe’s in your favorites can make an at-home work situation seem a lot more like the real thing.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Has your SOB Blog Been Introduced to US?
Blog Promotion: May I Introduce You?
On Thursday in a post about finding fodder for ideas, I told a story about an adventure with my friend KB.
Most of my friends in the 3-D world are people who like to talk about the way things work — especially important things, such as life and its intricacies. Last night KB sent an email explaining how life is supposed to be. She was paraphrasing a George Carlin story, but it had her spirit, her voice, and her philosophy as well as his.
It didn’t seem the right thing to post here, but it didn’t seem right to leave you out of the fun either. So, if you’d like to know the way life should work. Click the story below and it will take you to read what KB sent about life and how it really should be.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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I’ve added these links to the Net Neutrality Page today.
E-BAY Comes Out in Support of Net Neutrality!
Today, as a registered Seller on E-Bay, I received an e-mail from the E-Bay President and CEO Meg Whitman making a strong case for Net neutrality. Ms Whitman has come out very strongly in support of blocking passage of any bill(s) that would allow the telephone and cable companies to create a “two-tiered” system of network access.
I think this is an excellent and well written letter that clearly explains what the Telecoms are attempting to accomplish. I will post the letter in its entirety:
Net Neutrality and Snakes on Rocketboom today
Not that we ever need an excuse to get our daily dose of Rocketboom, but in today’s episode, Amanda Congdon covers Net Neutrality in between her rants on Snakes on a Plane.
Boiling the Frog ââ¬â a Net Neutrality Metaphor by Art Brodsky
The metaphor goes like this: If you throw a frog into boiling water, it will jump out. But if you put a frog in warm water, and gradually raise the temperature, it will become acclimated, until it becomes cooked. Gross, but accurate. This is what the telephone companies and their allies who sell them equipment are doing. The metaphor was on display last week when Verizon Executive Vice President Tom Tauke testified before the Senate Commerce Committee. Verizon is not trying to do away with the current Internet, Tauke said. (Water warm).
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE