Successful Blog

Net Neutrality 5-28-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’ve added these links to the Net Neutrality Page today.

Open Email to Bob Cringley about Google

Hi Bob,

We’ve corresponded in the past about our respective blogs.

Just had a thought that I wanted to share with you: What if the real reason that Google is vying against the ISPs on network neutrality is that it wants to leverage those super-powered hardware boxes it has been dropping into its dark fiber for the past few years as accelerators for paying customers? Similar to what Akamai is already doing…

Preserving Net Neutrality

For people who innovate in the area of technology and those who enjoy those innovations, this free and open access to the internet has been a boon. New applications are being developed every hour and are able to be instantly distributed on the web. These new applications coupled with new content, such as broadband television, have the potential to offer a new array of choices to consumers.

Unfortunately, some telecommunications companies have a different vision for the internet. They have floated the idea of charging websites for access. Those who pay will get faster and more reliable delivery of their content to web surfers. Those who do not will see the delivery of their content degraded.

In the interests of openness, I frankly acknowledge that I am a recent convert to this point of view. A few years ago, I publicly expressed my view that regulation to stop impediments to net neutrality was a solution in search of a problem. At that point, I was aware of no telecommunications company that had expressed a desire to do so. That has clearly changed. — John Conyers

Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination

Columbia University law professor Tim Wu coined the term “net neutrality� in a paper he published in the Journal of Telecommunications and High Technology Law. The paper is an interesting read because it’s sharply opposed to the regulations adopted by the House Judiciary Committee this week, so I’d encourage anyone who wants to have a neutral Internet to go read it. Some of Wu’s more interesting observations follow.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Net Neutrality 5-27-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’ve added these links to the Net Neutrality Page today.

Net Neutrality Action Alert

This is nothing more than blackmail by the telecoms. We need to counter this push. Committee Democrats need to hear from as many constituents as possible to counter the CWA’s pressure. Here’s the contact information for Democrats on the Committee. (See Matt Stoller’s diary for a full list of Judiciary Committee members.)

Urge them to support the bipartisan Sensenbrenner-Conyers Net Neutrality bill without amendment. The legislation as it stands is great–a CWA supported amendment would be a capitulation to the telecoms.

Mel Watt Needs To Hear From You to Protect Our Internet

“Urge them to support the bipartisan Sensenbrenner-Conyers Net Neutrality bill without amendment. The legislation as it stands is great”

Mel Watt sits on this committee, and he needs to hear from all concerned North Carolinians. If the Telecoms are allowed to have their way, we’ll have a multi-tiered system that will restrict the free flow of information.

Please contact Mel Watt today . . .

Deargenevra,

Our top priority is increasing the number of people who know about this threat to Internet freedom.

One thing you can do right now: Get five friends to join the fight

The struggle in Congress isn’t over. The full House will take up the bipartisan Judiciary bill (H.R. 5417) — as well as the massive rewrite of the Telecom Act — after they return in June. The Senate is also considering major legislation that currently fails to protect Net Neutrality, though a bipartisan group of Senators are lining up behind the excellent Snowe-Dorgan bill (S. 2917).

Our work is not done. But momentum is on our side.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

By Popular Demand Open Comment Night Starts EARLY

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It’s Like Open Mike Only Different

Here’s how it works.

The rules are simple — be nice.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. . . . Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.

See this post if you want some ideas of things to talk about.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles
Open Comments Night 2 Mike is On

Tuesday after 7 Chicago Time

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Tuesday Open Comment Night

Personal Branding logo

YES, the mike will be open again tonight. So start collecting your thoughts. Remember, you get to bring what you want to talk about.

The rules are simple — be nice.

We got things going really fast last week. If you missed it, stop by this week, and check it out.

Some things we might talk about could include whether:

  • anyone will ever pay for content on the Internet.
  • Technorati will quit rolling out new features and get control of its old ones.
  • the telcos will win on net neutrality
  • anyone has a cool idea for what we should do on the blog this weekend.

AND THE EVER POPULAR, WHERE IS EVERYBODY?

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here.
Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles
Open Comments Night 2 Mike is On

Link Leak Blog-to Show Is Open

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Welcome, Come On In

Blog-to

Welcome to the First Official Successful Blog Blog-to Show where we are showcasing blogs from all over the blogosphere. Each blog has brought a short description and a bit of advice or wise words for you. So have a look, walk around, and enjoy yourself. Click the blog titles to visit the blogs for a closer.

NOTE: We’ll do this again soon. So leave me comments on how we might do it differrently.
If you’d like to be part of the next Link Leak Blog-to Show see the last box on this post.

The Gates Are Offically Open

1. From Sheila Scarborough

Family Travel

Even if you don’t have kids or don’t get to travel that much, swing by and check out my Family Travel blog, hosted on BootsnAll. I try to cover the globe (with pretty pictures if the reading gets too tedious) plus lots of timely links. I’m a freelance writer, an experienced traveler thanks to some time in the US Navy, mother of two and wife to one sainted guy.

Check out my picture going through the Panama Canal, and click on it to read who else in my family spent some time in the CZ.

Short bloggy quote:
My fave quote about blogging and life in general: “It is never too late to be who you might have been.” George Eliot

2. From: Keith Dsouza

Keith Dsouza’ Home

Why its worth while visiting me,
Well my blog is predominantly technology related but i try to make it more useful for the users, with some nice explanations and ideas about things I am writing. Am I writing good? That’s for people to decide.

I don’t make technology yawny for non geeks i try and make it more interesting for them.

Small note for bloggers,
Well keep writing its the best thing you can do, write things from your heart, if you have a interesting thing to write about surf other blogs and see if you can related to anything else for your content, that makes a intersesting read at times.

If your blogging to make money, then blog smart and follow some of the tips for newbies at Liz’s blog.

Though am not getting into SEO, another thing is that write content search engines can easily find, your content will remain on the front page only for a while, its the search engines who will dig them out for new users.

3. From Joe Hauckes

Working at Home on the Internet…

Tips, Advice, Links, Articles and General Information for those who want to utilize their Home Computer to Make a Living on the Internet.

Blogging advice
Make a Game Plan, but remain flexible, things can change unexpectedly in any business.

4. From: Andrew Nesbitt

Fishbitt.com

Original geek material, a personal blog from a geek finding his way on the web.

Blogging advice
Make your content original and different, dont just copy digg.com ‘s front page.
Commenting other blogs is one of the best ways to get more regular readers and commenters.”

5. From: Theresa Frasch

Frasch Ideas

Frasch Ideas is a compilation of thoughts, comments and discoveries gleaned from my voracious reading habits. Stop by to get yourself thinking.

Short bloggy quote:
“The decisions you make, make you.”

6. From: cat Catherine Wentworth

Designers Who Blog

‘Designers who blog’ is a one stop site featuring those blogging about the Communication Design industry (web and graphic, illustration, etc). Due to the slop over in the industry,
also featured are those in marketing, photography, branding, etc. Rarely will you come across a featured blog known for droning on and on about their kids, their cat, their love life or lack of one. DWB also has a twist in the support of the NO!SPEC campaign, and showcases
whenever.

Short bloggy quote:
I’ve been working in the Communication Design industry (with my own business) for over ten years, and if there one thing I’ve learned about clients and how they operate, it’s this …

You can’t learn too soon that the most useful thing about a principle
is that it can always be sacrificed to expediency.
W. Somerset Maughan

7. From B. McCray

Small Biz Survival blog

By and for small business people in rural areas and small towns.

Short bloggy quote:
Don’t wait for someone else; be an entrepreneur! In the rural Great Plains, nearly 70 percent of job growth in the 1990s came from people creating their own job by starting a small business, according to the Center for Rural Affairs.

8. From: Gloria

The Virtual Wire

The Virtual Wire is comprised of a team of six writers, all of whom are business owners of Virtual Assistance practices, and are an integral part of the AssistU community. You’ll find a variety of conversations centered around building virtual working partnerships. You’ll find, as Stacy Brice states, “What’s shared here is the real deal, based on trial, error, and ultimate accomplishment in finding what works.”

Short bloggy quote:
What makes our businesses run and hum? Here’s a key element, as Stacy Brice writes, “For us, *virtual* means employing technology to collaborate and contribute to another’s business without being present physically. Technology available today makes being geographically distant a non-issue. The talent pool is wide open. People can work together with thousands of miles between them almost as easily as they can separated by only two feet.”

9. From Mr. Visible

Meanwhile Elsewhere

Ever wondered what it would be like to go back to school and finish up
that degree? Meanwhile, Elsewhere is the ongoing saga of a
forty-year-old man returning to college after two decades in the real
world.

Short bloggy quote:
Don’t just blog every day. Break it up a bit with some artwork, links
both relevant and irrelevant, and be sure to let yourself ramble a bit.

10. From: Melissa R.

Purplestars

My blog is worth visiting because I share my day to day geeky tetchy
life, my rants, my love for pcs and macs, my studio work cams, my
photos, tech news, and software reviews. Plus I have a podcast,&
videocasts, as well. Plus I am a writer for Lockergnome.com.

Short bloggy quote:
Blogging is a great tool because you can tell the world anything you
want, plus you can become a news journalist instantly if you are posting
what is happening around your world.

11. From: Dr. Mohamed Taher

Multifaith Information Gateway

World’s first blogsphere created with the object of disseminating information in the area that is called: Multifaith. The content manifests three formats: Online, print and multimedia. The context is interdisciplinary, i.e., multifaith literature which encompasses faiths, spiritualities, cults, cultures, races, regions, signs, symbols, actions, activities, as well as, transendental meditation.

Short bloggy quote:
Maintaining a blog is a lot like having a child (I don’t have one, but I can imagine.) It takes a lot of time, nurturing and care. source: Link policy and building traffic, from What’s Your Brand Mantra?

12. From Lelia Katherine Thomas

LeliaThomas.Com

The portfolio and journal of artist and writer Lelia Katherine Thomas. Journal topics addressed include moral matters, humor, interesting links, and highlights of amazing unknown artists and musicians. Art galleries are filled with photography, digital and traditional art, web design, and even poetry.

Blogging advice
The key is interacting on other users’ websites. Everyone tells you to get good links to your site, but that’s hard to do if you don’t go out of your way to participate on all the sites of your personal interest. This means writing more thoughtful comments than “cool entry” and even sending the occasional email to those sites where comments aren’t enabled. Recognize other people’s efforts, and yours will be recognized in time. It’s that age-old Karma effect!

Want to Be In the Next Blog-to Show?

Here’s what you do.

  • Write up a sentence or two about what makes your blog worth visiting.
  • Write up some advice or a bloggy quote that other bloggers would like to know.
  • E-mail that information to Liz at lizsun2@gmail.com.

When I get six qualifying entries, we’ll have another Blog-to Show Weekend.

Free Promotion! You can’t buy that!

As always, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. Snacks and beverages are in the sidebar. Tips are not necessary. Comments are appreciated. Relax and have fun.

Have a weekend. You’ve earned it!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
Link Leaking Blog Rally
LINK LEAK VIRUS Page

Net Neutrality 5-19-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’ve added these links to the Net Neutrality Page today.

Sensenbrenner, Conyers Introduce Bipartisan Net Neutrality Legislation

WASHINGTON, May 18 /U.S. Newswire/ — House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.), along with Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and others, today introduced bipartisan legislation to preserve Internet freedom and competition. . . . Internet access has dramatically enhanced the ability of Americans to access this medium and has been a catalyst for innovation and competition. H.R. 5417, the “Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006,” would ensure competitive and nondiscriminatory access to the Internet.

Chairman Sensenbrenner remarked, “This legislation is a necessary step to protect consumers and other Internet users from possible anti-competitive and discriminatory conduct by broadband providers. The FCC recently reported that 98 percent of American consumers get their high speed broadband from either a cable company or a DSL provider. This virtual duopoly creates an environment that is ripe for anti-competitive abuses, and for which a clear antitrust remedy is urgently needed.”

“This legislation will provide an insurance policy for Internet users against being harmed by broadband network operators abusing their market power to discriminate against content and service providers. While I am not opposed to providers responsibly managing their networks and providing increased bandwidth to those consumers who wish to pay for it, I am opposed to providers giving faster, more efficient access to certain service providers at the expense of others. This legislation will ensure that this type of discriminatory behavior will not take place, and will help to continue the tradition of innovation and competition that has defined the Internet,” continued Chairman Sensenbrenner.

The Wall Street Journal Blows it Big Time
[Wall Street Journal Article Follows]

The change the providers want to make is hard to describe because the double charging concept is so foreign to us. Basically it’s without precedent. But I’m going to try.

It would be like setting up a toll interstate highway system. As it stands now, everyone getting on that highway system would have to pay a toll to each state where you get on the highway. How much you currently pay determines whether you can get into the fast lane, or if you have to stay in the slow lane.

Now imagine a different, additional, toll structure. Say a truck was going from Florida to Wisconsin. Under the new system (what the internet providers want to do), the truck would pay his toll to Florida like he always did and get into which ever lane he paid for. But now he would also have to pay an additional toll to Wisconsin the moment he got on the highway or he wouldn’t be allowed to get off the highway there.

It might almost sound reasonable except where the analogy falls apart when you translate it to the internet. Be cause with the internet, you put your data on in one place, but it doesn’t get off in one place, but many. And under the new system you would have to pay an additional toll everyplace you wanted your data to be able to get off the highway.

The Web’s Worst New Idea

Under a law like this–variations are floating around both houses of Congress–the country could look forward to years of litigation about the extent and nature of the rules. When the dust settled we’d have a new set of regulations that could span the range of possible activities on the Net. What’s more, the rules aren’t likely to stop with the phone and cable companies that have Mr. Markey and his friends at Moveon.org so exercised.

Non-discrimination cases could well be brought against Net neutrality backers like Google–say, for placing a competitor too low in their search results. Google’s recent complaint that Microsoft’s new operating system was anti-competitive is a foretaste of what the battles over a “neutral” Net would look like. Yet Google and other Web site operators have jumped on the Net neutrality bandwagon lest they have to pay a fee to get a guaranteed level of service from a Verizon or other Internet service provider. They don’t seem to comprehend the legal and political danger they’ll face once they open the neutrality floodgates. We’d have thought Microsoft of all companies would have learned this lesson from its antitrust travails, but it too has now hired lawyers to join the Net neutrality lobby.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE