A Note to Google Users on Net Neutrality

[SIZE=-1]The Internet as we know it is facing a serious threat. There's a debate heating up in Washington, DC on something called "net neutrality" – and it's a debate that's so important Google is asking you to get involved. We're asking you to take action to protect Internet freedom.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]In the next few days, the House of Representatives is going to vote on a bill that would fundamentally alter the Internet. That bill, and one that may come up for a key vote in the Senate in the next few weeks, would give the big phone and cable companies the power to pick and choose what you will be able to see and do on the Internet.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Today the Internet is an information highway where anybody – no matter how large or small, how traditional or unconventional – has equal access. But the phone and cable monopolies, who control almost all Internet access, want the power to choose who gets access to high-speed lanes and whose content gets seen first and fastest. They want to build a two-tiered system and block the on-ramps for those who can't pay.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Creativity, innovation and a free and open marketplace are all at stake in this fight. Please call your representative (202-224-3121) and let your voice be heard.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Thanks for your time, your concern and your support.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Eric Schmidt[/SIZE]


http://www.google.com/help/netneutrality_letter.html

 

seems we're a day late..lol
Deadline Nears for Net Neutrality Comments | Wireless Week

 

Must say it is a bit strange that Google is coming with this. They are pretty much in control on the internet themselves.

 

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This could be our future...

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This is similar to the big television networks fighting with cable companies over access fees. The only ones who loose in the end are the customers. Net Neutrality definitely is something to get on board with. Our access providers are obviously against this because if net neutrality goes unpassed they will be able profit more by selling 'faster' access to sites individually. Additionally imagine if Comcast could extort Google into paying millions for Comcast subscribers to be able to reach Google.

Imagine not being able to choose your search engine or social network because Facebook, Twitter, etc didn't pay the strong arm fees to be reachable from your ISP.

Sadly the fundamental internet freedoms we've all taken for granted aren't mandated by any government agency. Lets see if our congressman/women have the cajones not to be lobbied out of net neutrality.

 

"This page is from the summer of 2006. For the latest news on network neutrality, please visit our Public Policy Blog.". http://www.google.com/help/netneutrality_letter.html

Also, thread 666

 

I think this is thanks to the courts. Weren't there rules that said the providers had to treat all traffic equally... And they struck it down

Now we're going to see rules to make the providers even more money... [sarcasm]Great...[/sarcasm] Consumers always get the shaft.

I was thinking that too. And Dmoz. I have managed to get only one site listed in Dmoz over the years and it was a geocities site so guess what happened to that one...

 

interesting that this is thread 666 :sinister:

 

That is why I never understood some Americans' obsession with not letting "those guys in Washington" have a say in - well, anything. Like making sure that certain things adhere to certain regulatory rules is a bad thing.
And the worst thing is that once this new system is established in the US, those same bastard companies will lobby like mad here in Europe and will eventually push through the same rules. It may take 5 or even 10 years. But it will happen.
And it will be the death of the real internet. What a shame, that man has to always ruin things with greed.

Let's wait a few more years and the Chinese will be laughing at us for how restricted our internet access is.

 

I came across this site that some might find interesting.

Save the Internet | Join the fight for Internet Freedom

I have to admit I was a bit oblivous to the whole Net Neutrality thing. I only thought of it as just another money grab for the cable companies i.e. regular broadband vs BOOST that gives your twice the speed for an additional fee. It didn't even hit me that they would try to package services the way Cable TV packages stations.

 

I must take this back. Much to my chagrin I did a search for my software site a little while ago that I gave up on dmoz adding several years ago and they added it.:shock:

Maybe there's hope for my roleplaying site...

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/202636/net_neutrality_deal_may_not_see_wider_support.html