geoffstechno (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} geoffstechno) wrote,@ 2006-04-20 23:17:00 |
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Save the Internet!
Are you someone who is creative? Do you make movies? Flash animations? Write songs? Jeff Pulver wants you to help him save the Internet. In the U.S. the Internet is slowly being taken away by business interests. If it happens in the U.S. the rest of the world will follow.
For example, lobbyists are trying to prevent the people that deliver the Internet to you to charge you based upon content, or in some cases, prevent you from accessing content providers that compete with them.
There are lots of examples around, but I'll make up a few Israeli ones. For example, I have a cable modem from the only cable company here, HOT. If HOT were to offer a Video on Demand service (oh wait, they do) but did not want the competition, they would block or degrade VOD services from other providers.
Another example would be an ISP who is also a long distance carrier blocking VoIP packets. Actually there was one until a few months ago when the Ministry of Communication reversed themselves and said that personal VoIP was legal. AFIK, they may still do it, there is nothing to stop them.
Luckily for me, my ISP (Netvision) remarkets Vonage, so not only won't they block them, but they may give it a little "boost" (or not, I have nothing to compare it to). Since they started, my Vonage line (purchased locally from the original franchisee) has gotten better. I keep the Vonage line for the incoming number, but with POTS calls to the U.S., Canada, and the U.K on special this month for $.01 (that's right one cent) a minute, it does not make economic sense. Their regular rate is four times that, which challenges all of the VoIP providers, including Skype.
In order to facilitate getting the message out, Pulver has started a contest. You put together something that can be used for "viral marketing" to show how the Internet should be and why the viewer/listener should do something about it. Even better, IMHO would be a short explanation, if even only one sentence or a closing title, on what to do and how to do it.
If you are not a creative type, pass this on. If you have an idea, but can't make it happen then ask around for people to help you. A prime example of that would be me. I have been told that I could not carry a tune in a wheelbarrow. Recently after trying to explain a melody to my wife, she corrected me. According to her, I "can't carry a tune in a pickup truck". If you are like me, but can come up with an idea, don't let it stop you, find someone who can do it.
If this interests you, go to his blog and read the description of the contest. http://pulverblog.pulver.com/archives/0
If it does not interest you, go there anyway, follow the link to the rules and read the disclaimer. It's one of the best I've ever seen. :-)
Geoff.
Are you someone who is creative? Do you make movies? Flash animations? Write songs? Jeff Pulver wants you to help him save the Internet. In the U.S. the Internet is slowly being taken away by business interests. If it happens in the U.S. the rest of the world will follow.
For example, lobbyists are trying to prevent the people that deliver the Internet to you to charge you based upon content, or in some cases, prevent you from accessing content providers that compete with them.
There are lots of examples around, but I'll make up a few Israeli ones. For example, I have a cable modem from the only cable company here, HOT. If HOT were to offer a Video on Demand service (oh wait, they do) but did not want the competition, they would block or degrade VOD services from other providers.
Another example would be an ISP who is also a long distance carrier blocking VoIP packets. Actually there was one until a few months ago when the Ministry of Communication reversed themselves and said that personal VoIP was legal. AFIK, they may still do it, there is nothing to stop them.
Luckily for me, my ISP (Netvision) remarkets Vonage, so not only won't they block them, but they may give it a little "boost" (or not, I have nothing to compare it to). Since they started, my Vonage line (purchased locally from the original franchisee) has gotten better. I keep the Vonage line for the incoming number, but with POTS calls to the U.S., Canada, and the U.K on special this month for $.01 (that's right one cent) a minute, it does not make economic sense. Their regular rate is four times that, which challenges all of the VoIP providers, including Skype.
In order to facilitate getting the message out, Pulver has started a contest. You put together something that can be used for "viral marketing" to show how the Internet should be and why the viewer/listener should do something about it. Even better, IMHO would be a short explanation, if even only one sentence or a closing title, on what to do and how to do it.
If you are not a creative type, pass this on. If you have an idea, but can't make it happen then ask around for people to help you. A prime example of that would be me. I have been told that I could not carry a tune in a wheelbarrow. Recently after trying to explain a melody to my wife, she corrected me. According to her, I "can't carry a tune in a pickup truck". If you are like me, but can come up with an idea, don't let it stop you, find someone who can do it.
If this interests you, go to his blog and read the description of the contest. http://pulverblog.pulver.com/archives/0
If it does not interest you, go there anyway, follow the link to the rules and read the disclaimer. It's one of the best I've ever seen. :-)
Geoff.
