Save The Internet...

[ann_a]

There is a movement in America..

http://www.savetheinternet.com

Not sure if we have anything like it here.Do you think it important,and if so,why?

[Heyesey]

I think it pointless. We DON'T own the internet, the cable companies do.

 

If one ISP starts to block sites that don't pay it enough money, switch to one that advertises it doesn't. Since absolutely everybody will switch to that other ISP, the first one will go out of business if it doesn't abandon the policy. It's never going to happen.

[ann_a]

But isn't it likely that all the independent,smaller companies will be swallowed by the conglomerates?

[JoeP]

The small companies buy their connectivity from the big boys.

 

Even in the days when I ran a BBS from home on a dial up line, and participated in FIDONET and similar not IP based systems, we still relied on the phonelines for comms.

 

If we want to develop a truly independent communications network, 'bridged' to the internet in soem way, then you need to work out how to connect together all the computers without using the phone systm. It can be done - radio amateurs have been running IP over radio for years - but it's not easy.

 

The Internet technology is built on the back of a search for an unkillable military communications system. Paid for by the US Government. The current systems run on cables, fibres, etc. owned and paid for by private telecommunications companies.

 

I've been using the Net in one form or another for over 20 years, but let's be real - someone, somewhere, pays for it and we've been getting a bloody good deal.

 

The old saying 'He who pays the piper, calls the tune' is very apposite. We use the internet because people who own it let us, ultimately so we'll buy more goodies using it. Never, ever forget that.

 

There's a lot of crap written about the Internet being an essential part of our lives. Rot. Food, electricity, safe water, safe streets - they're essential. The Internet is a lxury. People stayed in touch for the previous thosands of years without the WWW, and they'll do so again if it disappears tomorrow.

[angle20]

The internet is a big thorn in the side of the forces of the New World Order who control much of the corporate media. There is the potential for incorrect thinking to take place when there is free-ranging grass roots discussion. It's only natural that the political and business elites will try to exert control: beware!

[artisan]

There's a lot of crap written about the Internet being an essential part of our lives. Rot. Food, electricity, safe water, safe streets - they're essential. The Internet is a lxury. People stayed in touch for the previous thosands of years without the WWW, and they'll do so again if it disappears tomorrow.

That is a very good point. We most probably would survive. But when you become dependent on something, to lose it is a backward step.

You know how you feel isolated if you forget to take your phone with you, yet a few years ago we had no mobiles. The same idea applies.

We should be moving forwards, losing the Internet (the largest manmade thing ever) would be a massive leap backwards.

[JoeP]

The internet is a big thorn in the side of the forces of the New World Order who control much of the corporate media. There is the potential for incorrect thinking to take place when there is free-ranging grass roots discussion. It's only natural that the political and business elites will try to exert control: beware!

 

The problem with the Internet, though, is that it provides a conduit for the rubbish as well as the good stuff.

 

If I was one of the 'Established Order' I'd LOVE the Internet - you can put all sorts of stuff out there that's total hogwash, get people to agree with it, then show it's lies, and hence people become less trusting when they find some REAL 'underground' stuff on the Net.

 

There's frequently a lack of intellectual rigour - people will believe anything, and not question it.

 

Free ranging discussion doesn't automatically mean you're hearing the truth; it just means you're geting a larger amount of data to try and sift out teh real information.

 

If anything, teh internet contributes to information overload and in many ways makes it more difficult to get the full facts about many political and social issues.

 

 

That is a very good point. We most probably would survive. But when you become dependent on something, to lose it is a backward step.

You know how you feel isolated if you forget to take your phone with you, yet a few years ago we had no mobiles. The same idea applies.

We should be moving forwards, losing the Internet (the largest manmade thing ever) would be a massive leap backwards.[/Quote]

 

Absolutely - I would miss it, but if the Internet disappeared in it's current form tomorrow, I'd guarantee that within a few weeks there would be enough 'old guard' comms people and software developers who'd be lashing together a 'dial up' Internet between home computers, with people starting up nodes to provide services like mail, cybercafes kicking off again - it would be small, butpeople would be connecting.

 

It's not the technology that should matter, it's the network of people that are connected that matters. The technology is incidental.

[ann_a]

That's re-assuring..

As for it providing a conduit for the rubbish as well as the good...who decides?I like to think I do:D I like to think I have a choice.I like to think that I am hearing opinions from all sides,and that when I do make a decision...it's all mine:D

[Mathom]

The problem with the Internet, though, is that it provides a conduit for the rubbish as well as the good stuff.

 

There's frequently a lack of intellectual rigour - people will believe anything, and not question it.

 

Absolutely - I would miss it, but if the Internet disappeared in it's current form tomorrow, I'd guarantee that within a few weeks there would be enough 'old guard' comms people and software developers who'd be lashing together a 'dial up' Internet between home computers, with people starting up nodes to provide services like mail, cybercafes kicking off again - it would be small, butpeople would be connecting.

 

It's not the technology that should matter, it's the network of people that are connected that matters. The technology is incidental.

 

I agree that you can find some real crud on the net. I've been part of another board that has suddenly took a right turn into the land of whacko evangelists and Pseud's Corner. But the problem is networks can be shaky - you could think you have found mates but then an admin (not your good selves obviously, cough) might ban you and that's it, network and friends lost! Real life friendships are still on firmer ground.

 

However, I think in many ways the net has become essential for some people. It enables you to do so much without having to travel, go out etc, a bonus for people with disabilities that can prevent them from going out, a bonus for busy people (long as they stay off forums!), and also good for people in rural areas.

[sccsux]

if the Internet disappeared in it's current form tomorrow, I'd guarantee that within a few weeks there would be enough 'old guard' comms people and software developers who'd be lashing together a 'dial up' Internet between home computers, with people starting up nodes to provide services like mail, cybercafes kicking off again - it would be small, butpeople would be connecting.

 

Indeed:thumbsup:.

 

With the advent of wirelss networks it wouldn't even need to use a dial up connection, setting up wirelss nodes (DNS servers) you could connect many LANS (server farms) to create a "new" internet:).

 

The "Information Super Highway's" revolution:D