>I'm just curious Eric (and anyone else who cares to answer): What do
>you
>think of the new "pay to play" email concept that's being proposed by
>some vendors?
>
>I know I'm scared. As much as I hate spam, I think there are better
>answers (many of which are already present on the web -- and on my
>system) than asking the billions of web users to *pay* for email -- or
>any other traditionally free service.
>
>And by that I don't mean to suggest that some services shouldn't be
>paid
>for, or that there isn't room for web commerce. But it strikes me that
>there's no reason a balance can't be achived between free services and
>products (like GNU, the Google/Yahoo search, etc.) and commercially
>viable innovations (CrossOver Office, VisiCAD, etc.).
Likely will not just be e-mail (& Cox)!
"Whose Web Is It, Anyway?" While US taxpayers
financed development of Internet, telecommunications companies now seek
to
privatize access to net and create new classes and tiers of service:
Platinum service for the rich, "cheaper gold and bronze service for the
middle and working class" and for poor neighborhoods, "some companies are
already practicing digital redlining and not even providing broadband
service."
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0209-29.htm
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