0_0 The Internet is in Danger

[Cynther]

Big ISP services are currently lobbying Congress to break "Network Neutrality."

Network Neutrality is a fancy term that means you can't charge sites to show up through a service provider. All service providers must allow you to access all parts of the internet if you pay them for internet service.

If Network Neutrality is broken, free sites would heavily suffer because they wouldn't be able to pay ISPs to have them shown on anyone's computer.

Summed up: Places like the Orchard would cease to exist... because if you can't access it, it might as well not exist.

We don't know if it will do anything, but a petition has been created:

www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet/

Sign it. Pass the word along.

This is serious. Wired magazine had an article about it, this is not a joke. ISPs want sites to pay to show up on your computer.

You like ICQ/AIM/whatever IM program you use?
Might be gone if Network Neutrality is breached.

You like the Orchard? Gaia? PonyIsland?
Your own website?
Same.

Big corporations hold more sway than we do, but if we do nothing we've let them win without a fight. I think the Orchard is worth fighting for. I think visiting Gaia and chatting over ICQ is worth fighting for.

I hope that whoever you are reading this, you agree. A petition isn't much, but it's something. Be sure to write a comment in your petition. Words hold more sway than a signature alone.

"Save the Internet."
www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet/
(same link as above, posted for emphasis)

[sera]

more info:
news.com.com/Net+neutrality+showdown/2009-1028_3-6055133.html

[tlouey]

well thats just terrible... the USA goverment seems like a bunch of nazis these days with the millions of bills like this they keep pushing to pass. In any case, I hope all the Americans here will sign the petition.

[MadMooCow]

That is a little stupid... to say the least. Is that not part of paying for the site/ISP?

You PAY to have the ability to see whats on the 'net and thus giving all access to the 'net's corners. You then must PAY to own the name of a site and have it hosted somewhere everyone else the ability to see it (everyone who pays for the ISP that is).
To see each individual site costs nothing to anyone, beceause it has already been paid to be seen by all browsers (assuming the coding works for all).

well.. thats how I see it

[sera]

however stupid or retarded it is, wot matters is showing where you stand. the idea has been brought up and who knows when -your- gov't will think it's a good idea? get the word out now and spread it to your american friends who can contact their congressmen.

[MadMooCow]

oh, I definately agree, there does need to be something something done about it.

[Nicholos]

They're just begging for a revolution.

[SunBlind]

Money grabbing buggers. The internet works the way it does *because* its mostly free and unregulated. Yes, that means porn sites abound, but there are prices to pay for freedom and some people will abuse it with illegal stuff. But a lot of people don't and great sites like this one here will suffer. I mean all those of us who have our own personal sites, we're not going to pay ISP's so people can view them, that's ridiculous. There are gobs of ISP's out there, it will be incredibly expensive for anyone other than a major corporate site. Even my little host couldn't pay for it all.

Ironically, the ones most able to pay for such things will be the sites people pay to visit, i.e. the porn sites

Hopefully Canada won't go along with it, but we have this nasty tendency to be swayed by the events south of the border. We're standing up a bit more for oursevles, but when push really comes to shove I fear we'll give in.

[AirRaiser]

I signed and emailed it to a few people. If the internet goes south wel we all know what will happen then.

[Cynther]

*pokes*

If the Internet becomes tiered... well... I dunno what I'll do.

Quite possibly stop paying for Internet and start only accessing it for free again.