Doug's Inner Net News
News and views from a software developer's perspective
Saturday, April 27, 2002
Salon: A law to protect spyware. But Hollings' bill should outrage Internet users just as much as Brilliant Digital's spyware. For while it talks a good game about protecting "sensitive" information, the truth is that it would place a congressional stamp of approval on precisely the kinds of practices that purveyors of spyware are eager to engage in. [Tomalak's Realm]
The Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act (CBDTPA) is really misguided. It won't cause more consumers to sign up for broadband Internet access. Why? Because of price. The cost of broadband Internet access in the U.S. starts at about $35 per month, but typically the cost is closer to $45. And that cost doesn't include any content other than "free" content. So, if you sign up for a movie subscription service at, say, $25 per month, and a music subscription service at $15 month, the total amount is $85 per month. Who's going to pay that much for a service that isn't much more than cable TV, which costs about $40 per month? I think there is value in broadband Internet access, but not for the reasons that the sponsors of the CBDTPA think.
News and views from a software developer's perspective
Saturday, April 27, 2002Salon: A law to protect spyware. But Hollings' bill should outrage Internet users just as much as Brilliant Digital's spyware. For while it talks a good game about protecting "sensitive" information, the truth is that it would place a congressional stamp of approval on precisely the kinds of practices that purveyors of spyware are eager to engage in. [Tomalak's Realm]
11:58:31 AM 
Gateway tests waters of music business. The PC manufacturer is examining a number of strategies that could effectively turn the company into a player in the music publishing and distribution business. [CNET News.com]
If you can't make money selling computers -- and this line of business is becoming increasingly difficult -- try innovating. I applaud Gateway for this move. There's a reason why Ted Waitt is a billionaire: he's got vision.
11:57:25 AM
The Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act (CBDTPA) is really misguided. It won't cause more consumers to sign up for broadband Internet access. Why? Because of price. The cost of broadband Internet access in the U.S. starts at about $35 per month, but typically the cost is closer to $45. And that cost doesn't include any content other than "free" content. So, if you sign up for a movie subscription service at, say, $25 per month, and a music subscription service at $15 month, the total amount is $85 per month. Who's going to pay that much for a service that isn't much more than cable TV, which costs about $40 per month? I think there is value in broadband Internet access, but not for the reasons that the sponsors of the CBDTPA think.
9:41:00 AM