Georgia no where to be found

In this analysis of who is leading the country in stimulating broadband.  Many points in the report done by TechNet contradict the conclusions of the Governor's Telecommunications Task Force.  Stay tuned.

Michigan winning the broadband race. Michigan leads the nation in stimulating demand for broadband, according to a new report on state broadband policies. [CNET News.com]

5:40:44 PM    

Book 'em, Danno.

The Conyers-Berman bill that would ensure 5 year prison terms for file-sharers will definitely get the attention of Joe Citizen.  Imagine this scene:

Suburban family enjoying time together watching TV.  Teenage son upstairs listenting to music.

Cue: Helicopters, knock on door

"Open Up, FBI"

As a concerned father opens the door, a swat team breaks in - dashes up the stairs and brings their kid down in cuffs.

"Don't let this happen to you!"  Says a reformed Snoop Doggy Dog.

Those two sponsors need to find a new job.  Scenarios like this will make tech policy become a kitchen table issue.

1:32:26 PM    

An interesting response to SDMCA

Several folks interested in the Super DMCA bill here in Georgia conversed via phone yesterday as to how to work the bill.  Frank Field provides a link to a story describing the NC legislature's effort to protect the consumer's right to refill a toner cartridge.  Seems to me, examples like this are a great way to convince state legislators that big companies are abusing copyright law in a way that will constrain consumers the utmost. 

Perhaps it is time to create a model consumers' internet/digital millenia rights bill?

11:20:58 AM    

Incentives or Persuasion.

Article concersn think tank suggesting that until either incentives or other forms of persuasion are used to force computer literates to use e-gov services, then the transition will never occur.

Well, business eliminates the options to use traditional but expensive services, why not government?

E-government 'needs rebooting'. Computer literate people should gradually be forced to go online to use public services, says a leading think tank. [BBC News | Technology | UK Edition]

10:57:07 AM    

We won't kill you with taxes, but we will with regulations.

The same folks that are afraid taxes will kill the Internet have no problem layering on regulations that smother commerce.  Go figure.

Laws That Limit Online Shoppers. A look at wine sales over the Internet shows the price of some regulations in the name of consumer protection. By Virginia Prostrel. [New York Times: Business]

10:50:15 AM    

Higher Ed and Prisons

Guess this is one way to "improve the class of prisoners" -- arrest students uploading files.  Curious, the provision requiring file-sharing services to get the consumer's permission before storing files on their PC's.  Wonder why simlar laws aren't propsed against spammers, marketers (Double Click would be looking at millions of years of prison time)...

Upload a File, Go to Prison. Two congressmen introduce a bill to criminalize the uploading of copyright works to peer-to-peer networks. The penalty: five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Critics say the law goes too far. By Katie Dean. [Wired News]

10:38:18 AM    

Network Analysis - Social perspectives

This stuff fascinates me, though I don't know quite what to do with it.  *yet*

Making Friendsters in High Places. The online networking service Friendster is growing so rapidly, it's already inspired a new word. Friendsters are acquaintances made through the service who may or may not be truthful about themselves -- hence they are not yet friends. By Leander Kahney. [Wired News]

10:34:38 AM