Slashdot Mirror
Competing (Commercial) Visions For The Internet Future
Stirland writes: "This
article in today's NYTimes says that AOL's new
plan focussed on creating content for broadband could
have cable companies over a barrel.
It tries to compare programming on cable to 'programming' on the Internet.
It's an important article to read because it gives us an idea of what cable companies' potential plans are for the broadband Internet. Given that they're not regulated like DSL, and they're the fastest growing providers of broadband Internet access, this has profound implications for the next generation of the Internet.
This article omits the fact that Excite@Home tried this 'programming' approach on broadband. It failed.
Another reason this article is important: Contrast AOL's approach described here with Amazon.com and Microsoft's .Net strategy. These are two polar opposite visions of the way the Internet will develop. The media vision vs. computing vision. The interesting story here is that it isn't that one is 'open' and the other 'closed.' They're just open and closed in different places -- places, obviously, that suit the companies' strategies. Why should you care, and what's in it for you? These competing visions are currently duking it out at the FCC under open-access proceedings. So the future of the Internet is hanging in the balance."
You guys never cease to amaze me. You talk about the internet like its an American exlusive and you will make all the rules. Check out how Europe is working on ousting the American control of the internet over there. Other than ripping off the rest of the world, you guys have no idea or concern about how anyone outside the US wants the internet to evolve. You think we give a damn about Microsoft or AOL's visions? You may like to live under those monopolies but we sure don't. How about getting your heads out of the sand and looking beyond your borders for ideas and recommendations. Ohhh, excuse me, I lost me head for a minute there, I know that'll never happen.....