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License to Surf, Take Two

Posted by michael on from the do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going,-sir? dept.

NaugaHunter writes "A story on Yahoo asks Should [a] License Be Required to Go Online? It appears to be suggested by Bruce Schneier, chief technology officer for Counterpane Internet Security Inc. 'It could be a four-year college degree, a one-month course. It might be a good idea.' The story also details efforts of some schools from simple orientation to threats of fines for spreading viruses, and questions exactly who would be responsible for keeping track of who is and isn't licensed." Not a new idea, but one that's going to keep coming up. Update: 09/13 18:11 GMT by M : Bruce Schneier notes that he isn't in favor of computer licenses.

19 of 503 comments (clear)

  1. While we're at it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why don't we start taxing email! Or perhaps data by the megabyte! Think of the revenues!

    1. Re:While we're at it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      And spammers are fine upstanding law abiding citizens who would gladly pay their taxes accurately and fairly.

    2. Re:While we're at it... by Serapth · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes, I missed out on the math error... I know im going to hear about it... again... and again... and again... :) This is slashdot, right? ;)

      In regards to the governement handling it... I agree 110%... in all things, I generally want less government involvement, not more. I would think the only feasible way to "tax" email... would be for the charge to be from the worlds telco's. I should imagine a technology could somewhat equivelant to how phone calls are billed now, could be applied to email. That said... I would never *EVER* want to see the billing structure be comprable to, say, long distance providers now...

    3. Re:While we're at it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Please %s/\.\+/./g before posting.

    4. Re:While we're at it... by pompousjerk · · Score: 3, Funny

      ...I agree 110%...

      Today just isn't a good math day for you, is it?

  2. Can we by Phosphor3k · · Score: 2, Funny

    Take care of revamping drivers tests first? A retarded monkey can pass drivers tests in most states.

    1. Re:Can we by Shadestalker · · Score: 5, Funny

      I was going to rebut, but my ride is here - gotta go before he starts flinging feces at the neighbors.

    2. Re:Can we by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      what will I need to procreate? A Nobel prize?

      Panic not, aspiring scientist! First you'll need a girlfriend.

  3. Gasp! by Weatherman-au · · Score: 3, Funny

    You mean the "Internet Driver's Licence" isn't a real licence for that there Interweb? Bugger, now I have to take it off my resume.

  4. Ooooo...wait till they approve a curriculum by JoeShmoe · · Score: 2, Funny

    Which includes lessons on how Windows(R) with its WindowsUpdate(TM)(C)(R) is more easy to secure than Linux and even UNIX!

    And you thought the evolution in schools issue was a flamefest...

    - JoeShmoe
    .

    --
    -- I wonder which will go down in history as the bigger failure: the War on Drugs or the War on Filesharing
  5. Godwin's law! Damn! by SoTuA · · Score: 3, Funny
    Bruce Schneier is a Nazi.

    Damn! There I was, putting my finishing touches on my "+5 insightful" comment and BAM! the discussion is ended!

    oh well... there'll be other threads...

    1. Re:Godwin's law! Damn! by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes, and he scored triple bonus points, because his very last word was nazi, no less.

      I get tired of amateurs that use it in the first sentence of a large paragraph.

  6. College degree?? by bob65 · · Score: 3, Funny
    It could be a four-year college degree.

    Um, yes. I'm proud to be a Bachelor of Mouse-Clicking.

  7. Our Own Network by Heem · · Score: 5, Funny

    When we, the technologicaly elite, make our OWN network, based on encrypted tunnels on the existing infrastructure - then we can choose what level of certification is required to interact with peers.

    I'm serious.

    --
    Don't Tread on Me
  8. Must redefine priorities by MikeCapone · · Score: 2, Funny

    People should need a license to have children, not to surf the internet.

    --
    Treehugger? Treehugger... Treehugger!
  9. So what do you DO with the license? by wytcld · · Score: 4, Funny

    Knock on the door.

    "Please open up. We have reason to believe someone inside is online without a license!"

    The license can't just be a smartcard, or everyone will just leave theirs in the slot so family and friends have access - and likely put the whole crew and half the wireless neighborhood on NAT behind them. So we're going to have to build biometric security into every potentially Net-connected device.

    That will surely get the Dept. Homeland Security Seal of Approval. Let's have Microsoft build it so it really works!

    --
    "with their freedom lost all virtue lose" - Milton
  10. Re:I was gonna make a joke... by LostCluster · · Score: 3, Funny

    Let's face it... airline security would be a whole lot easier if they could get rid of most of the damn passengers and have a select group of 20 backround-check cleared people be the only ones flying.

    When securing something equals destroying it, you've got a big problem...

  11. Re:All I can say is WOW. by rolocroz · · Score: 3, Funny

    Phones can be dangerous; just ask CmdrTaco.

    --

    I meta-mod all positive moderation Unfair, because it's abuse of the system.

  12. What we do need! by Cinematique · · Score: 3, Funny

    People should have to get a license to have kids, not to surf the Internet.

    Yeah, I said it.