Does Faster Broadband Matter?

tsa writes "There is an interesting piece on Ars Technica discussing the implications of faster broadband services for the users, and for the internet as a whole. From the article: 'Most online activities, like standard websurfing, are not significantly sped up by high-bandwidth connections, and the few that are, such as downloading, are not typically time-sensitive anyway. Many service providers are starting to prioritize their own content at the expense of those from rivals. Many countries have started or are considering blocking Voice-over-IP (VOIP) traffic in order to protect the phone companies from competition.'" How does faster broadband actually impact your Net usage?

Comments

Re:Not time sensitive?

[smooth wombat]

Did you ever try to download the demo of an anticipated game?

No, because the vast majority of games that are beig published don't interest me. In fact, the only reason I have the few games I do have is because I got them as christmas gifts. I don't really care about the games that are out there.

Did you ever try to watch the high-res version of a trailer?

No, because I don't care about most movies. As has been indicated time and again on this site, most movies suck big time. They're boring, trite and sophomoric. How many times do we have to watch a car chase where a car runs into the back of a parked car and miraculously flips over and bursts into flames?

Did you ever try to buy an album online and want to listen to it RIGHT NOW?

No, because like movies the vast majority of music being produced today is crap. Over the weekend I picked up 5 new cds of Boston and Judas Priest which were on sale at a store going out of business. If I can wait 15-20 years to get those albums I can assure you there is nothing on the market today I want to listen to RIGHT NOW.

What is it with people that they think they need something now? Other than air and some form of medical attention there is nothing that one needs right now. When talking to folks on IRC I keep hearing them whine about how long something is taking to download. So instead of doing something else while the file is coming over the wire they'll sit there and moan about how much time they're wasting waiting to get the file.

I know I'm not in the norm around here (or most other places for that matter) but I get the feeling that many of those who say they have ADD don't actually have the affliction but bring it on themselves because they think they need something RIGHT NOW. Like a panic attack. There is nothing physically wrong with the person but because their mind thinks somethings wrong they create their condition.

Chill out folks. This discussion reminds of the people on the road who just have to get one car ahead. They'll weave in and out of traffic, accelerating hard and braking just as hard to save that extra 2 seconds to the exit because they didn't want to drive behind the person who was also taking the exit.