Broadband as amenity causes battle in US cities - bit-tech.net Forums

WilHarris · 21st Oct 2005, 16:03

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/10...dband_amenity/

calking13 · 21st Oct 2005, 16:39

Interesting, if it costs $10 a month and is plastered with ADs, which I don't know how there going to be able to pull off, I'm probably better off with my own connection. Seeing how most of my machines are wired-only. I had an Idea about giving free wi-fi to my neighborhood, which according to Kismet scans, houses 81 APs.

Godboy_g · 21st Oct 2005, 18:06

Why not just offer it for free. That's what they did in my city. Most of the city is a currently a Wifi hotspot. I'd consider switching to it, but there's something weird about the way my house is built. For some reason it blocks most of the Wifi signal. I suppose I could mount an external antenna.....hmmmm I'll have to look into that.

serial_ · 21st Oct 2005, 18:08

begh, this will surely spawn some conspiracy theories.

- serial_

Tomm · 21st Oct 2005, 19:03

I think it's a nice idea, I like the idea of taking my laptop anywhere and still being able to get online. Surely though it doesn't have to be state-run? I mean loads of broadband suppliers use the current telephone infrastructure, and British Gas comes from the same pipes as NPower Gas. Surely then they can have a lo-cost/free (possibly ad-supported) subscription run by one company, and then another package for customers who want to pay more and get unrestricted bandwidth, and maybe a faster line. I don't see why that wouldn't work. Plus that way ISPs don't get annoyed. Everyone's a winner.

Stonewall78 · 21st Oct 2005, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godboy_g

Why not just offer it for free. That's what they did in my city. Most of the city is a currently a Wifi hotspot. I'd consider switching to it, but there's something weird about the way my house is built. For some reason it blocks most of the Wifi signal. I suppose I could mount an external antenna.....hmmmm I'll have to look into that.

What city do live in? Also if your house is mostly stucko you will have signal problems but an external antenna should fix that

Firehed · 21st Oct 2005, 20:41

Good idea, but I don't like the idea of more intrustive advertising built into the internet connection. I'm curious as to how they'd pull that off though, surely the connection itself can't randomly insert ads into the html, but would end up being something like the old netzero method for free dialup (adbar stuck along the top of your screen).

I'd rather not have the minority report style advertising plastering our existance.

B3CK · 22nd Oct 2005, 00:17

If it's free, sure I would use it. Probably quite often for browsing during slow times or when bored. But from home, on my servers, and gaming rig, it would be wired/payed for. I doubt they would allow each user enough bandwidth or response time to run a server or game.
Ads? sure ads are easily dealt with, give it a week, and I am sure someone somewhere will write a script or utility to rip out the ads. What has me slightly concerned is who is responsible for restrictions. Sure you have to get a group to watch for spamming, kiddie porn, malicious activities. But what about access to leagal porn, or certain adult sites? Any kid with the latest and greatest phone/portable console could access sites his parrents have restricted at home. I know that the parrents should watch their kids and set the restrictions on thier devices just like they do on their pc, but where is the "check box if you are 18" or how do you hold, ( or find and catch for that matter), people that are breaking laws because of easy access?
If just three years ago 4 out of 5 pc's on the net had one type of virus/worm/spy program, how bad will it get in the future? If you could buy a $150.00 pc from Fry's now, and with free net, you have a pretty good disposable spamming machine, or illeagal host. Kind of gets scary if you start thinking like that.

apoogod · 22nd Oct 2005, 01:06

Doesnt this open up more options for hackers and scamers? Its alot harder to track someone down thats using an open connection.

r-gator · 22nd Oct 2005, 03:54

I won't use any service that is funded by ads. I get enough of that in the TV I watch and from the websites I visit and the radio I listen to and the billboards from the streets I drive down.. etc etc etc. I'm sick of ads. I have no problem with the concept of internet as a utility provided by the city though. I think the regular broadband providers need a bit more competition anyway. Cable is $40+/month here in Tampa and I've always felt that was a bit steep.

coldname · 22nd Oct 2005, 05:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by apoogod

Doesnt this open up more options for hackers and scamers? Its alot harder to track someone down thats using an open connection.

An excellent point. WEPS can be decrypted and even spread spectrum wouldnt help much.

WEP design flaws and limitations

MajestiX · 22nd Oct 2005, 06:31

i dont think people are aware of whos doing the advertising
this is afterall google their ads arent intrusive and people still use their service that is filled with ads
but i have a feeling you'll require a browser type software much like aol if your using free internet or such. thats probly the only way they can regulate.

TGImages · 25th Oct 2005, 14:16

One story I heard is that the free service will be in the KBs while cable or paid for services are in the MBs. So, if you're looking for a cheap functional connection the free one should work fine. If you'd prefer something with a bit more performance then you'll be paying the traditional/current providers.

If this model is followed it makes sense to me. Pretty much universal useable access for information needs for all and a higher performance option for those who need/want it.

And the ad supported model is still resonable... broadcast TV, Radio, most public transportation, etc. all uses it. Like it or not we're inundated with it and it won't be going away.

-G

21st Oct 2005, 16:03	#1
WilHarris Just another nobody Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Oxford Posts: 2,671	Broadband as amenity causes battle in US cities http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/10...dband_amenity/

21st Oct 2005, 18:06	#3
Godboy_g Supermodder Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 396	Why not just offer it for free. That's what they did in my city. Most of the city is a currently a Wifi hotspot. I'd consider switching to it, but there's something weird about the way my house is built. For some reason it blocks most of the Wifi signal. I suppose I could mount an external antenna.....hmmmm I'll have to look into that. __________________ I AM Backwards compatible!

21st Oct 2005, 18:08	#4
serial_ Multimodder Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 194	begh, this will surely spawn some conspiracy theories. - serial_ __________________ - Changing the world, one keystroke at a time. - ++Current Project: Tux Files v2.0++ -= Past project: The Tux Files =-

21st Oct 2005, 19:03	#5
Tomm I also ride trials :¬) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fallowfield, Manchester Posts: 2,233	I think it's a nice idea, I like the idea of taking my laptop anywhere and still being able to get online. Surely though it doesn't have to be state-run? I mean loads of broadband suppliers use the current telephone infrastructure, and British Gas comes from the same pipes as NPower Gas. Surely then they can have a lo-cost/free (possibly ad-supported) subscription run by one company, and then another package for customers who want to pay more and get unrestricted bandwidth, and maybe a faster line. I don't see why that wouldn't work. Plus that way ISPs don't get annoyed. Everyone's a winner. __________________ Carrot cake cheesecake Shuttle SN85G4V2 \| A64 3200+ / Apple PowerBook 12

21st Oct 2005, 20:41	#7
Firehed Why not? I own a domain to match. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An hour north of Boston Posts: 12,576	Good idea, but I don't like the idea of more intrustive advertising built into the internet connection. I'm curious as to how they'd pull that off though, surely the connection itself can't randomly insert ads into the html, but would end up being something like the old netzero method for free dialup (adbar stuck along the top of your screen). I'd rather not have the minority report style advertising plastering our existance. __________________ hire me @ eric-stern.com - web developer and php ninja pics @ my smugmug :: Twitter @firehed :: blog @ firehed.net 40D\|580EXII\|285HV\|AB800\|70-200f/4LIS\|17-50f/2.8\|150f/2.8Macro\|50f/1.8 MacPro @ 8x2.8GHz, 10GB FBDDR2, 3TB HD :: MBP @ 2x2.2GHz, 4GB DDR2, 320GB HD

21st Oct 2005, 16:39	#2
calking13 Multimodder Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA Posts: 122	Interesting, if it costs $10 a month and is plastered with ADs, which I don't know how there going to be able to pull off, I'm probably better off with my own connection. Seeing how most of my machines are wired-only. I had an Idea about giving free wi-fi to my neighborhood, which according to Kismet scans, houses 81 APs.

22nd Oct 2005, 00:17	#8
B3CK Supermodder Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 355	If it's free, sure I would use it. Probably quite often for browsing during slow times or when bored. But from home, on my servers, and gaming rig, it would be wired/payed for. I doubt they would allow each user enough bandwidth or response time to run a server or game. Ads? sure ads are easily dealt with, give it a week, and I am sure someone somewhere will write a script or utility to rip out the ads. What has me slightly concerned is who is responsible for restrictions. Sure you have to get a group to watch for spamming, kiddie porn, malicious activities. But what about access to leagal porn, or certain adult sites? Any kid with the latest and greatest phone/portable console could access sites his parrents have restricted at home. I know that the parrents should watch their kids and set the restrictions on thier devices just like they do on their pc, but where is the "check box if you are 18" or how do you hold, ( or find and catch for that matter), people that are breaking laws because of easy access? If just three years ago 4 out of 5 pc's on the net had one type of virus/worm/spy program, how bad will it get in the future? If you could buy a $150.00 pc from Fry's now, and with free net, you have a pretty good disposable spamming machine, or illeagal host. Kind of gets scary if you start thinking like that. __________________ "God loves stupid people, that is why he made so many of them." My best friend at M$ Tech support.

22nd Oct 2005, 01:06	#9
apoogod Xport1.com Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,029	Doesnt this open up more options for hackers and scamers? Its alot harder to track someone down thats using an open connection. __________________ It's like a koala bear crapped a rainbow in my brain!

22nd Oct 2005, 03:54	#10
r-gator Multimodder Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 71	I won't use any service that is funded by ads. I get enough of that in the TV I watch and from the websites I visit and the radio I listen to and the billboards from the streets I drive down.. etc etc etc. I'm sick of ads. I have no problem with the concept of internet as a utility provided by the city though. I think the regular broadband providers need a bit more competition anyway. Cable is $40+/month here in Tampa and I've always felt that was a bit steep. __________________ ---------------------------------End of Line r-gator Animator

22nd Oct 2005, 06:31	#12
MajestiX Multimodder Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 122	i dont think people are aware of whos doing the advertising this is afterall google their ads arent intrusive and people still use their service that is filled with ads but i have a feeling you'll require a browser type software much like aol if your using free internet or such. thats probly the only way they can regulate.

25th Oct 2005, 14:16	#13
TGImages Grandpa Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Illinois, US Posts: 160	One story I heard is that the free service will be in the KBs while cable or paid for services are in the MBs. So, if you're looking for a cheap functional connection the free one should work fine. If you'd prefer something with a bit more performance then you'll be paying the traditional/current providers. If this model is followed it makes sense to me. Pretty much universal useable access for information needs for all and a higher performance option for those who need/want it. And the ad supported model is still resonable... broadcast TV, Radio, most public transportation, etc. all uses it. Like it or not we're inundated with it and it won't be going away. -G