Wednesday, December 3, 2008

How Slow Will You Go?



Outgoing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin is pushing for action in December on a plan to offer free, pornography-free wireless Internet service to all Americans.

The free Internet plan is the most controversial issue the agency will tackle in December.

The proposal to allow a no-smut, free wireless Internet service is part of a proposal to auction off a chunk of airwaves. The winning bidder would be required to set aside a quarter of the airwaves for a free Internet service. The winner could establish a paid service that would have a fast wireless Internet connection. The free service could be slower and would be required to filter out pornography and other material not suitable for children.

So, here’s the question of the day for my faithful blog readers: Would you sign up for slower Internet service so that you could also filter out porn? I know the easy answer is, “Yes, sure I would.” But, think about it a minute. Would it slow down your pictures, downloading music, uploading blogs, etc.? Would that make a difference in how you decided?

Tell me your thoughts.

8 comments:

  1. I have mixed emotions Steve. I don't do much of what you or others do on the computer. I don't download music, pictures, etc. To me a computer is used for sermon prep, blogging and finding info. I have no children at home to worry about. I hardly even use the one at home (hence no facebook). However, I can see how it would frustrate some. So I plead neutrality. How's that for decisiveness?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Okay, I don't know who logged in under Bill's name, but it's not funny! The Bill we all know and love would have an opinion and would share it in black and white...and not some lilly-livered grey...

    So...where or where is the Bill we love?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wouldn't want slower. I get ticked off as it is when your page takes more than 2 milliseconds to load. I don't view porn so no worries and my kids are too young to get online. Even when they are older I can block certain things from their viewing simply by setting my parental controls.

    Heidi Reed

    ReplyDelete
  4. I dunno, either. I have a porn blocker, and I've had to deal with PAINFULLY slow internet connections in Africa and out in the sticks of Oklahoma, so I'd have to know "how slow?" (of course, that is the question du jour)

    China has free internet for the entire country. Then again, they have a "free thought" blocker. I think it is ridiculous that we have to pay so much for the internet; I think I'd welcome the free slow internet.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You just caught a glimpse of the new Bill. Painful ain't it?

    ReplyDelete
  6. And for the record: I am agreeing with Heidi on this one. I hate slow and anything that slows it down would not be a welcome addition. My bride has so many games on hers at home that it frustrates me. Can you imagine that? :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I hate to tell you, but it's not really about the speed. The "speed" issue is just a neutral front, the distraction. The real issue - coverage.

    Here's a perspective that you may not see coming - end times. As a techie and a wireless-oriented one at that, I am very aware tha technology is a LOT closer than most would want to believe regarding the use of a "chip" for THE mark. The RFID technology, essentially uses that RF signal to charge the little transmitter, so it can broadcast the information stored, without the need of a battery on-board. It basically harvests the RF for its purposes. Now it can't transmit far, BUT...

    If there were a nationwide network of wireless signals from a single system, and it covers indoors and outdoors, our country would be prepped for the RFID technology. The RFID readers could even be portable, handheld units, so there would be nowhere to hide.

    No one knows the hour, my friends. Be aware and tell everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I had dial up for years. Now we have satellite because it is the ONLY option besides dial up. It is faster than dial up, but painfully slow compared to other options.

    Please don't make me go slower.

    I'm a photographer. I need pictures up/downloading as quickly as possible!!!!

    That said, I will echo Heidi's sentiments above about my porn viewing habits (umm, none) and my children don't use the Internet, yet. But, when they do, we will have procedures in place to carefully monitor what they are doing.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I can't wait to read what you have written.