Date: 03/28/2004 9:19 AM
Name: Ariel (Satyriconx@hotmail.com)
Subject: Spam Gets Its Claws in the U.N.
In reference to the official from the Pakistani Ministry of Information -- the answer is, "Hell, no" ("Spam Gets Its Claws in the U.N.," March 27, 2004)! Sorry, man, but have you ever heard the phrase, "Too many cooks spoil the broth"? Well, that's exactly what would happen if all the world's countries had a hand in the Internet's management -- and I can just imagine the ridiculous amount of censoring governments like Pakistan's would contribute to the Web's structure, not to mention how many other innovations in intrusive technologies would bloom forth.
The Internet should not be available for administrative privileges to all the world's countries. Sorry, dude, but when you cats can work out your sense of freedom for women and religious minorities within your borders, and just the overall concept of inalienable human rights, then perhaps it should be considered. But until such a time comes, just tend to domestic affairs, and leave the Internet to those of us who love and exercise our freedoms on a regular basis.
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Date: 03/28/2004 12:52 PM
Name: Pat (darealpat@netscape.com)
Subject: Congress Moves to Criminalize P2P
The main problem I have with this piece of legislation stems from the shortsightedness of the drafters in dealing with legitimate cases where it would not stand ("Congress Moves to Criminalize P2P," March 26, 2004). If I and my colleagues develop a technique that could be used to counter the effects of heroin in humans, copyright and patent it, and then decide to share that information though a P2P network to all who may so desire it, based on my reading and understanding (small as it may be) of this legislation, sharing the information would be a criminal offence, since the value of such a thing would clearly be greater than $10,000.
Also, should any group create more than 2,500 files or pieces of information that are patented and protected by copyright, and allow them to be shared over a P2P network, are those that continue to share them liable to be sued, since the information shared was willingly given and put out in such a way as to encourage sharing?
I see too many instances where those with legitimate cause to share and distribute information will be stymied and criminalized due to knee-jerk reactions to technology and applications that are beyond the reach of major powers to control. It seems 1984 may come in 2004.
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Date: 03/28/2004 5:41 PM
Name: Ben Jones (jumano@rocketmail.com)
Subject: What's New in Video Games?
I have been a gamer for a long time (since the mid-'80s), and as far as I can see, most of these guys worried about the industry are missing the point ("What's New in Video Games?," March 28, 2004). The biggest problem with the gaming industry is price. The 26- to 29-year-olds who purchase games now have DVDs at AU$20, CDs at AU$20 and games at AU$99. Or (and I'm not condoning this) you can download the game off the Internet for free. Which one would you choose?
I would logically buy five DVDs and either live without the games or get illegal copies. However, if games were sold at a reasonable price (AU$20 to AU$30), I would certainly not waste my time finding illegal copies (forgetting moral issues here). This is what is making us "more conservative." Why buy something that might be crap if it is going to be five times the price of something you know is good? As Neo would say, "The problem is choice."
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Date: 03/29/2004 1:43 AM
Name: Robert Boyd (pluqueric1@lycos.com)
Subject: Congress Moves to Criminalize P2P
With each and every passing day, our elected representatives in the two houses of Congress show that, once elected, they care nothing about their constituents ("Congress Moves to Criminalize P2P," March 26, 2004). They show us that they are being bought and paid for by big money. Within the next two years, each of those elected representatives had best decide who they serve -- will all of the money of the billionaires buy the votes they need for re-election?
They had better hope so, because little Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Computer-User are rapidly getting fed up with the way things are going. It will soon occur to them all that Mr. Gates' billions, and the millions made by entertainers, came from our pockets. And now that same money is to be used against our interests? Against us? Look to your constituency, "honorable" members of Congress!
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