[12183] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: Internet vs Minitel : 2nd version less contreversial
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Russell Nelson)
Mon May 9 01:24:31 1994
Date: Sun, 8 May 94 21:51 EDT
From: nelson@crynwr.com (Russell Nelson)
To: LEHOUX@vax.lse.ac.uk
Cc: com-priv@psi.com
In-Reply-To: <9405041100.AA19177@psi.com> (LEHOUX@vax.lse.ac.uk)
Date: Wed, 4 MAY 94 11:37:09 BST
From: LEHOUX@vax.lse.ac.uk
The object of this article is to explain the possible strategy of
one company, France Telecom for the takeover of the Internet
network.
Good. Please give back all the French IP addresses -- we could use them!
Minitel's main advantage, control and clarity, is also the main weakness of
Internet, open system and the lack of control and of clarity.
I would reverse those, saying that Minitel's main disadvantage is
control and the Internet's advantage is open systems and the lack of control.
We are in a period of great transition (according to Toffler, about
the middle). The best strategy for success is to allow as much
freedom and individual choice as possible. Let people make their own
decisions and suffer (or enjoy) their consequences.
Encryption should follow the same route -- since we can't take
encryption away from criminals (and so must suffer the disadvantages),
we should give encryption to our citizens so that they can gain the
advantages.
Internet access will be cheap, fast and widespread once we have ISDN
tariffed for a zero per-minute charge. Billing will be easy and
secure once MIT-PGP 2.5 is used. Clarity will be provided by for-pay
services. :)
But far be it for me to puncture your balloon -- you can fantasize
that Minitel (or its model) will succeed outside France. For my part,
I will sell Internet services. Whoever succeeds will win the
argument.
-russ <nelson@crynwr.com> ftp.msen.com:pub/vendor/crynwr/crynwr.wav
Crynwr Software | Crynwr Software sells packet driver support | ask4 PGP key
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