[613] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: unkind remarks about K-12
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Sean Donelan)
Tue Apr 23 14:56:02 1991
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 1991 13:55:09 CDT
From: SEAN@dranet.dra.com (Sean Donelan)
To: com-priv@psi.com
X-Vmsmail-To: SMTP%"com-priv@psi.com"
>By the way, I'm not suggesting that we wait for a comprehensive plan
>addressing the pedagogic uses of networks. I agree with Dan Schlitt's
>comment that we need to put *something* out there and wait for applications
>to develop. I just think that one or two museums (or libraries) and some
>teacher training should be available from the start.
We've found this actually works rather well (WARNING: Commercial stuff ahead).
Data Research doesn't "sell" networking, we sell other things. While the
schools and libraries use our network to get to them, that isn't why they pay
the money (actually there isn't a "network fee" at all, but there is TANSTFAL).
Getting a school to spend money on "networking" is rather difficult, since
the better the network works the less people care about it. We've given up on
selling a network solution. Now its pretty much whatever networking style the
customer prefers. The IP solution tends be a bit on the high side. Although
it has fixed costs, its entry costs are a bit on the high side (but falling
rapidly). Other methods with lower entry costs often are winners, even though
the variable costs may be higher (people think they can control those).
Selling-wise, the important things seem to be the destinations and who else
has it. Yes, the "Keeping-up with the Jones" mentality is alive and well.
The "Jones" have an amazing power for overcoming any hurdle.
--
Sean Donelan, Data Research Associates, Inc, St. Louis, MO 63132-1806
Domain: sean@dranet.dra.com, Voice: (Work) +1 314-432-1100
