[8271] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: Follow-up ON DIGEX, ANS & CIX
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Russell Nelson)
Fri Nov 12 15:06:17 1993
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1993 14:46:39 EST
From: "Russell Nelson" <nelson@crynwr.com>
To: "Gordon Cook" <cook@path.net>
Cc: com-priv@psi.com
On Fri, 12 Nov 1993 18:27:22 GMT, "Gordon Cook" <cook@path.net> wrote:
> Steve Wolff's remark that if a national service provider doesn't offer
> you the connectivity you want you offer them MORE money, is just the
> problem that Miles FCC posting emphasizes.
Or you offer the money to someone else IF you can. I've looked into
Internet access, and one third of the cost is going to the local
telephone monopoly. Ain't no way around them.
> Its time for rules that apply to all - we should not continue to
> see what has the appearance of backroom deals.
Rules or laws? In the light of your first sentence, I'll assume
laws. If people who are purchasing Internet access do not insist on
"rules that apply to all", who are we to enact laws? It's *their*
money that they're wasting. If you're concerned about backroom
deals, then avoid vendors who engage in them, and use your newsletter
to help publicize the backroom deals.
Laws, although made in the spirit of protecting consumers, act as a
barrier to entry, reduce competition, and drive up costs. Businesses
often call for regulation as a way to reduce the competition,
although they'll tell you that they're doing it to protect their
customers from shoddy products.
Sigh. Now I sound like a raving loony libertarian again. Am I so
wrong to place my faith in people instead of institutions?
--
-russ <nelson@crynwr.com> ftp.msen.com:pub/vendor/crynwr/crynwr.wav
Crynwr Software | Crynwr Software sells packet driver support.
11 Grant St. | 315-268-1925 (-9201 FAX) | Quakers do it in the light
Potsdam, NY 13676 | LPF member - ask me about the harm software patents do.
