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Netizens-Digest Volume 1 Number 295
Netizens-Digest Monday, April 19 1999 Volume 01 : Number 295
Netizens Association Discussion List Digest
In this issue:
[netz] Tuesday's hearing
[netz] I wonder if the ICANN board influences the Supreme Ct. too?!?
[netz] Satellite Info/Costs
[netz] Why technical proficiency is reality for our economy
[netz] Amazon not immune from TM claim
[netz] Keeping our Web accessible and affordable... an example why it's so important
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 17:54:34 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: [netz] Tuesday's hearing
http://www.thestandard.net/articles/display/0,1449,4224,00.html?home.tf
Source:
The Industry Standard
The News Magazine of the Internet Economy
IDG.net
AOL, Cable Companies Duke It Out in Senate Hearing
By Elizabeth Wasserman
"...WASHINGTON On Tuesday, America Online and a
group of Internet service providers pushing to open
cable broadband networks got the audience they
were waiting for.
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, with nearly
all members in attendance, sat in rapt attention as
AOL chief Steve Case and MindSpring founder
Charles Brewer pleaded the case.
After the close of the two-hour hearing, Committee
Chairman Sen. John McCain (R-Az.), who had
skipped a White House briefing on the Kosovo
situation to preside over the meeting, said he would
call a second hearing on the subject Apr. 21. After
that hearing, he said he intends to introduce a bill
calling on the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration and the Federal
Communications Commission to undertake a study
of the broadband issue.
>>>"This whole set of issues deal with the future of this
country and the future of the world," a somber
McCain said in closing.<<<
..."
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support Homepage
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
mailto:pagantt@technologist.com?Subject=etech
http://horizon.unc.edu/TS/vision/1998-11.asp
~~ Jargon ~~ Any sufficiently advanced terminology
is indistinguishable from magic words. ;^P ~~ Daily Whale
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 07:57:26 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: [netz] I wonder if the ICANN board influences the Supreme Ct. too?!?
Source:
The Onion
American Focus
14 April 1999
http://www.theonion.com/onion3514/unfit_to_govern.html
"...WASHINGTON, DC--In a historic decision with major implications for the
future of U.S. participatory democracy, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 Monday
that the American people are unfit to govern.
The controversial decision, the first of its kind in the 210-year history
of U.S. representative government, was, according to Justice David Souter,
'a response to the clear, demonstrable incompetence and indifference of the
current U.S. citizenry in matters concerning the operation of this nation's
government.'..."
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky ~~
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 18:20:07 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: [netz] Satellite Info/Costs
http://www.computerworld.com/home/print.nsf/idgnet/9904129DB6
Source:
ComputerWorld
Satellite Network cuts costs, outages
Mobil finds network in space is cheaper, easier to manage than
leased landlines
By Matt Hamblen
04/12/99
"...Ease of Use
"It's an easier network to manage and control [and] a much better
marketing and sales tool," said Terry Kueker, implementation manager
for the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) project at Mobil...
s
...Analysts described the Mobil VSAT network as the second largest in
the U.S., behind a network built by General Motors Corp. The U.S.
Postal Service is building a VSAT network that will be the biggest,
connecting 25,000 post offices.
The most significant benefit Mobil realized in picking the satellite
system from Hughes over a landline network was gaining broad reach
to service stations in 28 states, analysts said.
"VSAT is a viable alternative to frame relay and some other traditional
networks, especially for somebody like Mobil [that's] trying to serve
so many states," said analyst Jose del Rosario at Frost & Sullivan Inc.
in Mountain View, Calif...
>>>...Installing, operating and maintaining a VSAT system costs $125 to
$175 per month for each location on the network, Hughes officials
said. "It's much easier for us to manage," said Bill Pragman, manager
of computer and network operations at Mobil.<<<
..."
See the article for more details.
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky ~~
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 23:26:33 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jay Hauben <jay@dorsai.org>
Subject: [netz] Why technical proficiency is reality for our economy
> From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Source:
THE INDUSTRY STANDARD'S M E D I A G R O K
A Review of Press Coverage of the Internet Economy
"...Economists Finally Get It: A Net-Fueled Productivity Gain
Does putting a computer on every worker's desk really improve
productivity? Most businesses and workers have thought so for years,
but economists have been singing a different tune, pointing to
stagnating productivity numbers in the U.S. economy. The so-called
"productivity paradox" has been a lightning rod for debate, and today
the New York Times fronted a fresh look at the issue, with skeptical
economists finally coming around and believing in technology gains.
Why the change of heart? According to the Times' Steve Lohr, new
numbers show productivity growth of 2 percent over the past three
years - double the measly 1 percent increases averaged from '73 to
'95.
Lohr put stock in a few high-profile econ skeptics changing their
beliefs, and said productivity gains "apparently have a lot to do with
the increased speed and efficiency that the Internet and other
pervasive information-technology advances are bringing to the mundane
day-to-day tasks of millions of businesses." Tech boosters have long
criticized the methods that the government uses to gauge productivity:
For example, Lohr said the banking industry shows lagging
productivity, even though ATMs offer banking around the clock. He also
mentioned how "Internet-based networks" at companies are streamlining
mundane chores, and said not to look at glamorous e-commerce like
Amazon.com but at "the back offices of business."
Despite all the happy talk on technology finally paying a dividend for
corporate America, Lohr still found a curmudgeon in Paul Strassmann, a
former CIO at Xerox and the Pentagon. Strassman attributed the bump in
productivity to lower interest rates and told the Times that "the hero
here is not Bill Gates. It's Alan Greenspan." Still, Lohr noted that
even Strassman finds technology useful, pointing the reporter to his
Web site for more info..."
http://www.thestandard.com/subscribe/0,1680,8F49-7AP3-40@49.97,00.html
Original site quoted:
Computer Age Gains Respect of Economists
by Steve Lohr
April 14, 1999
Technology
The New York Times on the Web
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/04/biztech/articles/14tech.html
=========================================================
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visit our Web site and use the e-mail newsletter form:
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Copyright 1999 Internet Industry Publishing
===========================================================
[Underscores why computer fluency *must* be taught in schools
at every level to prepare our students for the world of work.
Not to mention Internet connection must remain
reasonably priced and affordable for all. Remain
in the hands of the public not private business,
corporations, and industry monopolies.]
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky ~~
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 12:44:55 -0004
From: kerryo@ns.sympatico.ca (Kerry Miller)
Subject: [netz] Amazon not immune from TM claim
http://cnnfn.com/digitaljam/newsbytes/129318.html
Amazon Bookstore Suing Amazon.com
April 15, 1999: 12:58 a.m. ET
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A. (NB) -- By Bob Woods,
Newsbytes. A feminist bookstore that took its name from a
legendary all- female group of warriors is taking on a formidable,
modern foe - a company whose name epitomizes Internet
electronic commerce. Minneapolis, Minn.-based Amazon
Bookstore Inc. said it filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against
Net retailing giant Amazon.com Inc. [NASDAQ:AMZN]. The
physical bookstore has hired the trademark and intellectual
property law firm Fish & Richardson to sue the cyberspace-based
book, music, video, gift, and now auction concern, Amazon
Bookstore President Barb Wieser told Newsbytes today.
Amazon Bookstore seeks unspecified damages against
Amazon.com, as well as the cancellation of Amazon.com's federal
trademark registrations using the word "amazon," saying the e-
commerce giant "knowingly infringed (Amazon Bookstore's)
trademark." Amazon Bookstore's lawsuit also claims Amazon.com
is causing confusion among its customers as to the real-world
bookstore's affiliation with Amazon.com.
"The rapid growth and vast size of Amazon.com, along with its
massive marketing expenditures, is overwhelming Amazon
Bookstore and negating its attempts to alleviate the confusion and
preserve its unique identity," attorney Mathias W. Samuel of Fish
& Richardson said in a statement.
| The lawsuit was filed April 7 in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis,
| Wieser said. While Amazon Bookstore has not officially
| registered its trademark, it claims ownership through almost 30
| years of use.
Wieser admitted the bookstore has seen a slight uptick in orders
because of the confusion, but the company's coffers haven't seen
any real increase in revenues. "But we lose more than we gain
because of our loss of identity," Wieser said.
[...]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 13:28:33 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: [netz] Keeping our Web accessible and affordable... an example why it's so important
Dear Congressman Duncan and Senators Frist
and Thompson,
Please feel free to visit the below links.
Sincerely,
P.A. Gantt
[snail mail address omitted]
- -------- Original Message --------
Subject: Gantt: Public Agenda in Education Site [Long]
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 09:54:29 -0400
From: "James L. Morrison" <morrison@unc.edu>
Reply-To: morrison@unc.edu
To: "horizonlist" <horizon@listserv.oit.unc.edu>
- -----Original Message-----
From: P.A. Gantt [mailto:pgantt@icx.net]
Sent: None
Subject: Re: Glassman: Public Agenda in Education Site [Long]
Uh oh Dr. Glassman... you have now given me
carte blanche to respond <grin>
I will try to show everyone a glimpse of
what it is I do out on the Web. I roughly
describe it as Citizen P.A. on Patrol. <wink>
First:
======
I love the Web! Why so you ask?
Because the Web provides us realtime access to our
technology field.
Most often once something is in print even in journal
form it is passe' for those of us trying to keep
up with the latest developments of our fast paced,
tech-driven world. Let alone see what is... <forgive
me>... on the horizon.
Next:
=====
Dr. G. has pointed out, much more eloquently than I,
the power and scope that only the Net gives us.
The unfettered <in the main> access to information if
indeed we can filter the noise of data coming at
us. The opportunity to make citizen-to-citizen
contacts on many levels to read between the media
and politics lines the very heart of
human and humane understanding.
Finally:
========
To protect this new way of communicating paramount.
I am also pleased to note that Dr. Morrison's
Horizon List and Technology Source Site have
gained the notice over years of work it's
place in scholarly peer review history. The
Chronicle of Higher Ed. "got" it. Hurrah!
Scholarly and citizen communication via the Net
the most revolutionary and democratic of all
media.
Perhaps the most salient
of the Net's educational purposes *is peer review.*
I wish to congratulate once again Dr. Morrison
for his focus, effort, and personal drive to give us
this unique opportunity and am pleased that
his efforts are now being recognized by the
academic mainstream.
Action Research:
================
I remain *very* active and engaged on many lists and
many issues near and dear to my heart. Paramount
to me is the protection of this democratic media
that let's us communicate in a reasonable priced,
unlimited access way.
Through my many years of communicating on this
fine line I have met many distinguished individuals
and have been pleased and honored to call them
first and foremost friends, colleagues, and even
extended family members.
Do not be shy about sending email, writing letters,
editorials, sharing your thoughts. I can quite personally
say our words are indeed reaching the "powers that be" perhaps
in a way we even do not fully appreciate.
I can tell you I am in constant communication with my
Representative to Congress and my Senators.
Sure I get my share of form letters obviously crafted
by staff members, but I also get written responses
from the staff members that address the points I have
sent them also.
Our Democratic Duty:
====================
So be not afraid to exercise your right
that we paid for during the cold war
<DOD/DARPA> to use the Net to effect citizen-to-citizen
contacts as well as help our Congress understand we
citizens are engaged, wanting to help educate on
policy matters.
Here are just few links I have learned
much from on the various issues I have taken
the interest, time, and energy over the past
years to learn more of this world I live in...
all thanks to the power and sheer reach of
this most democratic of all the media.
Noam Chomsky's article of which I took
the sig. clip:
=======================================================
http://weeklywire.com/ww/04-05-99/boston_feature_3.html
Source:
Boston Phoenix
Who Runs America?
Forty minutes with Noam Chomsky
By Interview by Adrian Zupp
"...
APRIL 5, 1999: Noam Chomsky, one of the world's leading linguistic
thinkers, is also one of its leading political dissidents. A professor
of linguistics at MIT (where he has taught since
1955), he has consistently spoken out about abuses of power, particularly
those involving US corporations. He has been arrested several times and was
on Richard Nixon's infamous enemies list. Chomsky makes countless speaking
appearances around the world each year;
his schedule is so tight that it took 15 months to get this interview. Now
70, Chomsky is still energetic and expansive; he is also quiet-spoken,
somewhat shy, and exceedingly sincere. Always quotable, Chomsky has said:
"If the Nuremberg laws were applied today,
then every postwar American president would have to be hanged." He has also
said: "It is the responsibility of intellectuals to speak the truth and
expose lies."
...
"...
There's another way of looking at it, which is that the IRS is the
instrument by which you and I decide how to spend our resources for
schools and roads and so on. Whatever faults the government has,
and there are plenty, it's the one institution in which people
can, at least in principle and sometimes in fact, make a difference.
So government's shrinking, meaning the public role is shrinking. And
business -- that is, unaccountable private power -- has to take its place.
That's the dominant ideology. Why should we accept that? Suppose someone said,
"Look, you've got to have a king or a slave
owner." Should we accept it? I mean, yes, there are much better systems.
Democracy would be a better system. And there are a lot of ways for the
country to become way more democratic.
Handing over the digital spectrum, or for that matter the Internet, to
private power that's a huge blow against democracy. In the case of the
Internet, it's a particularly dramatic blow against democracy because
this was paid for by the public. How undemocratic can you get?
Here is a major instrument, developed by the public --
first part of the Pentagon, and then universities and the
National Science Foundation -- handed over in some manner that nobody
knows to private corporations who want to turn it into an instrument of
control. They want to turn it into a home shopping center. You know,
where it will help them convert you into the kind of person they want.
Namely, someone who is passive, apathetic, sees their life only
as a matter of having more commodities that they
don't want. Why give them a powerful weapon to turn you into
that kind of a person?
Especially after you paid for the weapon? Well, that's what's happening
right in front of our eyes.
Could the system be different? Of course it could be different. This [the
Internet] could remain what it ought to be: just a public instrument.
There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet access, not just
for rich people but for everyone.
And it should be freed from the influence of Microsoft or anybody else.
They don't have any rights to have anything to do with that system.
They had almost nothing to do with creating it. What little they did
was on federal contract..."
=======================================================
Dr. Glassman's response to my posts.
=======================================================
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bernard Glassman [mailto:bglassman@bellsouthips.com]
> Sent: Sunday, April 18, 1999 8:48 PM
> To: morrison@unc.edu
> Subject: re: Gantt: Public Agenda in Education Site
> P.A. Gantt's most recent signature block quotation from Noam Chomsky tells
> us that we should become active, and not merely talkative, about assuring
> internet access for all, and not just the rich. I hear almost daily a
> certain conventional wisdom that says the poor do not have access to the
> Internet. And yet I am constantly amazed at the number of people of all
> income levels who tell me that they or their kid got a particular piece of
> information off the 'Net. Two Bosnian refugees I know, who live on welfare
> and little more, use the public computer at a bookstore/cafe and a free
> Webmail account to correspond with a family member in Sarajevo, and to
> read and listen to the various Yugoslavian news sources on the Web...
===================================================================
As for citizen-to-citizen communication... my favorite peer review
cite to hone my html skills, reach to an extended family I am
privileged to have met Tori Mala. An activist, journalist, and
webdesigner.
Please see her efforts here remembering the site is not
fully functional, part of former efforts of others, and
a work in progress as is this unique media, the Net.
Realtime access, unlimited access, and reasonably priced
access we as democratic peoples of all nations should
guard jealously.
Included with full permission, attributes, and original
text/credits intact.
========================================================
Subject: Cubrilovic and "The Expulsion of the Albanians"
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 14:54:37 -0400
From: Tori Mala <webmaster@webdesignsrus.com>
Reply-To: HTML@t6.net
To: HTML@t6.net
References: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
Ok here goes...
I worked my [***] off last night to get it on the web. Finally it is up and
running and for all of those interested, please go to:
http://www.aacl.com/publications/expulsion.html
Please note that some portions of the website are still being worked on, if
you decide to browse around. I just started working on it. Someone else had
primary responsibility, until now.
Oh and yes, you can download it in .ZIP format the entire document, print
it, copy, save, and all the other stuff....
- ---
Mentor Mala
webmaster@webdesignsrus.com
http://www.webdesignsrus.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind"
Gandhi
Write to HTML-HELP@t6.net to retrieve the
information file.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
========================================================
Thanks for this unique opportunity. You are oh so right!
Dr. G... I hope all have made the long read thus far...
========================================================
One final Thought Provoking Link:
=================================
http://www.cluetrain.com/
Source: a post from...
Walt owner of the HTML list who has graciously
donated his time and effort to see that our semi-private
list survives that holds our extended family of friends
together. Nothing is really offtopic here. Years of
associations, a safe place to think together for solutions.
"...People of the Earth
powerful global conversation has begun. Through the
Internet, people are discovering and inventing new ways
to share relevant knowledge with blinding speed. As a
direct result, markets are getting smarterand-getting
smarter-faster than most companies..."
Blest be to all on [both] lists!
I remain your humble colleague, friend, and correspondent,
P.A.
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky, MIT ~~
------------------------------
End of Netizens-Digest V1 #295
******************************
