http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspxThis piece in the Guardian arguing against Net Neutrality has me doing a mental double-check to make sure I'm not one of those people the article accuses of being out of touch with reality. Here are the two sides as I understand them. Let me know ifen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#114667Sat, 07 Apr 2007 02:20:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:114667Ryan, Raleigh, NCIt's Ukraine not THE Ukraine. That is like saying THE Canada.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#114899Sat, 07 Apr 2007 14:31:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:114899Sean, N.Y.To think all these years we assumed mosquitoes were just "Biting" us to feed. I feel so violated...http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#114927Sat, 07 Apr 2007 15:52:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:114927KWOr like saying THE Netherlands. I mean, DUH?!? BTW Ryan, might you be a fan of the Talking Heads? The "Read the Bills Act" sounds good (and of course would never happen), but more generally isn't the bigger concern that we have way too many laws that are becoming increasingly complicated to the point that not even the lawyers understand them even in the abstract, let alone as applied to a given situation? At some point, aren't we just legislating ourselves into anarchy?http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#114951Sat, 07 Apr 2007 16:52:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:114951John, NYCCan someone please explain to me why that photo of Rove (if it were real) is "proof without doubt" that he is illegally running all the White House e-mail through a private company? Explain it to me like a I'm a 4 year old, because I am just not connecting the dots. I mean, come on people, really. That Wonkette piece was as much a viral marketing campaign as the doctored photo was. http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#115270Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:29:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:115270pw, san francisco, cathe end is neigh? Stop horsing around!http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#115364Mon, 09 Apr 2007 00:40:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:115364Will FemiaAw man, I wrote neigh? tsk. damn.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#115949Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:10:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:115949Kurt Vander Voort, Ann Arbor, MI That Anti Net Neutrality "argument" from the Guardian is transparent and weak. Let's see; an established media outlet is claiming the internet is a "morass" and not "a valuable tool for democracy because it's already been shown that the Web doesn't promote democracy, it promotes echo chamber driven digital lynch mobs and weirdo niche groups"? "Already been shown" by who? Methinks the Guardian doth protest too much. In fact, the essential underpinning of free speech, and hence democracy, is the existence of the so-called "marketplace of ideas" in which all can be discussed and dissected. The neutral internet is the closest civilization has ever come in terms of realizing such a marketplace. Controlling the media, or at least how it frames and covers issues, has always been a key for those who seek to obtain or retain power. The Guardian's anti-neutrality arguments are self-serving and unsupported by facts. Indeed, if preferential routing is permitted, rest assured that it will be monetized, and there will be no going back. http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#115970Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:01:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:115970Dennis McClain-Furmanski, Arlington TXre: Bandwidth Hogs Comcast is only another in a long line of ISPs that have cut people for for "excessive use" without defining it before or after. Doing this has always been simply dishonesty on the ISPs' part. Consider your average home connection. You pay for a certain bandwidth, say 1 MB download and 256 KB upload. That's the bandwidth you're paying for. They promise it (within a reasonable range) to you in the contract you make with them. You can't use more than that -- it's impossible. They cap the bandwidth at the level you're paying for. Now, some people are using it. All of it. But then, that's what they're paying for. Not 1 MB down/256KB up for X fraction of the day, but for that speed, no matter when and for how long. If this is a problem for ISPs, they shouldn't sell it. They should cap it at a lower speed. If some users using all that they've paid for is a problem, it's the ISP's fault for it being a problem, because they own the cap and control the flow. They should have prevented the degradation to other users' bandwidth (something they've never shown occurs) by not selling the higher speed, and so causing the other users' problems. Anyone who finds themselves cut off (or threatened) for using what they're paying for doesn't need a class action suit, they just need to report the fraud (failure to provide, or withholding of contracted service) to the FCC and the FTC. Other ISPs tried this stunt, and it made the news then too. Other users fought back, and the ISPs backed off quickly and quietly.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#115986Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:48:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:115986scout29cWill, I suppose the point of the post on routes to and from the MSNBC building was to highlight a feature in Google maps, but I've found the maps by your MSN offer one neat trick for selected cities. And guess what, NYCity is one of them. I'm referring to the 3D or askew satellite view. Although, I believe the askew view was done from an aircraft flying somewhat lower than a satellite. At any rate, if I've done this right, here's what I mean. http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=qsxqs78ttkv8&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=304820&rtp=null~null&encType=1 Using your Google map I located the MSNBC building. The askew view is especially good if you're going someplace you've never been before and just want to get a lay of the land before you go. Of course it has to be one of the selected cities or sites. With it, I found the hotel that has a back entrance within walking distance of that world thingy at EPCOT in Disney World. Keep those clicks acomin'. http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116011Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:23:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116011jr peck, orlando, flyou've probably already seen this - but just in case - the ipod did not save the soldier's life. http://havanalion.com/2007/04/08/ipod-tells-soldier-he-was-shot-the-real-story/http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116028Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:54:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116028scout29cThe Rove/Coptrix doctored photo fracas is another example of the Bizarro political world in which we now live. The ones that are supposed to be the smart ones, the liberals with all their over representation in college professorships, higher education, and hoity-toity latte coffee klatches, are being repeatedly snookered by those that are supposed to be not so smart, the conservatives with their high school or equivalent education, backward thinking Neanderthals, who only react without ever thinking the thing through. Go figure. Is this a great country or what! http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116065Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:47:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116065Will FemiaScout, I love the 3d view on Live maps. In a lot of cases I find the imagery on those maps better than Google's. This weekend I used that 3D tippy feature to look at the buildings on streets in a neighborhood to try to figure out which one I was on when I took a picture. Then I used the Live Earth (in the browser) feature to tip and spin a map when I was trying to figure out where a person was standing when they took a picture of a new skyscraper. I used to never use Live maps because it was slow and the satellite images were lousy. Now I still feel naturally inclinded to type Google's URL, but I often find myself at Live looking to see if they have a better view - and lately I've been finding it.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116074Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:55:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116074Will FemiaJohn, I tried to find links explaining the whole thing better but a lot of them have been deleted now that the hoax has been revealed. The way I understand it, some bloggers were already working on a theory that the White House was moving its e-mail service to a private company to keep White House mail from being part of any public record (this was after the attorney general mails started coming out). So when this Coptix folder photo showed up, the belief was that Coptix was hosting a site called GWB43.com. Interestingly, in writing this very comment I tried to visit GWB43.com to see if it's anything and no site loaded. Instead I got a Google search page full of the theories related to the site. http://www.google.com/search?q=gwb43.com You can probably click on some of those results to get a better answer than what I can give.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116079Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:58:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116079Alex, Lawrence, KSRead the comments on the ipod story..."IPOD saves soldier's life" is more than a bit sensationalistic.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116186Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:35:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116186BoB, Anaheim, CAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP_3WnJ42kw Will, this video is an excellent example of not only how the Internet as we know it _is_ at stake, but how this has already happened before.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116214Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:58:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116214JimmyWill, you left out the fact that the Telco's have already been paid by tax subsidies to build the infrastructure and have not. We are being hoodwinked by both sides of the net neutrality camps. What this really amounts to is a power struggle to monopolize content.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116220Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:00:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116220Rick, SV, AZHey Ryan at the top, my Ukrainian friends call it THE Ukraine.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116259Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:35:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116259Circus Boy, Chesapeake VirginiaWill, an airplane that makes it's own cloud is a nice idea--but having observed this phenomena in person, I can tell you that the "cloud" only typically lasts for a split second when an aircraft breaks the sound barrier. More at http://fluidmech.net/tutorials/sonic/prandtl-glauert-clouds.htm (found on the page you referred). On some days due to moisture and temperature conditions, contrails/clouds may form for longer periods and at speeds less than supersonic, but this would be true of a variety of different airframes. Still, with it's stealth characteristics, I'm sure Wonder Woman would be happy to take an F-22 Raptor for a spin! http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116351Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:55:33 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116351Will FemiaBoB, yes! I was totally looking for that video when I wrote this entry and didn't know the name. (Even now I'm not sure I'm going to be able to remember "humanity lobotomy" but it really put the issue in an interesting perspective.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116479Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:32:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116479Tom, Worcester, MARe: Comcast and bandwidth "hogs" - this is the problem with cable internet access in general. The key is in their terms of usage agreements. I haven't seen a single cable provider that didn't have an "excessive bandwidth" clause. Of course, as pointed out above, this is never defined, but rest assured if you ever try to use anywhere near the promised bandwidth for even a short period of time, you are very likely to be called on this. Same thing used to happen with dialup (though I can understand this a bit better). I have DSL from Verizon. While slower than cable modem (though not much slower in my town), my usage agreement has no excessive bandwidth clause. I have streamed audio for days, and used bit torrent to download linux distributions comprising multiple DVDs of data. Never ever get an email accusing me of excessive bandwidth. Some folks think I'm nuts for not switching to get more speed, but what good is more speed that you can't use. I will stick with DSL.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116482Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:36:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116482John, NYCWill, thanks for the links regarding the Coptix photo. I must admit that the article "gwb43.com for dummies" does a fine job of connecting dots -- although I'm not yet convinced that the picture painted is a coherent one. Now that the photo has been outed as a fake, the crime appears to be that it was intentionally released by Rove as a smoke screen hiding the very crime is was supposed to have proved. I used to get upset about drivel like this, but now I only LOL. Also, I am amused that Wonkette has now taken a softer 3rd-person stance: "...which is causing such an outrage because it seemingly proves Karl Rove’s involvement with Chattanooga computer-design firm Coptix, which is supposedly hiding criminal White House e-mails..." I mean, wasn't Wonkette one of those originally sewing the outrage? O well. I reiterate my point -- everything you read on the web these days is part of a viral marketing campaign -- EVERYTHING. But not this comment ;-) http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116546Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:34:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116546Sean, N.Y.To Rick, It's interesting you mention that about Ukranians using "The Ukraine" because the origin of that usage came from Ukranian writers having trouble translating how the country is referred to in their language (or Russian, I forget). I think it is "on Ukraine" or "in Ukraine" that was common and that became "the Ukraine" in English. There's much more about the history of it (Ukraine the word also means "borderland") but safe to say "The Ukraine" didn't come about as a slight, though it is grammatically incorrect in English and Ukraine itself is now promoting the end of "The" being used.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116602Mon, 09 Apr 2007 23:00:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116602Trail Boss, Oklahoma City, OKWhen I went shopping for a host for my Web site, I found all sorts of options for all sorts of bandwidths. If I expected a lot of action, I was expected to pay more. If my site was just a hobby site -- which it's turned out to be -- I was charged less. And if I should ever gather a lot of interest, and my bandwidth limit be exceeded, I could expect either a shutdown or a hike in fees to pay for the extra usage. Seems to me I'm paying for Internet usage both as a provider and as a surfer. Why shouldn't someone with higher volume -- say, MSNBC.com, for example -- pay more for access than than someone who just attracts a few hits per day?http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116633Mon, 09 Apr 2007 23:39:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116633Don Tuite, CaliforniaOnce upon a time, the stereotypical liberal democrat was a blue-collar, practical populist and his conservative republican counterpart was an ivy-league plutocrat. Now we find the Rove envelope flap reveals, "liberals. . . [with] over representation in college professorships, higher education, and hoity-toity latte coffee klatches . . . conservatives with their high school or equivalent education, backward thinking Neanderthals. . . ." How can we ever have a dialogue when our cliches don't match?http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#116840Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:31:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116840Kendor, KYCircus boy is wrong. A jet need not go super sonic to form these 'clouds'. These 'clouds', however, are very dynamic and fleeting. You can see them at any airshow if the temp and humidity are right.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#119663Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:08:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:119663Randall K, St. Louis, MOI can't believe that noone has commented on Desktop Tower Defense. Insanely addictive... it should come with some sort of warning from the surgeon general. I love that you can click on the high score list to see the layouts they used.http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#125367Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:37:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:125367Joe S, West Chester, PATHE Read the Bills Act is very real and something I've been following for a while. Downsize DC (downsizedc.org) is worth checking out and is doing some great things. http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#128906Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:55:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:128906Rob Castaldo, Buffalo, NYThe most important question that remains unanswered: Where's the video of the girl from Hot Dog on a Stick?http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/06/114508.aspx#141003Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:12:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:141003Chance VS, Burlington, NJWill - While looking at the Read the Bills Act info, I noticed that this was something they started in 2005. So the real April Fools joke is that after almost 2 years, this is still just an idea...