getting left behind as the internet evolves

we are the internet

evolve or die

  On 4/5/2011 at 7:41 PM, xxx said:

Google is launching its first foray into fiber optics here in Kansas City. It will usher in gigabit bandwidth and it fucks with my mind--the different spectra able to carry unique information and all that. I think that this will usher in holographic interaction more than just the holo-wank, which, make no mistake, will be fucking awesome.

oh shit, i read that it was kansas a few days ago. You hit the jackpot there.

grew up in the 80's. internet has basically replaced classified ads and special interest magazines for me. Porn, music related mags. I still pick up a mag once ina while when im out. I found a guy in the back of keyboard magazine selling synths in LA back in '94. Traded a kurzwiel K2000 for a "Jupiter 8, Ms20, and a linn drum and 606" The K2000 didnt have the sampler function so he wanted the trade called off. Im a man of my word so I sent back the fucking shit and got my Kurzwiel back. Fuuuuuck. Times have changed. I should have bought him the sampler card for the k2000. Fuck you ebay for ruining everything.

it's not just ebay... the internet's barrier to entry has gotten lower. you used to need a little brains to sort out how to set up a dialup modem with slip/ppp etc. and now it's like cable tv, an ethernet port on the back, a monthly fee, and nothing else. and the connections are always on, which makes people even more casual about it. kids have a laptop in their room, vs. before when the house maybe had one computer, and the internet would take up the phone line etc.

Yes. Noscript, adblock and flashblock are all recommended if your browser is struggling.

  On 4/5/2011 at 7:27 PM, patternoverlap said:

  On 4/5/2011 at 7:18 PM, ZiggomaticV17 said:

Since when as the internet been free?

Obviously the bandwidth and service aren't monetarily free, but for the most part you aren't censored in what you can view and/or contribute. It most likely won't stay that way for a whole lot longer.

I don't think so. I can't see government censorship happening in my country. Nor do I believe corporate powers will get any serious level of control. They might control YouTube, but they can't stop a decentralized system, which the internet still is. They've been pushing the limits already with their anti-piracy bullshit and people will surely start taking notice when their rights are taken away so more useless jobs can be sustained and more business men can get rich of their elaborate scam. They are alienating people already. Content blocking on Youtube is insane, but people are told that they are thiefs and most of them will comply. I also think Sony, UMG & co know that they aren't capable of (and aren't all that interest in) completely eradicating piracy. They just want to maintain the idea that their copyright model is the only way the system can work.

Even if they'd try to touch the basic principles of the network. There's a wealth of technically skilled people that are completely opposed to any kind of limitations on the network. They do all they can to break free from the limits imposed by others. Just look at Sony's fuckup. They remove "other OS" from PS3 and in response some kid and a bunch of hackers break open the PS3 security allowing people to do anything. That backlash gave us more freedom than we had before.

I am concerned about some things, mainly protocol throttling/prioritisation. This can be done under the radar and there's no transparency required by ISP's afaik. But I used to get throttled and now I'm not anymore, so all is still well.

  On 4/5/2011 at 8:49 PM, Ego said:

Yes. Noscript, adblock and flashblock are all recommended if your browser is struggling.

 

  On 4/5/2011 at 7:27 PM, patternoverlap said:

  On 4/5/2011 at 7:18 PM, ZiggomaticV17 said:

Since when as the internet been free?

Obviously the bandwidth and service aren't monetarily free, but for the most part you aren't censored in what you can view and/or contribute. It most likely won't stay that way for a whole lot longer.

I don't think so. I can't see government censorship happening in my country. Nor do I believe corporate powers will get any serious level of control. They might control YouTube, but they can't stop a decentralized system, which the internet still is. They've been pushing the limits already with their anti-piracy bullshit and people will surely start taking notice when their rights are taken away so more useless jobs can be sustained and more business men can get rich of their elaborate scam. They are alienating people already. Content blocking on Youtube is insane, but people are told that they are thiefs and most of them will comply. I also think Sony, UMG & co know that they aren't capable of (and aren't all that interest in) completely eradicating piracy. They just want to maintain the idea that their copyright model is the only way the system can work.

 

Even if they'd try to touch the basic principles of the network. There's a wealth of technically skilled people that are completely opposed to any kind of limitations on the network. They do all they can to break free from the limits imposed by others. Just look at Sony's fuckup. They remove "other OS" from PS3 and in response some kid and a bunch of hackers break open the PS3 security allowing people to do anything. That backlash gave us more freedom than we had before.

 

I am concerned about some things, mainly protocol throttling/prioritisation. This can be done under the radar and there's no transparency required by ISP's afaik. But I used to get throttled and now I'm not anymore, so all is still well.

If you look at the hardware behind the internet, it isn't very decentralized. It may seem that way, but if some private interest were to gain control of one or more of the big hubs then what is to stop them from controlling who gets to use what amount of bandwidth and the content that they want to put on it? Basically right now the U.S. government is in charge of most of the infrastructure of the internet. China and Europe are working on their own infrastructure, but it isn't up yet (not sure when they are supposed to be breaking off from the big US hubs).

This is my jaded-US-citizen opinion but most of the large companies here are basically allowed to do whatever they want with no recourse, coupled with the growing movement to (attempt to) privatize most public services, so I could see them making deals behind the scenes to gain control of big hubs here. At that point, what is to stop them from charging people at every turn and controlling what goes through those turns? People can try to rebel all they like, but the internet as it is won't work as it does without those big hubs. People could set up their own networks but that requires buying major hardware, laying lines, etc and even then it would be a much more limited capacity.

  On 4/5/2011 at 8:39 PM, marf said:

grew up in the 80's. internet has basically replaced classified ads and special interest magazines for me. Porn, music related mags. I still pick up a mag once ina while when im out. I found a guy in the back of keyboard magazine selling synths in LA back in '94. Traded a kurzwiel K2000 for a "Jupiter 8, Ms20, and a linn drum and 606" The K2000 didnt have the sampler function so he wanted the trade called off. Im a man of my word so I sent back the fucking shit and got my Kurzwiel back. Fuuuuuck. Times have changed. I should have bought him the sampler card for the k2000. Fuck you ebay for ruining everything.

jesus, that must have cost a ton in shipping costs...would have been a fucking good deal too, gutted.

  On 4/5/2011 at 7:27 PM, patternoverlap said:

  On 4/5/2011 at 7:16 PM, Ricky Downtown said:

  On 4/5/2011 at 7:10 PM, patternoverlap said:

I wouldn't worry about it too much. The internet is only going to be a (relatively) free medium for 20 more years tops.

 

how so?

 

 

  On 4/5/2011 at 7:18 PM, ZiggomaticV17 said:

Since when as the internet been free?

 

Obviously the bandwidth and service aren't monetarily free, but for the most part you aren't censored in what you can view and/or contribute. It most likely won't stay that way for a whole lot longer.

The apocalypse is tomorrow AND YOU MAY DIE!!

•comfortably walks into oblivion•

  On 4/5/2011 at 9:08 PM, patternoverlap said:

If you look at the hardware behind the internet, it isn't very decentralized. It may seem that way, but if some private interest were to gain control of one or more of the big hubs then what is to stop them from controlling who gets to use what amount of bandwidth and the content that they want to put on it? Basically right now the U.S. government is in charge of most of the infrastructure of the internet. China and Europe are working on their own infrastructure, but it isn't up yet (not sure when they are supposed to be breaking off from the big US hubs).

If I make a request to a European server (or game server, torrent client etc.), that will (mostly) not go through US hubs/backbones. ICANN might be US based, but is not that essential. DNS control can be replaced easily for example.

  Quote

This is my jaded-US-citizen opinion but most of the large companies here are basically allowed to do whatever they want with no recourse, coupled with the growing movement to (attempt to) privatize most public services, so I could see them making deals behind the scenes to gain control of big hubs here. At that point, what is to stop them from charging people at every turn and controlling what goes through those turns? People can try to rebel all they like, but the internet as it is won't work as it does without those big hubs. People could set up their own networks but that requires buying major hardware, laying lines, etc and even then it would be a much more limited capacity.

Hmmm. Surely radical corporate powergrabs like that should spawn enough activism resulting in some political influence (even under the US political system)? I sure as hell wouldn't accept it.

And still, I doubt it is technically possible to pull it off. Even with control over a hub, it's not that easy to get control over a network. For example, VPN's are widely used and have important economic value. But they allow you to break free of the constraints. A group of people could set up a VPN and have the unlimited freedom back because everything is happening within an encrypted tunnel. You can easily break out of the Chinese firewall with a VPN for example.

  On 4/5/2011 at 9:42 PM, Ego said:

A group of people could set up a VPN and have the unlimited freedom back because everything is happening within an encrypted tunnel. You can easily break out of the Chinese firewall with a VPN for example.

yeah. i think if it gets bad, people will turn to encryption and it won't be a total loss.

the flip side of that -- organized crime and such having guaranteed secure comms via the net -- is an interesting moral debate. everyone's for a free and open internet until their computer becomes part of a botnet and their bank account gets drained. then they want to call the cops and get their money back. but, sorry, no way to trace them....

i used to know girls who never been on the internet before. or at least very very small amount of internet knowledge. it was kinda hot.

''got an email?''

''no dont use the internet, here's my number instead''

''....cool!''

Buchla $500

http://groups.google.com/group/ne.forsale/browse_thread/thread/aa071f693fc4bca4/5fd2beceaef28e71?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=buchla+music+easel+$500&pli=1

man you have that much trouble? my computer's even older and i've got no problems. maybe try using a different browser.

getting left behind as the internet wolves discuss topic?

  On 4/5/2011 at 11:11 PM, marf said:

Buchla $500

 

http://groups.google.com/group/ne.forsale/browse_thread/thread/aa071f693fc4bca4/5fd2beceaef28e71?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=buchla+music+easel+$500&pli=1

I'm interested. has he still got it?

noscript sounds good

  On 4/6/2011 at 12:30 AM, Salvatorin said:

noscript sounds good

appreciate that technology is flexible, and seek to change whatever bothers you !

i should hope you're already using adblock, which will conserve yet more bandwidth etc.

  On 4/5/2011 at 9:42 PM, Ego said:

You can easily break out of the Chinese firewall with a VPN for example.

heh, define "easy." Actually the Chinese govt. is figuring out how to throttle VPNs more and more. Can I access the web, most of the time? Yes. Can I play minecraft on Kokoon's server, or watch Youtube at more than a snail's pace?

  On 4/6/2011 at 12:32 AM, hahathhat said:

  On 4/6/2011 at 12:30 AM, Salvatorin said:

noscript sounds good

 

appreciate that technology is flexible, and seek to change whatever bothers you !

 

i should hope you're already using adblock, which will conserve yet more bandwidth etc.

sometimes i miss the days where if you didn't like something your transistorbox was doing, you had to write zeroes and ones that made your transistorbox do something else.

in a perfect world, i would be allowed to reprogram traffic lights i felt were improperly configured.

Well, easy for a somewhat technical person I guess. I've heard they started blocking IP's of large VPN providers. If I'd be in China I'd get myself a cheap VPS (so I can do SSH tunnels as well) with a switchable IP at a smaller provider.

Do you play Minecraft over VPN? Is throttling causing the latency/speed issues or is it your VPN?

i don't, lumpy did and the speeds were marginally better for him iirc

This is just the beginning. You're going to be missing out on a lot of ultraporn.

  On 4/6/2011 at 1:40 AM, Ego said:

Well, easy for a somewhat technical person I guess. I've heard they started blocking IP's of large VPN providers. If I'd be in China I'd get myself a cheap VPS (so I can do SSH tunnels as well) with a switchable IP at a smaller provider.

 

Do you play Minecraft over VPN? Is throttling causing the latency/speed issues or is it your VPN?

yeah I'm not technical so I have no clue about VPS/SSH tunnels. The VPNs I have used all have multiple IPs all over the world, you pick by location. I'm not sure what's causing the problem to be honest. It affects my business as well.

  On 4/6/2011 at 2:37 AM, lumpenprol said:

  On 4/6/2011 at 1:40 AM, Ego said:

Well, easy for a somewhat technical person I guess. I've heard they started blocking IP's of large VPN providers. If I'd be in China I'd get myself a cheap VPS (so I can do SSH tunnels as well) with a switchable IP at a smaller provider.

 

Do you play Minecraft over VPN? Is throttling causing the latency/speed issues or is it your VPN?

 

yeah I'm not technical so I have no clue about VPS/SSH tunnels. The VPNs I have used all have multiple IPs all over the world, you pick by location. I'm not sure what's causing the problem to be honest. It affects my business as well.

how is skype there? does it work at all? it is my understanding the skype is encrypted and gives governments a headache regarding warrants & wiretaps (namely, they refuse to play along with them).