Net+Neutrality

In case you didn't know: The FCC Public Hearing on the Future of the Internet is **today** from Noon to 7 PM (Pacific) at Stanford. Click [|here] to view the flyer from http://www.savetheinternet.com:

From the Great Wiki (wikipedia.org): "...A broadband network free of restrictions on the kinds of equipment that may be attached, on the modes of communication allowed, **which does not restrict content**, sites or platforms, and where communication is not unreasonably degraded by other communication streams, would be considered neutral by most observers."

In English: A Neutral Net is one that is unrestricted and unmodified by you internet service provider (Verizon, Comcast, etc.) or network administrators (Mr. Britto and friends).

If you still don't get it, check out this propaganda:

Examples of non-neutral networks: Internet Filters, Restricting P2P communications, Giving certain websites preferential treatment (faster load times), and limiting the bandwidth used by demanding applications and services such as gaming, and video and audio streaming.

Excerpts from http://geekymissouriconservative.blogspot.com (February 9th Blog Post):
 * "The internet is an open forum. It allows the free-flow of ideas, creations, creativity, innovation, provocative high-resolution photos, and the bash-fests we all know and love. Deals are conducted regularly on the internet, and songs can be snagged at anywhere from any price (typically ranging from free to $1 per song)."
 * "As you may be able to infer, I am a huge fan of net neutrality. It makes the internet more interesting and it also reveals the true feelings that people have about the world."

The 2008 Presidential Candidates on the issue of Net Neutrality

Suggested Reading: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/02/AR2007110201973.html http://www.savetheinternet.com [|Wikipedia Entry for "Network Neutrality"] [|"Four Things You Need To Know"] [|Google on Net Neutrality] [|The Open Internet Coalition] PC World Article #1 [|PC World Article #2]