So, we still don’t have a winner of the Cipher contest (yeah, Matt, you had a good guess, however, it wasn’t quite acurate. Sorry). So, I shall post another activity for you.

Recently I came across a couple of grass roots movement websites devoted to “saving the internet.” Currently there is a big debate about something called “net neutrality”–the attempts to maintain a free and open enterprizing internet where the little man can show his stuff and compete against the giant corporations in their own market…or at least get his name out and his individual voice heard. However, things have escalated so much that now the government is involved, and is considering some new legislation to give or take away (however you see it) rights to Internet consumers.

The debate all consists of one’s definition of “net neutrality” and how to ensure its survival:

Save the Internet insists that

Net Neutrality ensures that all users can access the content or run the applications and devices of their choice. With Net Neutrality, the network’s only job is to move data — not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service.

and

This is about Internet freedom. “Network Neutrality” — the First Amendment of the Internet — ensures that the public can view the smallest blog just as easily as the largest corporate Web site by preventing Internet companies like AT&T from rigging the playing field for only the highest-paying sites.

Their FAQ Page gives more detailed information, but essentially they desire

the Senate to save the free and open Internet. Fortunately, Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Byron Dorgan (R-N.D.) have introduced a bipartisan measure, the “Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2006″ (S. 2917), that would provide meaningful protection for Net Neutrality. This excellent bill may be introduced as an amendment when the Senate takes up its own rewrite of the Telecommunications Act later this summer. The next key hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled for June 20.

On the other side of the spectrum however is

Hands Off the Internet, another grass roots movement that describes themselves as

a nationwide coalition of Internet users united together in the belief that the Net’s phenomenal growth over the past decade stems from the ability of entrepreneurs to expand consumer choices and opportunities without worrying about government regulation. We believe consumers across America see the results of this “hands off” approach - through such benefits as expanded distance education opportunities, improved access and speed to almost any information, on-line commerce, and an easier and inexpensive way to communicate with family and colleagues.

Their goals include

Support for an unregulated approach to Internet access in which consumers, not government, choose the method that is best for them; and Opposition to government attempts at regulating and/or taxing Net content or commerce.

More information about this group can be found at their About Us page.

This issue will be determined by the Senate’s approval or rejection of this bill in eight (8) days. Both sides seem to have some merit to what they are saying. Which side is the best?

I encourage each of you to dig into this a little bit deeper. This is a serious issue that will impact how the internet continues to progress and evolve or decay and devolve.

It won’t take much more time, you will just need to read through the two websites. Compare, contrast them. Determine which is the lesser of two evils. Make a choice, and play your part to encourage your state leader to maintain a free internet.

http://www.savetheinternet.com/
http://handsoff.org/

Charis,