Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

FReeper Canteen ~ Tech Tuesday: Email Tax ~ Would you pay for email guarantees? ~ 07 March 2006
EFF.org | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 03/06/2006 5:36:12 PM PST by MoJo2001


Canteen Computer Resource Center
Click on the logo to transport to our Canteen Resource Center!!
 

 

Technology Tuesday
 
GummyIII will return next week (if possible), but she's busy saving the world from a chocolate shortage! It's an important job we wouldn't trust to just anyone. Definitely not something for MoJo.

----------------------

Since many of our Troops use AOL, we wanted to know what you thought about AOL's plans for folks to pay for GoodMail. Is it something worth fretting over, a new enterprising an idea, or another way for which companies can milk money out of consumers already using free email services?


 

What's This About?
In February 2006, AOL announced that it would accept payment for incoming emails. For these certified emails, it would skip its usual anti-spam filters and guarantee delivery for cash. Our coalition believes that the free passage of email between Internet users is a vital part of what makes the Internet work. When ISPs demand a cut of "pay-to-send" email, they're raising tollbooths on the open Net, interfering with the passage of data by demanding protection money at the gates of their customers' computers.
Read More
 

 

What's this controversy all about?

AOL has proposed the adoption of a system called CertifiedEmail, provided by Goodmail Systems. Under this pay-to-send system, affluent mass-emailers who are willing to pay AOL the equivalent of an "email tax" would get to bypass AOL's spam filters and get guaranteed delivery to the inboxes of AOL customers.

Everyone who can't afford to pay AOL's "email tax" - including charities, small businesses, civic organizations, and even families with mailing lists - will have no guarantee that their emails will be delivered. If other companies follow AOL in adopting pay-to-send systems, the Internet will become permanently divided into two classes of users - those who can afford to pay for guaranteed delivery and everyone else left behind with unreliable service.

Though billed in the media as an anti-spam and anti-phishing measure, AOL's pay-to-send system will fail on both scores.

AOL's "email tax" will cause great harm to the free and open Internet that many of us take for granted. The Internet is a revolutionary force for free speech, civic organizing, and economic innovation specifically because it is open and accessible to all Internet users. With a free and open Internet, small ideas can become big ideas overnight. AOL's move to introduce a pay-to-send system is a danger to this openness, and we urge them to reconsider.

------------------------------------------

Which brings us to the next question: Is this something to get hyper over? Or is it a real concern? Would you pay for the service?

 

What say you?


 

 

Disclaimer:
Do you ever wonder why companies always put disclaimers at the bottom of their pages? And then they expect you to read the *fine print* as well? Well, this is done for a reason. It allows them to make up a bunch of unecessary rules and BS that no one will read nor thinks about reading. As a matter of fact, the disclaimers are really *Dating Ads* that those anonymous computer geeks put out to the general public. It's a way to get them a date via their disclaimers. It's risk free and also a sure way to ensure that their name will appear in the ad somewhere. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you totally understand the ideas about disclaimers. They're useless for the most part.

 

 


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: aol; computers; email; military; technology; troopssupport
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 361-364 next last
To: AbnSarge

Thank you, AbnSarge, for your service to America.
Prayers for your safety and success of mission.


121 posted on 03/06/2006 9:24:15 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Easter and Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: Leapofaith

Thank you, SSG Chris, for your service to America.
Prayers for your safety and success of mission.


122 posted on 03/06/2006 9:24:58 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Easter and Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: MozartLover

Thanks, Ev, for your service to America.
Prayers for your safety and success of missions.


123 posted on 03/06/2006 9:25:30 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Easter and Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: Brad's Gramma
Ms. Fawnn...please. PLEASE be careful...

Why else do you think I avoid housework and spend most of my time (that I'm not sleeping) at my computer? ;)
124 posted on 03/06/2006 9:25:59 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person - Faith makes things possible, not easy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 118 | View Replies]

To: sneakers

Thanks, Nate, for your service to our country.
And thanks to you too, sneakers, Proud Navy Mom.


125 posted on 03/06/2006 9:26:05 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Easter and Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: Fawnn; Brad's Gramma

Well, since you knew about the conference call, I figgered you'd know whether or not BG and I are history...


126 posted on 03/06/2006 9:26:20 PM PST by HiJinx (~ www.proudpatriots.org ~ Serving Those Who Serve Us ~ Operation Easter/Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]

To: BilboB

Thanks, Bilbo, for your service to America.
Prayers for your safety and success of mission.


127 posted on 03/06/2006 9:26:41 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Easter and Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: Fawnn

VERY good point...


128 posted on 03/06/2006 9:26:47 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 124 | View Replies]

To: HiJinx; Fawnn

Ms. Fawnn. Speak up. Are Jinxie and I on or off The Island???


129 posted on 03/06/2006 9:27:24 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

just feeling a little better. Still having troubles with the cough and nose!
Thanks for caring Kathy!


130 posted on 03/06/2006 9:27:37 PM PST by MeekMom (Praise Jesus! We have so much to be thankful for!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 101 | View Replies]

To: HiJinx

They told me that if I told you, I'd have to clobber you, and I'm not feeling violent tonight. ;)


131 posted on 03/06/2006 9:28:02 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person - Faith makes things possible, not easy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: HiJinx

Please note. She ONLY wrote to you.

I'm REALLY getting nervous now.


132 posted on 03/06/2006 9:28:42 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 131 | View Replies]

To: vigilante2

Thank you, Kevin, for your service to our country.
Prayers for your safety as you prepare for your mission.


133 posted on 03/06/2006 9:29:02 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Easter and Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: Brad's Gramma

See Post #131. ;)


134 posted on 03/06/2006 9:29:23 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person - Faith makes things possible, not easy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies]

To: Fawnn; Brad's Gramma; Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001

Sheesh, now I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow...I hate these extended commercial breaks...

Seriously, shower time is over and it's time to call it a night.

See you all tomorrow!


135 posted on 03/06/2006 9:29:27 PM PST by HiJinx (~ www.proudpatriots.org ~ Serving Those Who Serve Us ~ Operation Easter/Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 131 | View Replies]

To: HiJinx
Seriously, shower time is over and it's time to call it a night.

You take your computer into the shower with you!? ;)
136 posted on 03/06/2006 9:30:44 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person - Faith makes things possible, not easy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 135 | View Replies]

To: HiJinx

Good night, HiJinx. I hope you're still here tomorrow. I'm sure YOU will be.

Sleep well. :)


137 posted on 03/06/2006 9:31:03 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 135 | View Replies]

To: weldgophardline

Thank you, Victor, for your service to our country.
Prayers for your safety and success of mission.


138 posted on 03/06/2006 9:31:42 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Easter and Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: Fawnn

I saw #131. Where you *sniff* only pinged HJ...making me worry even more.

I shall now go outside and weed the garden. Or find some chocolate.


139 posted on 03/06/2006 9:32:01 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 134 | View Replies]

To: cbkaty; jdrgarland

And we thank our veterans for their service to America.


140 posted on 03/06/2006 9:32:24 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Easter and Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 361-364 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson