FReeper Canteen ~ Tech Tuesday: Email Tax ~ Would you pay for email guarantees? ~ 07 March 2006

EFF.org | The Canteen Crew

[MoJo2001]

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

 

[alarm rider]

Hey Everyone,

Just dropped in to say thanks to the troops and a big hello and salute to the canteen crew.

All the cats, dogs, horses and other critters have survived the winter and are looking forward to spring.

I noticed today that the male barn cats are getting affectionate with the female cats and everyone else, you know what that means!

Cat love is in the air. The horses are smiling at each other, & the dogs looking beyond the fences. Can spring be far behind?

[AZamericonnie]

Detriot Spinners~Working My Way Back To You

Want more information about the artists we play? Perhaps you'd like to buy concert tickets or their CDs? Click the links below for more information!

ArtistDirect.com Amazon.com Ticketmaster.com Songfacts.com Walmart.com

[AZamericonnie]

Well a big hello to you AR!

Can spring be far behind

Not at all! Maybe a new litter of barn cats too!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, early evening to you, AR.....spring is in the air, huh? Glad everyone is doing well.

[Zacs Mom]

G'evening all!

I hope all is well with all y'all!

I'm afraid I'm having a little trouble today as it appears as though one of the surgeries in my lungs might be getting infected, but I'll be in to see the specialist tomorrow for more tests and I'm sure they will get this under control then.

I did want to take a moment this evening, though, to share a special prayer page for our troops I just put up.
(I've been working on it off & on for 2 days now, much to my hubby's chagrin ~ he just wants me to stay in bed ~ but then he always has ...
;^) wink-wink, nudge-nudge)

Anyway, here is the link ~ be sure to turn up your speakers ...

[Colonial Warrior]

Thanks! AZee!!

[HopeandGlory]

Prayers going up . . . God be with you.

[AZamericonnie]

Dear Zacs Mom....that's beautiful. You have such talent, skill & love for the Troops.

I had no idea you have been having medical troubles! Your hubby is right...you need your rest! Thank you ever so much for sharing! Please get well soon!

[MEG33]

Put your prayer on my favorites list. .Just beautiful!

I'll be posting the link to this with credits to Zac's Mom.

I pray all goes better with your health and infection is banished..Hugs

[luvie]

That was just beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us, even though you don't really feel like it. You're a great patriot.

[fatima]

(((Hugs))) Relax-enjoy-meet friends:)

[fatima]

Hi LUV W,How are you(((Hugs)))

[luvie]

Hi! Good to see you tonight! (((hugs))) I'm just great! How are you, sweet lady?

[fatima]

Great-I didn't know we had a new thread-oop's.See you there:)

[luvie]

Hee-hee....I was beginning to feel like a multiple personality!

[fatima]

Your are LUV W Luv w

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of the new thread

[luvie]

hee-hee....I knew I had a color problem..I blush easily in one of my lives.

[potlatch]

Beautiful ZM! You were given a wonderful gift and I thank you for pinging and sharing it with us. Prayers for you - every day - without fail!!

[fatima]

You and your twin look great:)