ASK DR. WEB:
NUMBER 1
The impact of the Telecommunications Act
Author's note: Media and online hype about the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has reached alarming proportions. Add to this the fact that the only analysts worth listening to always begin with the statement, "the long term future of the telecommunications industry is impossible to foresee," and it's no wonder the average netizen is confused. To clear the air I conducted the following interview with the distinguished professor of Netology, Dr. W.W. Web.
Dr. Web: Before we begin, I'd like to point out that the long term future of the telecommunications industry is impossible to foresee.
Net Detours: Of course, but what we'd really like to know is what is the future of the Net?
Dr. Web: Imagine one telephone wire, cable or even satellite dish connecting you to television, radio, telephone, the internet, movies, video games, the library and Pizza Hut. For all these services you receive one bill bsased upon the services you use and what the provider can get away with. Now imagine that each month you go online and authorize payment for the service to ATT or Microsoft.
Net Detours: Will I save money?
Dr. Web: Computers and saving money are antithetical. If manufacturers were interested in reducing prices we'd all be buying Apple IIs at Walmart for $50 a crack. No the industry isn't interested in saving you money. When the price of parts goes down, the industry simply stuff more - and faster parts - inside tokeep the price the same or higher.
Net Detours: What about the so-called Internet Terminal - a lowcost diskless computer designed specifically for the Web?
Dr. Web: You consider $500 low cost? Perhaps I should renogiate my fee.
Net Detours: Please continue.
Dr. Web: The internet terminal just won't fly. If you really want a $500 connection to the Net buy a used Mac II and a cheap modem. You get the Web AND you'll be able to do word processing. But realistically, currently the Web alone isn't worth $500. What we really need is Internet access built into a Sega CD or Sony Game Station. That's when the Net will start making real inroads into the mainstream martket.
Net Detours: OK, so we won't save any money, will access be faster than it is today.
Dr Web: Of course, Bill Gates doesn't like to wait for money.
Net Detours: Aside from the Microsoft thing, the idea of one stop access to all electronic media is appealling. Is there any other downside?
Dr. Web: Of course, already our cars, clocks, air conditioners and home appliances are controlled by microprocessors. There are folks out there who want to hook them altogether into a Home Net, make your house into a big computer and hook it into the Internet. The idea is you can dial up your refrigerator from work and tell it to thaw out the roast for dinner.
Net Detours: This is bad?
Dr. Web: Suppose your family Thanksgiving party gets a little over zealous. You neighbor gets upset, calls your microwave and burns the turkey.
Net Detours: Let's move on. What's all this talk about a V-chip?
Dr. Web: The new law requires that TV sets sold in the U.S. must be able to block violent or sexy programs. Actually I believe this is the most forward looking section of the law. I am already at work on a B-chip which will block any program on which Patrick Buchanan appears. I hope to incorporate it into the Telecommunications Act of 1997 if the Democrats regain control of Congress - or if Bob Dole is still in the Senate.
Net Detours: As long as were on the topic of sex and violence, will pornography still be available on the Internet?
Dr. Web: We already have plenty of laws, and you can still get pornography at the bookstore, the video store, on TV and across the river. So you'll still be able to find it online. It just might take a little more effort.
Net Detours: Isn't that censorship?
Dr. Web: Now don't get me wrong, I oppose censorship. In fact I personally own several copies of Huckleberry Finn and Catcher in the Rye. I just think the whole thing is overblown, our First Amendment right to look at pictures of naked women is not being seriously threatened. Besides, all those black pages and blue ribbons are getting annoying.
Net Detours: Any other thoughts before we close.
Dr. Web: Remember, today is yesterday's news. By that I mean that the companies, that are just now jumping on the Web bandwagon are too late. They've already missed the train. Instead of continuing to try to board a train that's already left the station, they should be trying to locate the next stop and getting there as quickly as possible.
Net Detours: And the next stop is...
Dr. Web: As I said, the long term future of the telecommunications industry is impossible to foresee.
