Bob Frankston's Writings http://www.frankston.com/public/writings.asp Bob Frankston's essays and whatever else Bob's Own RSS Generator. This is experimental and I may change RSS/RDF formats at some point. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Copyright 1994-2023 Bob Frankston Sun, 28 May 2023 21:09:25 GMT Floppy Days Interview [external] http://rmf.vc/FloppyDays Talking about the old days of VisiCalc as well as a bit about the future. Floppy Days is "A podcast about home computers of the late 70's through the 80's. NEW SPONSORSHIPS! 8-Bit Classics is a great place to get video cables, power supplies and more for a wide variety of vintage computer platforms. Arcade Shopper has a wide variety of hard-to-find items for a large number of platforms." Sun, 28 May 2023 17:07:23 GMT http://rmf.vc/20230528-0040 Connectivity Begins at Home http://rmf.vc/BLU2023Connectivity This is my talk to BLU (Boston Linux and Unix) group. It's as much a conversation as a talk. While traditional home control is framed in an automation meme (Jetsons), I see it as more about managing relationships among peer devices. Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:28:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20230425-0108 Bits of “Intelligence” http://rmf.vc/BitsOfIntelligence The AI engines tap into some powerful mechanisms, as does the Internet - -the idea that meaning comes from context and patterns and is not intrinsic -- a concept that is at odds with most people's reality. It is more revolutionary than Copernicus, who shifted a reference frame. Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:04:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20230506-0159 The Problem Of 5G Hype http://rmf.vc/5GHype We're in yet another cycle of 5G hype so I need to explain the problem with 5G without getting into all the technical details. Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:35:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20230412-0766 The Posters Dilemma http://rmf.vc/ThePostersDilemma This is my experiment with posts intended for discussions with copies on other sites. Sun, 26 Mar 2023 17:52:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20230326-0010 GPT Ignores Major Risks of AI http://rmf.vc/GPTIgnoreMajorRisks In response to a post on LinkedIn, I asked GPT about the risks of AI, and it's very telling that it omitted key risks of BS (blithely providing misinformation with authority) and its use for impersonation. the threats to provide by interpolation that we can't control. etc. Sat, 18 Mar 2023 09:22:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20230318-0209 Forever URLs http://rmf.vc/ForeverURLs A Forever URL is one that never expires. Such URLs can be implemented using today's DNS as-is with new tooling to assist developers in developing websites. They also support devices and can support email addresses that aren't tied to a provider. They are a resource for the Internet as infrastructure. Sat, 25 Feb 2023 13:38:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20230225-0740 Trust and Insecurity http://rmf.vc/IEEEtrustandinsecurity We need to be wary about perimeter security and firewalls. While they seem to provide protection, they a vulnerable to the slightest breach. More problematic is that they prevent unanticipated innovation and make it difficult to try out new ideas. You can’t know all the second-guessers in the path. Fri, 24 Feb 2023 19:31:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20230224-0788 Distributed Cooperation http://rmf.vc/IEEECE202211 I use my home as a living laboratory for connected systems. One of the goals is to avoid single points of failure by having direct relationship between endpoints. Mon, 17 Oct 2022 11:10:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20221017-0328 VSIG Lecture on the Public Packet Infrastructure [YouTube] http://rmf.vc/VSIGPPI My VSIG talk on the Public Packet Infrastructure. It's part of the <a href="https://youtu.be/BNk9BZ9LJ1g">VSIG Series</a> of lectures on Internet Governance.. It's based on the ideas in article on the <a href="https://rmf.vc/CIPPI">Public Packet Infrastructure</a> Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:16:44 GMT http://rmf.vc/20221003-0483 The Public Packet Infrastructure http://rmf.vc/IEEEPPI The Internet isn't just a way to access the web, it is fundamental infrastructure -- the Public Packet Infrastructure. The infrastructure has seemingly unlimited capacity because we can innovate and take advantage of opportunities instead of negotiating for passage. We need to bring public policy and public perception into alignment with this new realty. This is also available on <a href="https://rmf.vc/CIPPI">CircleID</a> Thu, 25 Aug 2022 21:09:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20220825-0561 The Impact of Open Connectivity [circleid] http://rmf.vc/CIImpactOfOpenConnectivity The Internet hints at the much larger possibilities of open connectivity in enabling discoveries such as the web but for the physical world. The ideas themselves go to a deeper level of thinking about how we build systems and how we can enable the future. Tue, 12 Jul 2022 17:15:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20220712-0223 The Internet as a Public Good [circleid] http://rmf.vc/InternetPublicGood Why do we work so hard to promulgate the idea that being held incommunicado is the norm and we have to pay to communicate? The ability to communicate and connect is a right not a privilege. Mon, 27 Jun 2022 13:56:03 GMT http://rmf.vc/20220627-0363 Realizing the Long-Term Value of Connectivity [external] http://rmf.vc/BBCLongTerm Open community infrastructure can provide enormous societal value by enabling services that we haven't dreamed of. Tesla has shown how a car you by can get features undreamed of at the time of purchase thanks to software updates. Open infrastructures enables innovation and discovery. Mon, 14 Mar 2022 21:00:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20220314-0251 Voice over IP–An inflection Point [circleid] http://rmf.vc/CIVoipInflection Voice over IP (VoIP) represents a sharp break from the traditional telephony. Unlike traditional telephony (digital or otherwise), VoIP doesn't depend on a provider's reserved path. Understanding how VoIP works is key to liberating ourselves from depending on providers'. Without that dependency we are free to innovate and take advantage of a Public Packet Infrastructure own by the local community. Thu, 10 Feb 2022 20:04:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20220210-0842 Empowering People … and Their Things http://rmf.vc/IEEE-Empowered There is no separate "Internet of Things". There is the big idea of best-efforts connectivity which allows us to create the opportunity for innovation in how we build systems of things and services. Wed, 20 Oct 2021 11:35:52 GMT http://rmf.vc/20211020-0152 The Public Packet Infrastructure [circleid] http://rmf.vc/CIPPI The Internet isn't just a way to access the web, it is fundamental infrastructure -- the Public Packet Infrastructure. The infrastructure has seemingly unlimited capacity because we can innovate and take advantage of opportunities instead of negotiating for passage. We need to bring public policy and public perception into alignment with this new realty. This is also available as my <a href="https://rmf.vc/IEEEPPI">IEEE Column</a> Mon, 04 Oct 2021 20:31:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20211004-0641 Living the Beta Life http://rmf.vc/IEEEBetaLife It feels like all the devices and software I use are in beta, waiting for me to find bugs. I'd have it no other way -- I don't need to predict the future if I can live it. Alas, products are still in beta even if they are official shipping because I go beyond the typical use case and don't handwave away failures that I know are not necessary. Fri, 13 Aug 2021 20:32:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20210813-0568 The Age of Software: An Introduction http://rmf.vc/IEEEAgeOfSoftware The combination of digital representation and software has transformed the world and our understanding of the world. The Internet as just one byproduct of this fundamental conceptual shift from meaning being intrinsic to meaning being defined by software with multiple interpretations co-existing. Sun, 13 Jun 2021 15:54:25 GMT http://rmf.vc/20210613-0975 Connectivity Starts at Home http://rmf.vc/IEEEHomeNAT Today's Internet is just one application of the powerful idea of best-efforts connectivity. The home router (NAT) decouples the connectivity within the home from the larger internet enabling innovation that leverages the Internet without being limited by it. Tue, 13 Apr 2021 22:10:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20210413-0640 My Turn: Broadband opportunities — internet as infrastructure [external] http://rmf.vc/GreenfieldResponse This is my letter to the editor in the Greenfield recorder explaining why towns can implement their own infrastructure. It is in response to a claim by cable PR saying that only a cable TV company can provide infrastructure. Mon, 15 Mar 2021 10:27:39 GMT http://rmf.vc/20210315-0444 My Turn: Broadband opportunities — internet as infrastructure [external] http://rmf.vc/GRBroadband Letter to the Editor of the Greenfield-Recording responding to claims that only Comcast (or other providers) to provide broadband. Sat, 06 Feb 2021 09:00:19 GMT http://rmf.vc/20210207-0408 Consumer Technology vs. 5G http://rmf.vc/IEEE5GPast 5G is often heralded as the future of communications technology. It's actually the antithesis. It is the anti-Internet clawing intelligence back into the network and limiting innovation. With 5G consumers would once again be limited to a choice of offerings and a new generation would rediscover the busy signal. Also <a href="https://rmf.vc/CI5GPast">available on CircleID</a>. Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:59:40 GMT http://rmf.vc/20210204-0162 TV is Over – Long Live Content http://rmf.vc/IEEEAfterTV We are now in the age of "content" with Television (and movies) now available for view online just like books rather than being experiences you had to tune into on a broadcaster's schedule. We haven't cut the cord, we just forgot about it and moved on. Sat, 05 Dec 2020 19:51:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20201205-0747 The JavaScript Ecosystem http://rmf.vc/IEEEJavaScriptEcoSystem JavaScript started out as a simple extension for the browser but has become so much more. In part this is true on building on rich concepts going back to Lisp. Along the way it has challenged the givens of programming and given us a high-performance flexible language along with rich libraries and rich tools. We're just beginning to discover the possibilities. (Also on <a href="/CIJavascriptEcoSystem">CirlceID</a>) Fri, 23 Oct 2020 12:11:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20201023-0853 A piece of living history explains 5G without hype [external] http://rmf.vc/Covey5G A conversion about the hype surrounding #5G. Also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lou.covey/posts/10157067846012723">Facebook </a> Wed, 23 Sep 2020 12:50:54 GMT http://rmf.vc/20200923-0558 Broadband Breakfast Live Online on July 22, 2020 — Champions of Broadband: Bob Frankston [external] http://rmf.vc/BBBTalk202007 My conversation with Drew Clark about the Internet as infrastructure. Wed, 22 Jul 2020 13:34:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20200722-0424 Age of Software and the Public Packet Infrastructure [YouTube] http://rmf.vc/WTEForum50 This is a recording of the talk I gave online to the World Talent Economy Forum. Sat, 11 Jul 2020 10:50:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20200711-0334 Talk about the Public Packet Infrastructure http://rmf.vc/IEEEPPIMadison This is the talk I have go the IEEE Madison Wisconsin Chapter on June 25, 2020 explaining the concept of the Public Packet Infrastructure. Fri, 26 Jun 2020 12:46:51 GMT http://rmf.vc/20200628-0822 Relationships Among Devices: IoT 🡲 RaD http://rmf.vc/IEEECE202007 Instead of thinking of just devices in isolation we need to think about relationships among devices and about the meta-devices that we have. Sun, 07 Jun 2020 17:05:54 GMT http://rmf.vc/20200607-0620 Beyond the Interweb http://rmf.vc/IEEEBeyondInterweb Today's Internet is a network of networks and seen through the lens of the web. We need to look beyond the engineering history to see the Internet in the context of the larger vision of JCR Licklider, an acoustic psychologist, and his vision of man/computer symbiosis. Sun, 24 May 2020 12:42:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20200524-0403 Rewiring my House … and the World http://rmf.vc/IEEEReWiring Using software-based relationships instead of physical wires gives insight in the parallels be-tween connectivity within my house and connectivity across the wider Internet. Fri, 03 Apr 2020 20:00:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20200403-0037 Communities of Things http://rmf.vc/IEEECommunitiesOfThings Trust issues among devices are complex. In order to address them we need to take a community-based approach rather than having to revisit the issue for each connection and each app n×n. Also available on <a href="https://rmf.vc/CICofT">CircleID</a> Wed, 05 Feb 2020 16:17:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20200205-0793 What I want for CES http://rmf.vc/IEEECE202001 CES is a time to see new products and services. Alas, my expectations might be too high. Fri, 06 Dec 2019 11:04:44 GMT http://rmf.vc/20191206-0574 Connecting http://rmf.vc/IEEERushHour1997 In 1986 I wrote a story for the Boston Computer Society predicting a connected future by 1997. Alas, it's 2019 and that future is still pending. Sun, 03 Nov 2019 17:43:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20191103-0572 Bits vs. Things http://rmf.vc/IEEEBitsVsThings I’m writing this for CE Magazine rather than Computer Magazine because I don’t see programming and software as something apart from the larger world but as the language, we use to articulate our understanding. Software has transformed consumer electronics from simply choosing what is available to having the ability to create and share one’s solutions. Tue, 03 Sep 2019 20:13:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20190903-0998 The Internet and My 53 Years Online [external] http://rmf.vc/Online53 With the upcoming celebration of the 50 years of the Inter-net, I’m trying to figure out how the traditional story misses the powerful idea that has made the Internet what it is – the ability to focus on solutions without having to think about the network or providers. Mon, 15 Jul 2019 18:18:02 GMT http://rmf.vc/20190715-0050 As a Service? http://rmf.vc/IEEECE201906 The trend towards hosted services and the return of the intelligent network create risks of dependency even if well-intentioned. Sun, 31 Mar 2019 22:31:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20190520-0534 Do Do This at Home http://rmf.vc/BLU20190220 My February talk to the Boston Linux and Unix (BLU) group about my home control system - a work in progress. Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:11:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20190320-0551 Seeing the Light - Properties of 400-800 Terahertz Radios http://rmf.vc/IEEECE201903 We're used to turning light bulbs on and off. The advent of LEDs and software has given us an opportunity to rethink the givens of light and lighting in our daily lives. We can now paint surfaces with lights and manage ambience. Thu, 14 Feb 2019 20:47:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20190214-0725 Found Objects http://rmf.vc/IEEECE201905 In the tradition of the Internet I don't build new networks nor new special environments for each application but rather repurse existing devices and services. The key is an architcture which limits complexity. Sat, 26 Jan 2019 14:17:46 GMT http://rmf.vc/20190302-0383 From Hi-Fi to CLI http://rmf.vc/IEEEHiFiToCLI Today users typically use computers through graphics user interfaces -- GUIs. Only programmers use the command line. But that is changing as more people discover the power of the command line just as they learned how to wire their own home entertainment systems in the days of Hi Fi. <br/> <i>It is no longer a relic of the past but rather a path to the future.</i> Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20181017-0436 More 5G BS [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP5GBS Hill.TV has taken on the cause of 5G as Telcos try to enlist support by telling why 5G is the answer no matter what the question. Sun, 02 Dec 2018 17:27:03 GMT http://rmf.vc/20181203-0023 re Cybersecurity "moonshot" project to secure the internet by 2028. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCyberChallenge Be wary of those who compare "solving" cybersecutiry to the well-defined challenge of sending a rocket to the moon. Sat, 17 Nov 2018 19:28:13 GMT http://rmf.vc/20181118-0088 From Net Neutrality to Seizing Opportunity http://rmf.vc/NeutralityToOpportunity Network neutrality is important in the context of assuring the opportunity to innovate in how we communicate and connect. We can't define it in terms of specific outcomes but rather in terms of what we enable. The Internet is just one example of what we can do when given the opportunity to use software to fashion our own solutions. (Also available on <a href="/NetworkToOpportunityCI">CircleID</a> and at <a href="/NetworkToOpportunityBB">Broadband Breakfast</a> Thu, 01 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180305-0868 From “Broadband” to “Infrastructure” http://rmf.vc/IEEEBBtoInfrastructure It's time to think about the Internet as infrastructure rather than broadband. (This is based on the version at the <a href="https://rmf.vc/BBToInfrastructure">Broadband Breakfast</a> site). There is also a companion <a href="https://rmf.vc/infrafaq">FAQ</a>. You can also read this at <a href="https://rmf.vc/CIBBtoInfrastructure">CircleId</a> Sat, 01 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180808-0529 Re So What The Heck Does 5G Actually Do? And Is It Worth What TheCarriers Are Demanding? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP5GPast A reminder the 5G is a throwback to the pst Wed, 04 Jul 2018 00:20:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20181118-0756 Got API? http://rmf.vc/IEEEGotAPI <a href="https://rmf.vc/gotapi"><img src="https://rmf.vc/public/Essays/Images/GotAPI/Picture_1.png" style="float:right" width="96" height="96"></img></a>If your home control product doesn't have an open API, then it's a niche product and not part of the future of connected devices. Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180107-0140 Broadband Providers? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBroadBandProviders What does a broadband provider provide and what does it mean to have competing providers? Sun, 20 May 2018 18:31:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180521-0553 Re No “Material Difference Between 5G & LTE” [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP4GAS5G 5G may be reheated 4G but victory will be declared Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:57:42 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180420-0771 Re EarthNow to Deliver Real-Time Video via Large Satellite Constellation [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBIGPhotos Detailed photos of Earth are very big data with no opt out. Fri, 20 Apr 2018 12:07:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180420-0069 Re Is Science Hitting a Wall - it's not just about science [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPScienceWall We need to think of the future in terms of discovery and opportunity and not just the past a little faster and better. We see an example of this in public policies pushing faster old style telecom networks instead of creating new opportunities for connectivity. Sun, 08 Apr 2018 13:49:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180408-0127 Connectivity as a Vital Consumer Service http://rmf.vc/ConnectivityVital Today we retreat the Internet as if it were another television channel. If the service goes out we are fully dependent upon a provider to diagnose and fix the problem. Today we are increasingly dependent upon connectivity and must meet the challenge by empowering consumers to work with providers to address issues and assure connectivity. ((Also avalable on <a href="/ConsumerVitalCI">CircleID</a>) Tue, 27 Mar 2018 11:10:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180327-0374 Re A start-up says it can back up your brain. However, there’s one small catch. - The Washington Post [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBrainBits Why do people think they can easily digitize the brain? Fri, 16 Mar 2018 14:58:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180316-0853 Progressive Web Apps http://rmf.vc/IEEEPWA The browser is now a full fledged platform for apps. The major benefits of using the browser as a platform includes ease of universal deployment and avoiding concepts such as having to install software. It's also a very flexible and powerful environment. (Also available on <a href="https://rmf.vc/CIPWA">CircleId</a>) Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180712-0388 Cockamamie #broadband pricing from #Cox. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCoxPricing Another reminder of perverse pricing of broadband Tue, 20 Feb 2018 15:43:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180316-0595 Re Stop Saying 'Smart Cities' [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSmartCities Smart Cities are like intelligent networks. Instead we need empowering cities. Sun, 18 Feb 2018 16:39:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180218-0536 House Republicans Just Voted to Eliminate the Only Federal Agency That Makes Sure Voting Machines Can't Be Hacked [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGOPUnvoting Another attack on the credibility of our basic institutions. Thu, 15 Feb 2018 00:56:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180218-0347 Nationalizing the imaginary 5G Network? [circleid] http://rmf.vc/Nationalizing5G The proposal to nationalize 5G may be spurious but it is an opportunity look at how we think about networking. Tue, 30 Jan 2018 15:07:13 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180130-0564 My Facebook Posts and More … http://rmf.vc/FacebookPosts An attempt to catalog my Facebook Posts until when and if I use the ideas in formal essays and columns Sat, 20 Jan 2018 16:45:10 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180120-0456 Interconnected computing [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDFInfrastructure It's useful to think of the internetworking effort as a way to weave end points, initially computers, into a whole. The network is just a means. We need to look beyond neutrality to infrastructure. Tue, 02 Jan 2018 22:19:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180103-0474 Assembly Required http://rmf.vc/IEEEAssemblyRequired Increasingly consumer devices are not just become smart but connected. We are only at the earliest stages of understanding this connectivity and how to give users the ability to manage the connections. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20171120-0630 It's time to move from "Broadband to Infrastructure" [external] http://rmf.vc/BBToInfrastructure Network Neutrality is about the business of telecom vs. a future in which we can assume Ambient Connectivity. Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:22:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20171213-0795 The Internet as Infrastructure FAQ http://rmf.vc/InfraFAQ When I write about the Internet as infrastructure I find some questions keep reappearing - hence this FAQ Mon, 04 Dec 2017 14:35:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20171213-0712 Bob Frankston interview at ICCE Asia October 2017 [external] http://rmf.vc/ICCE2017AsiaInterview Interview by IEEECSocTV after my keynote. Sun, 19 Nov 2017 17:13:26 GMT http://rmf.vc/20171119-0829 Re Is New York's preternatural calm a sign of resilience or is terror the new normal? | US news | The Guardian [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/NYCalm Terror loses its impact if we don't panic Sat, 04 Nov 2017 18:56:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180103-0806 Interview with Factor Daily in Bengaluru India [external] http://rmf.vc/outliers Thoughts while I was in town to speak at <a href="http://icce-asia2017.org">ICCE Asia</a> Sun, 15 Oct 2017 12:47:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20171015-0896 Whither Consumer Electronics http://rmf.vc/IEEEWhitherCE What is consumer electronics in an age where we use software rather than (just) electrons to create value. And when devices are defined by apps rather than hardware? Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170923-0820 Re Why Google Fiber Failed to Disrupt the ISPs [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGoogleFiberISP A reminder that Google FIber is still in the old ISP model. Wed, 26 Jul 2017 10:44:34 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170726-0592 5G: Telecom Versus The Internet http://rmf.vc/IEEE5GATSC My July 2017 IEEE CE Magazine Column: Overview of the contrast between 5G and the Internet. Sat, 01 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170614-0141 An Alien “Drove” my car http://rmf.vc/AlienDrove AI and applications like self-driving cars are exciting but we need to wary about treating them as if they think like we do. It is normal to see new technologies just replacing existing technologies or, in this case, human drivers. While there is some overlap in roles we get the most benefit by recognizing how they are different from us and not just replacements. Sat, 01 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20161020-0537 Bots and Conversations http://rmf.vc/MonageSpring2017 Monage 2017: Bots and Conversations. With the Internet our conversations take place outside the networks. Sun, 26 Mar 2017 09:17:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170403-0050 What is special about an Internet of Things http://rmf.vc/IotSpecial I've been reading reading papers about an "Internet of Things" but they tend to be old engineering approaches relabeled. What makes the Internet special is our ability to build on the big idea of "just works" or ambient connectivity and the ability to mix and match end points using this common facility. Tue, 14 Mar 2017 18:53:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170316-0455 5G (and Telecom) vs. The Internet [circleid] http://rmf.vc/5GvsInternet 5G sounds like the successor to 4G cellular telephony and indeed that is the intent. While the progression from 2G to 3G, to 4G and now 5G seems simple, the story is more nuanced and gives us a chance to better understand the what and, more important, the why of the Internet. Sun, 26 Feb 2017 10:20:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170226-0208 re [Internet Policy] Why is ISOC's PIR promoting a private globalcopyright censorship court for domains? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDNSSemanticsAgain Again the problem of semantics in the DNS Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:24:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170726-0595 Re 5G (Spectrum article) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP5GSpectrum Spectrum doubles down on the 5G as the future though it's relaly the past. Thu, 02 Feb 2017 18:21:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170209-0091 Re: 5G (and Telecom) vs. The Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP5G Overview of the contrast between 5G and the Internet. Wed, 01 Feb 2017 18:25:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170209-0473 The real reason why Trump using an old Android phone should freak youout notsp [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPotusPHone The President is using a phone that makes it easy to tap into any conversation! Uh oh Fri, 27 Jan 2017 00:11:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170209-0232 TEDx 2016 Talk -- The Abundance of the Internet [YouTube] http://rmf.vc/TEDx2016Video My talk from TEDx November 2016. Having grown up from when the technology was simple I see can see beyond the Internet and how it is so much more than just a network and just the web. It gives us the raw materials to create our own abundance. Wed, 25 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170125-0608 Interview at StartupCon 2016 [YouTube] http://rmf.vc/FactoryTV2016 Talking about my experience as a co-founder. Sun, 22 Jan 2017 09:36:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170122-0283 Techdirt's First Amendment Fight For Its Life / Ayyadurai again [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEMailBuzz Ayyadurai's deep pocket fight over email continues to do collateral damage. Thu, 12 Jan 2017 09:37:44 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170116-0508 Time to Retire the Leap Second [Medium] http://rmf.vc/MediumLeapSecond The leap second creates many problems in return for essentially no benefit. It is a leftover from the days when computers used the same notation people did for writing dates. Now that computers separate the representation from the presentation it's time to move on. Tue, 03 Jan 2017 14:04:17 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170103-0103 Trump questions quest for cybersecurity: 'No computer is safe' [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTrumpRussia1 Normalizing Russian Cyberattacks is extremely dangerous. See also <a href="http://rmf.vc/IPTrumpRussia2">this</a> and <a href="http://rmf.vc/IPTrumpRussia3">this</a> follow up. Mon, 02 Jan 2017 08:29:51 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170102-0589 Site Insites http://rmf.vc/IEEEInsites This past summer I decided my website need to be refreshed. Rewriting the site from scratch in JavaScript (actually <a href="https://www.typescriptlang.org/">TypeScript</a>) gave me a chance look beyond the façade of the web and better understand how the Web works and the simple mechanisms it is built on. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20161229-0151 Parking apps are tied to cars not location [Facebook] http://rmf.vc/FBParkingApp Parking meter apps are tied to the car rather than just the location. Making implicit explicit requires adjustment. Tue, 20 Dec 2016 10:32:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20161220-0124 The Internet as infrastructure - IGF 2016 [external] http://rmf.vc/IGF2016Video A link to my <a href="http://igf2016.mx/">IGF 2016</a> video. There is also a live transcript of the session <a href="http://isoc-ny.org/igf16/mon/rm5.txt">here.</a>. I'm planning to do an associated essay. Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:27:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20161213-0093 Culture Vs. Facts [Facebook] http://rmf.vc/fbcultureVsFacts Culture vs. Facts Tue, 13 Dec 2016 09:18:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20161213-0372 Re Pittsburgh's new artificially intelligent stoplights could mean no more pointless idling [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCMUCars Experiment in intelligent stoplights offers hope for APIs Sun, 23 Oct 2016 20:54:41 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170102-0054 Re Question. Re Today is a remarkable day for the Internet! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPE2EKarl The end-to-end argument is about being to ignore the network rather assuring a connection between end pointts. Tue, 04 Oct 2016 16:58:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20161004-0900 Mobile Edge Computing http://rmf.vc/IEEEMobileEdge When we frame local computing as being at the edge of a network we lose the big ideas of connectivity by framing the Internet in terms of tele-communications. Sat, 01 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160923-0111 Trump’s Financial Naïveté http://rmf.vc/FBTrump1 Trump has a very simplistic view of money. [From Facebook] Tue, 27 Sep 2016 15:43:08 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160923-0037 Infrastructure for a Connected World http://rmf.vc/InfrastructureConnected Connected devices need a free-to-use infrastructure that allows for innovation beyond the needs of a provider or other intermediary. Also available on CircleID <a href="http://rmf.vc/CIInfrastructureConnected/" target="_top">here</a> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:02:07 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160919-0082 re Lauren's Blog: "Network Solutions Still Operates Like a Bunch ofCrooks" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNSI Wed, 07 Sep 2016 10:42:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20161004-0409 re Tales from Comcast's data cap nation: Can the meter be trusted? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCaps2016 Data caps are tolerated because of false analogies. Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:05:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160906-0185 ANTIC Interview 226 - Bob Frankston, co-developer of Visicalc [external] http://rmf.vc/ANTICInterview Interview with Kevin Savetz about the history of Atari and more ... You can go to <a href="https://youtu.be/X2ksQXoump4" target="_blank">YouTube</a> for the video. Mon, 05 Sep 2016 11:04:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160905-0778 What is a "Neutral Network" [external] http://rmf.vc/Hope2016Panel Panel at HOPE 2016 where I talk about infrastructure as an alternative framing to network neutrality. Sun, 24 Jul 2016 12:19:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160724-0919 Re US, NSF to put $400M into Advanced Wireless Research Initiative for 5G networks [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWirelessRetro The NSF is funding a new wireless effort that fails to address the need for ambient connectivity as infrastructure. It's just same-old albeit a little bit faster. Like a 600HP car in rush hour solving traffic problems in a city. Tue, 19 Jul 2016 01:39:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160718-0825 Re How the internet was invented [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPInventNot The popular view is that the Internet is just another network. It's not -- it's represents a very different approach to how we communicate. One that is resilient rather than dependent on carriers. Fri, 15 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160716-0903 The Internet as Our New Infrastructure http://rmf.vc/TalkInternetAsInfrastructure The Internet is our new infrastructure. It is a basic facility just as roads and sidewalks available as a basic elements of infrastructure. I use the term "infrastructure" rather than "utility" to distinguish it from metered utilities like gas and electricity that are provided only at a price. This is the talk I gave at <a href="http://fgv.br">FGV</a> in Rio on April 29<sup>th</sup> 2016. Mon, 04 Jul 2016 12:31:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160704-0065 The Stories of Software http://rmf.vc/IEEEAboutSoftware The concept of software has evolved from the early days of programming when each minute step of had to be described in detail. Yet the challenges remain because, ultimately, software is about sharing our understandings with devices that will act as our agents. I learn a lot writing these columns. This one made me think about what software is and why automatic programming succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations yet has seems to have succeeded at all. Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160812-0882 Re This dark side of the Internet is costing young people their jobsand social lives [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAddict "Internet addiction" is simply addiction that happens to manifest itself in a particular way. Saying that it is new or special trivializes real problems. Sat, 21 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160521-0558 Once Again, Thieves Enter Swift Financial Network and Steal [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSwiftAttack Another reminder that security is about trust relationships and people. There isn't a magic fix. Fri, 13 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160521-0633 Broadband Data Caps Pressure 'Cord Cutters' [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSTBCaps FCC should be addressing data caps rather than just focusing on the legacy set top box. Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:20:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160422-0921 80/20 Consumer Electronics http://rmf.vc/IEEEBlinky I learn by doing and creating my own solutions. This gives me a chance to experience the future and see beyond the present. Join me in exploring the possibilities. Fri, 01 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160419-0351 End-to-End Arguments in System Design [external] http://rmf.vc/EndToEnd A seminal paper about the design point of the Internet by Saltzer, Reed and Clark Sun, 20 Mar 2016 11:23:27 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160320-0086 VisiCalc History and more [external] http://rmf.vc/VisiCalc Dan Bricklin's VisiCalc repository Sat, 12 Mar 2016 10:16:53 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160312-0626 Before Excel there was VisiCalc: An interview with its creators [YouTube] http://rmf.vc/BIVisiCalc Interview by Business Insider with Dan Bricklin and myself talking about the history of VisiCalc. Sat, 23 Jan 2016 22:06:27 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160123-0486 VCF East 10 - History of VisiCalc - Bob Frankston [YouTube] http://rmf.vc/VCF10 I had fun talking to the Vintage Computer Festival in New Jersey last spring - <a href="http://www.vintage.org/2015/east/">VCF 10</a> Sat, 23 Jan 2016 16:59:23 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160123-0890 A Hackers Vacation http://rmf.vc/IEEEVacation What I learned on my summer vacation. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160101-0826 Netflix vs. Caps vs. Neutrality vs. The Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNetCaps Issues like capacity limits and network neutrality are framed in terms of telecommunications. We need a different narrative if we are to understand the Internet. (See further comments <a href="//rmf.vc/IPNetCaps2">here</a>) Sat, 19 Dec 2015 09:41:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20151219-0746 Blinky Source Files http://rmf.vc/BlinkyZip Blink Source Files Thu, 17 Dec 2015 00:37:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20220904-0791 The Frankston Challenge [external] http://rmf.vc/DBAmbientConnectivity Dan Bricklin does a great job explaining the need for Ambient Connectivity. Tue, 10 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160826-0228 Zero-Rating vs. The Internet [circleid] http://rmf.vc/ZeroRating The idea of setting the rate for a given class of content is a concept that comes from the traditional world of telecommunications. It doesn't map into the raw packets of the Internet that are carried apart from their context. Wed, 04 Nov 2015 21:02:42 GMT http://rmf.vc/20151104-0716 Identity Chaos, Courtesy of Your Federal Government - The New YorkTimes [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSSNEIN If we're going to use the SSN as a primary identify we should update it from the 1930's design point. Sat, 17 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20151018-0290 This guy bought Google.com for $12 - CNET [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDNSGoogle The DNS -- yet another oops. Fri, 02 Oct 2015 11:40:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20151003-0802 Undercover New Hampshire police nab cellphone ban violators / AKAbanning photography [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCameraStop If your camear can run a telephony app does that make it illegal to use in a car even if it's stopped? Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:32:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20151003-0991 The Internet is about Relationships http://rmf.vc/IEEERelationships A big idea of the Internet is that we can focus on the relationships between two end points (devices) and not worry about what is between. Thu, 01 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20151030-0776 The Engineers "Dilemma" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEngineersDilemma The telecommunications business model has problems. The FCC's well-meaning efforts to make that business work has the unintended consequences of protecting it from alternatives approaches that can work far better. This extends to protecting it from better engineering. Sun, 27 Sep 2015 18:24:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20151003-0247 Snake Oil for the Innovation Age: Problems with Clayton Christensen's "Disruptive Innovation" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDisruptNot We need to be wary of claims that we can manage our way through disruptive changes. But nostrums and solutions sell books so we tend to try to tame disruption rather than embracing the new opportunities. We should read the <i>The Innovator's Dilemma</i> as descriptive rather than prescriptive. Sat, 19 Sep 2015 20:28:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150924-0207 Let Consumers Use Better, Cheaper Cable Boxes - The New York Times [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20150831201941:216D6FD6-503F-11E5-9931-A8CA702CEA34 The FCC may be getting ready to encourage set top box competition but that only fixes a symptom. It doesn't address the problem of silos. Mon, 31 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150831-0610 For Sympathetic Ear, More Chinese Turn to Smartphone Program - The New York Times [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPXiaoBing Eliza -- now in Chinese as <a href="http://www.msxiaoice.com">小冰</a> Tue, 04 Aug 2015 11:56:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150804-0840 Why Can't We Be Like South Korea? http://rmf.vc/LikeKorea We need to be careful about what we ask for and heed the lessons of Minitel which was the future in 1980 but lacked the dynamic of the Internet. Sat, 01 Aug 2015 17:27:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150801-0425 For .sucks Web domains, the currency seems to be paid in reputations| BetaBoston notsp [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDotSucks What sucks is the idea that you can't owner your very identity nor reputation! Thu, 23 Jul 2015 18:54:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150723-0281 When Algorithms Discriminate http://rmf.vc/NYTAlgorithms We tend have faith in algorithms as if they represent a divined truth. Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:31:03 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150713-0260 A Software-(re)Defined World. http://rmf.vc/ICCE2015TW My Keynote from the ICCE conference in Taiwan June 2015 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:35:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150708-0564 For Start-Ups, How Many Angels Is Too Many? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAngels Is angel investing become too much like a lottery? Tue, 07 Jul 2015 19:01:46 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150723-0657 Re: Where is Google taking us? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGoogleTakingUs Google is doing interesting projects but let's remember that they have a neat trick and not a crystal ball. Mon, 06 Jul 2015 09:46:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150705-0817 Chicago’s cloud tax [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCloudTax The idea of an "Internet Tax" misses the point that the Internet is just the latest face of ecommerce going back to Sears selling from a catalog over the phone. Thu, 02 Jul 2015 09:55:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150705-0417 #APIFirst: How Things Speak to Each other http://rmf.vc/IEEEAPIFirst If we are to understand the world of connected devices we need to look behind the surface of the web to the APIs (Application Program Interfaces) that are the building blocks for the services we use and the ways devices “listen”. The hashtag #APIFirst emphasizes the importance of this foundation. Wed, 01 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150721-0319 Why ICANN's Whois Accuracy Program is a disaster | Security contentfrom Dev Pro [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWhoIsAccuracy Yet another reminder of how ICANN is more about classic telecom providing services rather than empowering us. Thu, 28 May 2015 17:07:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150705-0359 Re how to Beat a Polygraph Test - NYTimes.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPoly In our search for swift and sure justice we imbue hacks like polygraphs with magical powers far beyond those of mortal devices. Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150413-0413 Surprise! Cell calls that sound superb ... but why? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGlobeVoLTE Verizon is selling VoLTE with the promise that one day it will be as good as Skype but that claim misses the point of VoIP which gave us the ability to do a Skype. Thu, 09 Apr 2015 10:23:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150409-0938 Product that do their own reorders http://rmf.vc/OwnReorders Products that do their own reorders may create ecosystems that may give a strong advantage to incumbents. Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:16:03 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150401-0405 Deconstructing Television: Delivery, Content, and Policy http://rmf.vc/IEEEDeconstructingTV The business “Television” as we know it is very much tied to the accidental properties of 1930’s vintage technology. We need to rethink very part of the technology and the industry. Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150424-0277 re Caught on camera: ICANN CEO slams team probing who will hold internet's keys of power [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20150326075909:800E472A-D3AF-11E4-9490-A8D13DFD6788 More DNS gaming of names for profit Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:48:21 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150409-0739 In science, irreproducible research is a quiet crisis [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20150322124530:D78AF962-D0B2-11E4-B573-A35A988BA492 IPIrreperoducible Sun, 22 Mar 2015 12:29:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150409-0070 Quora Question: What Is It Like to Have Been Programming for the Past Fifty Years? [external] http://rmf.vc/Quora50 My response to the Quora question about what it's been like to have been programming for half a century. You can also see the answer on <a href="http://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-to-have-been-programming-for-the-past-fifty-years/answer/Bob-Frankston-1">Quora</a>. Sat, 21 Mar 2015 22:03:17 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150321-0524 Cancer genetic tests offered on websites often not all they promiseto be, Dana-Farber study finds - Metro - The Boston Globe [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBigPonies While there is value in big data many of the expectations are driven by marketing rather than real science. Sat, 21 Mar 2015 09:26:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150321-0784 DL- GOOGLE Makes Us GODS (via Iona Miller) like Icarus [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIcarus The idea that we can gain by connecting our brains to the Internet. But our brains have never been isolated. They have always been connected to the rest of society and the intelligence outside the brain and inherent in its architecture have always been our source of smarts. We need to be careful lest this hubris lead us think this time we have the one true answer. Fri, 20 Mar 2015 18:02:40 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150320-0070 Kill Chain: The Rise of the High-Tech Assassins [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPKillChain Another example of hubris in assuming that we can automate warfare ... and the rest of society. Mon, 16 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150320-0105 "The Computer Utility and the Community" - Prescient 1967 paper byBob Fano at MIT [external] http://rmf.vc/Fano1967 A prescient paper by Bob Fano from 1967 on the information utility. Mon, 16 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150320-0883 Further Reading http://rmf.vc/FurtherReading Any one essay can only skim the surface. For further reading ... Wed, 18 Feb 2015 12:21:47 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150218-0169 Internet-Native Policies [circleid] http://rmf.vc/InternetNativePolicies Amid all the recent discussion about "Network Neutrality" a concern is that we may be losing the soul of the Internet – the ability to create our own solutions. Our "flow" metaphors fail us when dealing with the tolerant and bursty nature of the Internet. The Internet is not a utility, nor is it a consumable we can meter like electricity or water.<br/><br/> Now that the Internet has begun to "grow up" we need to move beyond policies appropriate for a nascent Internet seeking passage through a telecommunications network and start to adopt Internet Native Policies to facilitate connectivity Tue, 17 Feb 2015 23:22:40 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150218-0335 Connectivity Site [external] http://rmf.vc/ConnectivitySite I will be setting up a site for sharing approaches to sharing connectivity with our neighbors and communities at <a href="http://Connectivity.xyz">Connectivity.xyz</a> Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:01:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150218-0291 Verizon nears "the end" of FiOS builds | Ars Technica [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20150127145516:6856702C-A65E-11E4-A2DD-8CCF8FC02227 Verizon looks to wireless for profits but that may not last long Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:36:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150320-0783 Putting it all Together? http://rmf.vc/IEEEPuttingTogether The idea of an automated home is premised on the idea that we can just put together any number of programs and they would auto-magically compromise a coherent whole. After a half a century of programming I know we still have a lot to learn. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141225-0587 Silicon Valley's Mirror Effect - The New Meritocracy [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMeritocracy The rise of the meritocracy risks policies based on the hindsight bias. Sat, 27 Dec 2014 09:21:39 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141227-0987 What infrastructure is needed for positively disruptive technology http://rmf.vc/ISOCNY2014 The talk I gave to ISOCNY November 11 2014 aimed at helping policymakers revisit their "givens". Sun, 30 Nov 2014 13:39:27 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141129-0140 Trying to talk about the future using the vocabulary of the past [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPOldWords It is very difficult to talk about connectivity policy when the very vocabulary implicitly assumes the 19<sup>th</sup> framing of telecommunications. Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:33:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141122-0478 House Republicans just passed a bill forbidding scientists fromadvising the EPA on their own research [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNoScience1 If you don't like reality pretend it doesn't exist. Fri, 21 Nov 2014 14:36:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141122-0178 Re NYC to blanket the city in free public Wi-Fi with 10,000 stations [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNYCBooths Another chance to play "Web or Internet". Mon, 17 Nov 2014 21:09:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141117-0474 Re: The Creepy New Wave of the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCreep There is a tendency to project our world views on the Internet. To some it is a way to centralize power and control. But the origins of the Internet are just the opposite -- something that emerged from our ability to use computing to create our own solutions. Mon, 17 Nov 2014 14:04:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141117-0459 Community Broadband Podcast [external] http://rmf.vc/CBCast2 <a href="http://rmf.vc/CBCast2"><img style="float:left" src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/logo-community-bb-bits_0.png?1406236984" width="48" height="48"></img></a>“In this episode, we talk a lot about how to think about what he terms "connectivity" rather than telecommunications. Telecommunications are a train track - the network owner determines when to move the trains and at what capacity. Our goal for networks is more akin to the roads, where we have more capacity to move around and pick our own routes on our own schedule” Mon, 03 Nov 2014 18:09:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141103-0491 Beyond Neutrality - Enabling a World of Connected Things [external] http://rmf.vc/BeyondNeutrality The Internet is about much more than accessing web sites. Today we have "Things" that are using the Internet to connect with each other and things need more than "access" -- they need unfettered (borderless) connectivity. Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:28:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141024-0214 Connected Things http://rmf.vc/IEEEConnectedThings The power of the Internet comes from our ability to build connected applications. We use the term “Internet of Things” to extend this concept beyond computation to include the objects in the physical world. Wed, 01 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20141016-0999 There are far more fundamental changes coming to discoverability [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20140928141215:F802436E-473A-11E4-8AE5-F01B3F2C3D74 As the Internet evolves it will be difficult to track what is happening as a byproduct of decentralization. Sun, 28 Sep 2014 13:02:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140928-0573 Re AT&T and Verizon defend data caps on home Internet service [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCapsAgain Again with the caps that don't apply to the carriers' own content. Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:39:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140928-0858 Science’s Sexual Assault Problem [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/dlScienceAssault This story of scientists faced with harassment (and worse) makes me think of my mother's experience in trying to get her PhD in geology in the 1930's. Sun, 21 Sep 2014 12:06:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140921-0551 Verizon's mañana policy - I now have a zero gigabit connection [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPManana Connectivity is not a luxury so we do we have public policies that leave us disconnected for days? Sat, 13 Sep 2014 14:53:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140921-0601 Re Powers that be Buy Influence at Think Tanks [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20140909025855:BFCE6244-37EE-11E4-AA35-E605A37B2E88 We should worry when research is considered a product rather than an effort to broaden our understanding. Mon, 08 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140921-0526 Two Cities With Blazing Internet Speed Search for a Killer App [external] http://rmf.vc/NYTSpeed Another reminder why speed is the wrong focus for connectivity policy. Sat, 06 Sep 2014 15:07:06 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140906-0656 QoS -- the Intelligent network redux [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPQoSRedux The idea that you can make promises in the network (QoS) is a retreat from the Internet and innovation outside the network. Sat, 30 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140830-0132 Time Warner Cable Internet Outage Affects Millions [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTWCOutage If you repurpose an entertainment system expect it to be treated as a noncritical distribution system Thu, 28 Aug 2014 16:17:07 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140830-0094 Massachusetts licenses rejected in parts of Washington, D.C. - Nation - The Boston Globe [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20140826125205:4C1C70DC-2D41-11E4-80C1-FD55A81B59F4 The battle over identity continues Tue, 26 Aug 2014 10:21:46 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140830-0546 Hands On with the HTC One M8 for Windows: The first OS-agnostic phone | Ars Technica [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHTCOneTwoOSes Now that we have a phone that can run more than one operating system the user should be able to choose which to boot. Fri, 22 Aug 2014 10:39:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140822-0758 re Humans Need Not Apply, and Robot Swarms [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAboutJobs Jobs are an increasingly anachronistic method of wealth (re)distribution. Mon, 18 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140819-0813 "Fast Lanes" Saved the Internet - not [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFastLanes We need to be aware of proof by example. We connect despite teleom rather than because of it. Mon, 04 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140828-0312 Connectivity Policy http://rmf.vc/ConnectivityPolicy201407 The internet is a different way of using the same facilities (wires, radios etc.) used for telecommunications. The big difference is that the Internet approach is not limited to provider-defined for-profit offerings. The differences go far deeper. I use the term "borderless connectivity" for the new concept. The approach is being adopted from the edge -- driven by market forces. Telecommunications becomes just another resource as one way to extend connectivity as we shift from being dependent upon service providers to creating our own solutions. Today's Internet gives a hint of what we can do with the new opportunities. Thu, 17 Jul 2014 10:38:04 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140717-0146 Connectivity problem [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPipeLegacy We are still dealing with the legacy of circuits using protocols and approaches which presume a common pipe for all packets and purposes. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 18:03:33 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140711-0271 re Is the End to End Principle of any use going forward? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPE2EDenialism I'm amazed at Internet-denialism. The end-to-end is about innovation outside of a network and opportunity. The old telecom metrics don't apply. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 14:13:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140711-0540 (Not) Getting the Message Across http://rmf.vc/ieeeNotTheMessage If we are to get the benefits of the Internet's connectivity we need transparent paths without intermediaries either to press "agree" or having protocols like Bluetooth which insist on "understanding" the messages before passing them on. Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140630-0705 The Troubling Truth of Why It’s Still So Hard to Share Files Directly [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLTroubling Today's Internet as too many twisting winding passages rather than simple connectivity Mon, 30 Jun 2014 10:32:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140630-0245 'Wi-Fi First' - What still needs to happen -- [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWiFiFirst2 Questions about "Agree" screens and their ilk. Sun, 29 Jun 2014 12:08:39 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140711-0337 'Wi-Fi First' - What still needs to happen -- [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWiFiFirst As calling over Wi-Fi becomes more common we need to think about Wi-Fi as a primary transport rather than an offload for cellular. Instead cellular is simply a backup transport. Sat, 28 Jun 2014 21:46:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140628-0935 Over-provisioning bandwidth doesn't solve QoE problems [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPQoENot We need to wary about using backward looking Telco-based metrics when trying to understand the Internet's connectivity. Mon, 23 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140710-0984 RE: [IP] Over-provisioning bandwidth doesn't solve QoE problems [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPQoEOverProvisioning Let's be careful about using old telecom measures when we try to understand the Internet Sat, 21 Jun 2014 20:07:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140628-0606 Blast from the past? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBlastPast1979 Same group of us arguing the same issues for 35 years. Sigh. Mon, 19 May 2014 16:24:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140628-0116 Re Comcast plans data caps for all customers in 5 years, could be 500GB [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCapless Broadband Competition is a filed approach. We need to have competition for providing common facilities rather than vying for favors from gatekeepers Wed, 14 May 2014 22:47:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140514-0270 Re White House opposes Aereo streaming TV service in Supreme Court battle [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDVRAereo Sure Aereo is a workaround copyrights but such workarounds are nothing new. Sun, 27 Apr 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140428-0230 Heart bleed Highlights a Contradiction in the Web - NYTimes.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBleedingheart There's a lot of magical thinking iin expecting systems to work simply becuase they are supposed to. Sat, 19 Apr 2014 15:37:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140419-0709 Comcast: A simple remedy? [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLComcastSimple We need to take a creative approach to new infrastructure Wed, 16 Apr 2014 20:52:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140416-0113 The Language of Smart Cities [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTooSmartCities Another reminder of how much "smart cities" miss the lessons Jane Jacobs tried to teach us. Sun, 13 Apr 2014 05:15:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140412-0207 Re; Comcast: A simple remedy? [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLComcastSimple2 We need to take a creative approach to new infrastructure elaborated Mon, 07 Apr 2014 00:21:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140407-0773 HTML5 http://rmf.vc/IEEEHTML5 HTML5 is becoming the very portable virtual machine that makes it easy to create and share rich interactive applications. Tue, 01 Apr 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140330-0637 Yet more on Big Data...and IoT [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFTBigData Big Data and IoT are exciting ideas but has the hype outstripped reality ... again? Sun, 30 Mar 2014 15:16:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140330-0087 Comsos - Science and motivation [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPScienceAtWar We should applaud efforts to broaden interest in science. The reason science funding is often driven by the military is not because we like war but because we fail to appreciate the value inquiry. Sat, 08 Mar 2014 12:51:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140308-0016 Thinking Outside the Internet [circleid] http://rmf.vc/CIThinkingOutside In order to understand the importance of connectivity we have to think outside the paradigm of pipes or channels that characterized classic period of networking dating back to Shannon. The Internet itself is about borderless connectivity with the value and meaning outside the channels. This has strong implications for how we provide (and fund) the opportunity we associate with "The Internet" Fri, 07 Mar 2014 21:47:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140307-0707 The Internet Of Things: The Real Money Is The Internet, Not The Things [external] http://rmf.vc/DLIoTRealMoney Today's focus is on 3rd capturing value. We need to recapture the innovative spirit of the Internet by creating enabling technologies at the edge. Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:45:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140303-0840 Re The myth of the fall [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFall Open source isn't entirely new. Sharing software has a long history. Mon, 03 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140303-0961 The problem with Netflix/Comcast is SS7 all over again [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNetflixSS7 Having Netflix pay for getting guarantees for their performance brings us back to the days of SS7 when one had to make sure that each service was built into the network. It is a very worrisome precedent. Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:20:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140224-0842 The Building Blocks of IoT: Borderless Connectivity and Generic Computing Devices http://rmf.vc/IoTFestival2014 This is the talk I gave at the Internet of Things Festival in Cambridge February 22nd, 2014 Sat, 22 Feb 2014 12:08:13 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140901-0971 Re Streaming Video Isn't Playing Nice with the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPVZNetFlix Another example of what happens when we have an inherent conflict of interest. Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140220-0937 MAC addresses and Tracking [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMACTrack We need to remember that many of the constraints we try to work around are simply engineering and policy decisions. We could revisit them rather than trying to work around the problems. The MAC addresses and the channels we use to communicate are just constructs. Thu, 13 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140213-0061 House to passengers: Shut up! [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DWFlyingCells Why is congress legislating the etiquette of airline passengers? WTF? Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:50:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140213-0671 Heat System Called Door to Target for Hackers [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLTarget Yet another reminder of the dangers of perimeter security Thu, 06 Feb 2014 16:46:39 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140206-0551 re Kevin Kelly Talks About China's Failure to Invent Science! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIdeasEvolve Ideas are valuable when we have a discontinuity. Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:10:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140206-0429 Bitcloud developers plan to decentralise internet [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DWBandwidth Bandwidth is a construct -- not a thing! Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:34:52 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140127-0765 Re Why I'm Glad Net Neutrality Is Dead (for the dead tell no tales) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNNDead Neutrality about the old framing ... Sat, 25 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140206-0232 The Understanding Stops At The FCC [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20140124150015:25999F78-8532-11E3-BF53-D9DB6642A5A5 Another reminder that the Internet is a paradigm beyond the scope of the FCC Fri, 24 Jan 2014 15:00:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140124-0082 Routing (Packets) vs. Gatewaying (Messages http://rmf.vc/BitsVsMessages Our smart phones are wonderful devices with many functions built-in. This is in contrast with the simplicity of the Internet in which we simply route packets of bits rather than having to wait for third parties for each message. I contrast the simple routing of packets with the complexities of gatewaying messages with service providers attempting to “add value” to our relationships. Thu, 23 Jan 2014 00:34:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140123-0992 Evolution and the Internet [circleid] http://rmf.vc/EvolveNet Understanding how systems evolve is as much about the Internet as biology. We need to understand that the Internet wasn't designed as much as evolved as we discovered how to communicate without depending on a third party in the middle of the conversation. Mon, 06 Jan 2014 19:12:23 GMT http://rmf.vc/20140106-0073 Life (yet to be) Scripted http://rmf.vc/IEEENotScripted The goal of "home automation" seems to write rules to control our homes (and our lives) as if we were setting rules for a very smart butler. But the real world is more complicated and computers aren't omniscient butlers who can read our minds and anticipate every eventuality. Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131223-0741 The Framing of "IP Transition" Fails to Come to Terms With Real Impact of the Internet [external] http://rmf.vc/CITransition The framing of an "IP Transition' is an attempt to fit the Internet into existing telecom policy. We need a fresh start - a Department of Connectivity -- that can take a zero-based approach to connectivity policy. Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:38:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131127-0602 A Permanent Slump? [external] http://rmf.vc/DLSump When looking at the changes in today's job climate we need to understand how various factors interact rather than just treating each element in isolation. Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:39:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131123-0917 re My blog today on "Permissionless Innovation" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20131114153147:C4C1CDC2-4D6B-11E3-889C-FA2E46B5A643 Verizon wants freedom from regulation. But, in return, they would have to cede control of our common facilities. Thu, 14 Nov 2013 15:31:47 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131127-0050 re How anti-NSA backlash could fracture the Internet along national borders [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNSAFracture Trying to control the meaning of bits is just more collateral damage from the NSA debacle. Sat, 02 Nov 2013 18:25:39 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131103-0870 Trouble at the lab ... and beyond [external] http://rmf.vc/DLScience "Science" has been a very successful methodology but we must be careful when we use the word for the business of science. Tue, 22 Oct 2013 19:06:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131022-0463 Smart meter deployments to double market revenue of wireless modules [external] http://rmf.vc/DPMeters The use of a separate network for reading meters appears to be more about revenue than security or other concerns. Thu, 17 Oct 2013 00:22:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131017-0722 Re Let's Build a More Secure Internet [external] http://rmf.vc/DLSecureInternet A "secure internet" is like "secure copper". Security is a social/usage issue, not a property of the raw materials. Thu, 10 Oct 2013 09:40:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131010-0371 The End of History? [external] http://rmf.vc/DLParty Economists want to believe they can and need to predict the future. This can lead to policies that limit opportunity. Tue, 08 Oct 2013 19:52:17 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131008-0600 Good Koch/Bad Koch and the United States of Koch [external] http://rmf.vc/DLKoch How does one reconcile the philanthropy from the Koch brothers with their opposition to the idea of public good? Sun, 06 Oct 2013 18:46:18 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131006-0747 Memes that define us [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMemes Today's political debates and policies are defined by our use of words that we use in lieu of having to understand what they mean. Thu, 03 Oct 2013 10:54:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131003-0520 Deconstructing “the Smartphone” http://rmf.vc/IEEESmart As exciting as mobile may be, the parts are far more than the whole. This excitement is understandable. The devices have evolved to the point where computing is personal and available. “Mobile” is what I call marketecture – putting together disparate concepts into a neat package that defines a market. Tue, 01 Oct 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20131022-0688 Why do we still have "phone companies" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBillions With VoIP telephony is no longer a network service. So why do we still have phone companies? Tue, 03 Sep 2013 10:22:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130903-0330 Cox opens the gates to the country's largest Wi-Fi hotspot network [external] http://rmf.vc/DNCableWiFi The Cable industry is attempting to compete with cellular using engineering principles that no longer work. Wed, 28 Aug 2013 10:00:47 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130910-0739 Homeopathic Policy [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHPolicy Just because we can "run the numbers" doesn't mean that the results are meaningful. Information theory uses the word information but excludes understanding. Just because 2+2=4 doesn't mean a Tutu has four legs. Thu, 22 Aug 2013 12:08:04 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130822-0511 RE: [IP] re Google Fiber Continues Awful ISP Tradition of Banning "Servers" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGoogleServers More reminders of how the disconnect between the world of broadband from carriers vs. the Internet's connectivity. Wed, 14 Aug 2013 10:16:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130814-0139 The reason for gigapipes [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGoogleBucks Perhaps the reason that Google feels a need for speed is that quick bursts drive ad revenue. Thu, 01 Aug 2013 01:14:26 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130801-0145 Re : "The Future of Programming" talk by Bret Victor [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPdbx The 50's, 60's and 70's were very a innovative in software (and hardware) as we filled a new continent that had been opened up. Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130730-0960 Re OSI: The Internet That Wasn't [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPOSIWasnt History, like a fine wine, takes time to mature. The Internet represents a break from the past. We need to be wary about framing it in terms of networks and layering. Tue, 30 Jul 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130730-0576 The Fate Of The Internet Is The Story [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGuardianPipes Decentralized connectivity gives us an alternative to the pipes that make it all-to-easy for those want to do us good to butt in. Sun, 28 Jul 2013 11:56:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130728-0042 The Internet: Missing the Light [circleid] http://rmf.vc/CILight We tend to think of the Internet in terms of high profile applications like the web. The future lies in those applications that aren't yet valuable enough to get so much attention. Yet today's Internet fails us for the simplest things such as connecting a light switch to a light bulb. There is no mechanism for stable relationships and the telecommunications business model works at cross-purposes with "just works" ambient connectivity. Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:16:18 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130726-0009 re NYTimes: Detroit Goes Bankrupt, the Largest City to Do So in U.S. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDetroitKaput A nation of parts and no larger community. Fri, 19 Jul 2013 11:07:26 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130719-0466 re Kosher war over proposed .kosher gTLD [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDNSKosher Oy, the DNS rent-seekers are at it again as if nothing's been learned since the Domesday book. Fri, 19 Jul 2013 11:00:44 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130719-0543 re TSA searches valet parked cars at airport [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTSAParking Another reminder of "security" as theater performances at airport. Fri, 19 Jul 2013 01:31:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130719-0667 When a hypothesis is neither true nor false http://rmf.vc/DWTrueFalse Wed, 17 Jul 2013 10:25:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130717-0142 Switching away from the horse-based transportation system ..... [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHorses There is a lot of talk about an IP-based PSTN but the Internet is an entirely different concept from the PSTN. Fri, 05 Jul 2013 20:17:13 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130705-0148 I now need to provide my SSN to print postage stamps! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPostalSSN Another reminder of how much tracking there is. (also <a href="http://rmf.vc/IPPostalSSN2">a follow up</a> Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:00:18 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130705-0619 The Internet of Things versus the Access Framing http://rmf.vc/IEEEIotVsAccess The Internet is a technique for using any available facilities to exchange bits and implement relationships between end points using whatever facilities are available. There is no border. When we talking about "accessing" the Internet we isolate ourselves from the abundance by treating the Internet as something apart. Mon, 01 Jul 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130714-0371 The Internet Is Designed for Surveillance [external] http://rmf.vc/CISurveillance The hierarchical implementation of the current Internet is an initiation for snooping. It misses the big idea of the Internet -- the escape from hierarchy. Wed, 26 Jun 2013 13:18:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130626-0144 A counter-example to - "if you've done nothing wrong" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNoWrong Society depends on tolerating "wrong" behavior. Fri, 21 Jun 2013 23:24:06 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130622-0036 Why Big Data Is Not Truth - NYTimes.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBigData Big data can is useful but it can also be profiling and prejudice. Be wary of applying findings to individuals. Sat, 01 Jun 2013 15:26:57 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130601-0543 Re: Risks of spreadsheets [external] http://rmf.vc/RisksSpreadSheets Evaluating spreadsheets from the perspective of traditional programming misses the point of their use for exploring ideas. Fri, 31 May 2013 18:54:34 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130531-0079 Re: The Internet is no place for Critical Infrastructure [external] http://rmf.vc/RisksCritical The Internet isn't a place but a way of using available infrastructure that is appropriate for "critical infrastructure" Fri, 31 May 2013 18:53:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130531-0475 The Risks of Public Wi-Fi [sic] [external] http://rmf.vc/RisksPublicWiFi Public Wi-Fi access is typically about the web and breaks apps. Fri, 31 May 2013 18:52:09 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130531-0573 Another reminder that Google is a Telco [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGooglePipesOIA Google "broadband" is still billable pipes. Thu, 30 May 2013 17:15:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130601-0846 The limits of surveillance [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSurveillance Cameras can invade our privacy while those we are afraid of can still hide in plane site. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130601-0318 Re DOJ Spectrum Plan Is Not Supported by Economic Theory or FCC Findings [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSpectrumPLan Economists continue to play fantasy policy by treating a construct, spectrum, as a real resource. Thus they do has harm in pursuit of theory. Sun, 19 May 2013 11:13:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130519-0999 Teacher Suspended for Showing Garden Tools in School [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGardenTools Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130519-0552 The Shame of Boston's Wireless Woes [external] http://rmf.vc/RisksWireless RISKS: Congestion problems in an emergency are typically a result of telecom policy Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:23:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130423-0179 Re The risks of/when not releasing your code & data: Shocking Paper Claims That Microsoft Excel Coding Error Is Behind The Reinhart-Rogoff Study On Debt [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPExcelDebt A reminder to beware of advocates proving their point Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130421-0954 This 1998 Paul Krugman Column Perfectly Explains The Design Flaw At The Heart Of Bitcoin [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBitcoins Bitcoins have an avid following but is it magical thinking? Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:28:34 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130421-0741 (Not) In Control of your Home http://rmf.vc/IEEENotInControl Everyone wants to sell us tools to automate and control our homes but that won't happen till we have common protocols and open connectivity. (My April 2013 IEEE/CE Column) Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130624-0184 Multiple Subsea System Failures [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSubsea Another remind of the risks of making our ability to communicate profit center Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:45:47 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130327-0652 ICANN Trademark Clearinghouse launches today [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPICANNTrademark ICANN is attempting to extend it's problematic DNS into the realm of trademark. Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:21:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130326-0029 Re PR watch: Community-Owned Internet, Long Targeted by ALEC and Big Telecom, Under Fire in Georgia [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPOwnerExcluder What does it mean to own a community network -- is the owner an excluder? Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:55:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130320-0078 Re "Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the InterWeb"-- [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPInventInterweb To many people the Internet and the web are synonymous. We have to understand that if we are to explain the technology. Sat, 09 Mar 2013 07:30:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130320-0322 Re: Criticism Of Copyright Alert System Mounts [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NN6x Having your the provider of the only means by which you excercise your right to free speech snooping in case you are annoying the RIAA is a direct afront to the US First Amendment. Yet the sheep are silent. Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:11:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130304-0359 Re: Automakers Oppose FCC's Proposal to Free Up Wireless Spectrum for Wi-Fi [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFCCAuto Fights over "Frequencies" are framed in terms of everyone having their own private Internet. And that's indeed the way the FCC sees it. Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:04:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130223-0054 When Will the Internet Reach Its Limit (and How Do We Stop That from Happening)? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPOutOfInternet More fears of "running out of Internet". WTF does that even mean? Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:00:25 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130320-0351 When Will the Internet Reach Its Limit (and How Do We Stop That from Happening)?: Scientific American [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBellLabsInternetFull Bell Lab head confuses Claude Shannon's measure with information that humans care about. Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:00:25 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130213-0949 re A telecom service provider using the Internet is just dandy with NATs [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWISPNotInternet Don't confusing providers using the Internet to provide services with providing connectivity for your own innovations. Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:21:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130127-0135 Montana family accused of swindling $70M via customer phone bills | World | News | National Post [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCram Do you really want the a phone company "buying" stuff for you you don't want? Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:08:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130127-0229 Re not, Re: [IP] LOOKS LEGIT. Online Banking Interruption [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPVouchAmex The hueristics that worked for pMail doesn't work as well in vouching for eMail Sun, 06 Jan 2013 08:57:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130106-0448 Refactoring Consumer Electronics http://rmf.vc/IEEERefactoringCE Article in the January 2013 issue of the IEEE Consumer Electronics magazine. The concepts behind the Internet -- the best efforts exchange of raw bits -- represents a basic shift from a framing of electrons and pipes to one in which we can focus on relationships and applications. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130116-0793 USB Rubber Ducky Online Payload Generator [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20121219091226:00ABDECA-49E6-11E2-B3DC-A6829906E74A A worrisome attack vector via low level device interfaces. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:32:34 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130106-0566 Re Seattle is the latest city to go around ISPs to get a gigabit network [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGigNot One day a Gigabit may matter but today such connections are simply PR fodder deverting our attention from demanding availability. Sat, 15 Dec 2012 14:43:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130106-0191 re ITU gone wild -- an invited (by me) note from Tony Rutkowski (comments welcomed :-) ) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPITUvsIETF Fri, 23 Nov 2012 18:07:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20121124-0792 Re ITU gone wild [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPITUGW We need to remember that the problem with the ITU is not the details of their proposals but in the fact that telecommunications is a very different paradigm from the Internet. Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:02:09 GMT http://rmf.vc/20121122-0134 ALEC-ATT-Verizon-FCC vs. what we want vs. what we need [Silicon Investor] http://rmf.vc/siChoices A post about choices in connectivity based on a Kushnick proposal Sun, 18 Nov 2012 16:07:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20121118-0390 Internet Connectivity: Toward a Sustainable Funding Model http://rmf.vc/SustainableConnectivity I wrote this for an <a href="http://isoc.org" target="_blank">Internet Society</a> discussion on policy issues. <a href="http://itu.int" target="_blank">ITU</a> gives us a Hobson's choice for sender or payer pays. There is another option -- paying for a common infrastructure. This avoids the problems with traditional telecom funding modes. (Also available on <a href="http://rmf.vc/CISustainable">CircleID</a>) Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:28:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20121105-0985 The Risks of Telecom [gplus] http://rmf.vc/RisksTelecomRR The recent New Yorker story about an accident on the Chinese railroad mentioned a passenger upload a picture to the web while the train's engineer couldn't communciate because he had to use a traditional communications system. Sun, 21 Oct 2012 22:55:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20121021-0322 Fwd: [IP] Who Made That Escape Key? - NYTimes.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEscape A light hearted piece on the ESCape key in the NYT Magazine. Sun, 07 Oct 2012 14:46:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20121007-0806 Podcast with Chris Mitchell of Muninet [external] http://rmf.vc/PodChris We talk about how to make connectivity more available to communities. Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:35:54 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120927-0122 Re: The disappearing web: Information decay is eating away our history [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNDisappearing Too bad the DNS assures the Internet will unravel. Sun, 23 Sep 2012 16:18:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120923-0865 Re Who Benefits From iOS6's Crappy Maps and other business models [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMapBiz If we are to understand why Apple wants to own their maps and why telecommunications companies are what they are we need to look at how the various markets work. Sat, 22 Sep 2012 11:46:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120922-0004 T-Mobile Closed my Local Store [gplus] http://rmf.vc/gpTMobileClosed My local T-Mobile store had knowledge staff -- that's why I know and use T-Mobile. Now they are devolving into simply a second tier carrier. Their ads don't do much to tell me what is different (actually selling phones instead of just leasing). Sun, 16 Sep 2012 22:23:02 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120916-0772 The Signal has Left the Network http://rmf.vc/SignalHasLeft The power of the Internet comes from radical simplicity as I explain this talk I gave to the IEEE Communications Society. Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:18:46 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120907-0584 Owning blue? [external] http://rmf.vc/SIColors Frank posted some of my comments about the business of owning colors. Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:15:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120814-0072 GlobeCom 2012 Webinar http://rmf.vc/IEEEWebinar2012 Webinar to preview my GlobeCom 2012 presentations. Sun, 12 Aug 2012 21:40:52 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120812-0465 Grand Debate:The Internet vs. Telecom [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20120808175633:D9FB1D7C-E1A3-11E1-9D89-93DE91C954BC Announcement for the preview for the GlobeCom event. Wed, 08 Aug 2012 18:41:21 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120922-0269 The PSTN vs. the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPSTNvsInternet The PSTN and Internet are different ways to use the same resources. We should look the post-PSTN era as an opportunity rather than a threat. Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:21:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120806-0179 AT&T to Discontinue GSM and EDGE 2G Networks by 2017 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPATT2Gnot How do we build persistent devices when we are dependent upon the whim of a path provider? Sun, 05 Aug 2012 14:47:42 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120805-0207 Wi-Fi and Smartphones Make Homes a Little Smarter - NYTimes.com V2 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHomeFi We're starting to see devices that take advantage of connectivity with the whom. It's a reminder that the Internet isn't just about the web and a reminder of how much further we have to go. Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:56:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120802-0961 More ‘wireless’ Internet” begs the question. http://rmf.vc/PCASTLess If we are to best support the needs of society and the economy we need to first ask the right questions. Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:32:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120727-0519 re Who Really Invented the Internet? -WSJ [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWSJInvent The problem with this attempt to make up a political myth is not just that it gets it wrong but it confuses an idea with an implementation. Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:06:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120723-0022 Re Making the Most of the Wireless Spectrum [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPCAST The governments PCAST's embrace of "spectrum sharing" misses the point of the Internet. Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120721-0760 The light bulb as an end point. http://rmf.vc/InsteonBulb You can buy LED bulbs that be act as network end points in themselves rather than depending on the light fixture. Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:11:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120622-0640 re Leaked proposal reveals UN/ITU plans for Internet taxes - again [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPITULeak The question shouldn't be how to govern the Internet, it should be what does it mean to govern our very ability to communicate. Sun, 10 Jun 2012 10:34:09 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120721-0529 Verizon's 300Mbps FiOS vs LTE [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFiOS300 What if Verizon add a Wi-Fi/LTE access point at each FiOS drop -- we'd have essentially unlimited capacity without "consuming" spectrum. It's such a powerful solution we have to wonder why they prefer scarcity. Sun, 03 Jun 2012 14:16:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120603-0388 Ford, State Farm team up to offer auto insurance using in-car telematics | TelecomEngine.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPStateFarm State Farm as big brother? Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:08:08 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120601-0452 New Comcast service turns TV into data center - silos and priorities [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ComcastDataCenter As each service provider redoubles its effort to lock users into their world we get the kind of lock-ins we associate with monopolies. Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120522-0286 Re: Calculating Data Network's Total Capacity Notoriously Difficult, but Theorists Making Some Headway [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg06777 Measuring capacity in channels misses the point of the Internet in decoupling meaning from bits. Mon, 21 May 2012 10:21:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120923-0914 Halting the future?, Re: [IP] Video: "Challenge of Change" (1961) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP1961Ad Little has changed since this 1961 ATT promotional video -- as ATT continues try to take credit for value created outside of their network. Mon, 14 May 2012 16:28:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120514-0340 Re Speech by ITU Secretary-General - Canadian Wireless Telecommunication Association Wireless Antenna Sitting Forum : Closing Keynote Speech [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPITUCapital It isn't rational to invest in today's telecom industry. It is rational to invest in infrastructure. Today's problems with attracting capital are simply symptoms that we should heed rather than redoubling our effort to live in the past. Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120506-0670 Fwd: RE: OpenRadio changes what it means to be an ISP [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPOpenFlowRadio OpenFlow and OpenRadio seem like throwbacks to the days of circuits. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:20:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120420-0290 Seizing the wrist and re-understanding the Internet http://rmf.vc/IPWrist Wrist-based programmable devices (AKA watches) and other devices give us a reason to rethink the design point of the Internet. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:55:02 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120413-0358 New watch. WIMM ONE [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDaveWIMM Dave Farber tries the WIMM watch. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:56:40 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120413-0636 Re Comcast Exempts Itself From Its Data Cap -- going over IP makes policies such policies more visible [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPComcastXBox In substituting an XBox for a set top box Comcast is moving their core functions outside their network. Same for Verizon/FiOS and others. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:02:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120328-0297 DIY to Connectivity -- The Slides [external] http://rmf.vc/DIYToConnectivitySlides The Slides Corresponding to the ISOC DC talk Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:38:27 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120314-0815 DIY To Connectivity --the Video [YouTube] http://rmf.vc/DIYToInternetVideo My presentation at the ISOC DC March 1st 2012 meeting on Connecting Everyone. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:33:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120314-0224 From DIY to the Internet http://rmf.vc/DIYToInternet The Internet has become a phenomenon because if empowers us. To understand how to get "more Internet" we must recognize that we got the Internet by doing things ourselves (DIY) and if we want more connectivity we need to start locally rather than petitioning the telecommunications providers. The Internet is not a layer on top of telecommunications but an entirely different concept. Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:55:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120311-0657 Re Verizon launches faster[sic]-than-wired wireless broadband for homes; starts at $60/mo V2 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPVZHomeFusion Again Verizon is attempting to recycle old products to new markets. Why should Verizon make more money than Netflix just for deigning to let a few bits reach customers? Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120308-0820 Plans for 'TV Everywhere' Bog Down in Tangled Pacts [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLTVNoWhere TV anywhere is caught in the web woven to keep content under control. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:29:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120306-0849 For the Internet, No More Innovation for the Fun of It [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNoInnovation A well-written piece by Nick Bolton on the dangers of managed innovation. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:54:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120308-0884 Mobile to go Wi-Fi within a year: Cisco — and we can’t do it now? [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLCiscoOffload "Mobile" has already gone "Wi-Fi". Are the carriers trying to lockdown Wi-Fi so they can sell it back to us? WTF! But then, what's now -- they have nothing to sell that we don't already have. Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:03:51 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120304-0894 $51 for 2 Minutes: German Pay Phones Anger Troops [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPhone51 The story about overcharging GI's in transit is framed as if nothing has changed in telecommunications other than a small change in the cost of phone calls. Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:29:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120302-0230 re Comcast and other providers rush to impose data caps [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPComcastVsOTT Comcast's caps go against the trend to move all content over IP Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:10:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120302-0591 Bell Labs Innovation in perspective [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLBellLabsPerspective We should applaud the transformation changes that came from work done at Bell Labs. When we do so we must make sure we take away the right lessons rather than expecting innovation magic. Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:22:03 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120226-0060 The Internet as DIY -- DC March 1st 2012 [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLInternetDIY The Internet's importance comes by providing opportunity for individuals and groups to create new value without being dependent upon service providers. Sun, 26 Feb 2012 09:55:27 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120226-0782 Re Canada is ordering all IP Interconnetion for Core Realtime Communications [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCAVOIP Trying to reconcile VoIP with traditional telecommunications may be a noble effort but we need to face up to the fundamtel difference in the concepts. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:04:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120210-0912 CES 2012: In Perspective http://rmf.vc/CES2012 Observations from the Consumer Electronics Show. While I do describe some of the products this is more a view of the ongoing changes in consumer electronics and more. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:19:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120207-0244 ICCE 2012: A Software Perspective http://rmf.vc/ICCE2012HS The founder of Broadcom gave an interesting talk on this history of the hardware used in networks. While the chips are important I'm a software guy as see them in the context of applications and larger market forces. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:04:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120207-0324 It’s about Capacity not Speed http://rmf.vc/Capacity Electrons all go at the same speed so we do we talk about speed when it's really about capacity? Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:22:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120130-0932 re BT plan puts 300Mbps in apartment blocks [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBT300 300Mbps per apartment sounds great until you think about it. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:01:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120130-0632 Jobs, Jobs and Cars ... and Speech [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPJobsSpeech "Creating" jobs requires creating a supportive environment. Part of this is the ability to communicate. The US First Amendment creates an atmosphere the encourages experimentation. We also need the ability to exchange bits and today's idea of making speech a profit center does great harm to our ability to do business. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:17:19 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120127-0620 Hotspot 2.0 and or X.400 Redux [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNHotSPot2 Another attempt by the incumbent carriers to try to hold back connectivity. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:18:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120115-0433 SOPA, DRM and Strange Bedfellows [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DNSOPADRM Politics makes for strange bedfellows because seeming agreements often mask radically different understandings beyond the agreement. This is why "friends of the Internet" can support bad ideas like SOPA and DRM. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:19:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120109-0990 Top 1% NYT Readers are Consuming 50% of the text! (was Top 1% of the Mobile users are consuming the world) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBadCell Once again we see the false meme that the Internet it something we can use up. In this case it's compounded by hijacking the 1% meme. More disturbing when the NY Times gives such false ideas credibility. Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:23:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120108-0142 Missing the point of the Internet [external] http://rmf.vc/RiskPoint We continue to force the Internet into the mold of telecom rather than recognizing it is something completely different. Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:40:42 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120102-0054 Risks of Focusing on risks [external] http://rmf.vc/RisksRisks Too many institutions are focused on avoiding risks. How do we adopt a balanced approach to risk? Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:38:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120102-0651 The Un-Internet and the war on general purpose computing [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNUnInternet It's hard to see past discontinuities and thus we tend to fear them. Thus we tend to deny ourselves the benefits despite examples like the Internet and general purpose computing. Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:14:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120102-0362 Re an Uproar on the Web Over $2 Fee by Verizon [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP2 It's easier to grasp small insults than asking why we have to pay to talk among ourselves Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120103-0822 Re: Verizon to charge $2 for each credit card payment without autopay [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNVZ2 Verizon's customers are already captive which makes nuisance charges predatory. Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:37:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111229-0996 Why Gigabit DSL matters [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNGigaBitDLS Gigabit DSL is one more reminder that it's about how we use our physical infrastructure and not copper vs. fiber vs. wireless. Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:31:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111218-0220 The benefits of bad architecture [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNBadArchitecture Good architecture decouple system elements in order to facilitate evolving the design. But the telephone system is designed badly and as a result it's difficult to dislodge the incumbents. Bad user experience is one result. Economic stagnation is another. Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:46:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111209-0549 Whose communicator is it anyway? [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLWhosePhone When a carrier puts monitoring software in a device they are assuming it is really their device and their software even if you have all "phone" conversations over IP. Another reminder that something is very wrong. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:36:03 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111205-0433 re Verizon API To Give Apps 'Turbo' Bandwidth Boost | News & Opinion | PCMag.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPVZLessCrappy Verizon's attempt to charge users for less-crappy service reminds me of Bank of America's attempt to charge people for using credit cards in terms of being tone deaf. It's also a stupid idea but that's more subtle. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:17:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111117-0386 VisiCalc 32nd Anniversary hangout [YouTube] http://rmf.vc/VC32 Dan and I talk about VisiCalc with the Google Docs team and others. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:05:40 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111022-0320 It’s pipes all the way down [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLPipes The "pipe" model of communications is akin to assuming the meaning is intrinsic and exists in each atom. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:24:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111019-0327 Thinking outside the pipe http://rmf.vc/ThinkingOutsideThePipe The idea that bits must flow through wires or virtual pipes makes it hard to think of the Internet as infrastructure like roads. We communicate by exchanging bits. We need to move beyond the pipe or railroad metaphors if we are to take advantage of the abundant opportunities all around us. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:01:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111017-0003 The Internet as Infrastructure http://rmf.vc/InternetAsInfrastructure An in-depth discussion of the Internet as our new infrastructure. The lessons we learn from the Internet can also be applied to other markets and systems. The value of infrastructure such as the Internet comes from the opportunity it provides and what we do with that opportunity. It's a lesson for policymakers that extends beyond the particular technology. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:57:26 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111017-0224 Re Big Brother is watching you: Voice of Russia [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPLikeRussia Fighting for our liberties shouldn't be like playing Whack-a-Mole Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:01:13 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111117-0277 ISOC Talk: (Video) The Internet as Infrastructure [external] http://rmf.vc/ISOCInternetAsInfrastructure My September 22<sup>nd</sup>, 2011 to the New York Chapter of the Internet Society explaining that the Internet is really infrastructure rather than a set of service you access. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:07:39 GMT http://rmf.vc/20111016-0460 Re: Researchers' Typosquatting Stole 20 GB of E-Mail From Fortune 500 [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNDNSNotTM Yet more reason to use normal social mechanisms rather than the DNS for social functions like reaching sites using human-oriented names and symbols that aren't easily subverted by simple typos. Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:29:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110911-0083 Re: Losing on the Facts, AT&T Turns to Smears [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFactless ATT ads continue to claim credit for what others due, often despite ATT. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:59:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110827-0901 Re: FCC upset about "cell phone logjam" after D.C. quake [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCellJam We need to remember that the cellular system is designed to fail if the billing system fails. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:33:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110827-0404 Turnpikes and Toll Roads in Nineteenth-Century America [external] http://rmf.vc/Turnpikes Profs Klein and Majewski's history of our path from private pikes to public roads from 1792 to the twentieth century. Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:29:18 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110824-0922 Remembering Divestiture. [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNLongDistance When you look back at the history of MCI we should also think about the technologies that enabled MCI and eventually doomed telecommunications as an industry. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:06:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110824-0028 Re: IBM PC @ 30: Original review of the Personal Computer Model 5150 [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNIBM30Apple When we remember the IBM PC we should also remember the openness of the Apple ][ Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:32:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110824-0631 Colleges Join Plan for Faster Computer Networks [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGBColleges Once again we see an emphasis on speed rather than availability. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:12:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110727-0759 WSJ TECHNOLOGY ALERT: Verizon to End Unlimited Data Plans for New Customers [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPVZCaps We are losing our right to communicate. Why is there so little outrage? Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:16:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110706-0285 Verizon/Android Tethering and ATT/Cellular-over-IP [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNTetherCoIP Cellular over IP, Tethering and other technologies are vital elements of our right to communicate. Today the carriers are trying to impose restrictions just as they did in days they tried to ban webcams and home servers. They can't have it both ways -- they can't argue that they are trying to create abundance when doing everything within their power to assure scarcity. Even more so when it comes at the cost of our safety as well as our economy. Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:06:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110702-0519 ATT’s Plight is our Plight http://rmf.vc/Plight ATT’s planned acquisition of T-Mobile is an occasion to look at the fundamental issues facing the entire telecommunications industry. Very simply – we are asking providers to add capacity but we’re not willing to pay them a portion of the value created. Skype gets the benefits without paying the carriers. Worse, the more capacity there is the less valuable the carriers’ own services are. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:32:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110623-0048 Itunes and everything as a Service [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLaaS "iTunes" as part of the "as a service" trend which puts us at the mercy of third parties. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:39:54 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110623-0672 ICANN Financial incentives? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPICANNTLDs ICANN seems focused on creating source of revenue even if that means assuring the web will unravel. We need to assure that ICANN's incentives are consistent with the needs of society. Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:37:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110622-0138 Dropbox Files Left Unprotected, Open To All -- InformationWeek [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDropped Does Dropbox need adult supervision? Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:38:25 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110622-0779 Re: United blames 5 hour computer outage on "network connectivity issue" [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNUAOutage Another reminder of the need for resilient engineering. Sat, 18 Jun 2011 17:22:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110618-0560 The DNS may be being mooted [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNTLDs New TLDs are being introduced just as browsers shift the emphasis from the DNS to searching. The new TLDs seem aimed more to extract money from users than to help them. Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:55:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110617-0120 The National Broadband Map: a $350 million “boondoggle”! [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DLBBMeasure What does it mean to map "broadband"? Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:27:21 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110614-0233 The Wrong Stuff http://rmf.vc/TheWrongStuff When trying to think rationally we have to be aware that we don't have all the facts. Some seemingly foolish optimism is necessary to counter the possibilities we cannot anticipate. Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:50:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110613-0121 Wisconsin Omnibus Budget Bill Kills Wisconsin Networking [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNBadger An attempt to return the Internet to the status of just another telecommunications channel. Corruption or ignorance -- the harm is the same. Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:14:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110607-0914 ATT Admits there is no bit exchange business [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNATTNoBiz A senior ATT executive comments that there is no business in mobile data. And if all business is data the implications are stark. Fortunately infrastructure is a viable and stable alternative funding option. Mon, 16 May 2011 14:34:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110516-0076 Why Isn’t Wi-Fi Better? [external] http://rmf.vc/GoWiFiBetter The problem with Wi-Fi is not technical. It's the idea that we need to make billing and authentication level zero. That can't work -- instead we can simply fund a common infrastructure. Sun, 15 May 2011 23:22:42 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110515-0148 The Internet’s generativity stems from a paradigm antithetical to telecom [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DHGenerative The very concept of telecommunications is based the idea that we are transporting valuable messages. We’ve applied that model to phone calls (“message unit” and now “minutes”). It’s about creating billable events. Sat, 07 May 2011 17:07:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110507-0291 Information versus Telecom http://rmf.vc/InformationVsTelecom If you think that the Internet is important because it's a network you're missing the point. Today's telecommunications industry exists in defiance of all we've learned about "information" in the last 100 years. In 1897 the British Copyright office warned us about the danger of creating scarcity by taking our abundance and converting it to private property. In 1949 Claude Shannon gave us a science of "Information" that helped us understand the distinction between bits and what we do with them. The generativity of today's Internet demonstrates the power of the idea. We need to build on this understanding and experience to create an infrastructure that supports the exchange of bits. We can then focus on relationships and creating value rather than getting lost in the constricted pipes of today's Telecom. Thu, 05 May 2011 17:35:18 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110505-0583 The Internet Lost in Translation [circleid] http://rmf.vc/InternetLostInTranslation If all we need is a way to exchange some bits then we can adopt a simple model using any and all paths available without even a need to assure all bits get through. By funding it as a whole we don’t need to assure billing relationships between every device and every element of the path. It’s not just that you don’t know what to bill for. It’s hard to innovate when even a pacemaker must have a bookkeeper as the critical design element. While we do need to deal with some of the problems with today’s telecom our major focus should be on the future – creating generative opportunity rather than fighting over scarcity. Thu, 05 May 2011 13:31:54 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110505-0539 Re: [Dewayne-Net] How To Fix 911 -- a threat to the entire nation! [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NN911Spy A more "Intelligent" and centralized 911 is easy abused. Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:41:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110417-0054 Re: [IP] Gets worse Epsilon breach website fraud [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNEpsilon The Epsilon break-in should be a warning about the risks of centralizing identity. Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:36:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110417-0977 FCC Rules VoIP Provider May Not Collect Access Charges [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMJ Once again we see people assuming that a VoIP provider must be cheating. Gaming the Regulatorium is the essence of telecom. Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:51:21 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110412-0975 Re: 133 US cities now have their own broadband networks [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NN133 Another reminder that the funding model matters and that muni-bells aren't necessarily infrastructure providers. Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:39:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110329-0896 Re: ATT: After merger your T-Mobile phones will have to be replaced -- Carterfone undone [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNATT1950 Is ATT returning us to 1950? Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:05:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110320-0254 Simple and Stark -- the telecom death spiral [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPStark ATT's acquisition of T-Mobile is a symptom of a far deeper problem with the concept of telecommunications. Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:16:46 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110320-0159 The First Amendment for sale for $39 billion dollars plus a tax on innovation [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NTATTFirst It's time to revisit the First Amendment compromise that created the scarcity of spectrum. Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:25:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110320-0928 Re: How the Assault on Netflix Will Shake Out [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCapsShake More and more companies, including old-line "cable" companies are streaming over IP and will be hurt by companies. Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110317-0900 Re: Fight over municipal broadband rules in North Carolina [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNInfra Is the ITIF only a shill for cable companies or can it take a positive stance in support of infrastructure? Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:28:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110316-0786 Re: Fight over municipal broadband rules in North Carolina [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNMuniLaws We need to be careful about framing the issue of "municipal connectivity" as infrastructure rather than as a broadband service. Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:51:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110315-0696 Re: AT&T imposing DSL and U-verse bandwidth caps, fees for "excess" use [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCapsAccounting Usage caps are about bad accounting and not exhausting resources. Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110315-0390 Re: AT&T imposing DSL and U-verse bandwidth caps, fees for "excess" use [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCapsFuture Caps are a way to prevent innovation as well as competition. Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:50:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110315-0876 The ability to bill for speech is the ability to deny access [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFreedom When "Building the Technology Stack for Internet Freedom" we need to make sure that the foundation supports freedom. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:07:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110220-0754 The iCology http://rmf.vc/iCology Apple has its own iCology in which you use Apple tools to develop products for Apple platforms for Apple users Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:36:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110214-0110 Twit TV: Beyond Neutrality Parts 1 and 2 http://rmf.vc/TwitTV2011 First part of Leo Laporte interviewing me about connectivity technical and policy issues. Sun, 13 Feb 2011 16:11:52 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110120-0746 Re: The Death of Speed – Extreme Malthusianism [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DWMalthus We need to remember that abstractions are real and real objects can be abstracted. That's how markets work. Sun, 13 Feb 2011 15:45:52 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110213-0549 Re: The End of the (Nokia) Raj [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DWNokiaBiz Nokia needs to adjust to a new landscape and figure out what business it is in. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:49:18 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110212-0070 The Information not-so-super Highway http://rmf.vc/NotSuper <a href="http://rmf.vc/NotSuper.img"><img src="/public/essays/images/NotSuper/NotSuperThumb.gif" style="float:left"/></a>It doesn't matter whether we're stuck in the slow lane or the fast lane. What matters is that we're confined to lanes. Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:11:09 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110207-0237 Re: Washington Post: "Rush is on for custom domain name suffixes" [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNNameRush It is naive to assume that names are globally unique. Sun, 06 Feb 2011 23:29:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110315-0662 Verizon Restrains Video Downloads as IPhone Debuts - Bloomberg [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNVZVideo Verizon's decision to second-guess content shows it doesn't yet grasp the idea of the Internet and users defining the meaning of the bits Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:29:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110204-0408 Re An Apple E-Book Rule Tightens -- Ed Whitacre redux? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAppleCut2 Apple's policy limit how much each of us an innovate. Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:09:25 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110203-0549 An Apple E-Book Rule Tightens -- Ed Whitacre redux? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAppleCut Apple's attempt to take a cut of the money made using the iPhone is worrisome. ATT had a similar attitude. Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:05:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110202-0990 WorkingRe: Egypt's Internet shutdown (RISKS-26.32) [external] http://rmf.vc/RisksShutdown It's easy to shutdown today's Internet because the protocols are aligned with authority. Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:07:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110131-0114 Re: ICANN, Bill Clinton, and Mr. Magoo [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNICANNTravel ICANN has value as a travel agency. Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:51:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110131-0226 Re When will ISP like Comcast understand they are running a utility [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPComcastUtility Another reminder why we need an infrastructure business model rather than billable pipes. Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:34:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110128-0516 Re: More on UMA - Unlicensed Mobile Access [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNUMA2 We need to be careful about perpetuating myths like the idea that we can only communciate because we bake-in particular services. Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:01:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110131-0401 More on UMA - Unlicensed Mobile Access [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNUMA UMA Liberates us from the physical cellular infrastructure. Next step is liberating us from the business model. Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:24:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110123-0630 Wi-Fi Calling! [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCellWifi Why isn't "cellular over Wi-Fi' the norm. Why do we need a special cellular network? Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:56:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110122-0656 Re: Wireless carriers claim it violates their "First Amendment Rights" to warn of overuse [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCellFirst The idea of using the First Amendment to hide information is strange but it's a reminder to think about why we have cellular pricing cliffs. Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:32:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110122-0243 Re: Google Voice permitting porting of mobile phone numbers [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNGVPort On limitations of number porting policy. Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:05:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110120-0526 The Residential Gateway is back [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNVZGateway Rolling back the clock to the 1990's? Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:55:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110118-0792 Verizon’s Internet Gateway http://rmf.vc/VZGateway Verizon's limitations on what I can do with in my own home seem to violate the spirit if not the specific rules of neutrality. Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:29:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110118-0236 F.C.C. to Study Retransmission Fees [external] http://rmf.vc/NYTReXmit The should focus on eliminating choke points rather than negotiating passage. Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:52:03 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110118-0894 CES 2011: An Interpretation http://rmf.vc/CES2011 On the surface the Consumer Electronics Show is about artifacts of technology. If we look under the surface it's a far more interesting show. Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:14:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110117-0626 Won't You Be My Wireless Neighbor [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DWWirelessNeighbor Sharing connectivity is a feature that enriches society. It's not like stealing a consumable but more like joining the commons. Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:44:57 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110116-0062 Comments on the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNTrustedID Trusting "identity" is a very seductive idea fraught with consequences. Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:20:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110115-0633 YouTube – House of the future [Dewayne] http://rmf.vc/DWFutureHome The 2011 and 1950 homes of the future aren't very different Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:23:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110113-0039 What is 4G and who has it? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP4Gx There may be one Internet but why is it always on the far side of a tollbooth? Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:06:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110111-0597 The FCC and Neutrality in Perspective http://rmf.vc/FCCPerspective The FCC can try to keep the "Broadband Internet" open but that's not the same as enabling the "generative Internet" Sun, 26 Dec 2010 17:31:17 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101226-0177 FCC Chief Backs Usage-Based Broadband Pricing [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFCCUsage It's unfortunate the the FCC is taking a stance that is contrary to the very idea of the Internet -- value being created outside the network. Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:35:07 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101209-0489 How do we create opportunity? http://rmf.vc/PIpTalkOpportunity Four minutes on creating opportunity. Today's Internet is just a hint of what is possible. How do we talk the idea further? Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:32:57 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101206-0987 Comcast vs. Level Three vs. the Rest of Us http://rmf.vc/ComcastVsL3VsUs Comcast seems to be at center of a set of tiffs all centered around their role as a service provider. Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:36:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101201-0465 Re: [IP] FCC chairman to propose plan for net neutrality [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20101202161636:686B70E6-FE59-11DF-9DD3-A04D8583A098 The FCC may be trying to do what is right but can't quite get there. Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:22:57 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101202-0915 Re: [IP] FCC chairman to propose plan for net neutrality [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFCCNNOld No surprise that the FCC frames it's policy within the limitations of telecom. Wed, 01 Dec 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101201-0801 Re: "Is a more expensive Internet a good thing? About Comcast and Level 3" [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNComcastConflict The problem is not the cost of transport but the conflict of interest inherent in the current concept of telecom. Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:45:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101130-0600 Re: Mall's Wi-Fi blocks "adult" content -- is 900 a synonym for "adult" [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNAdultMall900 More discussion on censorship and also the implicit association of pornography and 900 numbers. Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:38:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101130-0312 Demystifying Networking http://rmf.vc/Demystify Exchanging bits is a simple idea but one that is shrouded in misunderstandings that keep us dependent upon service providers. If see past the mystery and understand networking we can fund infrastructure as a public good. It would give us the kind generative opportunity that a service provider can't give. In fact the service providers very existence depends upon keeping their users dependent and limited. Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:39:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101129-0671 Re: Mall's Wi-Fi blocks adult content related to their own stores [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNAdultMall Trying to manage social behavior by constricting the plumbing of the Internet is another reminder of the misunderstanding that abound. Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:47:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101129-0555 Re: If this had been an actual emergency ... [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCloudTether Another reminder that cloud can be very useful but we need to be wary about dependencies. Whatever people think they mean by "the cloud" Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:44:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101129-0484 If this had been an actual emergency ... [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg04536 Comcast's outage shows they aren't building infrastructure. Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:40:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101129-0130 Re: Ars technica on BGP concerns [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNBGP Today's Internet routing protocols assume that we can trust everyone in the world to do everything just right. Oops. Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101123-0635 Maker Faire and (disconnected) Things http://rmf.vc/MakerDisconnect I was excited by Maker Faire in New York. It gives us the opportunity to go beyond the glass screen into the real world. Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:29:38 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101025-0754 Re: U.S. may require jamming of cell phone use inside vehicles [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNJamming The idea of making driving safer by jamming cell phones show show the danger of patching rather than thinking. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:31:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101123-0739 Re: [IP] My first week with Google TV [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNGTV Google TV is an interesting beta. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 08:24:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101123-0421 What is TV? http://rmf.vc/WhatIsTV In order to understand Google TV we need to think about we mean by "TV". Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:07:41 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101112-0166 Sociotechnopathia http://rmf.vc/SocioTech Is "social" really a technology? Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:24:52 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101108-0342 Flexview [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFlexView Is Verizon taking on Netflix and reducing our dependence on the physical cable? Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:44:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101109-0083 Clearwire in deep financial trouble, may not survive [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNClearWire What did Clearwire's investors expect in building yet another commodity bit-pipe? Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:26:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101109-0876 Bandwidth vs Capacity [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNetCapacity We must not confuse provisioned capacity, AKA telecom capacity, with the potential capacity of "The Internet". Fri, 05 Nov 2010 21:11:18 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101106-0286 Dish exec says Hulu is killing TV industry [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHuluTV Let's be careful. When people say that Hulu is killing TV we need to understand that it's really forcing a change in the business model. Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:27:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101105-0135 Why it’s hard to understand the difference between the Internet and Telecom http://rmf.vc/InternetIsntTelecom The Internet is something very different from telecom so why do we keep treating the Internet as just another telecom service? Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:49:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101029-0416 ATT et al are simply doing what they said they would do [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTorrent The faux controversy of the use of Bit Torrent at hotspots is another example of blaming the victim when the real problem is the constrictions caused by the carriers publicly stated need for scarcity. Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:10:33 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101027-0073 Re: [IP] Effects of BitTorrent on a wireless hotspot -- blaming the victim not the unprovider! [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg04416 Before we blame the victim for cellular capacity we should ask who put the limits there. Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:30:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101109-0938 Authentication vs. Vouching [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNVouch We need to understand the difference between who you are and what you do lest we judge people rather than actions. Sun, 24 Oct 2010 11:50:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101024-0416 Re: Internet Becomes Weapon in Fox-Cablevision Fight [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFoxCable We need to distinguish between ISPs censoring and content providers limiting availability according to the path. Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:30:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101024-0866 Verizon Cedes Control of the Value Chain http://rmf.vc/VerizonCedesControl Verizon announced that they are selling a generic iPad and are bundling it with a MiFi unit. This is very different from the impression they want to give of having a "Verizon iPad". Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:55:21 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101018-0398 Re: "There is no Plan B: why the IPv4-to-IPv6 transition will be ugly" [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNIPv6PlanB More on why IPv6 is problematic Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:35:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101001-0725 Re: NYTimes: U.S. wants access to *all* encrypted Internet communications [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNPolicyEncryption It's hard for policy makers to understand that the Internet is an idea and not just another network. Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:34:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20101001-0012 Hey Cable Guys! Cord Cutting is real, and It's a Problem Says Verizon CEO [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNVZNotNet Verizon is admitting that the money is to be made using the network rather than owning it. Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:08:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100923-0910 Fwd: Y2K and the Dot Com implosion. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPY2KBubble Could exaggerated fears of Y2K caused the dotcom bubble and then the collapse? Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:40:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100923-0653 Re IPV6 reality starts dawning on ISPs - Really? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIPV6 For the short term we need additional IP addresses and V6 does help address that need. Longer term we need new ways to connect end points. Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:36:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100920-0265 Re: Google announces a white spaces trial -- (and a reality check from me) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNGoogleWhitespace Is "whitespace" the panacea so many think it is? Tue, 14 Sep 2010 10:59:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100923-0663 ATT Policies and other stuff from the whacky world of the cellularity [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNATTCell Why I can't buy a SIM card from ATT? Why do I pay most carriers even if I bring my own phone. More from the irrational marketplace we call cellular. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:48:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100913-0512 Did Internet Founders Actually Anticipate Paid, Prioritized Traffic [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFounders History is our understanding of the past informed by the present. Science and engineering are informed by the but not prisoners of history. It doesn't matter what the "founders" said as much as what we learn from them. Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:24:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100911-0475 Re QoS vs. Neutrality -- the crux of the matter -- why the attraction and where's the network? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPQoSMarket We can provide various measures of "quality" as marketplace offerings rather than building it into the public infrastructure and avoid the naive assumption that there is only one measure of quality and that we must pay any price for it. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:43:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100902-0428 QoS vs. Neutrality -- the crux of the matter [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNQos Bits are inherently neutral but services are not. This why carriers want us to believe we need their services even though we don't. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:48:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100902-0278 Re: Thomas Edison's plot to hijack the movie industry [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNEdison A reminder of why Silos are the new Trusts and why we need to create opportunity rather than more managed innovation. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:11:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100902-0019 Re: Additional or differentiated services (QoS as an expensive option) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNQOSX The idea of Quality of Service continues to create confusion because it seems necessary but really just creates unnecessary costs while undermining our ability to communicate. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:20:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100827-0770 Re: Additional or differentiated services [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNNECNHD Verizon holds aside capacity so I can't even watch NECN HD broadcast down the street from my house. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:15:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100827-0460 Re: [IP] VZ Google Announcement worth reading -- and worth challenging [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNBBGroup Before we have a group to advice on broadband implementation shouldn't was ask if broadband is the right answer? Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:58:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100816-0125 Risks of network managers [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNManageNot Why we should be wary of trusting network management by those who think it's about the network and not what we do with networking. Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:05:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100814-0738 On NOT Baking in Special Services http://rmf.vc/Unbaked The idea that some content type, like video, is more equal than others and that provider bits don't count undermines the ability of the Internet to continue to be a dynamic generative environment. Sat, 14 Aug 2010 13:45:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100812-0983 Re: Irish Times: "A modest proposal on internet neutrality"-- the dangers of baking in our naive assumptions [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNUnbaked Even if you wanted to implement policies that favor "good" behavior can you even do it without causing even more harm? Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:40:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100812-0889 Re: Is a CDN Non-Neutral? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCDN The Internet isn't just about "content delivery" Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:56:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100812-0030 Are Google and Verizon basically the same? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNGoogleVerizon Both Google and Verizon delivery content using their own and others' pipes. Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:11:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100809-0076 Re: Google / Verizon "net neutrality" conference call complete - quick summary [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNGVNN As long as we insist on the irrational and dysfunctional business model the Internet as just another broadband service any talk of neutrality is pointless. Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:06:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100809-0849 Re: Google, Net Neutrality, and Fairness [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNvsQoS Neutrality and QoS don't mix. Another reminder that NN is a problematic framing. Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:28:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100809-0445 Just another Thursday http://rmf.vc/JustAnotherThursday A trip to fetch a bike becomes an adventure Sun, 08 Aug 2010 14:57:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100808-0664 inSecurity on Cell phones [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCellHTTPs Do the cell phone companies understand connectivity? Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:31:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100809-0312 Re: Upcoming Fifth Amendment argument against Net Neutrality [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NN5th If the carriers can claim neutrality diminishes the value of <i>their</i> assets then we are only quibbling over price and they may not have much to bargain with. Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:18:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100802-0507 The First Amendment and the FRC [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFRC1st In the 1920's the Federal Radio Commission was created as a reluctant exception to the US First Amendment Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:07:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100812-0163 Smart Grid vs Copernicus [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNSGPolicy The Smart Grid policies seem show little learning from the lessons of the Internet and that costs us dearly. Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:27:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100714-0147 Re: Why it's hard to hack the power grid, and why NSA is the wrong choice to protect it [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNPerfect We keep making policy based on a naive understanding of how systems work. Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:11:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100713-0825 Re: Major UK ISPs challenge Digital Economy Act [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNDebill2 What is the cost of trying to prevent "piracy"? Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:41:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100713-0017 Re: Garmin: The Shocking Costs of "Free" Navigation and Billable Events [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNGarmin Another reminder of the problems with counting bits. Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:31:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100713-0451 Zombies Ahead [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNZombies Hardening the Internet plumbing and have government sponsored identity doesn't address the complex concept of trust. How do we know to ignore signs saying "Zombies Ahead"and pay attention to signs saying "US-1". Sun, 04 Jul 2010 14:25:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100704-0774 Re: Irresponsible science and academic fraud [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNScores Is education simply about maximizing test scores? Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:04:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100704-0648 Irresponsible science and academic fraud [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNBadScience Broadband - from bad science (AKA, bad methodology) comes bad policy Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:44:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100628-0707 Re: USPTO grants (inappropriate) patent to Amazon's Bezos [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNServiceCharging Charging for services. What a novel idea ... 40 years ago. Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:41:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100628-0240 Re: AT&T's 1993 "You Will" Commercials [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNATTDidnt ATT had ads that foretold a future that ATT would bring you. That future sort of happened but despite ATT and not because of it. Beware the temptation to pick winners. Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:27:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100626-0050 Re: [IP] re ICANN Likely to Approve "Dot-Ex-Ex-Ex" Domain for Chumps! but it's the DNS itself that does the damage [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNXXXDNS XXX is another reminder that the DNS is a source of revenue for ICANN even as it threatens the future of the Internet Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:40:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100625-0556 Re: [IP] Expensive malware appears for Microsoft's Windows Mobile -- Be very afraid of those who want to make you afraid [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNMalWare Once more we're told we should be afraid of computing and let others make decisions for us. Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:59:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100607-0587 Re: [IP] Steve Jobs: Google TV Will Go the Way of TiVo and Roku. And other twisting and winding paths [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNATTSTB ATT's woes with providing adequate capacity and the complexities of the set top box are symptoms of the 19th century roots of telecom. We need to change the context in order to discover capacity and find simplicity. Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:52:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100605-0087 Re: 4G -- reality vs. hype [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NN4G1 So what is 4G, what are the numbers? Mon, 31 May 2010 07:12:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100605-0482 Re: DNS vs. CDN [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNDNSCDN The less we assume we know what the Internet is the more that it can be. Sat, 29 May 2010 09:57:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100529-0432 3D in Perspective – First Thoughts http://rmf.vc/3DView I'm excited about the possibilities for stereoscopic (3D) viewing but we need to step back to understand the possibilities. It may be far more about your family photo album than big budget movies. Sun, 23 May 2010 00:16:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100523-0675 Verizon Wireless: 900 Redux http://rmf.vc/VZ900x Once again Verizon is acting as a conduit for fraudulant charges and insisting on being paid while disclaiming all responsbility. Sat, 22 May 2010 20:57:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100522-0088 Re: How Lafayette, Louisiana built fiber, with dominant ISPs fighting them every step of the way [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNLL Congratulations to Lafayette. Next step is to go from the Telco model to infrastructure. Thu, 13 May 2010 03:25:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100513-0769 Re: German court orders wireless passwords for all [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGNixWiFi Too bad the German courts are making simplifying connectivity illegal. Thu, 13 May 2010 01:54:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100512-0111 Is the RIAA carrying out its threat to destroy the world's economy? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPRIAADestroy We risk continue grave economic harm by trying to lock down our infrastructure lest a few bits go unmonitored. Thu, 13 May 2010 01:51:39 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100512-0301 Re: Electrical Analogy for Peak-Demand Pricing [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNPeak Again confusing bits with electrons Sun, 09 May 2010 10:24:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100509-0987 Re: [IP] US: Hollywood can disable TV set features [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNSTBDRM Why is the FCC micromanaging business models? Fri, 07 May 2010 17:51:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100507-0131 Canada goes crazy [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCC With the government endorsing charging for bits what's next, charging for words? The problem is in the business model for telecom rather than infrastructure. Follow up discussion <a href="/?n=NNCC1">here</a>, <a href="/?n=NNCC2">here</a> and <b><a href="/?n=NNCC3">in more detail</a></b>. Fri, 07 May 2010 07:33:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100507-0993 Re: Predicting a black market in IPv4 addresses [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03530 We worry about running out of IP addresses but we should instead as whether we're focusing on the right problem. Thu, 06 May 2010 10:22:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100507-0729 re Ariz. college using RFID for the appearance of class attendance [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100505112743:BD29C8A8-585A-11DF-9E3D-8A3E118AC4AC We get enamored with the theater of technology while forgetting about substance. Tue, 04 May 2010 20:41:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100507-0710 iPad ATT ToS and Verizon's lottery -- bet $30 or pay $18, 000 [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNTC Is Telecom the world’s biggest Casino? Sat, 01 May 2010 12:52:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100501-0620 eBooks are not worth the paper they aren't printed on [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEBD eBooks with DRM reduces their value by limiting our ability to use them. Sat, 01 May 2010 10:43:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100501-0921 Personal Information on the Copy Machine [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCopyPrivacy We are leaving tracks all over -- can the legal system reconcile this trail with our expectations of privacy? Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:22:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100422-0447 WSJ: Cash Is Turning Into a Hang-Up for Verizon [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFiosDone It's difficult to make money selling a superabundant nonconsumable Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:03:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100420-0977 Web Coupons Know Lots About You, and They Tell [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100417094216:07768014-4A27-11DF-AF90-A17BA5961C78 NY Times story reminding us how we're being tracked Sat, 17 Apr 2010 10:31:19 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100422-0744 Privacy Questions About the New "Google Cloud Print" Service [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCloudPrint While cloud-based services can play a valuable role we need to be wary about over-dependence upon providers. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:30:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100420-0396 The myth of Title II reclassification [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03348 Applying telecom regulations to the Internet is severe cognitive disonnance. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:59:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0505 the future .. DNS National Security and the ICANN clowns [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03330 Trying to make the DNS security is like locking the barn door in the open position. Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:20:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0350 Could it happen here? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNDebill The British Digital Economy bill is an example of the damage that comes from view the Internet as the enemy. Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:26:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0437 Re: Comcast removes key VCR-compatibility feature from cable boxes (or pay $20 extra!) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03306 That's what you get for relying on a third party's benevolence. Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:16:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0012 Re: [IP] The Press Realizes The FiOS Party Is Over [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNAfterFiOS Now that the FiOS party is over Verizon now has to figure out how to pay the bill. Sat, 03 Apr 2010 19:30:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0089 Unwanted phone charges raising consumer ire [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPhoneIre A billing system designed for telegraphy continues to annoy us. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:29:41 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100405-0809 Re: [IP] WORTH READING This Is Why People Hate the Phone Company, AT&T - Tested [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03231 We shouldn't have third parties in control of our very identity and presence. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:48:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0273 Re: ICANN helps China censor Internet. Root servers leak censored DNS replies outside Great Firewall [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03222 We shouldn't have third parties in control of our very identity and presence. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:33:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0417 Google Is Hiring Bond Traders [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBondTraders Google's bond trading is a reminder that others own a lot of our data. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:37:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100326-0843 Re: Government webpage for every citizen in the race to create a paperless society [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03189 Slowly the courts are coming to terms with the idea the Internet access is fundamental. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:48:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0052 Re: Atlantic article claims "Cable TV is Doomed" [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03188 "Cable" TV is about business models not any particular technology. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:42:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0595 Re: Why Networks Want to Kill Hulu? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03179 Hulu has played an important role in moving TV to the Internet but we should think of it more as an example than a necessity. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:50:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0547 FW: FCC plans spectrum-flog to fund broadband [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03163 Another source of much effort and few results. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:13:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100415-0150 Re: 3G-Ready Nexus One Now Available Unlocked on AT&T - Google - Gizmodo [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100317052112:6CD96230-31A6-11DF-918E-CC5DB7EA1852 Why do I need a phone just to use a different 3G frequency? Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:18:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100326-0769 Exec Summary Broadband plan -- a personal perspective [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBroadbandRedux Broadband Redux Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:50:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100315-0763 Broadband – DRM and Purpose http://rmf.vc/BBSnakeOil At $1000/household/year the ability to communicate seems more like a privilege than a right. It doesn't help that the broadband claims sound more like snake oil than technology. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:38:09 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100313-0296 Former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt: Internet Trumps TV [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTVTV The Internet is more than another television network. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:02:02 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100315-0995 Cisco returns us to yesteryear with IMS and the PSxN? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCiscoIMS Cisco seems to identify with its large customers in trying to maintain their control over our ability to communicate. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:43:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100315-0830 Re: [IP] ] Laptops in the classroom -- a reverse of direction [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03070 Wouldn't it better to teach students how to learn rather than forcing them to listen to boring lectures? Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:36:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100326-0036 Apple's New Stance On 'Cookie Cutter' Apps: Add More Features Or Perish [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg03042 While many apps should be just web pages should Apple be deciding that for us? Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:14:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100326-0566 Re: [Dewayne-Net] Verizon to FCC: Let Us Retire Copper [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02992 If Verizon is going to "retire" our copper shouldn't we get it back? Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:27:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100326-0339 Re: [IP] Nuclear War' in Patent Fight With HTC -- you can't run that App [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02989 Patents are weapons that can have collateral damage. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:12:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100326-0131 Nuclear War' in Patent Fight With HTC -- you can't run that App [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100303175149:53940C92-2717-11DF-9278-D9FB79EB32FB Apple is trying to control what it's users do while preventing others from competing. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:47:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100315-0784 Re: Microsoft's suggestion to help clean up the Net: A New TAX! [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02977 How do you tax "the Internet"? Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:52:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100326-0851 Where’s the Internet? http://rmf.vc/WhereInternet If the Internet is about fungible bits and packets why do we distribute via a system that denies us the benefits of simplicity? Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:22:04 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100228-0989 Re: NY Times on U.S. vs. Europe on Privacy and Google (and fragility) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFirstPrivacy It's interesting to look at the basic issues like privacy vs. free speech in terms of how it affects society and economics Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:26:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100228-0329 Re: Wi-Fi owner flips images for unwanted neighbors [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNHoarding It's bad enough to characterize using an available path as stealing "Internet". It's far worse when clueless sociopathic vigilantes create the law with their own hands. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:22:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100227-0107 FW: [IP] So Where Else in the World Can You Get 1 Gbps to the Home? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02898 Once again a fixation on speed rather than availability leaves us disconnected almost everywhere. Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:13:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100227-0033 re: So Where Else in the World Can You Get 1 Gbps to the Home? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100222085133:60CF75E6-1FB9-11DF-A671-BB782230C614 Another reminder not to be blinded by the speed. Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:33:10 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100228-0461 HBO Shows Online Video Service HBOGO -- the world has changed [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNHBOGo HBO is now available over IP. I subscribe to HBO via Verizon but can use a Comcast connection to view the content. Content over IP is not new but until now HBO was available exclusively through silos. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:04:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100221-0357 Google Plans to Build Ultra High-Speed Broadband Networks [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100215092312:A3641136-1A3D-11DF-A0DD-D46E877D0746 Comments on Google's plan for 1GBps (a problem with mailing lists is that my response to this didn't get posted) Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:56:05 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100221-0242 (Wireless) Innovation http://rmf.vc/WirelessInnovation (Wireless) innovation can't depend on grudging permission from the FCC. Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:25:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100214-0904 Google Plans to Build Ultra High-Speed Broadband Networks -- my own analysis [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNGGig Google is pushing the edge of today's "telecom" business model. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:42:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100211-0979 Frankston’s Imperative http://rmf.vc/FrankstonsImperativeTalk I was challenged to explain my concepts in five minutes. Sheldon Renan came up with the term "Frankston's Imperative". I plan to post a written version of this talk in the near future. Very simply people communicate using a common infrastructure. It was different in the 1800's when private companies built a special infrastructure just to send telegrams. Today people use their own devices to communicate. The devices just exchange bits but the meaning is external to infrastructure. In the 1860's we sold telecom as a service. Today we need a common infrastructure funded as a whole. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:28:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100210-0559 As Data Flows In, the Dollars Flow Out [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/NYTTelecomCosts NY Times story that highlights the burden "telecom" places on on famlies Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:25:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100210-0124 Re: Broadband truth in advertising, redux [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCellularCircuits Yet another reminder of how the cellular architecture might create scarcity. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:29:51 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100210-0088 FW: [IP] AT&T forcing data plan changes [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02814 Must we keep count bits? Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:09:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100704-0267 A fight over freedom at Apple’s core [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100204212237:532D841A-11FD-11DF-952C-D67ED356ACD6 A reminder of the "old" days when Apple was very open. Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:22:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100210-0004 Re: The balance of power in airport security screening [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTSA1 While we can lament the theater of airport security we become inured to each incremental change. Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:59:13 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100210-0230 Things vs. NN [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPThingsVsNN We should be focusing on the future beyond telecom. Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:02:47 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100131-0974 A bit of cellular pricing transparency [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCellularTransparency T-Mobile gives you the option of transparent financing Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:04:13 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100131-0733 Still kicking -- SNOBOL [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSNOBOLMachine SNOBOL -- I remember it well Sun, 24 Jan 2010 09:18:38 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100131-0846 Re: [IP] Internet security flaw exposes private data [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02646 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:37:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100814-0122 Speaking of jobs [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100115112032:E5EAC982-01F1-11DF-B9CF-F770A52306B0 We need to come to terms with the changing nature of jobs as we did in the 1800's when sewing machines came on the scene. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:20:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100120-0707 re Who Confirms The Accuracy (or is it precision) Of ISP Usage [sic] Meters? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPConfirmCaps We can measure bytes but that isn't the same thing as managing congestion. But focusing on the laments of the carriers ignores the larger issue of why we accept their framing of the problem. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:18:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100120-0709 On Ambient Connectivity (and 3G towers) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02624 Another reminder that cellular pricing is more about stories than costs. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:56:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100120-0966 re Reports of Google Nexus One 3G and Support Problems [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100120-0069 Too bad Google Voice doesn't go over IP Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:23:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100120-0069 Understanding Ambient Connectivity http://rmf.vc/AmbientConnectivity You walk around and you find Wi-Fi everywhere connected to abundant fiber and wires. Yet this abundance is locked away by a business model more suitable to 19th century telegraphy than 21st Internet Connectivity. Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:17:26 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100109-0874 ATT tells FCC it wants to ditch land-line services -- let's assist them! [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNATTCopper We indeed do we need two or more broadbands? Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:36:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100131-0784 Mythbusting the Obama Magic [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100104155043:D1829DDA-F972-11DE-8E0D-860EB0229915 The myth that we can predict the future Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:33:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100104-0996 Mythbusting the Obama Magic [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20100104155247:1B5B69E6-F973-11DE-BD17-D7F22093E574 Leadership vs. dealing with complex problems Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:02:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100104-0784 Re: U2's Bono suggests Chinese-style tracking of P2P users, etc. [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNBoNo OhNo! Protecting free speech by violating it? Comstock redux. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:34:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100104-0901 DEC celebrating its victory in personal computing [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02544 It's useful to remember that DEC did indeed produce the best PC -- if by best you meant personal PDP-11. Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:45:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100104-0725 Re: [BarryDGold@ca.rr.com: Re: AT&T Asks FCC to Kill Conventional (POTS) Phone Service] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPATTPOTS Let's make a deal. If ATT gives up their copper I'd be glad to convert it to infrasttructure. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:48:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100102-0236 Re: Example of how "de-Latinized" domain names can be subverted [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02506 The joys of <a href="http://方思腾.com">http://方思腾.com</a>. Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:16:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100102-0384 Re: Why Apple Can't Kill Cable [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02482 And let's remember the conflict of interest in the current idea of content providers own their, not our, infrastructure. Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:31:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100102-0332 Re: Why Apple Can't Kill Cable [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02481 Let's not forget that cable pricing is a small part of a larger picture. Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:11:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100102-0281 Re: AT&T defender switches sides [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02462 ATT closed a loophole. Let's not focus on details and ignore the larger picture. Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:58:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100102-0055 FiOS – a Reality Check http://rmf.vc/FiOSRealityCheck People still find magic in fiber. Judging by my FiOS experience fiber is nice but so is Coax. Let's not be blinded by the light and recognize the problem of putting old line companies continuing to build upon business models that are at odds with the Internet. You can also read a prettier version on <a href="http://www.circleid.com/posts/fios_a_reality_check/">CircleID</a> Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:41:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091215-0401 Re: ATT suggests [iPhone] heavy data users overloading cell sites, must stop or pay? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20091212181220:CA6828AA-E773-11DE-A34D-E7BFF7CEEC9B What about other connected phones? Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:09:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100102-0873 Re: CDT (Leslie Harris) Op-Ed on "Three Strikes" Internet Laws [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02423 What does it mean to be banned from the Internet? Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:17:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091206-0064 Re: Television's Money Complaints - 2009 and 1974 [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNPayTV In the 60's TV was just TV. Today it is transport and content. Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:15:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091206-0283 Re: Some thoughts on Google Public DNS from David Ulevitch OpenDNS founder [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02400 If we care about critical infrastructure let’s not forget the DNS is a source of designed-in failure. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:39:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100102-0991 Re: Comcast Launches Data Usage Meter [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg02373 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:03:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20100102-0156 Comcast's Data Usage Meter is far from benign [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNComcastData Measuring "broadband" usage begs the question. We shouldn't be surprised in seeing the status quo confirmed rather than challenged. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:03:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091201-0362 Erik Cecil:Moving beyond "neutrality" http://rmf.vc/Erik1 Conversation with Erik Cecil on escape from the false dichotomy of Network Neuetrality:Yes or No Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:07:04 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091130-0827 Background Audio on Web Sites [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPUnseen Web pages not seen should not be heard. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:15:42 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091201-0332 Re: Comcast/NBC Merger would pose new challenges for FCC [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNComcastNBCU Comcast's purchase of NBC Universal is a sign that industry is moving faster that the FCC in recognize bit transport is not a viable business in its own right. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:25:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091127-0194 Today's peering system is a perverse tax on innovation [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPeers Today's system of settling accounts among network service providers creates a maze of twisted passages which deny us simple and abundant connetivity. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:40:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091112-0490 Identity give-away [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIdentityGIveway The banks blame identity theft on the victims. We mustn't accept this -- the responsibility is with the institutions which should work to earn our trust. Instead they seem complicit in giving way our "identity". I'm particulary annoyed at Bank of America's practices. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:34:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091105-0836 Purpose vs.. Discovery and the Internet as a dynamic [circleid] http://rmf.vc/IPPurposeVsDiscovery I wrote this essay in response to all those who are trying to manage the Internet in order to assure their favorite applications work. In doing so they threaten the very dynamic that has made the Internet what it is. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:20:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091103-0144 Untethering and new connections [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPUntether Once we start thinking about dependencies on the cloud we should also think about other implicit dependencies and limitations. For example why must I have line of sight to a satellite to find my location. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:25:18 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091101-0829 Europe Moves to Winter Time, U.S. Changes Clocks Next Weekend [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTimeZones Time zone changes raise interesting issues. Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:06:02 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091101-0171 bit.ly vs. China? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPbitly Small URLs are a problematic point of failure Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:07:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091101-0948 IPV6 Failure as a Market Success http://rmf.vc/IPV6FS IPV6 advocates blame the "market"for failing to transition to the new protocol.Perhaps the market recognizes it is too little for too much effort. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:40:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091009-0593 The Myth of Isochronous and the Risk of Baking-in the Past. http://rmf.vc/IsoMyth Too much of the discussion about network issues presumes constraints that aren't necessary and favor the past over the future. Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:44:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091004-0312 Re: "Entry level pricing" as social policy v2 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEntryISPs We need to avoid confusing large providers with small ISPs. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:45:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091004-0275 Re: "Entry level pricing" as social policy v2 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEntryPrice When we look at prices for "broadband" we should look at cost per user. Getting friends to join us reduces the price, getting everyone to join ... Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:51:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091002-0239 Ambient Connectivity: An Introduction http://rmf.vc/IntroAmbient “Ambient Connectivity” is the ability to assume connectivity anywhere and anytime. It's the result of having an infrastructure that facilitates our ability to communicate Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:28:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090927-0425 What About the Right to be Connected? http://rmf.vc/RightToBeConnected Connectivity via the postal service is a basic right. Today electronic connectivity plays that role and is even more vital. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:38:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20091002-0083 Re: Turning Research into Inventions and Jobs - BusinessWeek [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEndowment Encouraing entrepreneurship and innovation is good.But I worry when the purpose of the university seems to be to maximize the endowment. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:03:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090921-0746 From an Economist -- How Did Economists Get It So Wrong? And still getting it wrong! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEconomistsFuture Just because we want to know the future doesn't mean we can. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:25:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090907-0156 Re: Internet still reshaping history [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPArpanetInternet The ARPANET and the Internet are different but then the Internet from the 80's is different from today's. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:18:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090907-0827 Future of the Internet and How to not Disable It [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPITIFvITIF The ITIF may have inadvertently made a case for reinventing the Internet Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:00:10 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090907-0010 IPhone Users Love the Device, but Hate Its Slowness - NYTimes.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPiPhoneNet Let's try to understand the cellular system more before we jump to conclusions about apparent performance issues. Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:04:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090907-0269 Mistranslating Broadband http://rmf.vc/MistranslatingBroadband We are mistranslating "The Internet" as "broadband". Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:44:13 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090902-0481 Robert Fano film [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFanoFilm The idea of information sharing goes back decades. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:46:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090907-0674 That Darn Internet -- questions with an attitude http://rmf.vc/DarnInternet If we are to have a real discussion rather than posturing we need to decompose the problem. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:34:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0031 We need to put the lie to the just-so stories that carrier networks are "the Internet" http://rmf.vc/NNCarrierNet I wrote this in a response to a discussion thread on <a href="http://www.nnsquad.org">NNSquad</a> claiming that the Internet depends on some bits being more special than others. Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:17:09 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090830-0017 Re: L.A. Times Biz Section/Lazarus: "We can't be neutral on net neutrality" [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0282 Neutrality is an emergent property. Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:28:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0282 We need to put the lie to the just-so stories that carrier networks are "the Internet" [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0471 Once again we need to understand the nature of "The Internet" Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:35:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0471 Defining Broadband http://rmf.vc/FCCDefiningBroadband Comments submitted in response to the FCC request for how to define broadband. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:11:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090827-0994 Re: BT NGN runs into difficulty [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0967 Next generation networks attempt to move value back into the network and are in conflict with the dynamic of the Internet. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:15:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0967 Re: H.R. 3458, Rep. Markey's third bill to stop telecom from mismanaging our basic infrastructure. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMarkeyIIIa Responses to some of the standard objections to separating infrastructure from services. Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:51:23 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090826-0627 Re: H.R. 3458, Rep. Markey's third bill proposing to DEregulate the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMarkeyIII As I read it this bill, in effect, deregulates the Internet by freeing it from the strictures of telecom. It is a step in the right direction. Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:43:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090825-0025 Re: Setting the price of a free press [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFreePress Before we try to save newspapers we need to think a bit about what journalism is. Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:33:44 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090823-0144 Re: Apple FCC response WELL WORTH READING [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNotDifferent Apple:Think different is not an option. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:03:38 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090821-0691 Cellular history -- Past and Perfect - but what about the future? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCellularPast More about the accidental history of "cellular" and why need to move ahead to generic connectivity. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:27:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090819-0717 Re: Hacker-run GSM network vs the current hack we call cellular [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCellHack Today's cellular phone system is fragile and more of a hack then a well-designed system ... Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:43:03 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090819-0209 Hub to get early look at next-level Web link ... AKA, the past all over again [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/4GAgain I've been excited about "3G" so I was surprised to realize how annoyed I was at "4G" -- another generation of being captive to providers. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:25:44 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090813-0249 Re: The Case Against [FOR] Apple - Hush-A-Phone revisited [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHushIPhone Apple's effort to manage the user experience are very remiscent of ATT's Hush-A-Phone policy half a century ago. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:51:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090810-0763 Re: FCC Announces Senior Staff for Development of National Broadband Plan [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFCCSeniorStaff The problem with the FCC is not so much whether the individual appointees are capable, the problem is in the defining premises of the FCC. Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:34:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090809-0674 QR Codes [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPQRCodes <img alt="http://frankston.com/?name=IPQRCodes" src="/Public/Images/QRCodes.gif" style="float:right"/>QR Codes are a way of encoding text that can be read by apps on devices such as iPhones and the Android without requiring third party services. Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:51:57 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090802-0876 The Internet Story http://rmf.vc/TheInternetStory The Internet is a wonderful story but we confuse it with the old story of telecom. In my talk about <a href="http://www.gluecon.com">GlueCon</a> I dig beneath the surface to understand how the two stories differ. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:47:39 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090723-0064 Re: "Web Video Widgets" added to FiOS [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0979 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:13:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0979 Zero Marginal Cost! http://rmf.vc/ZeroMarginalCost There is essentially no ongoing cost to running an existing wire as DSL or lighting up a fiber at higher speed. Imagine if we could take advantage of the abundance inherent in our physical infrastructure! Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:24:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090716-0879 Post-Telecom Connectivity WIll Spur Innovation [external] http://rmf.vc/IdeasPostTelecom Short video on how the future beyond telecom. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:16:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090715-0080 Re: WSJ TECHNOLOGY ALERT: Justice Dept. Launches Informal Review of U.S. Telecom Industry [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAT1 We'll see if this is about the symptoms or an opportunity to address the inherent dysfunctions in the industry. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:05:17 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090706-0214 Is telecom contributing to climate change? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTelecomEnergy As if we didn't have enough problems with today's telecom -- there is an energy cost to staying within silos. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:34:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090703-0404 ICANN – moving on from the DNS [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPICANNDNSAlternative ICANN seem makes it difficult to move ahead. See <a href="/?name=DNSFailed">DNS Failed</a> to better understand why today's DNS is a failed idea. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:06:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090703-0543 DNS – A Failed Idea http://rmf.vc/DNSFailed Why today's DNS is a failed idea. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:12:08 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090703-0761 Opportunity for Innovation http://rmf.vc/OpportunityForInnovation We need to look beyond the simplistic notion that "innovation" is what drives our economy and understand the importance of opportunity as a prerequisite. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:24:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090628-0125 Re: Icann Hires Former Cybersecurity Chief as New C.E.O. [with comments] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPICANNRedux New Boss, same ICANN. Mistakes to be repeated? Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:59:08 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090630-0813 Re: TV Anywhere Gets A Boost: Paging Christine Varney! (and Jon Lebowitz and, eventually, Julius Genachowski) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTVAnywhere You have to wonder what the cable industry is thinking when they wrest back control of content that has escaped their grasp. It's as if they feel the market owes them something. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:53:08 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090625-0819 Cell phones are tools of the establishment [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEstablishment As much as we are excited about the potential for the new technologies let's not lose sight of the fact that they are designed to follow established rules of 19th century telecom. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:44:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090623-0397 Re: The iPhone 3G S (I have never been less excited djf) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIndentured We should have transparency - carrier funding of cell phones should be explicit. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:05:19 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090623-0972 Re: It's the Internet Stupid [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPInternetStupid As we shift the funding model from services to intrastructure current networking practices will become moot. Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:02:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090608-0185 Pipes – The Dumber the Better http://rmf.vc/DumbPipes The carriers fear becoming "dumb-pipes". We must seize the moment to transition to a post-telecom economy. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:28:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090603-0583 Policy beyond the potholes [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPotHoles One of the more mindless arguments against connectivity as infrastructure is that cities can't fix potholes. This is childish at best. Instead we should be asking why we are denied access to the "dumb pipes" we need. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:21:27 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090601-0603 Re: Local forums to Implement High-speed Broadband http://rmf.vc/HSBBResponse Open government is not necessarily serviced by empahsize speed over infrastructure. It's hard to build apps when you have to negotiate the path. Sun, 24 May 2009 21:52:02 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090524-0939 Re: Apple's iPhone Channels the Prudes -- "Pick a Little, Talk a Little!" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPConduit Another reminder of the dangers of forcing corporations to take responsibility for your services. Sat, 23 May 2009 20:58:40 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090524-0116 Phone tax on a wifi [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWifiPhoneTax Another reminder of how difficult it is to recycle old companies -- so we are we trying so hard to prevent the birth of new industries based on connectivity? Fri, 22 May 2009 01:37:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090521-0366 Re: Cisco: Smart grid will eclipse size of Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSmartGridBucks Is the "Smart Grid" really about all the new opportunities to sell expensive gear? Tue, 19 May 2009 20:06:08 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090519-0702 Re: WashPost on Death of TV by Internet (no mention of bandwidth caps, natch) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0738 Sun, 17 May 2009 10:01:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0738 Re: WashPost on Death of TV by Internet (no mention of bandwidth caps, natch) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090519-0708 Another sign that television industry is moving away from "cable" and "OTA". Sun, 17 May 2009 10:01:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090519-0708 Re: Stricter rules regarding use of middle/maiden name on airline tickets [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTSANames It's troubling that policy makers seem to think that a person's name can be a simple unique identifier. Fri, 15 May 2009 17:38:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090515-0372 Spectrum as Farmland? http://rmf.vc/SpectrumDirt I can understand why the idea of spectrum auctions are so attractive to economists. But is it good policy? Is spectrum really like "40 acres and a mule"? Spectrum is not dirt. Sun, 10 May 2009 18:23:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090510-0589 Re: British libel law strikes again [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBogus What happens if we can't call nonsense nonsense? Sun, 10 May 2009 01:52:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090509-0934 Shovel-ready broadband stimulus [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPlatosChildren Economists are Plato's children living in their ideal world. Be cautious about letting them define our reality. Fri, 08 May 2009 01:08:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090507-0438 Licensed vs. Unlicensed Wireless Spectrum and Plato's Children [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDecoupleValueChain We need to stop thinking in terms of telecom and think in terms of the resources locked up in the value chain of Regulatorium-defined services. Trillions of dollars in value were created by liberating IBM's hardware by decoupling it from software. The Internet has demonstrated that we can apply this to connectivity. So do we keep slipping back into the outdated and outmoded language of "telecom'? Thu, 07 May 2009 22:34:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090508-0767 Re: New Kindle DX introduced - is bigger better? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPKindleClever The Kindle is a very clever design but clever has its limits. Thu, 07 May 2009 16:22:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090507-0478 All networks are not considered equal [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090507-0394 One if by Wi-Fi, Zero if by 3G? Path-dependency vs neutrality. Thu, 07 May 2009 12:12:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090507-0394 All networks are not considered equal [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0470 Thu, 07 May 2009 12:12:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0470 ICANN: Billions for the DNS and not a penny for stability [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPICANNDNS ICANN seems to be in the business of creating artificial scarcity rather than assuring the Internet functions over the long term. Wed, 06 May 2009 19:51:40 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090506-0080 The Economic Crisis and its Implications for the Science of Economics http://rmf.vc/IPEconomists Much of economics appears to be about trying to predict the future even though it is inherently unpredictable. Instead we need to work with that dynamic instead of trying to outsmart it. We need to embrace the nuance and sharp distinctions I call "digital". We'd rather see nice analog lines trends than accepting the digital discontinuities. Wed, 06 May 2009 12:36:08 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090506-0496 Re: Op-Ed Contributor - End the University as We Know It - NYTimes.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20090428190925:97CBE81A-3449-11DE-B4EE-8C5364F90E8A While the department boundaries at universities may be problematic it's not likely that increasing top-down management is a better solution. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:45:03 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090503-0955 Cost (price!) of 1 gig - and other tales of structural corruption [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGigCaps Byte caps are another consequences of charging for bits or minutes or other measures that are most valuable when scarce. They are accounting fictions and don't even reflect an underlying reality! We need a structural solution to a structural problem. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:23:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090414-0280 The Internet: Everyday Magic http://rmf.vc/InternetEverydayMagic We're so used to working with ideas that we forget that we are accomplish real results simply by manipulating abstractions. Why can't we accept that the Internet is about an idea and not the fiber and other physical objects? Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:29:47 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090414-0969 Telecom: A Prison of Our Own Devise http://rmf.vc/TelecomPrison By using physical metaphors for telecom we create our own limits and scarcity. The Internet is an idea and not just fiber and radios that we use to express the idea. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:45:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090410-0693 Re: Thousands cut off from phone service (land AND cell) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWhoseCrime Is failure due to someone who cuts a fiber or due to a policy that creates the vulnerabilities? Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:29:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090409-0417 Re: How the Internet got its rules [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIETFSuccess The success of the IETF may owe more to technology than sociology. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:56:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090407-0090 Re: How the Internet got its rules [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20090414-0951 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:00:33 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090414-0951 Twitter vs Telecom and the RIAA vs Newspapers. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTwitterNews We need to be careful about our metaphors. High-speed is about HD not twitter and the Internet. If we care about intellectual property shouldn't we worry more about newspapers than music? Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:05:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090404-0307 Register.com suffers further DOS attack [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPRegistryDNS Another reminder that we need to look beyond the DNS if we are to have a resilient Internet. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:17:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090404-0305 Reflecting on regulations and markets and (cyber)security [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMarkets Let's not confuse simplistic notions of markets and "good" with the complexities of real markets and business. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:56:02 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090402-0550 Hedges and Perpetual Motion [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHedges The origins of our financial crisis may be as much in naïveté as malevolence. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:11:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090401-0131 Walgreens pricing vs Telecom Pricing [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWalgreensTelecom It's useful to compare two different kind of markets to better understand why the concept of telecom is problematic. Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:30:19 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090322-0789 Shuffling Markets – Coupling/Decoupling http://rmf.vc/IPShufflingMarkets It's useful to compare two different kind of markets to better understand why the concept of telecom is problematic.(also see the previous <a href="/?name=IPShuffleBuds"> post</a> Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090322-0441 Re: User sues AT&T after $5000+ bill for exceeding 5 GB bandwidth cap [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNPricing Companies have wide latitude in pricing but are limited by market forces and people's expectations. Why do we get the pricing anomolies in telecom? Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:44:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090507-0851 Re: Credit card #s plucked out of air at FL Best Buy [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIdentityFishy Again we have a story of "identity theft" but we need to look deeper to understand what is really happening. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:39:53 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090302-0147 DPI -- Protecting the past from the future [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDPI The idea that we can distinguish between good uses and bad uses of networks isnot just naive but dangerous Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:18:09 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090301-0786 Indirect vs Direct [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIndirect Information science challenges our distinction between direct and indirect action. Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:19:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090301-0336 The (Kindle) Value Chain [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPKindleValue Authors are worried about losing control if they permit the kindle to read books. A mothers going to have to pay a royalty if they read to their children? Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:31:10 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090227-0240 25 Years after ATTv1 -- it's not good vs evil -- it's Telecom vs the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPATTTelecom 25 years ago ATT was the telecom industry. Today's telecom is structurally similar to that version of ATT. The lesson of divestiture is that he industry can reconfigure itself. We now must apply the real lesson so we can communicate without having to petition the king be it ATT or today's telecom. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:59:23 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090227-0044 Re: Proposed data retention law WAS Republicans propose data retention laws etc [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPRetention Once again we see legislation that is technically naive with the potential to do great harm in its attempt to protect us from those bad people. Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:42:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090225-0561 Lies .. Verizon FiOS Follies and destructive competition and SVC! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAndSVC We confuse broadband competition with Internet competition even as new protocols like SVC make it clear that owning private video networks is costly and foolish. Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:50:06 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090219-0734 Re: The slow convergence of Internet and TVs [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNConverge Once again we get a confused story about the Internet vs TV as if the two were comparable rather than TV being just another application over the Internet. Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:16:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090216-0586 Re: The slow convergence of Internet and TVs [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0806 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:16:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0806 Re: CNN's use of "Octoshape" slips live video P2P into users' PCs [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPOctoshape Once again we're being warned against using up the Internet and violating the conditions of our bandwidth bondage. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:28:08 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090205-0193 Re: CNN's use of "Octoshape" slips live video P2P into users' PCs [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0252 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:56:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0252 Verizon Deep-Fries VoiceWing [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDeepFried Another reminder of how weak the carriers' business models are as they retreat from the present into the past Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:34:34 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090204-0003 Ensuring Effective Broadband Stimulus — Analysis of Draft Economic Stimulus Legislation [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPStimulusAnalysis There are indeed issues with reducing "broadband stimulus" to practice but we need to setp back before we get lost in the details. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:53:04 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090126-0901 The Broadband Internet? http://rmf.vc/SimplyConnected <b>Achieving Simple Connectivity</b>.<br/> We ask for more "Internet" but it gets lost in translation from "broadband". We're so inured to the difficulty of getting connected that few people even realize the importance of making connectivity simple. We should be able to assume we are connected everywhere without having to make deals with every provider. Today's telecom is all about billing and not about empowering us. We need to make sure that our demand for broadband doesn't get lost in the 19th century idea of telecom. We can achieve connectivity with our existing resources -- we needn't settle for more of the same. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:05:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090126-0859 In-flight confrontations can lead to charges defined as terrorism [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPatriotCreep A reminder of the danger of PatriotAct mission creep. Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:28:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090126-0024 FCC Probes Comcast's Phone Practices - NYTimes.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPStructuralComcast Another reminder that we have a structural problem. Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:41:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090120-0170 The Carriers are trying to take back control of the home network [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBackHome Connectivity begins at home -- and the carriers want back in. Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:16:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090119-0952 The Carriers are trying to take back control of the home network [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0537 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:37:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0537 Our world may be a giant hologram -- scientifically inclined friends. What's goin' on here? Not much [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPQuantumMysticism We need to beware of settling for mysticism and filing to find the true wonder in our universe. Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:35:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090119-0912 Our world may be a giant hologram -- scientifically inclined friends. What's goin' on here? DIGITAL! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDigital1 I've long argued that the universe must be fundamentally digital. Perhaps this is some sort of confirmation? Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:12:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090117-0047 Fiber Showdown Tests the Viability of “Telecom”. http://rmf.vc/TelecomViability As Verizon and ATT start to compete head on we need to wonder about wether the business model can survive real competition? Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:13:33 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090106-0865 Re: Swisscom to deploy multiple fibers per home to enable FAUX competition [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20090117-0075 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:12:47 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090117-0075 The Office of Connectivity Advocacy http://rmf.vc/OCA We need a connectivity advocate as part of a proactive agenda to assure connectivity and provide our economy with new opportunities. The Internet isn't a telecom service so we're not going to get there by fixing telecom. Instead we need a fresh start that can find value in our existing infrastructure and take the lead in providing new opportunity. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:04:46 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081205-0559 Hi-Speed Broadband vs Connectivity [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBB4Them We need to be wary about a "broadband strategy" and recognize that it diverts our attention from the vital focus on connectivity using the resources we already have. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:52:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081205-0983 Amazing and appalling at the same time -- finding excitement in enabling technologies [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMedicineMundane Too bad so few people are excited by mundane but vital projects. The result it Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:43:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081205-0452 Re: amazing and appalling at the same time [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMedicineClipBoards I welcome any advance in medicine -- even if only the use of clip boards. But we should expect so much more. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:08:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081204-0159 Repiking the pike and magical thinking -- and Verizon Wireless again! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPikes Why do we want to go back to the days when men turned pikes to allow you on their private highways. We should learn and liberate our information highways instead of privatizing our streets. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:21:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081204-0853 Re: Amazon iPhone App Lets You Buy Anything You Take a Picture Of [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFaceCodes Reading barcodes is just a start -- I want help in recognizing faces. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:03:06 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081204-0763 Becoming an Internet Native http://rmf.vc/AVInternetNative Become an Internet native is about more than seeing it as the "e-" version of the familiar. It is a chance to rethink the basic design of systems and see new opportunities. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081121-0817 The Internet and Opportunity [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPITO We need to get past the very corrosive idea that the Internet works because the carriers know what's best for us. It's just the opposite -- it works despite their efforts. But as we see in <a href="/?name=IPITO2">this response</a> to my further comments those who defend the carriers seem to find it necessary to attack the messenger rather than the message -- after all they insist they own the message. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:04:04 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081105-0508 Re: NY Times: People are watching much more online video [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNTooMuchVideo Another reminder that we need to be aware of giving into our Malthusian fears of scarcity and deny ourselves our future. <a href="/?name=NNRestriction">more on this topic</a> Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:49:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081105-0281 Re: ICANN proposes new way to buy top-level domains - Network World [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPICANNTLD ICANN seems to be in the commercial web business rather than keeping to the task of supporting the Internet as infrastructure. Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:31:06 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081029-0581 retro-spective (on the current Internet trajectory) and moving on [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPRetro Another reminder that we need to move beyond fixing today's prototype Internet and get to working on taking advantage of connectivity. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:34:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081029-0671 Whitespace is about Policy more than Physics http://rmf.vc/WhitespacePolicy When I read complex explanations of "whitespace" policy in terms of physics I'm tempted to correct the facts but then I realize that the physic is secondary. It's really about policy. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:47:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081027-0973 The Great Firewall of China [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGFC Just back from a wonderful trip to China -- I was surprised how easy it was to connect back home. Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:57:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081027-0325 Re: Beware: T-Mobile's Voicemail Paging Trap [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPG1 The Google/Android G1 is a step forward but still hobbled by being trapped within the world of cellular. Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:52:53 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081027-0023 Re: Sour Grapes: Missing the Point About Google Android and the G1 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAndroidOpportunity The Android is another opportunity to discover what we can do with technology. But it's also are reminder of how much more we need to do to give people the tools to take advantage of these opportunities. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:06:53 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081007-0727 Re: read both Google Phone "NORMAL" Data Users May be Throttled [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAndroidMoreThanPhone Sometimes a phone is just a phone but increasingly telephony is just another app. We need to be careful about basic policy on the assumption that it's all about phone calls. Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:19:13 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081007-0943 Re: what is the cost of bb deployment [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBBCosts Let's be careful we are asking the right questions before we ask for costs lest we just get prices. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:43:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081004-0651 Stock bounces [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPStockOops How do you say oops when you don't control all consequences? Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:44:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081004-0474 British Telecom says bandwidth costs PRICES unsustainable. True! So why haven't they collapsed? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTelecomCost Telecom is indeed very expensive but that doesn't mean that it needs to be expensive. After decades of Moore's law style hypergrowth we should recognize an extreme violation of Moore's law as a symptom that something is very wrong. <a href="/?name=NNTelecomCosts2">Also this</a> Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:22:21 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080924-0320 FW: [IP] British Telecom says bandwidth costs [price!] unsustainable. True? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/BTModel The CEO of British Telecom recognizes there is a problem with the telecom business model but the finger is still pointed at others rather than at the idea of telecom itself. Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:56:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080924-0187 Re: How a few inches become 500 miles. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP500Miles The fact that a simple connection between two devices six inches apart in my house has to travel 500 miles is a good starting point for thinking about connectivity. You can also read the <a href="/?Name=IP500MilesContinued">follow-up discussion</a> Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:00:46 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080921-0224 Re: Comcast's FCC Bailout Filing Today -- 911 and beyond [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNComcastBailout Allowing Comcast to continue to operate a "broadband" network is akin to giving them a bailout. In return we should require a transition to an infrastructure appropriate for connectivity Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:05:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080920-0998 Beyond ITU and the Internet -- neutrality as to purpose [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNeutralPurpose The importance of the Internet is that it is neutral as regards to purpose. We must not allow ourselves to be defined by providers' failures of imagination. Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:13:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080914-0832 Re: Official Message From Comcast [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP250GBPOV Comcast acts as if we can't possibly need more than 250GB by citing bogus examples. It doesn't make much imagination to see that 250GB of traffic isn't not all that much. Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:23:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080914-0131 The ITU vs The Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPITUTrace Sometimes policy goals and engineering realities are in conflict as is evidenced in talk of the ITU requiring protocols supporting traceability. Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:52:21 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080913-0256 At the mercy of The Inscrutable Verizon and telecom itself [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPVZSupport I think I've resolved my problems with Verizon but I can't be sure because sometimes you need to see the data not hear about it. This confusion is indicative of larger problems with the concept of "telecom". Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:28:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080913-0729 A comment on UAL stock price vs an old news story [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTwitch The price of United Airlines stock plummeted for a while due to an old story appearing as a new headline. Such is the nature of a marketplace in which the winner is the first one to hit the buzzer. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:15:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080911-0369 Re: "Regulating" the Internet -- and Distinctions -- ATM vs IP [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNATM Network neutrality requires a structural change to telecom and it would also help to improve the IP itself. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:02:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080911-0690 Congress asks phone companies: Why are text prices rising? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPKohl Congressman Kohl is asking why SMS prices have been raising. Perhaps he'll go further and ask why the telecom industry is able to take advantage of it's role as gatekeepers. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:34:17 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080911-0693 History note -- 1960's prices [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPrices1960 In 1960 transisters were expensive but so were computers. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:17:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080903-0553 It's hard to dance if your feet are bound [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBoundFeet Giving control of the infrastructure to the incumbents is akin to trying to dance with our feed bound. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:52:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080902-0522 Re: Do the Happy Dance people... strike 3 and you're out [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNThreeStrikes Comcast simply doesn't get it. They lie to the FCC about what they are doing and they promulgate arbitrary and seeming perverse policies. At some point we need to call them out. What if Comcast Transport and Comcast Content were separate companies. What if it had to follow the same rules as the rest of us? Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:42:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080902-0854 Time to understand accounting rather than just bookkeeping V2 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBadAccounting It's useful to think of telecom industry in terms of accounting. Real accounting gives us measures used to guide decision making and set policy. Today's telecom is based on measures antithetical to the dynamic that is the Internet and one result is that the more connectivity we have the more the measures our out of kilter. Sat, 30 Aug 2008 22:41:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080902-0682 Re: Comcast's New "Two Strikes and You're Dead" Internet Usage Policy -- and More [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNHDNonsense Today our cable TV system might seem like the natural and efficient way to distribute video content.. We need to remember the lesson of VoIP. Given a chance the Internet can be a far better allow us to do so much more than TV as it used to be. And we can do so at a far lower cost with far more capacity. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:47:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080830-0506 Re: Comcast's New "Two Strikes and You're Dead" Internet Usage Policy -- and More [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNTwoStrikes We keep getting told about what we can't do with the Internet and again and again we do better than that by innovating. One reason is that telecom uses measures to maximize the value to the industry and the Internet gives us a chance to maximize the value to those of us who use the network. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:47:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080902-0367 250GB: More Collateral Damage http://rmf.vc/256GBCollateral Comcast wants to limit the amount of content we use but the Internet isn't just about video. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20110118-0657 Bob raises an interesting and key question -- djf do read Comcast confirms 250GB cap effective October 1 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP256GBLocal Having a limit on how much we can communicate with the rest of the world is bad enought but putting a limit on local connectivity is outrageous. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080829-0447 Re: Broadband competition: Is this as good as it gets? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPProviders Again -- facilities operators not service providers. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:38:23 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080829-0746 Re: Kennard: FCC on Shaky Ground in Comcast Decision [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFacilities We need to restructure the industry to separate facilities management and services if we are to have any hope of open opportunity. Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:23:10 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080829-0543 Comcast Will Slow Heavy Web Users' Traffic for Up to 20 MinutesCan anyone define -- [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPOutrages Legislating neutrality is frustrating -- rule out one outrage only to find another. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:35:23 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080829-0285 Re: more on the birth of the internet -- J C R Licklider [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHistory2 The real history is more fascinating than the "simplified" history of the Internet. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:28:06 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080829-0317 Re: NSF and the Birth of the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHistory1 I do believe in funding science but we need to be careful to find a balance between selling science and encouraging it Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:05:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080829-0747 Re: California Declares Free Market Broken, Recommends Price Controls For Phone Services [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPhoneCharges Why are we willing to argue for a lower charge for phone calls? The very idea of paying for phone calls is offensive. Would you put a postage stamp on email? Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:32:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080817-0772 Re: US Internet speeds won't catch up with Japan in 100 years [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCD3 Higher speed from Comcast coming soon? Alas, we still need better protocols for scaling connectivity Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:52:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080817-0037 Re: US Internet speeds won't catch up with Japan in 100 years -- that ISDN, oops, I mean broadband gap again [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCWAGap Once again the broadband gap ... instead of the ability to create our own solutions. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:51:25 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080817-0146 Re: U.S. broadband adoption hits 7-year low [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NN7YearLow A slowdown in the adoption of "broadband" is an indication that we are failing to take advantage of the potential of this infrastructure. Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:47:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080921-0620 Re: Cablecos ponder networked DVRs in wake of Cablevision ruling [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCableDVR It's nice the courts have endorsed the idea that we can cache bits remotely but why would we want a cable company to do it for us? Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:51:34 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080817-0915 Re: That 5 gigabit cap is pulled back [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP5GBCap And yet another lesson -- why must be pay to use existing facilities that have no incremental cost just to talk to our neighbors or get emergency services or to get an education? Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:35:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080807-0497 Re: When "free" is no longer free and other yarns [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPProfitCenter Another lesson in why you don't make infrastructure a profit center Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:49:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080807-0660 Re: Check out Essay - If You Run a Red Light, Will Everyone Know? - NYTimes.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPRedLights Another reminder you are never innocent in the eyes of your neighbors. Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:03:41 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080807-0711 Re: OPEC 2.0 -- Barrels vs Bandwidth [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBarrelsVsBandwidth We need to be careful about our analogies. Bandwidth is a measure and not a resource in itself. If we have bandwidth based pricing we create constrictions that limit our ability to connect and communicate. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:48:22 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080730-0039 We didn't need all that DRM after all?? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPP2PvsDRM It's encouraging to see P2P usage is down while getting content from original sources is increasing. While there may be value in controlling content we don't need the extreme control inherent in controlling the path from the source all the way to the screen. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:53:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080730-0905 Thought-provoking musings about decentralization and cypherpunk, from Danny O'Brien [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPInternetBuilt Just a reminder that the Internet wasn't built by using existing infrastructure. The goal was to be full decentralized but today's implementation falls short of that goal. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:00:26 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080730-0748 The Carriers' Perspective [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCarriers If we are to understand the issues behind the controversy over network neutrality we need to understand the carriers perspective. They are stuck with a business model that depends on sharing in the value generated using <i>their</i> wires. This puts them in conflict with the Internet and the creation of value using the network but outside the network. I a could argue that the carriers should've known better and that we paid for much of the infrastructure but better to encourage moving forward than being vindictive. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:52:38 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080724-0527 Re: Dueling broadband policies [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNHopes We need to recognize that our "broadband" policies are very confused and driven by perception rather than technology. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:09:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080723-0721 What if STBs accepted bits over IP vs the parallel universe of RG-6? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSilosToIP We have two parallel universe. One in which content is locked into broadband silos and the other in which content is delivered using IP over any path. They are both fully function. Once we recognize this we can complete the transition and liberate ourselves from the constraints of broadband silos. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:29:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080722-0144 Cellular Scare -- byte caps extreme [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCellCaps With all the talk about "byte caps" it's useful to look at what happens when you exceed your cellular minutes or, far worse, you pay for data by the byte. A simple error of being on the wrong plan could result in a $1000 charge for a $50 ... or worse. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:13:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080722-0262 Abducted! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPAbucted The efforts to do good often come at a price. Even more problematic then the real agenda is different as in trying to limit the Internet because it spread ideas and not all are "good". Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:51:06 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080722-0276 A very strong reason universities should require students use P2P protocols. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNeedP2P It's strange to see universities claiming that P2P is the enemy when the goal was to prevent the very problems it is supposedly causing. We should encourage more local P2P traffic rather than forcing us to fetch bits from afar again and again. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:35:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080722-0789 Telecoms Sue Over High-Speed Links [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSueYouToo The carriers can't allow people to create their own solutions. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:48:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080707-0812 MIT Tech review vs the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMITTR Too bad MIT's Technology Review is perpetuating the tired idea that the Internet is a clogged highway. (<a href="/?name=IPMITTR2">also see</a>) Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:12:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080706-0957 Re: BitTorrent now being used for piracy of textbooks [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTextBooks Text books are a mechanism and not an end in themselves. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:01:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080706-0678 Re: Japan's upload caps at 30GB...per day [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP100Mbps The 100Mbps miracle is a demo -- the reality is that you can't really make use of it. Be careful that you fully understand the illusion you are chasing. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:22:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080626-0849 Re: Priorities Amuck: ICANN Poised to Trigger Naming Quagmire [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNMoreDNS Again people are piling on top of the DNS rather than addressing the basic problem of persistent relationships.See also <a href="/?name=IPDNSTLD1">this</a> and <a href="IPDNSTLD2">this</a>. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:22:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080626-0161 Re: Chrysler announces the rolling WiFi hotspot automobile [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPChrysler It's great to see connectivity in cars but it's also a reminder to think more generally about connectivity. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:07:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080626-0112 Re: Net Neutrality: A Radical Form of Non-Discrimination by Hal Singer vs Hal Singer [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSingerQOS2 Follow up -- relying on QoS makes performance worse when the promise can't be kept. Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:19:04 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080626-0888 Re: Net Neutrality: A Radical Form of Non-Discrimination by Hal Singer vs Hal Singer [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSingerQos Once again we have an academic paper that makes arbitrary assumptions -- in this case the need for QoS -- and then proceeds to make policy recommendations as if the assumptions were facts. It's all-too-easy to accept conclusions that serve ideological needs and thus reinforce their private reality Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:37:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080622-0519 FW: [IP] Net Neutrality: A Radical Form of Non-Discrimination by Hal Singer vs Hal Singer [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNStrawman It's too easy to setup a strawman and then criticism a particular characterization of Network Neutrality. Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:21:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080924-0243 Re: NebuAd Forges Packets, Violates Net Standards | Threat Level from Wired.com [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNebuAd What's the difference between reading people's web traffic and reading their mail? Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:01:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080620-0211 The Tiger Effect vs byte pricing? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWoods Did Tiger Woods "congest" the Internet? Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:36:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080619-0445 ISOC France - asking for your backing [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNFrance There's an effort in France to apply social policy to something they call "The Internet". It's a reminder that NN issues are symptoms of deeper misunderstandings. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:59:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080618-0960 Re: Fw: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC France - asking for your backing [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20080924-0814 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:59:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080924-0814 getting to be interesting -- a scarcity-creating model [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPScarcityCreatingModel When looking at economic models it's important to question the premises as well as the model. A clever model shouldn't lead us to accept false premises. Congestion pricing <b>decreases</b> supply when value comes from scarcity. (Note typo at end -- I meant to say increasing capacity is more efficient than managing scarcity) Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:42:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080615-0966 Re: ALSO MUST READ NYTimes.com: Charging by the Byte to Curb Internet Traffic "People seem to be missing the point." [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPByteDunceCap2 The carrier-created scarcity pits us against each other and diverts us from addressing the source of the scarcity -- the artifact of telecom. Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:10:06 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080615-0867 Re: NYTimes.com: Charging by the Byte to Curb Internet Traffic [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPByteDunceCap The carriers continue to try to create value through scarcity -- why are they in the position to keep us impoverished? Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:36:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080614-0272 Update on ISP Actions Regarding C-Porn and Usenet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCPornContent Carriers that have policies defining what content is acceptable may find themselves having to choose between the content and transport businesses. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:36:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080611-0574 Re: Update on ISP Actions Regarding C-Porn and Usenet [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20081105-0381 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:46:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20081105-0381 Re: Update on ISP Actions Regarding C-Porn and Usenet [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNCPorn Carriers that have policies defining what content is acceptable may find themselves having to choose between the content and transport businesses. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:46:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080611-0601 The ID Divide [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIdentityID Once again a word, in this case "identity", makes it too easy talk about a complex concept without understanding what we don't understand. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:55:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080610-0682 Microsoft patents mandatory social policy?? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipdmp Is Microsoft planning to implement mandatory social policy in our digital infrastructure? Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:41:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080605-0791 Two Sides but Different Coins http://rmf.vc/TwoCoinsTwoSides I applaud the call for civility in the debate over Internet policy issues vs telecom interests but there aren't two sides of a debate -- we have two different dynamics. The Internet is about creating solutions independent of what's in the middle. Telecom is all about what's in the middle. We need to come to terms with this fundamental difference if we are to have a productive discussion. Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080526-0828 Why do we have to care so much about how to interpret what Comcast says and does? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDetails As long as we are distracted by trying to micromanage carriers into behaving we are missing the bigger issue -- why do we need to beg for permission to speak? Sat, 24 May 2008 17:29:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080525-0277 Network Neutrality: It's not just Common Carriage and Antirust http://rmf.vc/NotJustCCAT I wrote this essay after a complex legal discussion about this history of common-carriage and antitrust and how it applies to telecom policy and antitrust. As I've written, those policies make sense when we are taking about <a href="/?name=railroads">Railroads</a>. If we want to talk about the Internet we need to question precedents based on premises that no longer make sense. Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080518-0484 GIOVE-B Transmitting its First Signals [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGPS Getting more sources of location information is good but we need to more than rely on satellites. If we are to get the benefits of knowing the location of device and people we need better protocols and better availability of the data even when satellites are not directly visible. Tue, 13 May 2008 12:11:53 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080514-0641 Linux Journal Interview [external] http://rmf.vc/LinuxJournalInterview Doc Searls interviewed me for the May 2008 issue of <a href="http://www.LinuxJournal.com">Linux Journal.</a> Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080626-0596 More on the Internet vs TV and beyond [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPRevolution The revolution has happened already. The Internet can already displace the current TV distribution system. Imagine if we took advantage of this abundant capacity for peer connectivity. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:47:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080424-0088 An LA Times interview on South Park and the Internet or, an Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSouthParkMore Some more background on South Park and the Internet. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:27:34 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080424-0714 How carriers mismanage traffic and then blame us [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20080422-0365 We need to be careful to avoid getting so focused on the problems in trying to repurpose a content delivery system as peer infrastructure that we forget that it's a transient problem. If start by assuming a common infrastructure and then remove the bottlenecks we'll find we have abundant capacity at a very low cost. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:47:53 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080422-0365 South Park says it better [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSouthParkPunchline This episode parodies the popular notion that the Internet is something that can crash. Perhaps more telling is the meta-message -- they very idea that I can simply give you a URL to a TV show bypasses the entire broadcast and telecom infrastructure as if it added no value. Alas, you can't watch the show from outside the US as the infrastructure is used to limit the availability and value of the content (or to create artificial value through synthetic scarcity). Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:40:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080422-0399 Re: how does one define "capacity" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCapacity We typically think of capacity in terms of bits per second or a technical measure? But that misses the point - shouldn't we think of capacity in social terms or human terms such as the entertainment value we can deliver or the learning we do? Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:57:12 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080420-0584 Re: AT&T: Internet to hit full capacity by 2010 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPATTFullOfIt An ATT spokesperson warns us that the "Internet" will run out of capacity ... what does that even mean? Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080420-0726 Interview in the May 2008 issue of Linux Journal http://rmf.vc/20080411-0796 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:41:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080411-0796 Re: Comments by American Consumer Institute -- misunderstandings in masquerading as facts. [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNACIFacts The ACI policy statement presents common misunderstandings as "facts". These aren't facts at all but they do reflect how people think about connectivity policy issues. For this reason it's important to respond and explain how the Internet is not a thing that we must divvy up according to arbitrary management rules. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:16:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0975 "Every Click You Make " Re: [IP] BT admits tracking 18,000 users with Phorm systems in 2006 - and every swipe [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPRebates Issuing rebates via credit card creates another opportunity for tracking my behavior while making it difficult to spend the full amount of the rebate. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:19:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080405-0489 Re: Comcast increasing compression of some HD sources [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNSpeed Our fixation on speed as the primary measure of "broadband" value we've lost sight of the importance of connectivity itself. In turn we look to something we can do with speed -- video. In particular HDTV. Yet even for video innovation is far more important than arbitrary standards. It's as if we confused typing speed with the ability to write and think. Speed is easy – we should be demanding ubiquitous (wireless) connectivity rather than more 1950's style TV. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:26:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0147 FW: [IP] Comcast HD Quality Reduction: Details, Screenshots - AVS Forum [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20080404-0554 Dividing a common medium into separate paths decreases effective capacity as we see with Comcast resorting to compression to fit more channels into their broadband pipes. It's difficult to add compression as an after-the-fact solution. We can indeed compress video signals if we due sufficient computation but it requires stepping back from the isochronous streaming constraint of traditional television. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:20:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0554 Re: Hope for Wireless Cities. (revised for clarity) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWireless3 Another perspective on how the Internet isn't an improved version of traditional telecom. Internetworking is a pragmatic approach do creating our own solutions. We need to be careful to avoid confusing the bits with their meaning – the problem is not in the network but in ourselves. Given this confusion it's useful to look at the premise that HD is just about lots of bits at high speed. This focus on technical measures misses the point of television as entertainment for humans. It's as if we confused the ability to type with the ability to tell a compelling story. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:45:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080331-0723 Re: Hopes for Wireless Cities Fade as Internet Providers Pull Out [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWirelessFailures2 This is part of an ongoing attempt to explain how the Internet is very different from the traditional telecom view of the world. Many efforts to provide local connectivity, including municipal Wi-Fi are simply local version of traditional carriers (I use the term muni-bell). I wrote about this in <a href="/?name=WiFiEdge">WiFi Edge</a>. This goes into more detail in responding to counter-arguments. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:25:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080328-0998 Re: Economics is Dismal [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20080322123843:0248DA30-F82E-11DC-8A87-100157A607E7 When you listen to economists you must examine the presumptions. We shouldn't accept a dismal conclusion based on the presumption of scarcity when know that measures like bandwidth are arbitrary and don't represent the potential capacity available. Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:38:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080322-0310 Re: Misplaced Hopes for Wireless Cities Fade as Internet Providers Pull Out [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWirelessFailures These failures give me hope because I see them as a confirmation that they are the wrong model. Ubiquitous coverage is important but it must be infrastructure and not a patchwork of billable paths and without perverse distinctions between wired and wireless bits. Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:36:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080322-0252 Re: Comcast claims FCC can't control Comcast's Internet practices [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20080404-0298 As long as Comcast is trusted with our ability to communicate they must respect our rights. Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:19:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0298 Pacman or sheet music and ESPN strong-arming [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMusic2 The more I think about the idea of taxing "The Internet" (whatever that is) to pay for someone to play music the more absurd it gets. Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:24:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080317-0591 Emergency Broadcasting via Cellular -- our lives held hostage? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEmergency Cellular systems seem to have an emergency alert capability but it's not turned on because the carriers supposedly have no business case for saving lives. Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:12:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080316-0388 Re: DNS Redirection: The Plot Thickens [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20080404-0889 The carriers shouldn't be second-guess application protocols. It make it difficult to move beyond the past. Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:28:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0889 911 vs Airplanes? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0135 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:02:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0135 Re: Music industry proposes a piracy surcharge on ISPs [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMusic Why do some people think the music will stop unless they can get a cut of the action from our Internet? It's not all about them. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:47:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080316-0631 Achieving Connectivity from the Edge http://rmf.vc/eComm2008 Very simply the Internet is about relationships that are independent of the path and intermediaries. This is what makes it easy to create new value and our own solutions. The telecom industry is just the opposite - it's all about making sure intermediaries can charge a fee even if they not only don't create new value but work hard to prevent it. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:05:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080523-0000 Re: VoIP competitors try to avoid spitting on their subscribers [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSpit It's nice that the carriers, VoIP or otherwise, want to protect me from voice SPAM but I'd much rather get the ability to protect myself. They are using IP but it's still telephony. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:36:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080316-0020 Re: INTELLIGENT network management? (far from IP) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0577 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:34:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0577 Re: [IP] Informal translation of Report on Network Neutrality Working Group on Network Neutrality Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0372 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:08:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0372 Re: [IP] Optical Data Transmitted Over 1, 500 Miles At 16.4 Tbps [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNTbps Another reminder that the problem with speed is that it is too easy to move bits quickly and in doing so they threat the business model of those who want to make us pay high prices for networking. Those who cite the "broadband gap" contribute to the idea that it's expensive and difficult. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:40:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080622-0462 Re: INTELLIGENT network management? (far from IP) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20080404-0633 "Intelligent" network management misses the point of the Internet Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:48:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0633 Re: Competition [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20080404-0556 Maybe we need a new term "natural commons" for cases where it's hard to have competing exclusive ownership but we want to encourage everyone to contribute. Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:53:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0556 INTELLIGENT network management? (far from IP) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00611 If you require QoS for VoIP then you have the PSTN not the Internet. Period. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:34:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0937 Re: FCC paths to Internet network management? A thin thin slice of pie anyone? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00609 What is this concept of "disrupting others"? Isn't that the whole point of the first amendment and any marketplace? By its very nature we have competing interests. The question is how these competing interests are resolved. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:14:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0383 FCC Hearing today (Monday, 25-02-2008) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFCCNN I was encouraged by the FCC hearings on network neutrality. I'm now focusing on moving ahead to argue for infrastructure rather than settling for neutrality. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:44:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080316-0381 FCC: Moving Beyond Neutrality. http://rmf.vc/FCCBeyondNN The FCC is holding hearings on "Network Management" in response to the concerns over network neutrality. I've been pleased to see that the FCC is taking steps to limit the carriers' practices but ultimately the problem of neutrality cannot be solved in isolation. The basic problem is that service-based regulator system forces the carriers to take advantage of their control to finance their infrastructure. This is true whether we have a traditional phone company or a municipal system (a "muni-bell"). The FCC can play a positive role in removing the impediments to local ownership and work with the carriers to revisit divestiture but this time effect real restructuring so we can have a shared infrastructure. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080316-0448 FCC Hearing today (Monday, 25-02-2008) [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20080404-0786 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:05:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0786 A routing question [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00545 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:28:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0965 Re: As predicted: The BitTorrent vs. "traffic shaping" arms race [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00535 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:01:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0993 BS and FCC v Us and Comcast v ATT [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNNWhose The carriers' network management policies seem to belie their claims of a crisis. There is not consensus that there is a long term problem. Instead their short term strategies highlight the fundamental problem -- they are managing their network rather than fulfilling their mission of serving our communities. The problem isn't a question of network management - it's about whose network they are managing. Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:16:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080217-0160 NN is about users, not providers! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNNvsISPS Focusing too much on the plight of small ISPs or even large ones misses the point of the Network Neutrality debate. It's not about how they manage the networks -- it's about our ability to communicate without having to serve the business needs of providers we are forced to use. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:21:25 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080215-0257 Re: Selected comments on the FCC case [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00518 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:07:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0963 Re: "Deep Packet Inspection" Trade Group [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00499 The post office doesn't inspect my letters -- it just follows the instructions on the envelope. Why do network operators decide they can and should snoop? Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:18:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0133 Re: "Deep Packet Inspection" Trade Group [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNDPI The idea that you must peek at every packet to determine how to handle it misses the point of the Internet. Unfortunately such assumptions go unquestioned by many of those who see telecommunications from a network-centric perspective. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:15:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080622-0391 Re: More on Verizon's rejection of AT&T's attitude toward filtering [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0824 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:01:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0824 Re: More on Verizon's rejection of AT&T's attitude toward filtering [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0681 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:54:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0681 That Olde Tyme Broadband -- again. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPOhNoMoreBroadband Another demand for more broadband. Inarticulate rage has risks. Broadband is just a package the Internet comes in. And it comes despite the package not because of it! It's a testament to the power of the ideas behind the Internet that we can get value even though the very idea of telecommunications is dysfunctional -- the more we get the less viable the carrier business is. Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:03:35 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080203-0046 Re: Holy War! Researchers say EEs have a 'terrorist mindset' [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMindset2 The issue is not so much "Terrorist Mindset" as "Engineer's Mindset". That's a naming calling and rather than observation. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:46:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080203-0544 Imagine no FCC [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONNoFCC Imagine a world without the FCC and without a telecommunications industry. How would we communicate? The FCC is supposed to assure we can communicate but instead has become agency that has assured scarcity rather than abundance. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080130-0660 Re: Holy War! Researchers say EEs have a 'terrorist mindset' [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMindset1 Simple theories for simple minds? Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:24:51 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080130-0899 Re: Speculation, how AT&T can implement "copyright filtering" without wiretapping/dpi... [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20080404-0905 I consider multicast to be more of an application protocol than a network protocol. It's attractive because it seems just like broadcast TV. But without the constrains of today's telecom policies why would we want to broadcast the same content to everyone everywhere at the same time? Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:24:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0905 Re: the idiots at comcast suddenly started [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP25 Port 25 blocking is annoying and problematic but, for now, I've come to terms and find advantages in relaying my mail through third parties that can vouch for me. Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:30:17 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080129-0917 Re: Regulating the Invisible Hand: A Contradiction? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSmith We must be careful when talking about (de)regulation to recognize when we are trying to manage the results vs. managing a dynamic that we can't fully control. What we can do is try to prevent obvious dysfunctional behavior (as we see with telecom) and find a balance between cooperation and collusion that frustrates marketplace dynamics. Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:17:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080129-0675 Re: F.C.C. to Look at Complaints Comcast Interferes With Net - New York Times [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNotNetwork A reminder that traditional telecommunications is about solutions provided by a network operator. The Internet is about finding solutions without depending on there even being a designated "network". Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:06:19 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080116-0001 Re: [ NNSquad ] Richard Bennett on Comcast and Fairness (from IP) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPComcastP2P A good engineer works within the constraints given -- a great engineer questions the constraints and gets fired because the constraints serve a policy need higher than mere science or reality. One can argue about Comcast's approach but far more important to question the constraints and focus on making the inherent abundance available to all. Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:21:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080129-0120 Re: Your Thermostats or Your Life! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPThermostats The real lesson of the Internet in understanding how to create distributed solutions. Too bad we still try to impose arbitrary "intelligent" solutions rather than working with dynamic marketplaces that can evolve. Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:54:09 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080113-0504 Net Neutrality vs Moral Court [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipMoralCourt The very idea of that a network provider gets to decide what the nature of our communications is problematic (and offensive). It's not simply a matter of treating everyone equally because still leaves the measure in the hands of carriers whose arbitrary assumptions cannot be challenged. We needn't settle for "equally bad". Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:29:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080112-0055 Re: Can You Go to Prison for Lying to a Web Site? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipoutrage When reading about a new outrage associated with the Internet we have every reason to worry as our laws are stretched to achieve immediate emotional satisfaction as it creates future hazards. Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:36:25 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080112-0699 CES Rap -- In the net no net [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCES2K8 This year's CES has a swallowed the Internet with 'nary a burp. None of that annoying distruption. Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:15:40 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080110-0246 Re: Brain Doping, or, The Futurological Congress [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPEnhance It's reasonable to be cautious about so-called cognitive enhancement drugs but we also need to be wary when such concerns seem to be driven by a moral agenda Thu, 27 Dec 2007 06:06:42 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071227-0020 Re: On the Cusp of the Future [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipgovAgenda We tend to envy farsighted governments that set an agenda for the future but somehow these agendas go off the rails whether it's in Japan in the 1990's or the US in 1934 with it's telecom act. Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:06:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071227-0773 Re: Details of Unlisted Number Address "Exploit" Revealed [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipUnlisted Another example of building upon implicit assumptions. In the early days of telephony forcing people to list their numbers seemed to make sense to capitalize on the network effect. Today we've forgotten why land line (but not cellular!) numbers are listed. Worse, we still limit the network effect to wires and fail to see that it's a social phenomenon and not a technical issue! Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:36:10 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071227-0260 Re: The Once and Future King: Multicast looks to (finally) be the future of television. [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090831-0442 Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:35:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090831-0442 F for Fake [external] http://rmf.vc/StromFake David Strom mused about fake blogs -- but how do we know something is not "fake" -- a surprisingly ambiguous concept. Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071210-0362 Rural Broadband Gets Boost From Phone-Fund Proposal [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPUSFBB The Universal Service Fund is caught up in the past when the goal was more telephony. Making the money available for connectivity is an incremental improvement though it would be better to close the fund down. Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:03:09 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071210-0082 Re: Edge Bandwidth: 18mbps connectivity widely available in U.S., we just don't realize it. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBonding Today's Internet protocols are path dependent but we can add a layer on top that allows us to bond multiple paths together to improve performance, reliability and mobility without depending upon the network providers. Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:36:15 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071210-0688 Re: Characterizing broadband networks without client software [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20090304-0548 No surprise that Telcos try to fit the Internet into their mold. Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:48:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20090304-0548 Re: Internet could clog networks by 2010, study says [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPClog Again we see stories about how the Internet or the phone system would collapse unless the carriers get more money. And again if you look at the claims they make no sense. Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071121-0513 More on Internet Clogged 2010? Report doesn't say that. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPClogMore More Detail on the "clogged" Internet report and the risk of making recommendations based on a whole pile of conjectures. Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071122-0577 Re: "How to Patrol Your ISP" [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00221 Should the router/NATs we use to connect to the Internet also serve as guardians on our behalf? Sun, 18 Nov 2007 15:24:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0740 Re: Comments on NNSquad Purpose [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00213 Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:05:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0161 EVDO Observation [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00211 Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:30:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0489 Re: Is network unneutrality necessarily bad? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00205 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:05:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0946 Re: Protocol transparency vs performance [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00193 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:27:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0378 Read and watch the activities of IPSphere [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIPSphere IPSphere is an attempt to take the carriers' presumption that it's their network and carry it to the Internet even as they acknowledge there is no longer relationship between the services and the transport. Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:01:21 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071114-0365 Re: Neutrality in Perspective [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00169 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:02:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0609 Re: Neutrality in Perspective [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/20080404-0511 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:35:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0511 U.N. forum: Should U.S. give up Web control? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWebControl Once again people seem to think the Internet is something ruled by ICANN. Instead of recognizing that the whole point is that they can create their own solutions they demand their turn to control it. Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:15:23 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071112-0180 Re: Comcast limits on outbound e-mail traffic? [NNSquad] http://rmf.vc/NNmsg00128 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:07:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080404-0386 Re: "Network Neutrality Squad": Users Protecting an Open and Fair Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20071106233714:23A5E6AE-8CEB-11DC-BE28-0DF1189CFB26 NNN (Network Non-Neutrality) can be obvious as when Comcast spoofs packets. But the more insidious kind is built into the architecture of the network. Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:54:36 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071107-0220 Is That a Phone in Your Office? [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONOfficePhone The kids today don't see why we need landlines and they are right. So why do we still have an old-style telephone on the desks in our offices? Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071114-0514 Video Tipping Point Near? http://rmf.vc/VideoTippingPointNear As long as people see the Internet as just another "channel" on their broadband pipe it will be hard to explain why we should invest in a common infrastructure. But we are nearing the point at which we'll see TV itself transform into content we view on the Internet. This change in how we think about viewing will make it easier to justify direct investment in infrastructure instead of being suckered into paying forever"cable". Sun, 28 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071029-0291 Re: AT&T says there is no duopoly, net neutrality is bad [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNNNotEnough NN is not enough -- everyone equally disadvantaged is not enough. I want there to be every incentive to increase capacity… Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071026-0040 Re: AT&T says there is no duopoly, net neutrality is bad [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNNBeyond Network Neutrality is a great meme but must be used to help people understand that there is a fundamental problem with telecom. NN legislation runs the risk of legitimizing the status quo. Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:46:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071025-0843 Re: The Top Five Misconceptions About the Success of Municipal Wireless Networks [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20071008132447:4180F9AA-75C3-11DC-97B8-2AAD8C4BADF8 As I've <a href="/?name=WiFiEdge">noted</a> the idea of municipal wireless is flawed. We do need ubiquitous wireless connetivity but municipal Wi-Fi is often modeled as a phone service and not connectivity. Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:09:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20071025-0123 The Internet vs The Internet Dynamic http://rmf.vc/InternetDynamic The thing we call the "Internet" is an artifact. The value of the Internet is in the dynamic that is akin to Moore's law for hardware. When we confuse the artifact with the Internet and ask more of the thing and confuse it with broadband we are in effect asking more of the past. The tragedy is that in asking for more "Internet" we lose it's soul. Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070926-0325 A Fine Way to Run a Railroad but not an Internet [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONRailroad We tend to find ourselves trapped by bad metaphors. The Internet has had such a transformational effect because it has given us the opportunity to create our own solutions by doing our own networking. But we continue to act as if the Internet were a railroad with finite capacity and we must pay others to do our networking for us -- even if that creates a fundamental conflict of interest. We are forced to become dependent upon broadband. The Internet grew rapidly in the US because we could use the phone network as a transport without paying a premium to stay online. Riding the broadband railroad puts an end to that and leaves us firmly dependent upon companies that exist only in the fictional world of the Regulatorium. It's as if instead of enacting antitrust laws we handed the economy over to the robber barons 100 years ago. Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070907-0996 If There be Pirates There be Heroes http://rmf.vc/SATNHeroes Those who have a stake in scarcity vilify Bit Torrent users as Pirates. Those who advance the technology and use what is available or those who take control over our infrastructure for their own benefit while leaving us impoverished and with only a limited ability to communicate. Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070907-0478 Re: P2P responsible for as much as 90 percent of all 'Net traffic [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070905163549:42A25B1E-5BEF-11DC-A29C-3B8AB44AE0C8 Lies, Damn Lies and Traffic Reports. We need to be very careful in interpreting these studies. What does it even mean to measure traffic in a decentralized system. Who is asking and why? Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:46:53 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070905-0252 Re: Comcast Cuts Off Heavy Internet Users and Modems and Webcams and VoIP and web servers and ... [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070827023844:6396F4EE-5468-11DC-B94E-BF6089B55B08 Remember the modem scare and all the other dire warnings about how the best users are the worst threats? Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:11:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070905-0711 Re: AT&T's 1993 "You Will" Ads -- no thanks to ATT! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070825173429:365AE776-5353-11DC-860D-7784B44AE0C8 The idea that only a phone company can delivery services is at the heart of regulatory policy. Unfortunately reality is just the opposite! Sat, 25 Aug 2007 14:58:07 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070825-0518 Lampposts vs the Internet [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONLampost The Internet is about taking advantage of opportunity. Instead of having to find a special place for sensors, such as lampposts, we can take advanate of all the opportunity offered by the distributed nature of the Internet. Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070826-0554 Fortunately Minneapolis didn't have a 700Mhz system [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IP700Bridge The FCC claims that the 700Mhz auction is a way of funding public safety but they are putting us at risk by failing to learn the lessons of the Internet and the interstate highway systems in the value of a common infrastructure. Sat, 11 Aug 2007 18:36:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070825-0562 Re: You might be paying $1,000 per MB of SMS [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSMS While $1000/MB for SMS is a symptom of larger problems.10¢ may not seem much but such charges on European phone service were enough to discourage use of the Internet and cede the advantage fo the US. Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:47:39 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070730-0082 Re: Vint Cerf on Google spectrum and the new "Die Hard" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070724143640:D17992B4-3A14-11DC-A316-D192D68DF318 We keep talking as if price and cost were well defined. Buying telecom services seems a lot like having to buy a ticket on the railroad rather than being allowed to just drive there ourselves. Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:28:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070730-0648 Re: iphone and 2 year servitude [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070707181853:0B95FBBC-2CD8-11DC-90F8-01ADBA979F9D Another reminder that we don't have a real marketplace. The wireless service providers are essentially identical. No matter which we choose we still don't get access to the basic transport and it's even worse when we can't even mix and match technologies and are forced to make choices of entire packages. Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:30:01 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070716-0100 Re: Several AT&T Stores Forced Customers to Buy Accessories With iPhone - Gizmodo [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070630235415:BC78DEBA-2786-11DC-B401-B890AD9932FC The carriers told us they need to charge a "termination" fee to cover the cost of financing our telephones. Now it's obvious that they are doing it just because they can force us to pay. Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:45:26 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070716-0478 Re: Europe opens the door to in-flight phoning [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070619194234:C104CD84-1EBE-11DC-BF41-8347054E2AD4 Too bad we are stuck with cellular technology when we fly rather than getting real connectivity like we had for a brief period with Boeing's Connexxion service. Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:42:23 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070716-0266 What does Telecom have to do with the Internet anyway? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070616164150:0230E576-1C4A-11DC-94F0-9D1097F3CDF1 Network neutrality is not an issue in itself. It's a symptom of the larger problem being forced to buy services when we can do far better by creating our own solutions. As long as we keep talking about the Internet as something "out there" we won't be able to take advantage of the bountiful capacity right in our own neighborhoods. Sat, 16 Jun 2007 17:37:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070716-0081 First Square Mile is not the Last or First Mile: Discovery not Just Choices! http://rmf.vc/SATNFSM The fights over network neutrality and the demand for more broadband have little to do with the Internet itself. They are only attempts to reform telecom. It would be far better to focus on a positive agenda of connecting our neighborhoods and then inter-connect them. After all, that's what the Internet is really about -- our interconnectedness. Telecom is just a minor application alongside the web and what may lie in the future. Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070616-0697 FSM – The First Square Mile, Our Neighborhood http://rmf.vc/FSM Telecom is about services delivered over the last mile. Our connected neighborhood gives us the opportunity to discover the unanticipated. Instead of waiting at the end of the last mile we should look within our first square mile and see the possibilities, not just the choices offered. Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070615-0361 Re: One of four U.S. jobs headed overseas 1 and comment on [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipAntitech It's troubling to find the chairman of the Federal Reserve treating technology as a little more than trade. He complains that the best jobs are going overseas and then seems to want to make sure that Americans are qualified to do little more than act as the sideshow for the rest of the world. Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:13:18 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070614-0531 NSF announces GENI Project Office and no threat from P2P [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGeni1 Project GENI is a throwback to the old days of projecting all our hopes and fears on the network. It's in sharp contrast to the importance of the Internet in recognizing that responsibility and solutions are determined by how we use the transports. Once again, Intelligent Design finds its counterpart in the Intelligent Network. Tue, 22 May 2007 01:54:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070521-0858 GENI discussion [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPGeni While project GENI is not the "next Internet" it's worth looking at it because of what is not being done. The approach is inherently biased towards trying to solve social problems inside the network. That's more like the old phone company than the Internet. What seems to be missing from Internet research is the real spirit of the Internet which is to reduce our dependency on the network itself. No surprise that large institutions empower institutions not individuals. Tue, 22 May 2007 01:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070522-0055 Re: It's Silicon Valley vs. Telcos in Battle for Wireless Spectrum [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSpectrumSpectacle We keep reading about battles for the spectrum -- a fictional construct dating back to our primitive technologies of the early 1900's. Yet we seem to be mesmerized by the spectacle and unable to free ourselves to take advantage of what we have learned in the last century. The world's economy is deprived of trillions of dollars in value and we are barred from creating our own solutions Wed, 16 May 2007 15:09:02 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070516-0602 The Nation's Borders, Now Guarded by the Net [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBorderline It seems as if we are increasingly succumbing to fundamentalist idea such as the notion that morality is absolute and intrinsic. If you used LSD in the 1960's it means your are tainted and this country would rather do without your contributions than accept the idea of evolution. This is the kind of intolerance we profess to be fighting against but instead we seem to fighting over which intolerance will be used to prevent the future from being better than the past. Mon, 14 May 2007 15:14:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070514-0282 The Internet is Not Telecom [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/InternetIsNotTelecom We tend to treat the Internet as another communications network. It isn't -- it's the idea that we can create solutions independent of the telecom services Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070514-0513 Re: Customers slow to tune into AT&T's and Verizon's TV over fiber and through retro RG-6 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070513150155:6B0E614E-0184-11DC-AC63-9F8C5D4D306A The real competition is not between the Telcos and the Cablecos -- the real competition is telecom vs us. Sun, 13 May 2007 14:51:02 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070513-0878 Re: Harvard, BBN Use Streetlamps to Light Up Wireless Network [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070513150118:54FB58DA-0184-11DC-95E5-571FD9709814 Sensor networks are exciting but it seems that there is more interest in reinventing the wheel than driving anywhere Sun, 13 May 2007 14:42:50 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070513-0924 Re: We're Stuck In The Slow Lane Of The Information Trollway -- it's all about the billing relationship [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070512201423:E76D5F04-00E6-11DC-8638-A6692A323823 Once again we have the broadband gap … and once again I have to explain that broadband is old telecoms antiInternet. We know how to ask for what was even if it prevents what can be. Tue, 08 May 2007 18:03:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070513-0205 Re: The House of Representatives on campus downloading [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPeerless The Internet is intrinsically peer to peer but once again we're seeing people projecting their misunderstandings on the Internet by assuring we can do no harm even if it all also assures that we cannot do good. And that does real harm. Fri, 04 May 2007 19:23:55 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070507-0037 Facing economic realities of muni Wi-Fi Re: [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWiFiFad As I've tried to <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=WiFiEdge">explain</a>, much of the enthusiasm over muni Wi-Fi seems to faddish. Wi-Fi has a real potential to add value but instead we're seeing it treated as a way to seem "with it". Fri, 04 May 2007 13:00:59 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070507-0253 more on FCC wants to regulate "violence" on broadcast and basic cable TV [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070425071308:F29643EA-F31D-11DB-95BE-3C31599214BB The concept of a la carte programming is stuck in the idea of channelized television? Why not real choice instead of a limited slate of options? Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:46:52 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070425-0934 Re: Researchers explore scrapping Internet - Yahoo! News [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPScrap The Internet continues to be a work in progress. Today's Internet is a prototype that made pragmatic compromises in order to allow us to discover what is possible given the constraint of the end-to-end principle. Today too many people believe we now know what the Internet is good for and want to make it better for those applications. This misses the whole point -- the goal was to enable us to continue to discover new possibility, not to find the one answer. If anything we need to remove the scaffolding that has tied to a single infrastructure and encourage more innovation from the edge independent of the governance of ICANN and the dependency on the IP address and the DNS. Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:10:58 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070415-0151 Whose Network is it Anyway? http://rmf.vc/SATNVZCustomers Verizon says it listens to its customers and responds. What more can one ask? A lot more -- we can demand the ability to create our own solutions instead of petitioning a service provider. It's another lesson in the difference between the world of telecom and its services and the world of the Internet with us, the users, in control. I don't want favors, I want freedom to do it myself! Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070416-0397 Forget about it and Oyffice 2k7 http://rmf.vc/OfficeBlog The blog post feature in Office 2007 but it also illustrates the problem as I come to terms with office 2007. All these features are nice but some fundamental problems still remain and patches to an aging product come at a price. Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070411-0673 Homeland Insecurity—911 vs the concept of the Internet http://rmf.vc/SATNE911Again Once again we see an effort to "improve" 911 by taxing phone calls. And all in the name of "Homeland Security". And yet I feel even more insecure. Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070411-0418 A system for transferring gasoline ... [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070406155116_2E760D64-E478-11DB-8383-B97D599214BB Do patents trump antitrust? Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:49:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070407-0100 Judge Bars Vonage From Seeking New Customers [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070406150538_CEA82F12-E471-11DB-B3C1-C693599214BB Again Verizon seems intent on using the patent system as a weapon to protect its privileges. (See the <a href='http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/247/200704/20070407075009_22AAF108-E4FE-11DB-AB89-F823D7701ECA'>followup stay</a>) Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:17:48 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070407-0752 Re: Senator Clinton Introduces Rural Broadband Bill [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070404152006_7EE3042A-E2E1-11DB-89D8-B66B599214BB And once again broadband and other naïve policies feed upon themselves leaving us impoverished and dependent. Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:16:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070407-0737 more on FCC adopts new phone privacy rules [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070403125716_60AA10D0-E204-11DB-B131-9BDDD057CCE5 Taxing phone calls is necessary to pay for taxing phone calls and round and round we go. Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:32:11 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070407-0775 Re: cellphones on planes [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070325130322_BD13DC5C-DAF2-11DB-96CB-A695399DDADA Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:16:52 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070407-0982 NYT: "No Phones on Planes, Please" and the tyranny of the majority [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070324161251_0B4D5E02-DA44-11DB-AB12-95C1B5FACB04 Sat, 24 Mar 2007 16:34:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070407-0513 Jet passengers may not get to chat on cellphones after all -- but … [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/20070323023648_E055A5BA-D908-11DB-A1F9-951949E59317 Why is the FCC in the business of regulating social behavior? The FAA has no problems with cell phones in planes but the FCC seems to working hard to find a cover story for what amounts a social policy. (See also <a href='http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/247/20070324161251:0B4D5E02-DA44-11DB-AB12-95C1B5FACB04'>my previous post on this topic</a> Fri, 23 Mar 2007 03:21:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070407-0563 Researchers Track Down a Plague of Fake Web Pages [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/SpamPlague This is a confirmation of my sense that a significant amount of the spam we see comes from a small number of alpha sources. Mon, 19 Mar 2007 20:41:51 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070407-0051 [IP] Beyond evil twin hotspots -- the pervasive retaking of control [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/EvilHotSPots The issue with hot spots is just one aspect of the larger battle between the world of telecommunications and the essentially unrelated world of the Internet. Link-level security protects are particular path and makes us more reliant on service providers. End-to-End security is important but ultimately it's about taking responsibility for our networking but ultimately it's about who owns the infrastructure. Ownership is a defining assumption for tele/com being treated as a single industry. Users owning their own infrastructure challenges the basic concept of telecom. Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:40:19 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070317-0207 [IP] Re: thieves stealing data thru "evil twin" hotspots [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200703-0073 Another lesson -- the importance of end-to-end security. Link level security between computers and access points is another example of complacency. It works just well enough for the naïve to treat the problem as solve. The result is to leave us vulnerable and surprised. Sat, 17 Mar 2007 11:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070317-0961 Let Them Eat Bandwidth? http://rmf.vc/EatBandwidth The Boston Globe reported that Comcast cut off a user for too much downloading. I applaud Globe calling attention to these kind of abuses by Comcast and other providers and I encourage them to pursue this topic and ask why we have to ask permission to communicate. Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070317-0846 [IP] More DST fall-out [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200703-0045 More on DST as a reminder of the importance of proper representation. Even something seemingly as simple as a date is fully of subtle surprises. Sun, 11 Mar 2007 18:43:16 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070317-0697 [IP] DST and related foibles [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200703-0036 DST is round #2 of Y2K. It's useful to stress the system from time to time so we assure our systems are resilient rather than brittle. Change is the norm so we need to stress systems to help them stay resilient. Fri, 09 Mar 2007 12:31:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070317-0089 Looking Behind the Curtain [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VonCurtain The telecom industry appears to be very large and imposing but in reality it's all very simple. Thu, 01 Mar 2007 23:08:14 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080429-0985 FTC Broadband Workshop Comments http://rmf.vc/FTCBBW The title of the FTC workshop on “Broadband Con-nectivity Competition” assumes that the status quo makes sense and we only need to fine tune it. What struck me most about the workshop is the lack of a crisp insight. There was a lot of talk about how complex the issues are and lots of fascination with the details of the current Internet. But there was a stunning failure to see though the complexity. We can argue all we want about neutrality or we can recognize that bits are inherently neutral and reframe policy in terms of basic connectivity. Basic connectivity means we can create our own solutions rather than being required to buy services from a provider. We would not need to petition the FCC nor the FTC for neutrality. Attempting to bring a service-based model in line with the principles of neutrality is futile and counter-productive. Sun, 25 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070228-0645 [IP] The MP3 patent debacle [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/FarberMP3 Microsoft finds itself having to pay again for the MP3 patents. Too bad MP3 has become a generic name and thus people demand it when they really don't care about the particular compression scheme. Everything is labeled "MP3" these days. It's <a href="http://archives.listbox.com/247/200702/0144.html">not even a good scheme.</a> Sat, 24 Feb 2007 13:17:27 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070303-0506 [IP] Re: Windows Vista Flunks At MIT [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200702-0062 Transitioning to Vista can be a challenge when user code is too smart or the operating system is too specific. Static friction slows development and makes it difficult to take advantage of new capabilities. Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:34:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070218-0544 [IP] Re: It's just CFR -- Copper Fiber and Radios vs Telecom? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200702-0055 Deploying our CFR as a community activity Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:26:32 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070218-0311 The Perspective of History http://rmf.vc/PerspectiveHistory Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070212-0847 The Internet in Perspective http://rmf.vc/Perspective With all the discussion about VoIP and the two-tiered Internet and Broadband policy you'd think something is being said. But the words have no common meaning. The biggest problem, perhaps, is that the Internet itself is little more than a demonstration of what is possible when one is forced to come up with solutions that are not beholden to third parties who cannot help but use their control to limit our opportunities to create different of solutions. Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070212-0316 [IP] Re: An Alternative To San Francisco's Wi-Fi Deal [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200702-0003 Applying CFR principles. Can San Francisco transcend broadband and create real infrastructure? Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:11:45 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070201-0907 [IP] It's just CFR -- Copper Fiber and Radios vs Telecom? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200701-0112 Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:21:42 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070201-0745 CFR: Our Copper Fiber and Radios http://rmf.vc/OurCFR Our Copper, Fiber and Radios are a simple fixed asset. Why are we paying a service fee to privileged services providers when we can do it better ourselves. Our home networks run at a gigabit bit without a service charge yet we can on thousandth the capacity when we go outside our homes and pay a high fee for the "privilege". I was reminded of this as I saw Verizon installers running RG-6 cable for FiOS TV when I already had a perfectly good gigabit network and then they told me I had to use their router … Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070128-0300 Be Careful Lest You Get What You Ask For [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VON200701 If we want more Internet connectivity we must not ask for broadband. They are not the same thing. We've managed to salvage broadband as transport but the price we pay is that we are disconnected unless we are near our TVs and PCs. Sat, 20 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070120-0692 [IP] more on Visual VM [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPVisualVM The idea of a visual UI for voice mail is obvious. The problem is that it took a billion dollar company to get a cellular carrier to let them do it. We should demand real interfaces and not just a choice of arbitrary facades that hide the underlying opportunities. Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:21:10 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0346 [IP] more on dot "ex-ex-ex" domain boondoggle, err, proposal, back again -- so much for ambiguity [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPXXXAgain .XXX again! It's not just that it's a bad idea, .XXX is loaded with very dangerous political agendas. Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:14:41 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0954 [IP] Ailing music biz set to relax digital restrictions [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200701-0006 No surprise that DRM is working so well that it is preventing people from watching movies and this is showing up in slow sales. Tellywood seems to be slowly waking to up the realization that better to make a few sales than none at all. Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:46:42 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0981 Power Distribution to be like Telecom Distribution http://rmf.vc/SATNPowerUnshared If the telecom companies can get us to pay for their private distribution systems when why should the power companies have to share a wires. They too should be able to running billing paths to every house! Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061230-0060 [IP] RE: The AT&T/BellSouth Deal and Hollow Net Neutrality http://rmf.vc/ipfATTBS The fATT/BellSouth merger is papered over with empty Network Neutrality promises. But the real problem is the underlying assumption that the transport is to be funded by services. We need to fix the basic funding model rather than pretend we can keep a broken model as long as we naïve enough to believe in vague promises to be neutral. (until bugs is fixed see <a href="http://www.mail-archive.com/ip@v2.listbox.com/msg10801.html">this</a> for a more readable version. Sat, 30 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061230-0485 [IP] Inflight Web in Holding Pattern Inflight Web in Holding Pattern [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipOutOfTouch Once more we are going to be disconnected when in flight. Apparently we're to be kept isolated and out of touch because it's not profitable to the airlines. Alas, once again nanoeconomics and a lack of perspective. Sat, 23 Dec 2006 19:15:56 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061224-0220 [IP] Moving beyond IPV6 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200612-msg00064 The has serious scaling problems and while IPV6 might help we have to go back to the edge and communicate despite the center rather than put all our effort in fixing the middle. Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:33:49 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061215-0690 [IP] NY Times coverage of T-Mobile dual mode phone trial [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200612-msg00060 T-Mobile is happy to charge you extra to send some of your cell phone calls over Wi-Fi. You pay to reduce their traffic? Is Wi-Fi magic? Am I missing something? Fri, 15 Dec 2006 03:01:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061215-0603 [IP] Kindergarten Cam Redux [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200612-msg00056 The price has once more discovered and example of using the Internet to view remote cameras. What is old is new again if you don't recognize the common theme and view each instance in isolation. Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:26:20 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061215-0377 The FTC Must Look Beyond Broadband http://rmf.vc/FTCBB The FTC is going to hold a workshop on broadband competition. Broadband competition is a charade. We need the real competition that will come from having a transport that is not beholdent to those whose business is selling billable services. Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061213-0035 (Wireless) Connectivity from the Edge http://rmf.vc/WiFiEdge While I applaud the idea of municipal Wi-Fi in spirit, in practice it is problematic and we have a far better alternative in connectivity from the edge by taking advantage of existing paths and building from there. The danger is that these well-meaning efforts will give us more of the past rather than the opportunities inherent in a dynamic and ever-changing Internet. Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061212-0796 Our Internet! http://rmf.vc/OurInternet The Internet is not something we connect to. It's not even a network like the phone network. It simply the name for the community that can connect using common protocols. Instead of thinking about networks and broadband we must look for transports that create the opportunity to connect. We should pay for copper and glass and radios and not have funding by buying service we can do ourselves. It's not about the money -- it's about the lack of opportunity. Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061212-0970 The HP-HW6945: Mobile Computing w/Telephony http://rmf.vc/HW6945 I don't think of the HP-HW6945 as a telephony. The addition of a built-in GPS and the ability to run multiple applications has made telephony one of the applications. It's a taste of mobile computing and a chance to learn the value of ubiquitous connectivity. Sat, 02 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061202-0426 Mulling about Writing about Mulling. http://rmf.vc/Mulling It's easy for me to write quick email posts but far more difficult to write without the safety of the small group and the lists context. And then there are those typos. Maybe if I confess I can feel freer to write more freely but probably not. Sat, 02 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061202-0377 [IP] Microsoft Enters Municipal Wi-Fi Realm [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200611-msg00060 I appreciate Microsoft's interest in providing municipal connectivity but it's still locked within the billable service model. Microsoft should be at the forefront in assuring we have a connected infrastructure. Wed, 15 Nov 2006 15:57:41 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061213-0031 A Real Marketplace http://rmf.vc/ARealMarketplace Alfred Kahn, the architect of airline regulation argues against heavy handed network neutrality legislation. While I agree that additional regulation is unwise the solution is not status quo but a real marketplace which is self-regulated. Transport and content are distinct industries yet the FCC and its Regulatorium seem desperate to maintain the fiction that they one and the same. What we need is a dose of reality. Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061101-0310 The Internet as Design Principle http://rmf.vc/SATNInternetDesign We tend to think of the Internet in terms of what we can do with it. But the design principles that have allowed the Internet to become what it is are far more important than each application. The Internet is a lesson in how to build resilient sytems. Mon, 09 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061008-0713 [IP]. stalling Wi-Fi plans -- obviously Wi-Fi is not considered useful in itself. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipWiFi Muni Wi-Fi is a nice idea -- we should be able to assume ubiquitous connectivity. Unfortunately such efforts aren't as if they are worthwhile products. Instead they are often given grudging acceptance as long as they can pay their own way. It's akin to funding roads only out of the revenue of the restaurants along the way and seeing no additional value in having at transportation system. Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:06:41 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060922-0031 [IP] Spectrum Allocation and the Burden of Proof [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipSpectrumProof It's nearly 80 years since the US Supreme Court accepted limitations on First Amendment and gave Federal Radio Commission control over our speech. After 80 years of advances in technology the onus is on those advocating spectrum allocation to justify the extraordinary exception to the First Amendment. Fri, 08 Sep 2006 19:29:04 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060908-0701 [IP] Understanding Robots.txt [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200609-msg00031 People need to learn to live in a world in which you can't undo. Robots.txt is just a convention and the failure mode is to copy everything. Mon, 04 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060908-0600 [IP] company refuses to sell Internet services or other contract-based plans to people over 70 or under 70? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200609-msg00017 Yet another example of confusion of this "Internet" thing. Sun, 03 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060908-0757 Whatever on Whatever [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VonWow The VON conferences are moving beyond Voice on the Net. In fact, we can send pretty much whatever we want over any transport available. Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061009-0593 [IP] more on YUP!! results of uk ban [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipFlyWithout Once more our lives become more narrow and less pleasant as we focus on walling ourselves off from danger. Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060811-0329 [IP] more on search experience on "border" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipSearching Our use of secret ballots is a recognition of the need for having some escape from others' judgment and scrutiny. If we expect to be watched all the time we will learn to avoid taking the risks necessary to discover new ideas. Thu, 03 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060811-0744 [IP] An Identity Protection Racket? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipIdentityRacket Another reminder that identity theft is a profit center for the financial industry. They want you to pay for protection from their sloppy procedures. Wed, 26 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060727-0814 [IP] more on snobol & java [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipSnobol Today's computing isn't all that new. In fact, when I was a kid . . . Wed, 26 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060727-0222 FCC vs Us http://rmf.vc/FCCVsUS As much as one can fault the phone companies and cable companies for their behavior, the are acting within the rules of the Regulatorium. It is a folie à deux -- a shared madness in which the participants create their own reality. The carriers are behaving rationally in responding to the demands of the Regulatorium rather than their customers. In fact, the customers are a threat as they seek to wrest control from the gatekeepers. Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060721-0440 It's Our Infrastructure http://rmf.vc/OurInfrastructure Continuing on the theme of understanding our infrastructure vs the carriers' assumption all those fibers exist only for their benefit. They want consumers not users who can be participants and thus competitors. Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060721-0064 A Folie à Deux—The FCC and Telecommunications! http://rmf.vc/SATNFolly The FCC and the telecom industry live in their own little world … the rest of us are disinvited. Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060721-0410 [IP] more on "Strong" AI to be here within 25 years [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200607-msg00097 It's important to understand how systems evolve. In some situations we get the kind of hyper-growth characterized by Moore's law. It's not magic -- it's co-evolution as long as you don't care about the particular results. I doesn't occur if you have a particular goal as there is nothing to be intelligently designed. And that includes so-called intelligence. The issue is important because understanding how complex systems function is essentially for those making policy decisions -- unfortunately there is a tendency to take an authoritarian approach as if those who want to do us good are proxies for the grand intelligent designer. Sat, 15 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060715-0678 [IP] more on Initial experience with Win XP VM with Parallels Desktop for [Intel] Mac [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipNoUSB Virtualization and end-to-end go very well together. Unfortunately USB is a bucket brigade protocol that puts too many constraints on each element in the feeding chain. Tue, 11 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060715-0109 [IP] more on fbi plans new Net-tapping push [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCaleaDuh Is the unexamined conversation going to become illegal? Sat, 08 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060710-0031 Convergence? [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONConvergence Convergence – it’s an attractive idea – all networks using common IP protocols. Instead of having a special network for each form of content we have a single converged network. Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061009-0448 Cringely: If we build it they will come [external] http://rmf.vc/CringelyMile Robert X Cringely's PBS column does a better job that I can in articulating why we should be thinking about infrastructure rather than simply trying to get the carriers to behave better. Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060630-0562 [IP] more on Verizon "Broadband Router" the perfect Trojan Horse [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipnono Network Neutrality or NN is a way to articulate the principle of unfettered connectivity with the rest of the Internet. It gives us a way to say No No to carriers that are very tempted to use technology to limit our ability to make full use of the Internet. Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060630-0250 [IP] more on Broadcast flags pass Committee markup, net neutrality to be voted on tomorrow. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipBF1 The broadcast bit again … how can anyone create new economic value if we must prove the worth of every new idea to who think bits have intrinsic meaning and morality? Wed, 28 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060628-0397 [IP] more on skype [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipSKype3 As I noted in <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=SATNSkypeFuture">previous comments on Skype</a> it represents the future of connectivity. A layered dependency upon End-to-End misses the point of End-to-end. Another reminder that the current Internet is a just prototype. Fri, 23 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060623-0506 [IP] Senate Commerce Committee reprieve for broadcast flag, net neutrality decisions [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipNNvBF The broadcast flag may be worse than nonneutrality. Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060623-0815 It's about Infrastructure! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPInfrastructure It's often far easer to explain a point in response to a question than try to write a general position paper. This is a good start before you read the related essays. It's about our infrastructure not the Regulatorium's notion of services. Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060622-0797 [IP] more on Hub & Spoke or P2P Mesh? That is the question. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipHubSpoke A reminder to be careful of what we ask for. It is more important to work with the marketplace dynamic than specifying a specific result such as "high speed broadband" Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060622-0760 Response to Infrastructure Questions http://rmf.vc/Infrastructure2 Response to <a href="http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/200606/msg00161.html">questions</a> about my infrastructure comments. Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060622-0233 Connectivity Sound Bites http://rmf.vc/ConnectivityBites Sometimes, perhaps most of the time, all you have is a chance to say one or two sentences. Here are a few for your framing pleasure. Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060621-0781 Opportunity, not Services http://rmf.vc/opportunity Today's debate about our infrastructure is framed in terms of network neutrality. We must articulate the concept of an open transport but the real debate will be about owning our own infrastructure. It is more than just means for carriers' to deliver services. You may want to read <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=IPInfrastructure">Infrastructure!</a> first to better understand the context. Sun, 18 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060621-0701 Carriers: Their Services vs Our Infrastructure http://rmf.vc/Carriers Read <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=Opportunity">Opportunity</a> for an overview. The whole concept of "telecommunications" seems to be fundamental and necessary. But if you step back you see how all the pieces fit together but they are in a world of their own. We are able to create our own solutions. The question is not whether carriers will permit us to communicate, it's only a question of how long will we allow our economy and safety to be held out bay in order to support an obsolete and business model that preserves scarcity rather than allowing us to get the benefits of abundant connectivity. Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060621-0958 [IP] Who they're spying on [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipACLU-Phone It's easy to try to justify bad policies by pointing to examples of good results. The current administration's contempt for our rights and any restraints on its activities gives us added reasons to object to its spying on its own citizen. It's public statement shows a dangerously warped and naïve view of the reality. The contempt it has shown for legal constraints on its activities shows contempt for our freedoms. Wed, 07 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060608-0743 [IP] more on EU to tax e-mail, text messages? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipEU-Etax One more attempt to tax email. While I don't expect it to go anywhere it's a reminder that bad metaphors keep getting rediscovered. Sat, 27 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060608-0328 Sidewalks: Paying by the Stroll http://rmf.vc/Sidewalks We've gotten used to paying for phone calls as a service. It almost seems normal. Why not take this concept further. Why not regulate Transport Service Providers in order to assure Quality of Stroll? Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060525-0214 [IP] more on Cell Carriers to Web Customers: Use Us, but Not Too Much -- Modem "Crisis" Redux [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipCellRedux Once again we see the carriers raising alarms about customers using too much of their network. It's another reminder that we have an industry whose incentive is maintain scarcity so they can exert control. Why does Congress seem to want to reward the carriers for this behavior rather than punishing them? Thu, 11 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060511-0655 Tele/Communications [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONTeleCommunications In the last column I asked what a Phone Company does and why we need one. In this column I continue the theme by questioning the assumptions implicit in the word “telecommunications”. Mon, 01 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061009-0707 Beyond Buggy Whips [external] http://rmf.vc/SIBuggy Frank Coluccio reposted comments I made on a mailing list. People are starting to think beyond the current carriers. This is a trend that is gaining momentum. Wed, 26 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060426-0594 [IP] Out At Sea [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipOutToSea Before we had offshoring we had Britain and its East India Company. Are today's carriers the modern version of the global monopolies? Mon, 17 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060417-0216 [IP] more on In Silicon Valley, a Man Without a Patent [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipPatents Patenting away huge swaths of the future is a risky policy for society. Patents do have value but today's tendency towards preempting patenting has gone too far. Even more troublesome is that patenting of old ideas simply because they weren't locked done. Sun, 16 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060416-0557 Telecom is Just a Phrase We're Going Through http://rmf.vc/TelecomPhrase Telecom is just a phrase. Tele (over distance) is distinct from Communications (Talking). The entire telecom industry is premised on the notion that they are a single concept and thus normal marketplace forces don’t apply. But transport is simple infrastructure. Today's regulatorium is premised on a compromise made in 1927 to support spectrum allocation and its inefficiencies. In 2006 we must correct the misunderstanding and allow for abundance and opportunity. Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060331-0027 FAQ for Telecom is Just a Phrase http://rmf.vc/TelecomPhraseFAQ Some background for <a href="/?name=TelecomPhrase">Telecom is Just a Phrase We're Going Through"</a> Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060331-0717 [IP] more on for Californians AB 2231 Emergency alerts [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200603-msg00272 It's tempting to use the SMS capabilities of cell phones for emergency messaging but it's a problematic system. More troubling is the tendency to confuse the retail price of such services with cost. Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060411-0285 Skype as the Future of Connectivity http://rmf.vc/SATNSkypeFuture It is Skype, not Internet 2, that represents the future of connectivity. Skype provides stable connectivity despite the Internet. The report on an investigation of Skype's code makes this even more clear. Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060322-0897 [IP] Companies That Fought Cities On Wi-Fi, Now Rush to Join In [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipMuniWifi It's no surprise that carriers want to bid on the franchises to control municipal Wi-Fi. But that's the wrong model -- we shouldn't cede control of the commons to companies whose only goal is creating billable events. Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060320-0232 [IP] TV Stations Fined Over CBS Show Deemed to Be Indecent [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipFSCAstroturf Our Federal Speech Commission is complicit with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing">Astroturf</a> campaigns in their pursuing a moralistic agenda. Too bad the press is complicit in failing to do more than hint that the 300,000 letters the FCC received are Astroturf rather than representing mandate. The theme of "<a href="http://wip.warnerbros.com/goodnightgoodluck/">Good night and good luck</a>" is even more relevant now than it was in the 1950's. Fri, 17 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060317-0753 [IP] Cell Phones Airplanes and all that] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipBluePlane After all the serious discussion of the issues it's useful to remember that this is about how we live our lives. The technology can be used to make traveling fun rather than something to be endured. Tue, 07 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060308-0253 [IP] a good discussion more on worth reading the economic arguments djf The High-Speed Money Line]] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipEconomicArguments Today's telecom industry assumes that the transport and the content are the same so we can tax the value of communications to pay for transport. This is no longer possible and doesn’t make sense. We must shift to creating a real infrastructure and a real marketplace rather than continuing the failed experiment in state socialism. Mon, 06 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060306-0982 [IP] Maybe the cause is bad design of aircraft cell phones and electronic devices are a risk to planes] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipPlanesNotPhones Another warning about the dangers of cell phones rather than wondering why aircraft are so vulnerable. Sun, 05 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060306-0424 [IP] TECHNOLOGY ALERT: AT&T Plans to Buy BellSouth v2] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipffATTBS Another tragic consequence of a failed experiment in state socialism from the 1930's. The real question is why this chimera is tolerated when its own research demonstrates that communications and transport have no intrinsic relationship. If Whitacre says his business isn't viable then he seems to be doubling up the bet in the same way that Ebbers did. Sun, 05 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060306-0053 What’s a Phone Company? And Why? [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONPhoneWhy You no longer buy light from a light company, you buy electricity. Why are people still buying phone calls from a phone company? Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061009-0539 [IP] more on Plug-In Internet Connection to Get Test on Long Island] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipBPL Broadband over Powerline is a strange beast because it's be brought to you by an industry that is even more encumbered than the current carriers. While I welcome additional paths, I'm concerned about the mired in problematic regulations and economic models. (See the <a href="/?name=ipBPL1">previous post</a>) Mon, 27 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060227-0982 [IP] mo Plug-In Internet Connection to Get Test on Long Island [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipBPL1 Sun, 26 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060227-0033 [IP] Flash TV -- the broadcasters'' nightmare [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipBroadcastFlash The new show Kappa Mikey is done using Flash. Sending flash through the standard broadcast channels destroys the integrity of the original flash. It's a harbinger of content which is done far better outside the broadcast channel. Their role is shipping from facilitator to a bottleneck Fri, 24 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060224-0201 infoTalk Podcast form Mashup Camp 20060220 [external] http://rmf.vc/PodcastMashup200602 A podcast from David Berlin's Mashup Camp at the Computer History Museum. John Furrier interviewed me on various topics including my current fixation on liberating the infrastructure. Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060222-0774 So Why Say Infrastructure? [external] http://rmf.vc/DBWhySayInfrastructure Dana Blankenhorn posted some of my comments about what it means for our infrastructure to be held hostage. It's the kind of short post that I should do more often -- I tend to try too hard to explain rather than posting short comments. Sun, 19 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060219-0958 [IP] Google Video DRM: Why is Hollywood more important than users? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipGoogleDRM DRM is about far more than just protecting "content". It's about controlling technology. I am not allowed to take advantage of my 2500x1600 display until Tellywood gives me permission. This is offensive and nutty -- allowing the clowns to tell us what we are allowed to do! Tue, 14 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060216-0410 9-1-1 – Better Safe Than Live? http://rmf.vc/SATN911SafeNotLive What's the good of 9-1-1 if it fails in an emergency because you have to first tell it that you haven't changed your location. Too bad 9-1-1 is more about politics than safety. Sat, 04 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060203-0294 Achieving Connectivity http://rmf.vc/SATNAchievingConnectivity Abundant connectivity is here but the cellular carriers want to <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=AssuringScarcity">Assure Scarcity</a> because it threatens their business. They agree that the Internet is going to give us plentiful and cheap bits. We shouldn't be negotiating to get the carriers to behave better, they can't and even if they did, the Internet is more than faster phone lines. We should focus instead on <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=GettingConnected">Getting Connected</a> by shifting the basis for policy from predefined and limited services to the opportunity afforded by connectivity. Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060131-0937 QoS as per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India http://rmf.vc/SATNIndiaQos A "Next Generation Report" for the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has a nice statement saying that QoS is a nonissue. QoS is a big issue because it's gives the transport owner to define service policies. If QoS is moot, then they lose the ability to choose the winners and charge a premium for "quality" bits. Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060131-0922 [IP] more on Looking for "futurists" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200601-msg00455 Companies don't want to know about futures in which they don't exist. Tue, 31 Jan 2006 14:15:37 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061213-0568 Assuring Scarcity http://rmf.vc/AssuringScarcity I've been trying hard to explain that the Internet gives us abundant capacity to connect and create new value but it is being thwarted by the telecom industry. The cellular companies are so confident that they are willing to make my case for me. They are warning each other about the danger of abundance and lay out their strategy for assuring scarcity. They are bragging about maintaining monopoly control. They pride themselves in stalling the global economy. Why do we stand for this? Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060131-0144 Getting Connected http://rmf.vc/GettingConnected The telephone and cable TV networks are fundamentally different from the Internet. Asking the carriers is a losing proposition -- they can honor the rules while violating the spirit. More important they are trying to provide wide area phone service and they are inherently unable to provide abundant local connected. We need a policy based on connected rather than treating the Internet as something the carriers will deign to allow. Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060130-0173 [IP] Government study: VoIP, video can be taxed [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipTaxIt The topic of "Internet" taxation keeps coming up but that's a meaningless concept. Commerce is commerce independent of the Net. VoIP is a technology. You can tax people providing phone services but not SIP. It's hard to have a rational discussion among people who are using meaningless terms. Worse are laws that embody misguided assumptions. Fri, 27 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060127-0282 [IP] more on STUPID STUPID High-Def Forced To Down-Convert [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipStuipdHD It's difficult to discuss the DRM issues because we have a conceptual device between those who view bits as bits and those who view each instance and form of their product as an new product. Current DVDs and HD DVDs are seen as different products -- not just an increase in capacity. Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060126-0738 And Now with Billability [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONBillability The new big thing for the telephone companies is IMS. It is supposed to be a way to delivery all sorts of new service but in reality it's real purpose is to assure that they can bill for services and prevent their users from competing with them. It's an attempt to prevent the Internet from growing. It's doomed and their investors are going to learn that you can't find an idea. But for the carriers it's their last desperate attempt to have a reason to exist and we are paying the price for their intransigence. Sun, 22 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060122-0634 [IP] more on Steve Gibson: MS WMF is a Backdoor, Not a Coding Mistake [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipGibsonWMF Microsoft's WMF bug may be serious but it's seems like a classic bug but not an intentional backdoor Fri, 13 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060126-0237 [IP] more on Spielberg loses out at the push of a button [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipDRM1 Another example of why DRM-based systems are so fragile. Unfortunately people seem to generalize from examples in isolation and thus fail to see the systemic consequences of their policies. This is not just about DRM -- it affects medical care and our safety. The wisdom embodied in the US Constitution is not to be found in today's "leadership". Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060111-0104 [IP] more on Spielberg loses out at the push of a button [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipDRM2 More on the DRM issues. The computer industry creates value by decoupling system elements which allows us to create new and valuable combinations. Tellywood is just the opposite -- everything is a unique product and little of the value is available to the future. Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060111-0713 [IP] more on response from Google to yet another twist [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipGoogleSETI Google is cooperating with researchers measuring network performance. It would be wonderful if we could scale this effort with a SETI-like approach that allows us all to contribute a small amount of our networking and computing capacity to give us a better understanding of the dynamics of the Internet. Tue, 10 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060111-0305 [IP] more on WI-FI RUN BY CITIES: YEA OR NAY? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipPFF The so-called "Progress and Freedom Foundation" seems to be driven by ideology unfettered by understanding. It's trying to preserve a fictional telecom industry against the threat of a fictional municipal telecom industry. Unfortunately many accept this argument because they do not understand the concept of connectivity and the opportunity it providers. Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060111-0705 [IP] more on [I agree djf] an acurate description of this behavior is unprintable in polite company [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipLamedCells As I discovered when I first got my Samsung i730, Microsoft and Samsung have been cooperating with Verizon by crippling the Bluetooth capabilities and also crippling the browser. I share the strong aversion to such odious behavior. Sun, 08 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060111-0680 [IP] worth reading more on : Telco's Arrogant Stand on Content [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipFFTV The story of IPTV is very confused. If you start asking questions you find that the story falls apart. The carriers claim that they deserve special advantages in delivering video content but what they are really asking for is special treatment for assuring scarcity. When offered abundance they get afraid. Additional comments in a <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=ipFFTV2">followup</a> posting. Sat, 07 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060108-0084 Gearlog Radio: Bob Frankston -- Make The Internet More Like Interstate Highways [external] http://rmf.vc/GearLogHighways Talking to David Coursey at CES about the Internet as infrastructure Fri, 06 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060224-0296 [IP] more on Huge virus threat rocks Microsoft [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipWMFBug Another reminder that the world has its toxic elements. Technology is not perfect and even solutions come with risks.This is as much a social problem as a technical one. We must go after those who exploit these vulnerabilities. Too bad the fixation on terrorism blinds us to real and immediate threats. Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060103-0971 [IP] Leap second considered harmful [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipLeapSeconds I'm glad to see I'm not alone in questioning the idea of a leap second. This 21 page reports goes into detail but concludes that the leap second is not necessary while creating problems of its own. Now, we can chuck the whole thing and move one? Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060103-0780 [IP] Student sues over mistaken drug bust [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipDrugBust If the "authorities" can't distinguish between flour and cocaine can we trust them when they have all that mined data to misinterpret? Fri, 30 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20060103-0318 Speed is nice, connectivity is vital http://rmf.vc/SpeedVsConnectivity There is a temporary glut of high speed connections but we shouldn't confuse the current applications with what we can do with abundant connectivity. 30cps (300bps) was wonderful and 1200bps was faster than we could read. And we soon found that we needed more. We are still confusing fast broadband with the Internet and simply replacing the television isn't that exciting but we'll get past that. Universal connectivity is far more important than speed just as universal service was an important idea (even with a bad implementation) in the early days of telephony. We need to shift our emphasis to connectivity. The billions spent on redundant infrastructure is more than sufficient to provide 24x7 connectivity to everyone with or without a wire. The problem is that the carriers' business model presumes scarcity. Abundant connectivity means that they are no longer in a privileged position in creating services and thus can't repay the costs of that infrastructure. Ironically the only way they can compete in providing "broadband" is to emphasize speed. Tue, 27 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051227-0121 [IP] more on Leap second fight brewing [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipLeapSecondsBrewing Leap Seconds again … no programming language can handle it because seconds are fungible but apparently rocket scientists are too dumb to handle correction factors. Mon, 26 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051228-0514 [IP] more on Cellphone 911 calls failed in big storm: Prudence [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipCell911 Once again an attempt to impose a narrow solution. Providing location information would allow the creation of new services in place of an anachronistic E911 system. Thu, 22 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051228-0371 [IP] more on Talking Points: The So-Called War on Christmas - New York Times [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipWarOnChristmas Those who claim that there is a "war on Christmas" are aligned with those who want to use the FCC as a Federal Speech Commission as an ally in a fight against tolerance. Sat, 17 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051228-0781 Why not just save as XML? http://rmf.vc/WhyNotJustXML When I save settings from a device or a program it's typically in some inscrutable binary format. That's just dumb. Save in XML unless there is a strong reason not to. Just do it! Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051216-0760 [IP] GOOD QUOTES IPTV quote [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIPTVQuote Microsoft is proud that IPTV boxes are closed boxes that allow the carriers to control your browsing as well as choosing what you can watch and when you can watch it. Good this monstrosity is going to fail of its own weight. (See <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=ipiptv2">follow-up comments</a> Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051216-0909 [IP] more on eBay faces up to online fraud The online auctioneer eBay has admitted an "extreme growth" in the number of personal accounts being hijacked by fraudsters. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipEbayFraud More phishing -- why just treat the symptoms? Are governments ready to take this seriously? Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051216-0105 [IP] Student-run radio station fighting for air [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipStudentRadio Scarcity is an opportunity to impose social policy. Rather than fighting to assure everyone has a voice why don't we just make IP connectivity available and stop this nonsense? Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051216-0167 [IP] more on Telecoms want their products to travel on a faster Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipFasterInternet Fancy words for simply pigging out on our connectivity. Also see <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=OnePercent"><i>One Percent</i></a>. Thu, 15 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051216-0995 Looking Back from Above http://rmf.vc/satnFromAbove I've found fun playing with the new bird's eye view available with Microsoft's <a href="local.live.com">Virtual Earth</a>. I can look back to where I lived when I first moved to Boston. Sun, 11 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051228-0509 [IP] credit card rip-off (fwd) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCard2 And the companies doing snookering are proud -- they call them loyalty programs! Does marketing work best when sociopathic? I hope not. Sat, 10 Dec 2005 02:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051216-0426 [IP] credit card rip-off (fwd) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCard Scam or not a scam? Where is the boundary between "clever" marketing and outright fraud? Beware clicking the "rewards" button after making a purchase -- you might find yourself getting build monthly. Sat, 10 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051216-0502 [IP] more on Comcast plans 6% rate hike / Increase comes as phone firms prepare to enter cable market [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-streaming-1 Comcast is raising it's rates at the same time that I find I can get reasonable quality using only 5% of the capacity of my Internet connection. Phone companies kept raising their rates until VoIP put an end to such nonsense. Wed, 07 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051207-0098 [IP] A follow up comment about PC streaming [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-streaming-2 In thinking about it the real problem is not that I can bypass the carriers but that while they've been guarding their castle a vibrant and larger city is growing up outside not hobbled by their business model nor DRM. Wed, 07 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051207-0979 VoIP–A Life Saver! [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONLifeSaver Once again in a disaster resilient connectivity has showed it's value. It allows anyone to contribute to the solution. Tradiitional networks create brittle dependencies because the business model requires that everything be captures and billed. Can we really afford to put ourselves in peril to conform to an obsolete business model that exists only because of a regulatorium that disserves us? Wed, 07 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051216-0759 [IP] more on Google search and seizure, etc. vs. technologists [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-google-seizuer Techies seem to view each no threat with grave concern while accepted the myriad of present threats to privacy with indifference. Sun, 04 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051205-0723 [IP] more on re: 2029, A Worldwide Mesh? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-mesh-mash Another example of attempting to do us favors by creating a smarter network rather than giving us enabling technology. It's no surprise that people solving low level technical problems will want to present in terms of visible benefits but we must not confuse that with giving us the ability to create new solutions. The problem with these approaches is that they divert us from solving the real problems of a connected infrastructure. The current Internet doesn't support local solutions because of dependencies on mechanisms such as the DNS. Today's telecom companies are a major impediment to any improvement because they threaten those who try to solve their own problems. This is not just business as usual but malevolence and clear and present danger. Sun, 04 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051205-0655 [IP] more on Amazon Phishing scam - BEWARE! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-phishing Phishing is more of a social problem than a technical one it prays on our trust "cues". We need to develop a way to come to terms with this problems rather than looking for absolute protection. Sat, 03 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051205-0886 [IP] The RBOC's next move (blocking) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200512-msg00039 With all the concern about carriers blocking access to Internet services there has been remarkable little blocking. The real threat is far simpler -- the withholding of capacity and the lack of ubiquitous connectivity. Sat, 03 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051205-0674 [IP] Telecoms required to save logs of e-mail [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-savelogs The EU is requiring telecom companies to save email logs. While this may help catch some unwanted behavior it seems to be another example of an inability to come to terms with "edge-to-edge" architectures. Fri, 02 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051205-0600 [IP] more on Chinese hackers [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200511-msg00310 Once again we see an attack on a supposedly vital system. We can't simply put up new walls -- we need to understand how to be effective participants in a complex ecosystems rather than hermits limited by fear. Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051128-0682 [IP] more on Renewed Warning of Bandwidth Hoarding [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-hoarding Once again we see carriers trying to demonize their best customers. Rather than responding defensively we should question the fundamental premises of the current telecom industry. Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051128-0204 [IP] more on Coming to TV: ads about you -- 2 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-about-you Once again we have advertisers salivating over technology. Such efforts do represent a threat to privacy but the real losers may be advertisers who look backwards rather than ahead. Wed, 23 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051128-0140 [IP] more on TiVo to Bring TV to iPod and PSP [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-tivo-psp We shouldn't confuse sharing degraded or low resolution versions of content with the ability to control the bits we have. Tue, 22 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051128-0761 [IP] Cisco Agrees to Buy Scientific-Atlanta for $6.9 Bln [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-sa-cisco Cisco's purchase of Scientific-Atlanta may open the way for video content to be distributed over the IP infrastructure. The walled garden may be still be implemented using encryption but the ability to share a common infrastructure would be a major step forward. I await to see what happens. Fri, 18 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051128-0344 [IP] Verizon's EVDO terms of use [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200511-msg00151 Whose network is it anyway? Verizon's EVDO policies seem to be out odds with the service they really sell. These kind of restrictive policies are endemic to the ISP model. Since they are at odds with reality enforcement is only sporadic and even perverse. The danger lies in the danger that the carriers might actually be so foolish as to impose these policies as they see their business threatened. Thu, 10 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051128-0975 [IP] THEY STOOPED TO CONQUER [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-stoop A book review from the Economist -- we must be careful about mixing morality and politics.. Tue, 08 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051128-0605 [IP] more on The U.N. Isn't a Threat to the Net [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-UN-Net Beware those who want to do us good. Those whose background is social policy find it difficult to leave technology alone lest it not produce the desired results. Sun, 06 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051128-0456 more on How the MPAA killed the movie theater experience: a first-hand report [ip] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-MPAA Another example of the problem of seeing all devices as unambiguous threats. Attending a movie shouldn't require giving up ones connections to the world such as the ability to be available to ones' babysitter in an emergency. Sat, 05 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051128-0633 Reality vs the Regulatorium http://rmf.vc/RealityVRegulatorium The discussion about SBC's whining about how the deserve to be paid just because they spent money is a reminder about how far the <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=Glossary#Regulatorium">Regulatorium</a> has drifted from the realities of today's marketplace. The issues are coming to a head. The Regulatorium is becoming more obviously dysfunction and as ideas like municipal Wi-Fi become accepted the carriers are going to find their "story" is no longer accepted. The new story of the <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=ConnectivityUtility"> utility model</a> for connectivity is starting become too obvious to ignore. Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051102-0831 [IP] PC Makers Facing a Flop In Home Entertainment {corrected} [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCEDell No surprise that computer companies are failing to become consumer electronics companies. Instead of playing to the strengths of personal computing they are hobbling themselves by imitating old line consumer electronics while coupling it with the complexity of personal computing. At a dab of DRM and you have a perfect formula for failure. Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051102-0728 [IP] more on Trying to Plug the Analog Hole -- An Exercise in Futility [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSpite The increasing effort to create technical solutions are born of the attitude that one must prevent bad things from happening even if that means disallowing innovation and creativity. It is a zero-sum philosophy that encourage evasion in order to get anything done. The alternative is to find a balance and encourage users to see their self-interest lies in cooperation. Instead evading restrictions becomes illegal and necessary -- a sign of a dysfunctional kleptrocracy. Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051102-0084 [IP] Comments on PPOE [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPPPoE PPPoE (point to point protocol over Ethernet) is a strange creation. It's a strange protocol that exists only to confirm to a particular billing regimen. It requires that the packets travel an expensive phone network rather than getting the benefits of connectivity for the first leg. Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051102-0044 [IP] Don't let your ISP muck with your PC [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPISPPC DSL and Cable modem providers want you to run special software as if you were buying a service rather than a utility. Their benevolence can do more harm than good. Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051102-0898 [IP] more on SBC to raise DSL pricing 25-43% (unless you bundle) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSBC SBC's CEO was interviewed in Business Week. Carriers seem to whine a lot about the state of affairs. It's a tactic used to gain the sympathy of Congress as they try to retain their privileged position. Normal business blame themselves when they fail to stay profitable. The carriers tend to blame their customers and see them as competition. Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051031-0268 [IP] more on IPTV deployment in major cities [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPIPTV IPTV is another attempt by the Telcos to take advantage of their right of way to choose what we can watch and have us pay for it. They have counterparts in municipalities that want to share the booty. The 15mbps providing for IP connectivity is less than 1% of capacity but is enough for video. How long before Tellywood goes direct and stops letting the carriers keep most of the fees and all of the control? Sat, 29 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051029-0097 [IP] more on French government bans Skype at Universities [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFranceVSkype France is attempting to ban the use of Skype at universities with a cover story about security. Can you spell "doesn't get it"? Tue, 25 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051029-0961 [IP] more on Locked In a Cell: How Cell Phone Early Termination Fees Hurt Consumers [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCellLockin Responses to Gerry Faulhaber's question about why cellular companies try to lock their customers into contracts that frustrate marketplace dynamics. I go a step further in <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=IPCellLockin2">a followup discussion</a> I point out that the fees are relatively minor compared to the larger issues including capital at risk as the CellCos lose their tight control over wireless connectivity. Sun, 16 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051024-0101 [IP] Paranoia and George Orwell [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPParanoiaGeorge I'm amazed how little people seem to care about their inability to own knowledge and information. The so-called Progress and Freedom Foundation seems to see freedom as something for corporations so they can give us what we want as long as we ask nicely and they see money in it. It's freedom from choice. We see Kodak taking control over your pictures only reluctantly sells them back to you. See <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=IPDMCA2">a followup response</a> and <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=IPDMCA3">more</a> Wed, 12 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051024-0162 [IP] The Blackberry patent debacle is in the news again [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBlackberry The patent wars over the "Blackberry" are in the news again. I <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=IPBlackberry2">followed up</a> and looked at the patents. They demonstrate the tragedy of a system that disdains science. Doing the same old thing but over RF seems to make it patentable? Of course that ignores that 802.11 puts everything over RF and RF has been used for Ethernets for more than 30 years! Sun, 09 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051024-0931 Kodak vs the Internet — Who Owns You? http://rmf.vc/SATNEasyShare Update: Kodak is now offering a premium service which supports downloading. The idea of a Wi-Fi camera that automatically send your data to a web set where you view the pictures sounds wonderful. But there's something very wrong -- you don't really own those pictures. You have to pay and they will deign to mail you a CD if you want and can wait. And the price increases with use! Something is very wrong -- once more we have an old business that is used to exerting control and getting revenue for each transaction. Just like the carriers, just like Tellywood. As their business models become more threatened they react by trying to tighten control and petitioning Congress to make innovation illegal. You no longer own what you buy -- you cannot invest in the future. It seems as if the dynamics of the marketplace are too threatening to be tolerated any more. Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051003-0974 [IP] more on How we got it wrong on Calling-Number ID [RISKS] Risks Digest 24.05 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCLIDDNS The caller ID and the DNS have many parallels - both in the degree to which we assume they work and the reality that they aren't as definitive and authoritative as we'd like to think. They also do just enough to discourage far better approaches. Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051004-0749 Making Connections [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONMakingConnections Connectivity is the vital resource. Voice is just one of the applications enabled by connectivity. Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051003-0555 Those Orifices! [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONOrifices Steve Jobs described the carriers as orifices. It may not be a dignified description but we need some way to make people understand that the carriers are all about ARPU (Average Return Per User) and not about benevolence. They want to force you to pay and pay for what you already own. After all, you don’t really own it -- you are just using at their sufferance. It's their network and you should appreciate that they are nice enough to let you pay a lot of money to use it. They could simply say no instead of just pay more. Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051003-0869 Beyond the DNS and The Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/BeyondInternetV1 This is a summary of my current thinking about the need to move beyond the limitations of the current Internet which is really a first implementation of end-to-end network. The network itself is only a first step - the edge devices are dependent upon a central authority for their presence on the network. The name (the IP address) is defined by where they are on the network -- if you move to a different place you must change your name. The result is a network that is not sufficiently dynamic and subject to the whims of those who administer the network. The P2P community (Skype is an example) works around these restrictions. Such approaches will become the norm as we make it easy to develop ad-hoc communities that do not depend on "The Internet" but can use any paths available. This is a work in progress but I want to share my thinking so far. Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051001-0360 [IP] more on Neustar to create their own DNS root and own universe to rule [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPCellDNS Apparently the cellular phone companies want to create their own special Internet. This seems very strange since there is no problem getting to the net and the name servers now. If the cellular carries want to create their own private Internet they may find themselves alone users migrate away and take their telephony with them. It turns that this particular implementation is likely to be used just internally within the cellular system for its own use. But it's part of their larger problem of trying to use Internet technologies without embracing the end-to-end principles which make the net what it is. The protocols are constantly evolving -- capturing an instance leaves in trapped in the past. Fri, 30 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050930-0090 [IP] more on more on frequent fliers [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWealth It's no surprise that a discussion about "privileges" that frequent fliers get brings out anger towards "the rich". It's really a form of profiling that's endemic in social policies. We see this same anger directed towards technologists and intellectuals. It's important to ask where the anger comes from. Picking on frequent flyers seems particular strange since for many of them it isn't a privilege but just a way of making their commutes tolerable. It's a zero sum mentality that seeks to limit others' gains rather than trying to create more for all. Fri, 30 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050930-0645 [IP] Verizon to Police Web Customers To Protect Disney From Piracy [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPDisney As the Telcos try to become providers of video content they find themselves in an industry in which every gain comes at a high price. Verizon which once tried to defend its customers against the RIAA now seems quite eager to sell them out in return acceptance by Mickey Mouse and the rest of Disney. In a market based on control, users are just another commodity. Sat, 24 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050930-0516 [IP] more on Microsoft and software engineering [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPMSSE The PC industry has been around for 25 years -- far longer than the mainframes or minicomputers but it has stagnated. We are still using mainframe operating systems and designs rather than creating systems for the dynamics of personal and connected computing. Fri, 23 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050930-0482 Just posted "Connectivity is a utility" http://rmf.vc/SATNConnectivityUtility A short abstract of the <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=ConnectivityUtility">Connectivity is a utility Essay</a> Fri, 23 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050923-0891 Connectivity is a Utility http://rmf.vc/ConnectivityUtility I've been talking to people about the utility model for connectivity. This essay gathers up a lot of what I've said into one place and pulls the themese together. Thu, 22 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050923-0460 DVDs and IPTV -- Change is Opportunity http://rmf.vc/112718165065235023 Microsoft is selling IPTV to the carriers because it's not clear how to sell it to consumers. But while Tellywood fights the future it also manages to make a profit on it. Rather than selling to the past, IPTV should be part of our future, not the carriers'. Tue, 20 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050919-0641 [IP] more on Adam Thierer on how draft Communications Act bill is hyper-regulatory and just plain wrong [econ] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPFemaFCC Just an observation that shifting the onus to "faith-based" organization has a parallel in policy, especially the FCC, where faith trumps reality. Sun, 18 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050922-0772 [IP] more on query on eBay to Acquire Skype [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPSkype1 I'm skeptical about the eBay Skype deal. As long as they don't do anything outrageous people will continue to use Skype but that limits their ability to gain too much advantage. More comments as <a href="http://www.frankston.com/?name=IPSKype2">here</a> Tue, 13 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050922-0203 It's Time to Get Rid Of USB Et Al http://rmf.vc/SATNUSBNo The USB protocol was a breakthrough in 1995. Now it's just an annoying legacy that fails to take advantage of all we've learned about networking and connectivity over the last ten years. Sat, 10 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050910-0020 The Information Trollway http://rmf.vc/Trollway Billing was once a means of paying for our communications infrastructure but it has become an end in itself and makes it hard for us to get the benefits of simple Internet connectivity. It has the effect of only allowing valuable applications -- it's like forcing us to pay the price of a cake when all we want to buy is flour -- it's basically a "let them eat cake" policy when we really need bread. Sat, 10 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050910-0027 [IP] more on more on Blame the government...whoever that is.....; [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBureaucracy The real work of government gets done by a persistent bureaucracy. FEMA has been far from perfect but it seems that this administration has purposefully undermined FEMA and other organizations and made them more answerable to ideology than competence. Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050910-0220 [IP] more on 1st Circuit rules on Councilman [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipLawCouncil The legal system only function if we trust it as an alternative to setting disputes through direct confrontation. Unfortunately the legal system doesn't do well at tracking change be it technical or philosophical. Tue, 06 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050906-0770 [IP] Australian court rules against Kazaa [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipKazaaOZ The Australian Supreme Court has ruled that Kazaa owes the record industry a zillion dollars for not working hard enough to prevent bits interpreted as copyrighted materials to pass their portals. Is it better to keep the record companies fat and happy than allow the economy to benefit from innovation? Mon, 05 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050906-0883 [IP] Verizon Wireless Takes Legal Action Against Florida,California Telemarketers to Defend Customers' Privacy [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPVZAction I applaud Verizon Wireless helping protect its customers but it's also a reminder that the current telephone and cellular networks are flawed and don’t' give the customers the ability to protect themselves. Fri, 02 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050903-0795 [IP] more on Katrina and the folly of trusting cell phones [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPKatrina Disaster stresses the traditional infrastructure. It's a reminder that we need a resilient alternative. A meshing packet network should be normal infrastructure -- the fact it is easier to repair in a disaster stems from it being a good idea not because it is designed just for the extreme case. See also the <a href="/?name=IPKatrina2">followup</a>. Fri, 02 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050903-0066 [IP] more on NZ Telecom announces forced migration to VoIP network [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPNZ NZ Telecom is going with IP telephony. The press announcement seems confused -- is it possible they are going to let users do their own telephony? Probably not but perhaps. Tue, 30 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050903-0668 [IP] more on Bush administration asks for halt to .xxx domain [fs] [based on 6000 letter indeed djf] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPBushXXX Once again a single person gets 6000 people to send email. This things are ignored except when they server a political agenda. Once again, censorship gets priority over other goals. I don't like the .XXX domain for technical reasons not for a narrow-minded moral agenda. Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050903-0244 [IP] more on WSIS, DNS, WGIG, etc [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPWSISDNS Following up the .XXX debacle is another report on how to make the DNS work as a directory. Alas … Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050903-0352 Why Settle for Just 1%? http://rmf.vc/OnePercent The carriers have promised to give us a level playing field but they've taken 99% of the bits off the table by saying video bits don't count. It seems silly to fight over that 1% of the bits rather than demanding that that carriers play fair and put 100% of the bits onto the level playing field. Mon, 15 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050815-0147 Why Are We Fighting Over The Last 1%? http://rmf.vc/SATNOnePercent Briefly -- The carriers have taken 99% of their assets of the books. They are using the public rights of way and it should be for the public good. Mon, 15 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050815-0375 Verizon – The Saga Continues http://rmf.vc/VerizonVSContinues I'm still trying to straighten out my Verizon service though I realize that the real issue is that landline telephony is a legacy business and it doesn't make sense for Verizon to invest. Their real goal is to become a video provider. Sun, 14 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050815-0105 [IP] The case of the stolen Wi-Fi: What you need to know [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200508-msg00164 The attempts to create a new "crime" of stealing Wi-Fi access is part of the ongoing campaign to assure that are infrastructure is locked within billable channels. Once more the Interent is being positioned as bad because it threatens the past. Sat, 13 Aug 2005 08:13:30 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061213-0432 [IP] more on Say Goodbye to Offshoring? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPByeOffShoring The old is new again. Timesharing and outsourcing are now called the moral equivalent of offshoring. Wed, 10 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050813-0354 The Versus Series http://rmf.vc/SATNVersusSeries Tue, 09 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050815-0498 [IP] Weekly column: Schizo FCC deregulates DSL, but regulates Net-wiretapping [priv] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200508-msg00091 A seemingly contradictory policy may be perfectly rational within itself. The fault may lie in the premises. Mon, 08 Aug 2005 21:19:21 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061213-0494 The FCC Vs Business and Vs US http://rmf.vc/FCCVs The FCC's mission seems to be the protect the carriers from the marketplace. 19th century science has been frozen into the 20th century Regulatorium. We must not allow this travesty to continue into the 21st century. Mon, 08 Aug 2005 05:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050808-0315 Comcast vs Customers and itself! http://rmf.vc/ComcastVS Comcast seems to be working hard to make simple problems hard to solve. How else can they maintain their ability to choose what we can watch and when we can watch it? Mon, 08 Aug 2005 03:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050808-0846 Verizon vs Customers and Itself http://rmf.vc/VerizonVs I simply wanted to move a virtual phone number to VoIP. In order to do so Verizon would up sending a few trucks to my house and taking hours of time just to preserve a fiction. It's as if they fear admitting that their business is now about preserving a story rather than creating value. Mon, 08 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050808-0518 Microsoft vs Customers and Itself http://rmf.vc/MicrosoftVS Microsoft should be trying to make it easier to use their technologies and to find new applications. Instead they are acting as if it is more important to limit the customers choices in order to preserve the obscellescent business model of Tellywood. Mon, 08 Aug 2005 01:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050808-0632 vs The Customer and Themselves http://rmf.vc/VSCustomers Companies like Verizon, Comcast and Microsoft are finding it difficult to come to terms with our increased ability to do things ourselves. Rather than being more accommodating they seem to be putting themselves in the position of treating their customers as their primary competition. Mon, 08 Aug 2005 01:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050808-0490 [IP] more on Science is for Pansies - REAL Men believe in Genesis! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPScienceForPansies Our schools are a mirror on our society. While we can lament its failures we need to stop back and recognize that they are doing what are asking. They teach students science to the letter and fail to convey the more important idea that failure is an essential part of learning. Entrepreneurs have figured that out -- at lest in the US. We confuse training with educating and then wonder why people fail to challenge the accepted wisdom. Fri, 05 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050806-0806 [IP] Oppenheimer and other unwelcomes [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPOppenHeimer Robert Oppenheimer and others vital to our victory in World War II would not be able to participate in helping the country today -- many wouldn't even be allowed to visit the country. As we isolate ourselves from the world we become poorer and less safe. What we don't know is harming us. Once again, our enemy is fear itself Thu, 04 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050805-0649 A Tiny Bit more on Leap Seconds http://rmf.vc/112303200858113042 Some more points about leap seconds. Perhaps we'll finally see them go away. Wed, 03 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050802-0501 [IP] HDMI (HDCP) for HDTV don't get burned! 1080p sets ship [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPHDMI Interference is an artifact of a bad signaling system. It's amazing how such a simple mistake can cause such damage. The legislation that stems from this mistake reads like a programmer's nightmare. In translating naïve physic into legislation we find ourselves destroying marketplaces and subverting the free speech clause in the US Constitution. Rather than locking bad ideas into legislation the FCC should be at the forefront in questioning its own legitimacy. After all, it is supposed to have some knowledge of technology in order to set the rules rather than trying to make physics conform to legislation. As far as its rules are concerned the value of pi might as well be 3. Mon, 01 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050801-0033 [IP] Leap second fight brewing [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200507-msg00291 The leap second gain - we confuse leaping over tall buildings with leaping of a small stream. Let astronomers keep their correct fact but not annoy the rest of us by making us trip over pointless hurdles. Fri, 29 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050801-0865 [IP] Sen. Ensign Introduces Communications Legislation That Rewrites the '96 Act - Maybe with good intent but danger lurks [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200507-msg00288 While a number of clauses in the bill seem reasonable it seems to treat the Internet as a service and may make it difficult for municipalities to provide connectivity as a utility. Fri, 29 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050801-0051 Joho and the Bell Curve http://rmf.vc/BellJoho A response to David Weinberger's comments on "Bell Curve" I generally agree with him. My goal is not to convert Iders but to give us a vocabulary that gives us insight into systems. It is important for public policy. Talking about evolution outside the realm of biology can reduce the emotional barriers that make effective debate so difficult. Thu, 28 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050728-0226 DRM vs the Bathroom http://rmf.vc/DRMBathroom Will this attempt to lock down all bits allow commercial television to enforce a policy of requiring us to watch commercials? Is going to the bathroom a violation of a "contract" with television broadcasters? Thu, 28 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050728-0303 Who "Designed" the Bell Curve? http://rmf.vc/BellDesign It's easy to tell a story about what we don't have. The bell curve is beautiful and symmetric. How could the two tells coordinate to well. It's easy to posit an intelligent designer for a phenomenon which emerges out of simple principles. Intelligent Design is only the illusion of an explanation and denies us the opportunity to understand. Wed, 27 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050727-0863 DRM Chops off the Long Tail http://rmf.vc/DRMChops The idea of protecting rights seems so reasonable. The problem is that a strict DRM policy thwarts the dynamic of the marketplace. Not only are we denied opportunity to discover new possibilities the existing marketplace becomes stagnant and fails. Chris Anderson's long tail is a useful metaphor for those opportunities that seem worthless but are the sources of new vitality. It's evolution in action -- too bad we are so ego-centric as to think evolution only applies to biology. It makes it difficult for people to appreciate the importance of the dynamics of the marketplace. The marketplace fails if we try too hard to manage the process. Wed, 27 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050726-0928 [IP] DRM vs the Long Tail – the problem with strict DRM [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200507-msg00272 Wed, 27 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050801-0711 [IP] more on NYC to search transit riders' bags – but ... [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200507-msg00230 New York's policy of random searches has its problems but we need to recognize that these practices are based on psychology. Whether the policy is wise is harder to answer. Fri, 22 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050726-0234 [IP] more on Public Broadband Hits Political Speedbumps [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200507-msg00161 Be careful about what you ask for. If you fund your Internet connectivity then those who buy content from elsewhere wind up reducing the funding for the Internet. This is like paying for E911 from phone calls -- those who use VoIP wind up defunding E911. "Broadband" should be about enabling a process to increase availability rather than a fixed goal which will become an impediment to future growth. Mon, 18 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050718-0409 [IP] more on Connected: Verizon puts your privacy in precarious position [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200507-msg00142 Companies that collection personal data aren't inherently bad -- the tradeoff is whether to have a small set of information that is our "identity" or make it less defined and more difficult to "steal". Sun, 17 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050718-0335 [IP] Spammers Most Likely Users of Email Authentication [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200507-msg00093 We are trying to control behavior using identity as a proxy. Such approaches can be counterproductive by giving those whose behavior we want to limit an opportunity to adopt an identity and thus escape scrutiny. Conversely those whose identity we associated with "bad" behavior trapped within a stereotype and prejudgment. Wed, 13 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050714-0554 The i730 and Beyond http://rmf.vc/i730AndBeyond I've been writing about the Samsung i730 because it's at the crossroads of telephony and computing. For now it's still a phone. In this essay I try to explore why and why not. It's about more then Verizon trying to maintain control and Microsoft missing the new face of personal computing. Tue, 12 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050712-0032 An i730 Clarification and an EVDO Comment http://rmf.vc/VONi730Skype The i730 can indeed receive calls while you are using Wi-Fi though you do have to disable Wi-Fi. On the other hand, EVDO is not the same as being connected all the time. Sat, 09 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050709-0268 The Samsung i730 – the Saga Continues http://rmf.vc/VONI730Continues I did buy the Samsung i730. It's a nice phone but the Bluetooth implementation is perverse. It's a tug of war between the carriers and the users and the results are far more confusing than the HP-6315 (a GSM phone vs the CDMA i730). Fri, 08 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050708-0811 Verizon vs Users – The Samsung i730 http://rmf.vc/SATNVZVsi730 The Samsung i730 seems like a wonderful connected portable computing device. Why did Verizon have to go and lame it by removing capabilities that would allow me to use it to connect my devices to the world? To add insult to injury I can't even receive phone calls while I'm using Wi-Fi -- very strange. (That's what Samsung said, turns out that you really can!) Thu, 07 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050707-0885 More Cellphony Dependency http://rmf.vc/SATNCellphonyDependency The NY Times Circuits lead column tells us that the carriers are looking at ways to deliver (AKA sell) use content? Nary a thought that maybe we can just do it ourselves like we do with PCs -- browse to sites and view or even buy things directly. But buying music is the least of what we can't do … such is the price of dependency Thu, 07 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050707-0186 [IP] more on Von Mag: Funding USF through Broadband [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200507-msg00062 Once more the USF (Universal Service Fund) is an irresistible opportunity - a pile of money that can be used to sustain the status quo. Thu, 07 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050707-0415 Selling Candy to Children http://rmf.vc/SellingCandy SMS is seductive. Like 900 numbers it creates billable entities. Produces like ringtones and jokes are like candy to children. Seemingly innocuous but the costs add up. Messaging has so many possibilities -- too bad it's priced so that the only viable business is like selling candy to children. Tue, 05 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050704-0761 VON: Connectivity is a Utility [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONConnectivityUtility It's easy to understand the desire to keep businesses alive long past their expiration dates. Such policies are considered "pro business" when they are just the opposite -- they show distrust for the marketplace and its ability to reinvent itself. One might justify the policy if it preserves jobs and meets other needs but the tele/com industry is costing us jobs and frustrating the creation of new industries that can create new jobs and value. Connectivity is another utility like garbage collection, electricity, public roads etc. The value comes from the availability of connectivity but policies that require capturing the value of each service don’t permit innovation because nascent services typically don't seem valuable at first. The utility model is a business model. Providing connectivity as a utility is the real pro-business policy. Mon, 04 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050704-0563 Comment on networked washing machine [external] http://rmf.vc/NetworkedWasherDryer A brief comment on an "Engadget" story about a washer/dryer that allow remote viewing of their status. The idea itself is not bad but it shouldn't be implemented as a special closed system. Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050628-0090 Cost of receiving a text message going up 400%! http://rmf.vc/TxtMsg400 Verizon is jacking up the price of receiving a text message by 400%. A tight orifice is more powerful than Moore's law! Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050628-0131 [IP] more on Pod Slurping Dangerous To Enterprises [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00305 A bit of hype -- the problem of being able to slurp data and take it with you has been around for a long time but attributing quotes and capabilities to well known figures is a common phenomenon. Also helps make a feature story seem like news. Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050623-0907 [IP] More insecurity [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00301 Another example of BofA sending mail from an untrusted domain. Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050622-0292 [IP] Bank of America vs security [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00300 It's bad enough that Bank of America sends its email through intermediaries that we don't know whether to trust, it's another thing for them to send alarmist messages in response to innocuous queries. As an aside, I scrape screens because the bank web sites that are touted as the alternatives to paper documents are seriously flawed in that the data is only available at their whim and once you close an account all history is lost! Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050622-0207 [IP] more on In-flight cellphone proposal hits static [the real issue!] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00259 Even I fell into the trap of thinking the cell phone ban was about cell phones. This is what makes it so hard to explain to people that the "orifices" have limited the value of the devices we have and the infrastructure by convincing people to accept their definitions of "services" rather than allowing others' to create their own value. Telephony, in this case cellular telephony, is just an application. What is really important is the connectivity afforded by their devices and the ability to use technology as our agent. Mindless fear of "wireless signals" is compounded by those who fear what might go wrong. It's a reminder of the importance of the US Constitution which helps assure we have the opportunity to innovate without having to assure only "good" outcomes. Fri, 17 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050617-0280 [IP] In-flight cellphone proposal hits static [rewritten] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00252 The willingness to allow the user of cell phones in flight is an admission that the ban has been based on factors other than technology. Those who want to preserve the ban seem to be motivated more by imposing their values on others because change spooks them. Thu, 16 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050617-0158 [IP] more on "NCLB: The Implausible Dream" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00182 In the effort to "solve" the problem of education we need to blame someone. Yet if the education is failing today's students why do we assume it was successful with their parents? Education is not just for the children. Sun, 12 Jun 2005 08:52:43 GMT http://rmf.vc/20061213-0291 [IP] Tellywood and the Cable Orifices [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/TellywoodCable Another reminder that your "Set Top Box" owes its allegiance to Tellywood rather than you the viewer. Sun, 12 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050617-0736 [IP] "unused" portion of their DSL lines to broadcast video signals. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00179 TV programming is now being delivered over DSL connections in Spain using standard Internet protocols. Currently this is carrier-provided video but there's no reason the user can't take advantage of the capacity rather than just accepting the choices provided by the carriers. Sat, 11 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050611-0025 Phoney Economics - The Telco pricing model is losing credibility [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONPhoney VoIP (and ENUM) make it difficult for the carriers to sustain the illusion that their prices has anything to do with real costs. Wed, 08 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050608-0720 [IP] more on E911 with no Opt Out? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00103 Fast response is a key element in providing medical services but a policy that focus on a particular technology may not be the bet way to achieve this goal Tue, 07 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050611-0453 [IP] E911 with no Opt Out? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00080 Mon, 06 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050611-0410 [IP] more on Editors comment on the number of items re ex-ex-ex [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200506-msg00032 The creation of the .XXX TLD (Top Level Domain) is a consequence of a basic failure to understand the nature of the end-to-end principle. All the more reason to reinvent the Internet from the edge. Fri, 03 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050603-0496 [IP] more on U.S. shuts down network that leaked 'Star Wars' [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200505-msg00275 Shutting down a directory is not the same thing as shutting down a network. One more example of the conceptual gap between those innovating and those attempting to set the rules. Sat, 28 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050603-0453 Enter Walled Garden Here (through the orifice) [external] http://rmf.vc/ZDNetOrifice A short IM conversation with commentary from David Berlind building Steve Jobs' description of the carriers are orifices. Thu, 26 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050526-0256 [IP] The software industry is learning from the RIAA? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200505-msg00166 Reports about software (or music) "piracy" often rely on inflated figures. We shouldn't presume all of those "lost" sales would become real sales. Thu, 19 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050612-0597 Another anti-spam Naïveté – VRFY isn’t Authoritative http://rmf.vc/SATNSpamVrfy I’ve run into yet another naïve attempt to control spam – systems that try to verify the mail sender using the SMTP VRFY command. The problem is that a system that relays mail might report the address as invalid because it is not a local address even though it really is valid when relayed. Tue, 17 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050517-0027 Evolution is Simple and Fundamental http://rmf.vc/EvolutionSimpleFundamental The controversy over the teaching evolution pits science against religion. But the topic is too important to be lost in arguments over which set of facts to accept. Understanding evolution is really about how systems change. Biological evolution is just a special case. By teaching evolution is an arbitrary fact in biology class we trade insight for memorization. We cannot afford a retreat into comforting non-explanations. It leads us to make public policy blunders that leave us all poorer. We can see evolution in the systems all around us. Science is not arbitrary -- it's simply about learning from our mistakes and, in fact, making mistakes as we explore. If we see that we results are not what we desire then we can and must adjust and adopt. As Jared Diamond has so ably demonstrated in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0670033375/bobfrankston"><i>Collapse!</i></a> we cannot afford the consequences of ignorance. Mon, 16 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050706-0731 Books: A Bibliography http://rmf.vc/Books This is a catalog of books with comments and recommendations. This is an ongoing project and pretty sparse in its initial version Mon, 16 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050517-0701 [IP] Read it and prepare to stand on LONG LONG lines – Senate Backs Measure to Tighten ID Requirements [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200505-msg00111 We need Niemöller but we get Andre Maginot and a nation of bubble babies who think that the one authentic truth will save protect them from risk. What’s next, banning the first and last car of trains to prevent accidents? It’s depressing that we have a tradition of journalism which reports just the “facts” as if the spin were a “fact”. Wed, 11 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050612-0569 A Failure to Connect http://rmf.vc/FailureToConnect What is connectivity? I’ve been thinking about it in terms of networking but that’s only a small part of the problem. It’s really about relationships and operations that involve cooperation or connections between two “things”. In DIY, Not Connectivity, I emphasized that it was about marketplace economics rather than just a lower cable TV bill. I wanted to hand out copies of that essay at the IP Policy Summit and got a case study in the real problem. … Why just watch when I can participate. Connectivity is about enabling opportunities for new kinds of relationships between device as well as people. Mon, 09 May 2005 16:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050509-0730 Spam Evolving? http://rmf.vc/SPAMEvolving I notice that the email addresses on my sites have not been harvested in a long time. I generate a new one on each visit and including the IP address as well as the date and time. Spam messages tend to arrive in batches with very similar messages and the made-up names tend to be valid English words without an appreciation for the meaning. It's important to understand spam and see it in perspective. It's too easy to give into our fears and see spam as another reason to be afraid of free speech. Mon, 09 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050509-0909 DIY, not just Connectivity! http://rmf.vc/DIYConnectivity It's wrong to think of the Internet as the successor to the telecommunications industry because of surface similarities. But the dynamics of the two industries are very different. There is no transition -- the new opportunities that that the Internet thrives on must not be sacrificed to get us what we think we want. And they need not be since we the marketplace process continues to serve us well. We don't want to look back and lament that we asked for the Internet and all they gave us was more television. Sun, 08 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20120212-0362 [IP] more on Setting history straight: So, who really did invent the Internet? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200505-msg00009 Before we can ask "who invented the Internet" we need to figure out what we mean by the term. The impact is a result of the marketplace dynamics of TCP vs IP and not networking as such. Mon, 02 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050502-0536 [IP] more on IP-Based TV Will Revolutionize Entertainment [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/IPTVCableTV With all the talk about IPTV we need to be wary -- the Telcos want to be a CableCo. We won't get real change until we can buy directly rather than paying a transport "tax". If we buy directly, then owning the transport is a liability. This has stark implications for today's "telecom" industry. Fri, 29 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050429-0703 [IP] More Baggage Taboos, but Little Security Enhancement [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-msg00251 Petty consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds and, apparently the TSA. Should the TSA be making sure that pilots cannot take control of airplanes? Wed, 27 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050427-0107 Acela – A Casualty of Risk Aversion? http://rmf.vc/AcelaRiskAversion The Acela is twice as heavy as corresponding trains in Europe. This led to the current problems with the brakes on the trains. Could that danger be a result over design due to risk aversion? Tue, 26 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050426-0315 [IP] more on Bush Administration Punishes some who donated to Kerry [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/HeresyLoyalty Apparently the Bush Administration requires loyalty over expertise and anyone who has made a donation to Kerry is not allowed to serve on international technical committees. It's equivalent of requiring bribes in order to consider scientific facts. Having a difference of opinion is regarded as heresy. At a time when the rest of the world is moving ahead we are trying to roll back the renaissance! Another victory for terrorists! Mon, 25 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050425-0560 [IP] more on P2P Fuels Global Bandwidth Binge [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/EnthusiasmBinge I'm trying to understand why people seem to focus on doling out scarcity as opposed to working towards abundance. The word "Binge" has a negative overtone and "P2P' is too easily associated with "bad" activities. Once again we should demand more capacity rather than accusing the most avid users of abusing a "privilege". It's a right not a privilege! The consequences are serious -- the US is in real danger of opting out of a vibrant world economy! Sun, 24 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050424-0709 [IP] more on Credit Information Stolen From DSW Stores [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-msg00164 Amex offered use-once numbers but they were too clunky to use and offered no obvious benefits to most users. Too bad, the concept is useful but one needs to do more and help users manage their transactions as well. Tue, 19 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050419-0390 [IP] Verizon Offering 'Naked' DSL in Northeast [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-0156 Mon, 18 Apr 2005 16:47:28 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0440 [IP] more on (don't expect good cell service says) Verizon CEO sounds off on Wi-Fi, customer gripes [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-msg00144 CellCo benevolence must not come at the price of denying us the ability to create our own solutions. Sun, 17 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050417-0876 [IP] Randomly generated papers accepted by MIT [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-0124 Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:12:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0159 [IP] Civil War V2 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-msg00120 Frist is upping the ante in the senate. Giving faith a privileged position in the judiciary is very dangerous. The separation of church and state is an agreement to disagree - violating that agreement is very dangerous. Fri, 15 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050417-0629 It's not "Identity Theft"! http://rmf.vc/SATNNotIdentity It's not about stealing your soul's sole identity. It's about a weak system of establishing a relationship for the purpose of some transactions. Whether accepting a weak system and then protecting your magic numbers, we should step back and think about the purpose of these tokens of identity and address that problem rather than accepting blame when our "identity" is "stolen". Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050413-0838 RIAA Plans to Sue Hearing Aid Manufacturers http://rmf.vc/SATNRIAADeaf The RIAA continues its campaign do whatever it takes to make sure they maintain contorl. What's next, suing hearing aid manufacturers because they don’t enforce DRM rules? Will the MPAA require eyeglasses honor the broadcast bit? Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050412-0446 Comcast and Disney vs the Internet http://rmf.vc/SATNComcastDisneyAntiInternet Comcast and Disney are offering an Internet services only available to Comcast subscribers. Comcast/Disney -- the Anti-Internet! Mon, 11 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050410-0086 EV-DO - a Taste of Connectivity http://rmf.vc/EVDOTaste EV-DO is wonderful. I can be connected anywhere (at least in major cities). But it's also the end of a generation. The next generation will be IP based. We should embrace the present but not make it the enemy of the future. Sat, 09 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050408-0465 Using EV-DO http://rmf.vc/UsingEVDO My experience in using EV-DO to get ubiquitous connectivity. Fri, 08 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050408-0550 [IP] Spend $2 Bill, Go To Jail [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-msg00064 It's amazing how something as innocuous as a $2 bill can scare people so much. Fri, 08 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050417-0017 Another attempt to do me good http://rmf.vc/SATNTBox Embedded computing doesn't necessarily empower the user. Thu, 07 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050408-0198 [IP] more on Law would put 'In God We Trust' in schools [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-msg00061 The version of the Pledge of Allegiance that was set to music did not contain "In God We Trust" Thu, 07 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050407-0910 The Filibuster vs the Tyranny of the Faux Majority http://rmf.vc/filibuster Both the Presidency and Congress are aligned in pushing a moralistic agenda The normal checks and balances are undermined by those who seek to impose a narrow moralistic agenda on the country. The tyranny of the majority threatens the normal resilience of our democracy. The majority in Congress doesn't reflect a majority of the people -- it's more of an artifact of an all-or-nothing electoral process. The filibuster is considered obstructionist but it is also a way to protect the country from those who view constitutional protections with disdain and seek solace protection from science. There is a real danger in embodying that ideology into law and the enforcing it with a judiciary select for loyalty to that ideology. Wed, 06 Apr 2005 05:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050405-0069 USB Power! http://rmf.vc/USBPower USB is become the universal power source for small devices. Wed, 06 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050405-0386 At the Movies in 2005 http://rmf.vc/AtTheMovies Today's digital projector uses essentially the same technology we use at home. The theaters aren't just for Tellywood anymore. Wed, 06 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050406-0254 Airport Foibles http://rmf.vc/111276030665567194 Passing through Logan Airpot on my way to DCA I had chance to be entertained by observing how things can go wrong Wed, 06 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050407-0045 [IP] more on Teacher, student suspended for bypassing school filters [fs] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-msg00036 Science is about testing limits, yet we find ourselves increasingly up against an attitude that sees the purpose of government as enforcing rules rather than creating opportunity. Tue, 05 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050405-0601 1920 x 1080 http://rmf.vc/1920x1080 Nice for movies but some of us like to read (and write) Tue, 05 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050405-0047 [IP] A clear and present danger? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-msg00023 I used to think of the filibuster as an obstructionist tactic. Now that I'm on the 'other" side I recognize that it plays an essential rule to protecting us from the tyranny of the majority. Mon, 04 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050404-0257 [IP] more on Religious leaders warn of Apple Computer's "Satanic"daemon, Darwin t... [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200504-msg00012 Beware of humor -- it's amazing what people take seriously. Sun, 03 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050404-0325 Stop Shouting and Start Communicating! [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONShouting Imagine if we didn't have to use wires - we could just send a signal from anyplace to any other place. By 1864 James Clerk Maxwell described radio waves. By 1895 Marconi was sending "Hertzian Waves" several kilometers. Oscillating waves were a familiar concept. Alexander Graham Bell worked on the same principle in trying to put multiple signals on a single telegraph line but the mechanical tuning fork wasn't up to the task Fri, 01 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050508-0646 [IP] Not all municipal connectivity is "good" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipNotAllMuni I want connectivity everywhere but often all I get is municipal cable TV which sets up the wrong incentives. Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050330-0337 Why are reservation sites so lame? http://rmf.vc/SATNReservationsLame We shouldn't be stuck in the "page" model of the web. Tue, 29 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050328-0020 Phones Need Simplicity Before Cool Stuff, CEOs Say [external] http://rmf.vc/DewayneSimplicity What's really strange is that we are calling 64MB computers with 1 GB of SD storage PDAs. The PDA is a function or an application. Sat, 26 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050327-0499 How Spam Makes Email Safer http://rmf.vc/SpamSafer Email isn't really reliable -- the flurry of spam reminds us not to be complacent. Sat, 26 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050327-0272 [IP] more on FCC: we don't need no steenkin line sharing [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200503-msg00235 Why battle over old policies when we need to be looking ahead? Sat, 26 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050327-0290 Gratuitous Complexity for Fun for Profit http://rmf.vc/SATNFunProfit Reading a story in the Boston Globe about how wonderful it is that I can now send picture messages from Verizon to Cingular cell phones I decided to look into the protocols and understand a bit more about how such messages could cost 25 cents each. Not only is it difficult to do things for ourselves -- we must pay a high price and be thankful for the little we are allowed to do. Another case of being limited to solutions and being given little opportunity. Sat, 19 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050319-0895 Connectivity in Days in Washington http://rmf.vc/SATNConnectivityDays March 2005 will be connectivity month. The Grokster and Brand X cases will be heard by the Supreme Court March 29th and David Isenberg's Freedom To Connect starts the next day. Tue, 08 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050308-0422 Making Better Use of Voice Response Systems http://rmf.vc/SATNBetterVRP Sun, 06 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050306-0882 X-Box Live. . . and more [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONXBox X-Box live is a vibrant part of the VoIP world. Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050327-0746 more on "Identity Theft for Dummies"? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200502-msg00240 The attention to "stolen" records that can be used to "steal" "identities" is misguided. I put the words in quotes because they are used in distorted ways. The real problem is that all it takes to steal an "identity" is persons name phone number and social security number and maybe a tidbit or two. And once you lose your "identity" why is it so hard to reestablish relationships? Of course this is not you identity, just the persona that the is used by banks and others in lieu of the real "you". Focusing on protecting the records will comes at a high social cost while not solving the real problem. Sun, 27 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050228-0572 Connected to the World Out There, not Just People http://rmf.vc/ConnectedToWorld It's wonderful to fly while using my GPS to compare what I see in maps with what's on the ground. I'm no longer confined to the tiny metal cage in the air. It also makes me think about the all the press about blogs and blogs talking about blogs -- blogcest. There's a big world at there, the blogs are about more than just reporting, they are also a means of participating. Thu, 24 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050224-0848 [IP] more on House Passes Bill to Raise Indecency [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200502-0159 Fri, 18 Feb 2005 06:01:24 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0255 More on House Passes Bill to Raise Indecency [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200502-msg00158 The complexities of the Regulatorium create a layer of FUD that shields the most outrageous policies from critical analysis. FUD: Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. Fri, 18 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050218-0320 House Passes Bill to Raise Indecency [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200502-msg00144 $500,000/word is the cost of free speech as defined by Congress and interpreted by the Federal Speech Commission. Wed, 16 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050217-0742 More on Powell: Don't Rewrite Telecom Act [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200502-msg00117 Some comments from the Silicon-Flatirons conference on the future of Telecom policy. Tue, 15 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050215-0303 More on Consumer Electronics vs Computers http://rmf.vc/SATNMoreCECS As I try to "capture" the contents of my video tapes I run into more reminders of how different the worlds of CE (Consumer Electronics) and CS (Computer Systems) are. Thu, 10 Feb 2005 21:42:41 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050210-0457 More on Digital TV: Congress vs. Consumers [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200502-msg00063 Congress has mandated that TV broadcasting shift from using the analog broadcast bands to digital bands. It's important to examine the reasons for this industrial policy. It's all about preserving Tellywood and limiting consumer choice. Tue, 08 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050208-0726 Tellywood and the Home Theater http://rmf.vc/SATNTellywood The home theater epitomizes the fusion of Television and Hollywood -- Tellywood. Articles on home theaters can be entertaining but a newsmagazine should do more than write about fantasies circa 1969. In the age of the Internet and computers a television is simply a combination of screens and video sources. It's more than just a piece of furniture used to display the content of plastic discs. Mon, 07 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050207-0577 Camera-phone mania [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONCamera Camera or Phone? Floor Wax or Dessert Topping. Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050327-0434 [IP] IP TV from Microsoft .. and others? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/msIPTV Sat, 29 Jan 2005 03:41:31 GMT http://rmf.vc/20080316-0803 TV from Microsoft .. and others? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200501-msg00226 Sat, 29 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050131-0051 Single Frequency Signaling and Single Hop Signaling http://rmf.vc/SATNSFS Coddling obsolescent technology comes at a high price. Century old, fragile communications technologies require that we restrict necessary innovation. The confusion between transport and meaning leads to blatant violations of the US constitution. Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050127-0287 More on Firms formulate guidelines for employee cellphone use [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200501-msg00215 Legal decisions based on "weird science" put us at risk. When the law acts more like a lottery our ability to benefit form technology is at risk. Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050127-0150 More on NewSci: Net noise threat to emergency radio [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200501-msg00198 SFS (Single Frequency Signaling) and SHC (Single Hop Communications) are outdated and their limitations shouldn't be used to frustrate innovation Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050125-0406 More on Anti-Piracy Patents for Cell Phones Pooled [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200501-msg00140 Mon, 17 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050119-0588 More on ITU or ICANN - a case story from Denmark [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200501-msg00113 Thu, 13 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050119-0501 Is VoIP a carrier's best friend? [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONVoipCarriers Carries may die by VoIP but they also live by VoIP Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050327-0376 [IP] Clueless about phishing [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200412-0155 Thu, 23 Dec 2004 18:37:29 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0505 Clueless about phishing [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200412-msg00154 Thu, 23 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041223-0205 More on STUPID .US Defines Plans to Shut Down GPS in C [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200412-msg00103 Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041223-0693 Skipping Commercials Soon To Be a Crime? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200411-msg00237 Wed, 17 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041223-0297 More on Felon released after receiving forged fax [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200411-msg00147 Thu, 11 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041223-0562 Attempts at overthrowing the teaching of evolution gathering steam [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200411-msg00109 It's unfortunate that we teach evolution as if it were just another fact to memorize. Evolution is really just a property of complex systems. Complexity is really just an emergent property and an illusion. It's just that we don't see the inherent simplicity. As long we treat biological evolution as apart from evolution in other systems we will find ourselves asking people to memorize it as an arbitrary "fact" rather than understand it in context. The same processes apply marketplaces, social systems and the Internet. If we don't understand how systems self-organize we'll seek refuge in authority rather than realize the benefits of opportunity. Mon, 08 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041109-0406 The End of Tolerance? http://rmf.vc/EndOfTolerance The US has been defined by its diversity. Tolerance has had a major economic benefit. Out government has had a role in protecting us from the tyranny of the majority. Have we reached a time where one point of view has a decisive majority? Most worrisome is that this is not a benign majority but one that is threatened by others' ideas. Can we afford to ignore Niemöller's warnings just because they came for the gays first? Thu, 04 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041104-0763 Bin Laden: Goal is to bankrupt U.S. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200411-msg00022 Tue, 02 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041109-0550 BT says no VOIP Blocking [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200411-msg00002 Mon, 01 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050406-0255 The Pragmatist [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VonPragmatist I'm pragmatic. It's silly to argue about policy issues when we just have a fixable design flaw in today's Internet Mon, 01 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20050119-0870 More on 80 per cent of home PCs infected - survey [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200410-msg00284 Sat, 30 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041104-0681 Ambient Opportunity http://rmf.vc/AmbientOpportunity It's been a long time since I've posted so I'm trying to put a lot into this one essay. It's an overture for essays I'm planning to write and ties together a range of concepts related to the end-to-end argument and the importance of creating opportunity in marketplaces. Reinventing the Internet is just part of the larger story. Fri, 29 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041029-0842 Interesting interview with Amar Bose [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200410-msg00241 Tue, 26 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041029-0342 More on CompTIA question Bush and Kerry on technology [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200410-msg00191 Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041029-0103 More on new threat to our security: mail without complete addresses [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200410-msg00177 Thu, 21 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041029-0706 Kodak wins Java lawsuit [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200410-msg00019 Sun, 03 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041029-0822 Boston Globe: Europe's terror fight quiet, unrelenting [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200409-msg00254 Sun, 26 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041021-0483 More on - Can the Internet Survive? NOTE ONLY EXEC SUMMARY IS FREE [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200409-msg00139 Tue, 14 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041021-0978 Losing America [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200409-msg00147 Tue, 14 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041021-0053 Still Ruled by the Tuning Fork [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONTuningFork It's time to give up our 19th century thinking. The tuning fork was the height of 19th century signal processing! Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041021-0722 MSNBC.com Article: Pakistan: U.S. blew undercover operation [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200408-msg00074 Sat, 07 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041021-0378 More on Your people are growing increasingly worried about a'police state.' For such an educated audience, [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200408-msg00059 Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041021-0335 More on Flight Risk [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200407-msg00133 Thu, 15 Jul 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040824-0070 Flight Risk [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200407-msg00127 Wed, 14 Jul 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040824-0095 More on IRS eyes Net phone taxes [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200407-msg00074 Thu, 08 Jul 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040824-0022 Dialing John Smith [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VonJohnSmith We must break our psychological ties to the PSTN. Why are we dialing numbers instead of trying to reach people? Thu, 01 Jul 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20041021-0586 Project MAC: Man-Machine Symbiosis http://rmf.vc/MulticsSymbiosis The 35th anniversary of Multics reminded me of the original goals of Project MAC -- understanding the relationships between man and machine. This vision is even more important today as we find ourselves awash in technology. We are bystanders when we should be participants. Wed, 30 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040701-0049 More on 4 Rivals Almost United on Ways to Fight Spam [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200406-msg00204 Mon, 28 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040701-0442 More on FEC considers banning Moore's 9/11 movie ads underMcCain-Feingold... [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200406-msg00182 Sat, 26 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040701-0439 More on Why the FCC should die [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200406-msg00052 More on how a marketplace that provides opportunity rather than narrow solutions allows demand to create supply. The FCC frustrates this virtuous cycle. This is a bit dense and I will be writing more about this in the future Sun, 13 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040614_163905265-0576 More on Why the FCC should die [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200406-msg00042 Sat, 12 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040613_124114218-0905 More on For High-Definition Sets, Channels to Match [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200406-msg00032 HDTV is just a bit stream format. It's only a big deal because the current broadcast industry is not end to end Thu, 10 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040613_124114218-0500 RIAA wants your fingerprints [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200406-msg00022 It's hard to add value if you can only borrow and not own Tue, 08 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040613_124114218-0689 It's About Being in Control [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONBeingInControl With VoIP, we all get to sit in the telecom driver's seat Sat, 01 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040623-0981 More on Losing Our Edge? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200406-msg00160 Sat, 24 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040701-0529 A Bluetooth Tragedy http://rmf.vc/ABluetoothTragedy It should be simple to connect a navigation program to a wireless GPS. Unfortunately the GPS manufacturers have chosen to use Bluetooth thus making it difficult to do it except in the few scenarios that they thought of. Tue, 06 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040406_153218875-0014 WTF http://rmf.vc/Wtf1 Summary of a summary of my comments at David Isenberg's WTF workshop. Tue, 06 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040406_153218875-0229 You're invited to join the EomE network http://rmf.vc/EomE Social networks are an interesting phenomenon. Why just have networks for friends and business contacts? Why not one for the "Enemy of my Enemies" and more … Sat, 27 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040327_232851843-0268 More on New Domain is Proposed [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200402-msg00110 Fri, 12 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1079126232376-31565 Modems and other Relics http://rmf.vc/ModemsRelics The kids today don't know what a dialup modem is. Too bad public policy is stuck in the modem era. Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1078434483593-61256 Regulate What [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VON200403 VoIP bits transported over networks have no intrinsic meaning. To bill or tariff them would be an exercise in absurdity Mon, 01 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040401_135651593-0205 It's About Connectivity Not The Internet! http://rmf.vc/itsAboutConnectivity The press treats the Internet as a news niche that is both too broad and too narrow. The changes wrought by the Internet -- abundant connectivity -- are beyond news stories including high profile corporate mergers. The readers can't understand what is happening unless the reports can connect the stories. Conversely when reporters do write about the Internet they paint a confused picture by ignoring the crucial differences between the technical infrastructure and social policy Mon, 23 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1077569702562-81955 Who needs the Patriot Act? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200402-msg00213 Sat, 21 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1077415517109-96239 More on spoofs and financial scams [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200402-msg00211 Sat, 21 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1077415517125-24474 More on Code Monkeys, not. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200402-msg00145 Programming language nostalgia Mon, 16 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277500-88369 More on Code Monkeys, not. [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200402-msg00141 Demystifying international outsourcing Sun, 15 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277500-31098 Raids target Kazaa offices [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200402-msg00056 Sat, 07 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277500-99922 More on EMail Scams and the FBI – darned good question jdf [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200401-msg00305 Sat, 31 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277500-34623 EMail Scams and the FBI – darned good question jdf [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200401-msg00303 Is the FBI taking Internet fraud seriously? It's a transborder crime but I see little visible effort to address the problem. Sat, 31 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277500-69508 At The Edge http://rmf.vc/attheedge The artifact that's today's Internet is unimportant compared with the power of the end-to-end concept. The Internet is demonstration of our ability to wrest control and create value at the edges of an infrastructure Sat, 24 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1075233334812-97089 More on Growth of the Internet May Take Nothing Short of a Revolution [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200312-msg00128 Wed, 24 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277500-88072 and VoIP – and Telecommunications in general [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200312-msg00082 Tue, 16 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277500-51045 Telecom Policy: Virtue vs Tolerance http://rmf.vc/tolerancevsvirtue A brief introduction to the brief introduction to my latest essays on telecom and other policies. The Internet seems to violate our work ethic and that makes it very hard for people to come to terms with the new opportunities. Mon, 01 Dec 2003 21:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1070333402671-98073 Policy vs Reality – Problems of our own Devise http://rmf.vc/pvr Telecom policy should be simple and null. The hard part is convincing people it really is that simple and why. This essay gives an overview for my more detailed comments on television and telephony Mon, 01 Dec 2003 20:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1070328188125-79567 2007 or 1995 or 1950? http://rmf.vc/tv2007 Congress doesn't seem to get it. They are acting as if the asymmetric broadcast model must be kept alive and criminalizing those who use content without asking permission first. The private bit police will be in charge. Mon, 01 Dec 2003 18:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1070328188125-34579 Favors I Can't Afford http://rmf.vc/favors I accidentally spammed thousands of people because the address book synchronization service is overzealous. The real damage is that it is speaking in my name and thus I get the blame. Sat, 29 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1070137202390-65158 The end is nigh again? http://rmf.vc/nigh Another story saying we are at the end of the beginning. Failure of imagination is comforting but ... Mon, 17 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-73912 Don't Recapitulate! http://rmf.vc/recap The FCC's plan to set rules for VoIP is a reminder of the tragic disconnect between the Regulatorium and the real world and the price we pay for accepting a mythological view of telecommunications. Thu, 13 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069193779765-65507 The Regulatorium and the Moral Imperative [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONmoral The Regulatorium is sustained by a moral agenda that is based on a perception of scarcity. Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277296-19607 The Value of Dallying and Community http://rmf.vc/dally Blogs are more than just diaries and sometimes it's useful to take time to think. Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-85525 More 2007 nonsense: Digital Signals Rule for New TVs Upheld [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200310-msg00200 Thu, 30 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277500-42592 What the SV AV-100 Is and What it Could Be http://rmf.vc/svav100 The Panasonic SV AV100 is an example of the best in consumer electronics and the worst. It is a great camera but is hobbled by software that limits its capabilities. The PC industry, often despite itself, has thrived by giving users the ability to reinvent products and create new capabilities. The consumer electronics industry can benefit by sharing the ability to enhance and even redefine products. Mon, 20 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-10420 More on Fighting spam: raise the bridge or lower the water? [risks] Risks Digest 22.92 [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200310-msg00081 Thu, 09 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277500-71009 VoIP: CoIP or TaWKi? [VON Column] http://rmf.vc/VONTawki Should VoIP resemble the PSTN or be something else entirely? Tue, 07 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-50821 More on what your children learn in school [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200309-msg00255 Sat, 27 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-19211 The Importance of What Isn't http://rmf.vc/WhatISNT We are used to judging a product by what it is but what isn't and can be is far more important. With computers we are increasingly able to create new products out of building blocks. The Internet is just one example of how we can take an existing product, the entire telecommunications industry, and use it as the starting point for creating new products. One reason why it is hard to understand the real importance of the Internet is because we trying to explain what can be and people find it hard to see what isn't. Sun, 21 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-26552 Answering the Wrong Question: IEEE and Voting http://rmf.vc/IEEEvsVoting The IEEE is in the process of setting standards for voting machine. Assuring a trustworthy voting system is about more than the local behavior of individual machine. There's a danger that narrowly focusing on an aspect of the process will be taken as endorsement of the process as a whole. Sat, 20 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-39925 More on 4 More on we are all blacklisted [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200309-msg00040 Sat, 06 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-77766 Spreading Infantilization http://rmf.vc/SpreadingInfantilization Another provider or user refusing to accept mail without approval from my "provider" whatever or whomever is supposed to ask as my parent. Mon, 01 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-33826 [IP] more on 4 more on we are all blacklisted [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200309-0041 Mon, 01 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0764 RE: [IP] : Digital Vandalism Spurs a Call for Oversight [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200309-msg00010 Mon, 01 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-99069 Spam Assassinated! http://rmf.vc/sa Spam Assassin is a popular program used to filter mail. Unfortunately its metrics show a deep antipathy towards my email messages because I want to move beyond the limitations of the teletype era. I am being silenced by others' moralistic assumptions about email. Wed, 27 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-66016 AOL and Roadrunner have Left the Internet http://rmf.vc/AOLHasLeft In a naive and misguided attempt to protect their users form spam AOL and it's subsidiary, Roadrunner, have banned email from systems with dynamic IP addresses and thus have made the spam problem much worse by channeling all of the Internet traffic through narrow and arbitrary chokepoints. This doesn't bode well for companies whose future depends on their ability to understand the Internet Mon, 25 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-94020 AOL and Roadrunner vs the Internet http://rmf.vc/SATNAOLHasLeft In a naive and misguided attempt to protect their users form spam AOL and it's subsidiary, Roadrunner, have banned email from systems with dynamic IP addresses and thus have made the spam problem much worse by channeling all of the Internet traffic through narrow and arbitrary chokepoints. This doesn't bode well for companies whose future depends on their ability to understand the Internet Mon, 25 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-17188 Viruses, Trust and Complacency http://rmf.vc/Complacency We must take the latest waive of computer viruses seriously but the hiding behind the castle wall is not an effective response and only increases our vulnerability while denying us the benefits of the new technologies. Wed, 20 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-89071 IPv6 isn't just about more addresses [external] http://rmf.vc/IPV6More Internet Protocol V6 is an important part of giving us a dynamic Internet that allows us all to be participants. Those who want a transition to IPv6 miss the point of the Internet. We can start using IPv6 now without waiting for a transition. Tue, 05 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-44603 Kinko's vs Hot Spots http://rmf.vc/KinkosHotSpots Kinko's has been a leader in taking advantage of the Internet. Adding wireless access to their in-store network is simple and obvious. But instead they have chosen to use T-Mobile's hotspot service which is far expensive and more complicated and slower. Tue, 29 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-44861 AOL vs the Internet http://rmf.vc/AOLvsInternet AOL is threatening to stop accepting mail from systems with dynamic IP address. This is an arrogant and hostile attack on the Internet itself. Has AOL decided to opt out of the Internet? Sat, 26 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-87775 More on the DNS http://rmf.vc/SATNDanDNS Response to Dan's comments on the DNS. Wed, 23 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251703-15447 Observations from the Always-On conference http://rmf.vc/AlwaysOn Tue, 22 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251718-22806 Observations on Observations from Always-On and XP http://rmf.vc/SATNAlwaysOn Comment on Observations from Always on and a warning about an upcoming rant about computer XP and all that Tue, 22 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251718-42524 Searching for Dial Tone in Africa http://rmf.vc/DialToneAfrica Great NY Times story about Voice of IP in Africa. Worth reading to get an understanding of the impact of VoIP. Sat, 05 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251718-92342 Faux Wires http://rmf.vc/FauxWires The cellular phone network may not have the artifact of wires but it has the reality of the circuit which is the real limitation whether or not there are wires. Thu, 03 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251718-9243 Hotspots Cold Cells http://rmf.vc/HotCold The idea of deploying hotspots seems like a natural extension of the cells used for cellular phones. This is a false analogy and has made hotspots seem to fall short of expectations when the real problem is in not understanding the real needs. Thu, 03 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251734-7720 Realizing the Internet http://rmf.vc/RealizingConnectivity We need to recognize that the Internet has triumphed. The good news is that the carriers are embracing the Internet. The process needs to be accelerated but will rapidly move beyond the carriers ability to stay in control. Wed, 25 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251734-33864 We Have Connectivity! http://rmf.vc/HaveConnectivity We have an infrastructure that is fully capable of giving everyone always-on connectivity but the FCC and the carriers acting as if it is still a phone and cable TV network. We must recalibrate and focus on removing the impediments of connectivity instead of just mediating feuds that no longer server any larger purpose. Tue, 24 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251734-16501 Catching up on 4G, 802.11, Spam etc http://rmf.vc/SATN4G802 Overview of my recent postings on ZDNet and Dave Farber's list. Tue, 03 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251734-29227 Stopping spam isn't as easy as you might hope [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/FarberSpam Most approaches to dealing with spam naively assume that spam is a simple well-defined concept. Sat, 31 May 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251734-45301 Move over 3G: here comes 4G [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/Farber4G The cellular world is trying to find a future as WAP, Bluetooth and now 3G are seen to be failures. Why should 4G be any different? What is 4G anyway? Sat, 31 May 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251734-41370 More on Stopping spam isn't as easy as you might hope [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200305-msg00217 Sat, 31 May 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-21479 Book Sharing http://rmf.vc/SATNBookSharing The record industry isn't the only one concerned with their bits. Imagine if the book publishers controlled their content just as tightly! Wed, 23 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251750-1181 The End of Leap Seconds?? http://rmf.vc/EndofLeapSeconds The "time committee" is considering phasing at the leap second. The leap second has been one of my pet peeves but it's a lot more. It's an example of the experts' inability to distinguish between their technical concerns and the social use of their technology. Tue, 22 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251796-59227 Another Example of Being Precise, Accurate and Completely Wrong http://rmf.vc/SATNPreciselyWrong I reposted my essay on leap seconds because I had made mistakes in cleaning up the HTML for Word. Another example of dealing with a program that gives me a presentation that is has unwanted precision while making it difficult to deal with the content. Tue, 22 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251796-43347 More on Court Hears Fight Over Numbers Used for Cell phones [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200304-msg00231 Sun, 20 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-87441 Number Portability is misdirection. http://rmf.vc/FarberEnum With all the discussion of number portability it's easy to lose sight of the fact that we already have number portability. The issue should be why we have to invent a second layer just so that we can pretend it is a difficult problem. Sun, 20 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251796-43231 GELERNTER: Candy-Coated Electronics and a reply (reply first ,article after) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200304-msg00164 Tue, 15 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-71909 More on WIRELESS CARRIERS PROPOSE NEW 'NUMBERPORTABILITY' PLAN [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200304-msg00147 Mon, 14 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-12665 Implementing VisiCalc (pointer) http://rmf.vc/SATNImplementingVisiCalc Short intro Implementing VisiCalc. Points to the primary essay. Mon, 07 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251796-20054 Implementing VisiCalc http://rmf.vc/ImplementingVisiCalc The story of how we implemented VisiCalc. We always viewed VisiCalc as a product, not a program. The program itself was just a means of delivering the product and only part of the larger experience. Sun, 06 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251796-5794 Article on Al Jeezara – The Belly of the Beast [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200303-msg00450 Sun, 30 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-73502 More on In defense of al-Jazeera from MSNBC [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200303-msg00431 Fri, 28 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-51876 768x1280 http://rmf.vc/768x1280 Laptops seem to be made for viewing movies. If I rotate my laptop I get a tall and narrow screen suitable for reading and writing text. Thu, 20 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251796-99121 a series of interesting notes on AOL and connectivity [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200303-msg00290 Wed, 19 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-31905 some comments on Review of Vonage's VoIP broadband phone service [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200303-msg00211 Sat, 15 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-21192 More on why the SSN needs to go [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200303-msg00117 Sun, 09 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-43183 More on Supreme Court Reviews Speech And Library Pornography Filters [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200303-msg00060 Thu, 06 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-45694 Supreme Court Reviews Speech And Library Pornography Filters [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200303-msg00052 Wed, 05 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-93672 United States v. American Library Association http://rmf.vc/USvALA The Supreme Court is going to determine if libraries can be forced to act as censors. It is a test of modernity and the idea that ideas have meaning in context and the best way to respond to concerns is by challenging the ideas rather than censoring them. Does a picture of a naked person cause irreparable harm? Wed, 05 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251812-54518 Some Good News http://rmf.vc/SomeGoodNews I'm cautiously optimistic after returning from the Spectrum Policy conference at Stanford. But I'm exciting to find that the SFO intra-airport trains are running and that I-90 now goes directly into Logan Airport. Mon, 03 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251812-38711 Dim Copper http://rmf.vc/DimCopper We didn't create the automobile by lashing a carriage to a mechanical horse but we were able to repurpose the roads designed for horses by paving them to create a smooth surface. The Internet isn't just an upgrade to the phone network. It needs its own path. The existing copper infrastructure is a valuable resource that can be used as a native medium for Internet connectivity. We must take advantage of the opportunity to provide universal connectivity very quickly at a low cost, we get vastly improved telephony as a free bonus. Fri, 28 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251812-73812 Theft of Service? http://rmf.vc/TheftOfService Cable modems showed great promise when they were introduced. Originally planned for 10mbps, they rolled out at 1.5mbps. Originally supposed to be symmetric, they were asymmetric at 5:1 and now it's 10:1. Any available capacity is denied us and used to sell us a limited choice of stale content (movies). Wed, 12 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251843-6743 Live Blogging! http://rmf.vc/SATNLiveBlogging My attempt to blog an event live. Dave Winer's meeting about blogging at Harvard. Tue, 11 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251843-75178 ClearType! http://rmf.vc/ClearType Microsoft's Cleartype technology really does make a difference! Mon, 10 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251843-75211 Email is Still Just a Toy http://rmf.vc/ToyMail We now think of email as a normal form of communication and have to use the retronym postal mail. But when we have important messages, our email systems aren't up to the task and we go back to paper. Thu, 06 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251843-90421 Spam Fixation http://rmf.vc/SATNSpamFixation Short Abstract of Spam Fixation Sun, 02 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251843-63573 Spam Fixation http://rmf.vc/SpamFixation It seems as if everyone wants to hunt down the spammers and make laws against people who call us on the telephone. The real problem is managing our availability. Computers make it easy for people to send us email but they also give us the means to take charge of our availability. Sat, 01 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251859-10447 a view from a vet – Slammered [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200301-msg00156 Sun, 26 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-17032 comment on "Unnecessary Traffic Saturating a Key Internet 'Root' Server" Newswise (01/24/03) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200301-msg00137 Fri, 24 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-88440 Prior Restraint: Censorship as the Legacy of Spectrum Policy http://rmf.vc/SATNPriorRestraint Abstract for the essay Wed, 22 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251859-92866 Prior Restraint: Censorship as the Legacy of Spectrum Policy http://rmf.vc/SpectrumLegacy Early radio receivers took advantage of the technologies available and assigned each transmitter a unique frequency. It is a very inefficient approach and required a complex regulatory system to keep all the signals sorted out. Since World War II we've had the ability to use signaling approaches that are far more effective and do not need this regulatory regimen. Yet we still cling to spectrum allocation and the censorship inherent in the onerous regulatory system Wed, 22 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251859-79111 AT&T Broadband users see 3rd e-mail shift http://rmf.vc/SATNATTEMail Once more ATTBI is forcing users to change their email addresses. While they blamed the previous on trademark problems there seems reason this time other than a change in ATTBI's marketing needs Thu, 16 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251859-84446 Two stories on coming to terms with the Internet http://rmf.vc/SATNComingToTerms Two interesting articles in the New York Times about coming to terms with the new marketplace. One about adapting to the new realities of the content business and one about failing to address the change in telecommunications Fri, 10 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251921-76958 [IP] More on A WSJ Letter to the Editor They Wouldn't Care to Publish (which I mostly agree with) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200301-0053 Wed, 08 Jan 2003 12:34:34 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0603 More on A WSJ Letter to the Editor They Wouldn't Care to Publish (which I mostly agree with) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200301-msg00052 Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-20985 More on FCC Plans to Erase Key Rule On Local Phone Competition [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200301-msg00040 Mon, 06 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277484-1407 More on FCC Plans to Erase Key Rule On Local Phone Competition [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200301-msg00038 Mon, 06 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-71168 Bad Coupling http://rmf.vc/badcoupling I started to write about my successes in using my home networking to connect all my devices but I soon realized that it was a tail of triumph over unnecessary. Sun, 05 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251921-77119 Bad Coupling (abstract) http://rmf.vc/SATNBadCoupling I started to write about my successes in using my home networking to connect all my devices but I soon realized that it was a tail of triumph over unnecessary. Sun, 05 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251921-93700 VoIP is a simple idea and simply works http://rmf.vc/SATNVoIPis Voice over IP is a simple concept that allows us to redefine telephony. It requires no special hardware or constructs like QoS. For now it looks like the PSTN but is rapidly coming into its own Sun, 05 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251921-88070 Users: The Usual Suspects Again [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200212-msg00119 Tue, 31 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-33254 More on – rest in peace – OS/2 Obituary [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200212-msg00105 Tue, 24 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-7843 Cranking Along http://rmf.vc/SATNCrankingAlong Short intro and pointer to the full essay Fri, 20 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251937-14353 Cranking Along http://rmf.vc/crankingalong Scott Kirsner wrote about blogs (including mine) in the Boston Globe. I felt I should quickly put together my own comments but it took five days to reflect upon my writing. Fri, 20 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251921-18152 On Ensuring End-to-End http://rmf.vc/SATNOnEnsuringE2E It is easy to ask for quality but rarely do people ask what is meant by Quality. In practice, the term is often and excuse for arbitrariness and is antithetical to the openness of the Internet. Sun, 15 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251937-22591 More on Coalition Asks FCC to Ensure End-to-End [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200212-msg00064 Sun, 15 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-71704 More on Coalition Asks FCC to Ensure End-to-End [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200212-msg00059 Sat, 14 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-19228 Learning by Shipping http://rmf.vc/LearningbyShipping The table PC is interesting both as a device in its own right and as a way to understand how products evolve. Mon, 09 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251937-87613 Mistrial! http://rmf.vc/SATNMistrial The Federal courthouse in Boston has banned the use of PDAs. The unwillingness to allow mental aids is very worrisome. Sat, 23 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251953-73064 Blogs of Interest and of Concern http://rmf.vc/SATNBlogsOfInterestConcern Pointers to blogs on telecom policy and on the dangers of security mania. Fri, 15 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251953-35631 More on Journalists and the Telco crisis [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200211-msg00106 Wed, 13 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-59932 Teething Pains or Cavities http://rmf.vc/SATNTeethingPains Hiawatha Bray wrote about his experiences with the first set of Bluetooth devices. Reality highlights the Bluetooth's limitations (summary). Tue, 12 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251984-44218 Teething Pains or Cavities http://rmf.vc/teethingpains Hiawatha Bray wrote about his experiences with the first set of Bluetooth devices. Reality highlights the Bluetooth's limitations (full essay). Tue, 12 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251984-92642 More on Lessons from the Meltdown of U.S. Telephone Industry -Giving Top Priority to the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200211-msg00064 Sat, 09 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-65704 on Lessons from the Meltdown of U.S. Telephone Industry http://rmf.vc/SATNonMeltdown Response to an article from Japan about the Telephone Industry. Sat, 09 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251984-88849 Lessons from the Meltdown of U.S. Telephone Industry - Giving Top Priority to the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200211-msg00061 Fri, 08 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-34539 Ownership http://rmf.vc/SATNOwnership Owners add value. But we limit ownership based on a static agrarian model of property. In order to maximize society's benefit we need to be able to accept that others' need the opportunity be owners and holding bits hostage leave us with little opportunity to create value. Thu, 31 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251984-17327 Another Dangerous Idea http://rmf.vc/SATNAnotherDangerousIdea Just as the Darwin's recognition that we are the product of an indifferent process of evolution, the Internet forces us to come to terms with the interplay of social policy and technology. Thu, 31 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251984-3614 Perspective on Root Server Attack [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200210-msg00095 Fri, 25 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-51006 From Hotrods to PCs http://rmf.vc/SATNFHotrodsPCs In the 1950's enthusiasts would soup up their cars. Today this energy often goes into ones computer. Thu, 24 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251984-17030 dotDNS http://rmf.vc/SATNdotDNS Short abstract of the dotDNS proposal. Mon, 02 Sep 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101251984-85187 About Binding http://rmf.vc/aboutBinding The DNS is a mechanism for associating stable identifiers with volatile IP addresses. The dotDNS simply removes the impediments to effective use of binding for maintaining relationships on the Internet but it's also important to understand the concept in its own right. Mon, 02 Sep 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252000-86853 Trapped by the Web! http://rmf.vc/SATNTrappedByTheWeb The web protocols are great for pushing documents but we must not confuse a web site with a service. Your need to focus on service, not a web site. Mon, 02 Sep 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252000-81989 Implementing .DNS http://rmf.vc/dotDNS With all the noise and rancor surrounding ICANN it is easy to lose sight of the fact that ICANN itself is just mechanism that people care about too much. Create the .DNS TLD gives us a way to move beyond the squabbling. Mon, 02 Sep 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252000-11614 The Cable Racket!! http://rmf.vc/SATNTCableRacket What gives ATT the right to grab revenue from a company just because it uses their wires? Something is very wrong and I hope that these kinds of arrangements will make it more obvious. Mon, 26 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252000-76492 Of Blogs and Security and More http://rmf.vc/SATNBlogsSecurityMore Tue, 13 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252000-40894 So You Want to be Secure http://rmf.vc/beingSecure Security is about a lot more than keeping the bad guys out a lot less. We shouldn't confuse stasis with security. Sun, 11 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252000-17544 Blogging, Spam and Discovery http://rmf.vc/BlogSpamDiscovery Blogging is being "discovered" by the mainstream press and they view it in their image. But it is a lot more interesting when viewed as a way to exchange information and compared with others approaches such as advertising and its feral cousin, spam. Sat, 10 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252000-61521 Annoyances and more http://rmf.vc/SATNAnnoyancesAndMore Mainly a pointer to recent articles on Frankston.com and some comments on the difficulties in using computers. Thu, 08 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-58715 (East (New (York))), (New (York)) http://rmf.vc/ENY In visiting the neighborhood I grew up I was struck by the sign for E New York Ave. But the street is named after East New York, not New York. Ambiguity is everywhere. Too bad the ICANN seems to be in denial. Wed, 31 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-32081 The Economist, the Internet, Telecom and the Dow http://rmf.vc/economistTelecom I greatly respect The Economist as a business magazine yet even they seem to treat the woes of the telecom sectors as a symptom of problems with technology rather than seeing the woes as the result of the rise of new vibrant sectors. Wed, 31 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-94126 Salon article on ICANN and Dyson [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200207-msg00142 Sat, 27 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-16340 Salon article on ICANN and Dyson [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200207-msg00141 Sat, 27 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-97183 Check Engine! Why? http://rmf.vc/CheckEngine The car is designed by them for us. It needn't be and shouldn't be. Sat, 06 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-7302 Redesigning Frankston.com http://rmf.vc/Redesigning The first major redesign of this site since 1998. Sat, 06 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-71522 Various annoyances and related issues http://rmf.vc/AnnoyancesAndRelated We tend to underestimate the pervasive effect of seeming innocuous design issues yet they have large implications, especially as they accumulate. In itself each annoyance seems minor. The challenge is seeing which of them are leverage (or tipping?) points. After all, the Internet Protocols are trivial yet they mooted a trillion dollar telecom industry. Sat, 06 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-34317 Interesting Articles http://rmf.vc/SATNInterestingArticles Pointers without further comment Wed, 03 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-26814 Blue in the tooth http://rmf.vc/SATNBlueInTooth Pointers to some of my remarks on Bluetooth Tue, 02 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-53786 Caller ID and End-to-end http://rmf.vc/SATNCallerID The Caller-ID service on telephones provides a casebook study in the value of end-to-end design. Tue, 02 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-67659 Edge Protocol vs IPv6 http://rmf.vc/EP6 Mon, 01 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-30814 Living a Lie? http://rmf.vc/SATNLivingALie Without advocacy, it is hard to even know what is possible. Sun, 09 Jun 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252078-50914 Re: IP: Gilmor's Broadband column... [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200206-msg00004 Tue, 04 Jun 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-51477 When More Means More http://rmf.vc/SATNMoreMore Mon, 03 Jun 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252093-75143 More special http://rmf.vc/SATNMoreSpecial Thu, 16 May 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252093-20557 "Special" Networks http://rmf.vc/SATNSpecialNetworks Sun, 05 May 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252109-81629 The FCC In Context (Abstract) http://rmf.vc/SATNTheFCCInContext Thu, 25 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252109-90447 The FCC In Context http://rmf.vc/FCCInContext Politics is often treated as a spectator sport. But the FCC is different in that we can do more and think about the fundamental issues rather than just betting on winners and losers. Thu, 25 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252109-58086 The Importance of Encrypted IPV6 http://rmf.vc/EncryptedIPV6 The Internet has become a maze of twisting winding passages because the existing addressing scheme has been unable to keep up with the demands. The Internet has also become unsafe and we need to support responsible behavior by giving users the ability to maintain the integrity of their connections. Tue, 23 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252109-3078 RE: Computers (he has it right) [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200204-msg00167 Thu, 18 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-67301 The "Magic" of the Internet http://rmf.vc/smtp The Internet seems to work by magic but if you look underneath you find it is very simple. A good example is email. You don't even need a program - you and send mail by simply typing and sending commands to the recipient's computer! The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is indeed simple! Sun, 14 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252109-65643 So many clocks so little time http://rmf.vc/SATNSoManyClocks Mon, 08 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252109-672 Dan Gillmor on ICANN http://rmf.vc/SATNDanGillmorICANN Wed, 03 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-8970 Gillmor on ICANN (4/2) - Dot-DNS could be the first step to loosen ICANN's grip on Net [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200204-msg00027 Wed, 03 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-62903 Marketplaces, Connectivity and Other Stuff http://rmf.vc/SATNMarketplacesConnectivity Sun, 31 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-9896 What is it about airports? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200203-msg00206 Fri, 29 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-9151 In search of the lost Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200203-msg00134 Sun, 17 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-93925 The Internet is Missing and We Must Find it! http://rmf.vc/Missing Thu, 14 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-24144 Lessons from the GigaSet http://rmf.vc/SATNLessonsGigaset Thu, 07 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-89647 OOBE vs FFBE http://rmf.vc/SATNOOBEvsFFBE Wed, 06 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-59724 OK, one more peeve: Submarining! http://rmf.vc/SATNOneMorePeeve Thu, 28 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-86761 Dash it all or Cadence Counts! http://rmf.vc/SATNCadence Thu, 28 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-11806 Jack Valenti replies to Lessig, other "professors" http://rmf.vc/SATNJackValenti Wed, 27 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-27920 Whither ICANN http://rmf.vc/SATNWhitherICANN ICANN is aiding and abetting the .com tragedy Wed, 27 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-84018 Worlds in Collision: Consumer Electronics meets generic computing and networking and .. http://rmf.vc/SATNWorldsinCollision Sun, 24 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252125-75752 More on Too much surveillance means too little freedom [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200202-msg00214 Thu, 21 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-99622 Re: Too much surveillance means too little freedom http://rmf.vc/SATNSureillanceNotFreedom Thu, 21 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252140-96394 Billy Tauzin featured in Slate http://rmf.vc/SATNTauzin Tue, 19 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252140-86198 Billy Tauzin featured in Slate [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200202-msg00173 Mon, 18 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-96362 Don't worry, it's for your own good http://rmf.vc/SATNDontWorry Sun, 17 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252140-22066 HTML Lite http://rmf.vc/HTMLLite Tue, 12 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252140-99968 For those who like to see pictures on the Internet http://rmf.vc/SATNPicturesOf Picture of my small computer Sat, 09 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252140-53745 Letter to the editor of ISP-Planet http://rmf.vc/SATNLetterEditorISPPlanet Sat, 09 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252156-29075 Rainmaking? http://rmf.vc/SATNRainMaking Sat, 09 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252156-54530 Mini Book PC http://rmf.vc/SATNMiniBook Sat, 09 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252156-5580 Internet Connections over Cable [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200202-msg00070 Sat, 09 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277468-79781 RE: IBM's "MetaPad" Index Card-Size Computer Prototype [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200202-msg00045 Thu, 07 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-31189 comment and reply on By Cringely – Soon, It's Gonna Rain [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200202-msg00034 Mon, 04 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-29452 Pardon me if I repeat myself http://rmf.vc/SATNIRepeat Sat, 02 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252156-8 Connectivity: What it is and why it is so important http://rmf.vc/Connectivity Tue, 29 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252171-79148 Amtrak: Just what is "Internet Access" http://rmf.vc/SATNAmtrak Thu, 24 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252171-42949 Name change! http://rmf.vc/SATNNameChange Mon, 21 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252171-13206 The obsession of coding! http://rmf.vc/SATNTheObsessionOfCoding Thu, 17 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252171-26638 All I want to do is a little timeshifting http://rmf.vc/SATNALittleTimeshifting Wed, 16 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252203-55323 Clarification on my DNS Comments http://rmf.vc/SATNClarificationOnDNS Wed, 16 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252171-85968 Broadband: Just say no http://rmf.vc/SATNBroadbandSayNo Wed, 16 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252187-88154 A name is not a name http://rmf.vc/SATNANameNotAName Wed, 16 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252187-7884 The Tragedy of the .COMs http://rmf.vc/SATNTragedyOfCom The problem with .com and the DNS. Originally posted on <a href="www.SATN.org">SATN</a> Mon, 14 Jan 2002 13:51:40 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160906-0089 Broadband vs. Connectivity at PC Forum http://rmf.vc/SATNBroadbandVsConnectivitys Fri, 11 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252203-78933 Smart Appliances? http://rmf.vc/SATNSmartAppliances Fri, 11 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252203-51077 History of SIPB - Student Information Processing Board at MIT [external] http://rmf.vc/MITSIPB Mon, 31 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20180515-0181 RE: FCC lifts ban on technology-specific area codes [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200112-msg00214 Sun, 16 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-33868 Telecommuters must pay extra for cable VPNs [v2] [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200112-msg00181 Fri, 14 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-23548 Cables: Anyone home? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200111-msg00382 Thu, 29 Nov 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-29330 Forward into the past: "securing the phone system" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200111-msg00308 Sat, 24 Nov 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-21954 Fox TV: The scapegoat channel [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200111-msg00315 Sat, 24 Nov 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-94225 More on : Dead Education Dots becoming Porn sites [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200111-msg00194 Mon, 12 Nov 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-38868 Techies vs. Telcos [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200111-msg00005 Thu, 01 Nov 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-97482 Beyond Telecom http://rmf.vc/BeyondTelecom We have a communications infrastructure that based on the assumption that telephony and television are fundamental services. The Internet has demonstrated that they are both applications built upon packet-based connectivity. The marketplace has been unable to make this transition because we are locked into a complex regulatory structure defined by regulation. Tue, 30 Oct 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252218-9772 Four very useful notes between Bob Frankston and Vint Cerf re the message – ICANN's new role: It's about keeping people from being killed by terrorist plots hatched over the net says Mike Roberts [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200110-msg00413 Sun, 28 Oct 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-50238 RE: ICANN's new role: It's about keeping people from being killed by terrorist plots hatched over the net says Mike Roberts [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ipICANNTerror Sun, 28 Oct 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-27067 Interesting news source – Pravda [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200110-msg00325 Tue, 23 Oct 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-75095 "Brain fingerprinting" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200110-msg00026 Tue, 02 Oct 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-38312 Zimmerman and others being blamed for 9/11 and A simple observation about encryption [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200109-msg00313 Sat, 22 Sep 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-46543 Resilience! [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200109-msg00129 Thu, 13 Sep 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-99450 Re: FORMER FCC CHAIRMAN TELLS HOW OPTICAL COMPANIES CAN WEATHER THE ECONOMIC SLUMP [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200108-msg00152 Wed, 15 Aug 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-67043 DDoS – The new kiddies [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200108-msg00118 Mon, 13 Aug 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277453-63670 RE: re Disappearing eBooks - but not inmates? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200108-msg00064 Wed, 08 Aug 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-91319 The IBM PC at 20 and beyond. http://rmf.vc/ThePCFrom1981To Written as part of the 20th anniversary of the IBM PC. How the PC has been a source of innovation and why it will continue to be a place to experiment and not just another appliance. Fri, 03 Aug 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252218-26143 DNS - Safe Haven http://rmf.vc/DNSSafeHaven This is a proposal to address issues that threaten to entangle the infrastructure of the Internet with political and policy issues. <i>Updated</i> Thu, 02 Aug 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252218-34613 RE: Interesting Article in the 26 July LA Times on the Mismatch of Business and the Internet [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200108-msg00008 Wed, 01 Aug 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-37428 Re: [ "fun" to read djf] Gibson stops 13-year-old DOS `terrorist,' but says W2K and XP will fail and fall [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200106-msg00000 Fri, 01 Jun 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-55974 Bluetooth risks airline safety? [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200105-msg00087 Wed, 16 May 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-25297 re Baby Bells Told To Expand High-speed Internet Service [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200105-msg00062 Sat, 12 May 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-82587 [IP] more on Stopping spam isn't as easy as you might hope [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-200305-0217 Thu, 03 May 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20070114-0720 The Internet is Not Television http://rmf.vc/WiredBroadBand An extended letter to the editors of Wired Magazine in response to a May 2001 cover story which demonized the Internet simply because it doesn't make sense to those whose vision of the world is limited to television as we know it. Wed, 02 May 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252218-94977 The Prerogatives of Innovation http://rmf.vc/prerogatives The Personal Computer and the Internet have given us wonderful opportunity to innovate and change the world. Yet there still seems to be a condescending attitude that drives companies to continue to design lame products and services that deny the value of innovation. These efforts are sadly misguided -- they promise simplicity and deliver only frustration. Thu, 15 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252234-9262 Contents vs Connectivity http://rmf.vc/ContentvsConnectivity The Internet is the source of disruptive innovation that has driven our "new" economy. But the Internet is now considered too important to tolerate any more disruption. With companies that own "content" also owning the consumer's connections to the Internet, we no longer have a marketplace to advocate improving or even maintain connectivity. Thu, 10 Feb 2000 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252234-88015 Beware the Broadcasters http://rmf.vc/BewareBroadcasters This column appeared in the <a href='http://www.bosoft.com'>Boston Software News</a>. It part of my writings on the issues of the IP infrastructure. Wed, 09 Feb 2000 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252234-54646 CES 2000 Debrief http://rmf.vc/CES2000 This is a debrief I wrote of CES 2000. Mon, 10 Jan 2000 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20160906-0266 Open Access http://rmf.vc/OpenAccess As we build Internet connectivity atop the existing telecommunications infrastructure we need to assure that there is a separation between connectivity and the services that are built upon the connectivity. Thu, 11 Nov 1999 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252234-39703 Much Fuss about the DNS http://rmf.vc/Fuss The domain names (as in <a href='http://www.frankston.com'>www.frankston.com</a>) seem to be a scarce resource as companies try to secure their own ".com" names. There are also too few Internet addresses to go around. Alas, the "crisis" is due to a lack of understanding of the role of the domain names. There are more appropriate mechanisms already available. Mon, 12 Jul 1999 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252265-24797 The IP Infrastructure http://rmf.vc/IPAnIntroduction This essay captures much of what I've been trying to explain about what the IP infrastructure really is and what it means. Very briefly, it provides a connected infrastructure and creates a new marketplace that takes advantage of this connectivity. In order to understand this it is necessary to have a basic understanding of what underlies the Internet. This understanding is necessary for those making policy decisions and is essential for being a literate member of today's society. I'm writing companion essays on the new literacy and on the difference between computer science and the needs of the IP infrastructure. If you'd like to be notified when they are available, [Notification], "send me a note" Mon, 12 Apr 1999 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252265-42227 Y2K, Area Codes etc http://rmf.vc/Y2Ketal The Y2K problem and Area Code splitting are the results of failing to understand the difference between how we use information informally and how we must representation it in computer systems and on the Web. Sat, 20 Mar 1999 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252265-75934 Glossary http://rmf.vc/glossary Definitions for some of the terms I use in my writings. Fri, 01 Jan 1999 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040327_022419968-0448 Newton 2000 http://rmf.vc/Newton2000 Suggestions for how, a suburb of Boston, Newton, Ma can use the IP infrastructure and related technologies to make the city operate more efficiently and be a better place to live. Tue, 24 Nov 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252281-63928 Extending Email Addressing http://rmf.vc/EmailAddressing Email addressing has a serious flaw. Unlike the paper mail which allows you to use any name you want, with email you must register each one with your service provider and often pay a fee. This is a proposal to extend email addressing to support the extensibility necessary for universal use of email. Wed, 21 Oct 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252281-2977 AT&T and snails – from RISKS [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-199808-msg00047 Wed, 26 Aug 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-95199 Demo Letter: Article on Home Networking http://rmf.vc/Demo This short piece focuses on IP as the enabling technology. Sat, 01 Aug 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252281-10114 Columns http://rmf.vc/Columns These columns represent a first attempt at posting short opinions Sat, 04 Jul 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252281-4313 Internet Myths and Public Policy http://rmf.vc/InternetMyths Originally written in response to a desire to provide <b>Email to all</b>. Without a proper understanding of the technology, setting policies to implement this is very likely to have the perverse effect of insuring just the opposite! Wed, 27 May 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252281-98257 Home Connectivity http://rmf.vc/HomeConnectivitySummary The terms "Home Networking" and "Home Automation" are often used to describe what I prefer to be calling "Home Connectivity and Control". The confusion in terminology is symptomatic of the difficulty in a real but often misunderstood need. Wed, 06 May 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252281-54888 Universal Service http://rmf.vc/UniversalAccess An argument that the social policy of universal access (via the Universal Service fund) is outdated and a threat to advancement in telephony. Sun, 26 Apr 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252296-74320 The Holmesian Fallacy http://rmf.vc/HolmesianFallacy Sherlock Holmes makes for great fiction, but depending upon Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for lessons in reasoning is a very bad idea. Sun, 19 Apr 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252296-30480 IP Everywhere http://rmf.vc/IPEverywhere The IP Infrastructure has the potential for being a vital resource, but we are at a point where a lack of understanding by policy makers and an emphasis on supporting legacy systems threatens to leave the Internet a much less effective medium than it could be. Mon, 06 Apr 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252296-41241 Phone Numbers http://rmf.vc/PhoneNumbers The idea of a phone number should be very simple -- each phone has a number. But, in practice, we are burdened with special case rules such as when we must or must not dial a "1" or an area code. We must also constantly monitor changes to these rules such as area code splits. This complexity is the result of policies rather than technical reasons. Sat, 07 Mar 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252296-72468 Leap Seconds http://rmf.vc/LeapSeconds Leap second seems trivial but we have an inherent ambiguity in how we deal with time and computation. The value of a time, such as the year 2000, cannot be determined ahead of time! Sat, 07 Mar 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252296-27781 Firewalls http://rmf.vc/Firewalls Mechanisms like firewalls have the downside of frustrating effective use of the network, while providing only the illusion of security. <i>Updated with comments about malicious programs sent via email.</i> Wed, 25 Feb 1998 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252296-62618 The Internet and Consumer Electronics http://rmf.vc/InternetAndConsumerElectronics Presented at the IEEE Consumer Electronics conference in Singapore. This is available as part of the ISCE proceeding<a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&amp;arnumber=658330">here</a> Mon, 01 Dec 1997 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252296-74977 Unintended Consequences [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-199709-msg00021 Sun, 14 Sep 1997 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-46195 Beyond Limits http://rmf.vc/BeyondLimits A chapter from the ACM Book, <a href="http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=546465">Beyond Calculation</a>. It focuses on how innovation has driven, and will continue to drive, computing. Sat, 01 Mar 1997 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252343-25827 Operating System: A Relic of the Past http://rmf.vc/OSRelic A paper I presented in 1996 on why the classic operating system needs to be rethought. Wed, 20 Mar 1996 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20170819-0831 Rethinking Operating Systems http://rmf.vc/OS An unpublished draft explaining that current operating systems are the result of an evolutionary process and are still focused on the needs of the 1960's. Mon, 01 May 1995 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252343-68660 Re: Clinton at Brandenburg Gate [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-199407-msg00052 Mon, 11 Jul 1994 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-83543 Bob Demos the web in 1994 [external] http://rmf.vc/WWWDemo Video of Bob Frankston's tour of the WWW in 1994 Sun, 01 May 1994 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20150718-0296 Re: [SF Examiner] "Why Censoring Cyberspace Is Futile" [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-199404-msg00062 Mon, 25 Apr 1994 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-94505 Re: from an IPer – A few details on Continental Cable/PSI home internet service [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-199403-msg00034 Wed, 09 Mar 1994 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-8088 Re: Denning's account was NOT compromised. Shapiro was using a form of satire to make a point [IP Letter] http://rmf.vc/ip-199402-msg00163 Fri, 25 Feb 1994 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1076980277437-35928 The Wrist: Information near Your Fingertips http://rmf.vc/TheWrist In 1993 I wrote about the importance of the wrist as real estate for information. After twenty years the ideas seem be becoming mainstream. Mon, 27 Sep 1993 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20130214-0899 Rush Hour 1997 http://rmf.vc/RushHour1997 An amusing look at the mid 90's, written in 1989. It now seems to be less absurd than it was meant to be. Tue, 01 Aug 1989 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252343-8072 VisiCalc: The Visible Calculator http://rmf.vc/VisiCalcPaper This is the paper I presented at the 1979 National Computer Conference where we introduced VisiCalc. You may also be interested in <a href="https://rmf.vc/ImplementingVisiCalc">Implementing VisiCalc</a> Wed, 06 Jun 1979 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20040623-0668 Multics Lightweight Processes http://rmf.vc/Multics1974Processes A pair of memos I wrote about implementing a tasking mechanism on Multics. Mainly for those who are very curious about arcane details of computing history. Sun, 03 Mar 1974 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/20051018-0357 The Computer Utility as a Marketplace for Computer Services (TR-128) http://rmf.vc/TR128 My Master's Thesis. (1974). Probably one of the earliest discussions of Internet-based electronic commerce. It addresses the issues of what are now called micro-transactions. Thu, 31 Jan 1974 00:00:00 GMT http://rmf.vc/1069101252343-97573