Hi, although I missed out on the bulk of the discussion, I have to say this to Ted's email:
On Fri, 21.08.2009 at 10:46:55 -0700, Ted Mittelstaedt <t...@ipinc.net> wrote: > I agree. We're and ISP and I don't want us to be associated with > companies like Google. I don't want Google operating in my market and > I'm sure as heck that Google doesn't want me operating in the search > engine market, either. > > I don't agree with this "everyone's an ISP" mentality that's become > so prevalent, recently. *SIGNED* We're also an ISP (plus a few other things), and as Ted so rightfully says, we don't want to be confused with operations like Google. I also object to the dilutation of the word of "ISP" and would like to call everyone's attention to the looming implications of such dilutation. Currently, ISPs and non-ISPs are affected by different kinds of regulations, regarding issues like liability, licensing requirements (eg. do ISPs require a carrier license? What if, and what if suddenly email providers are required to have the same?) etc.pp. Although I gather that the term "ISP" may sound like an attractive prey to some marketing droids, you can also bet as sure as hell that you're out of the business in no time if someone in the government would suddenly start to mandate the respective highest "standards" in each area from all of you (or us). Think about it twice, please, once because of the implications for your businesses, and once for the implications for the "Internet (or rahter, ITC market" and society at large. And then, please, stop this confusion. Thank you for listening! Kind regards, --Toni++
