|
From the Editor's Desk
"Saying it like it is!"
It was as inevitable as the
march of time itself... The Information Highway has proven itself
to be the coming thing. Of this, there can be no
doubt. On the Highway, there are no real or implied impediments to
the powers of creativity other than good moral sense and taste. As
such, there are very little, if any, of the narrow minded
corporate types that infest the online services uttering; "we
(meaning Mr.. high and mighty himself) don't feel that type of
product is exactly what we are looking for. Controversy true
stories, honest reviews and faithful endorsements, Pictures and
voice overs don't attract?? Up to date news and inside track
scoops don't attract readers, users, subscribers??
These stagnant corporate
types are the very pitfalls (cancerous growths) the major networks
are slowly dying from. Sure, they (the major networks) are
offering freebies and candy now, but as soon as the new users SEE
what's really on the Internet and the WEB especially, the major
networks are in very serious trouble. What are the majors going to
offer once the new users see they can get so much more in value by
going through a server such as Internet MCI than accessing the
Internet via an expensive online service?? These "pinstripe
suits" are actually deadly liabilities to these online
services their elitist attitudes have actually allowed the
Internet and all its "warts" to literally "blow
away" even the biggest of big when it comes to online
participation. This very narrow-minded pinstripe suited group are
the very ones that literally killed an online service that we are
all familiar with. The "wake-up alarms" are ringing. I'm
willing to bet they're too deaf from all the applause they've
given themselves instead of paying attention to the users.
The Internet is growing in
leaps and bounds. Most all major software publishers are making
powerful provisions in their new software or updates to allow
users to enjoy the 'net to its fullest degree. The WEB.... the
name's not pretty, but it sure tells the true story. It is like a
spider web. Once you've seen it and used it there is no turning
back. Its fantastic. Of course at slow modem speeds the graphics
can drag on a bit. Sure, you'll hear the "purists" say
they go in using text only mode. Hah! They remind me of the types
who say; "it was good enough for my father.... its good
enough for me." Who do they think they are fooling? Its only
themselves they are fooling. Honestly, you do need a fast modem
and a good connection. You need that anyway if you are doing any
type of serious modeming. The Online Services had better wake up
and "get with it" or the 'Net is going to take it all.
As it appears now, this reporter's opinion is, ("saying it
like it is"), "the Internet is well on its way to
obliterating a number of the online services in fact, in mho, of
the big five services; (CIS, AOL, Delphi, Prodigy, Genie),
only one stands any chance at all. The rest will soon be pricey
and slow gateways to the 'Net or gone.
The Telecommunications
Revolution is upon the computing community. The shame is the
powerful decision makers at the Online Services appear to have
little or no clue as to what its all about. They're still busy
being smug, conservative pinstriped dregs in the face of the
telecommunications awakening. We will, over the next few years, be
witness to the "big shake out" of the online pay
services. The signs are all there. Certain of those connected with
these services who are "savvy" have already made changes
and shifts to ensure a spot in the scheme of things for
themselves. Unfortunately, some still haven't a clue. Some because
of themselves and others because they are not up to another
competitive climb. The stiffly structured Online Service (again
the big five) of today, that tells you what you are going to and
not going to see, do, post, etc.. Is dead meat.
The wide open, free style of
the 'Net is what's happening ..period. Sure, there are the
political Exon's out there who'll try and tell you the "Net
is the Devil's Playground" these _panic mongers_ and wacky
zealots who love to complicate our lives with goofy laws hoping to
make names for themselves are not going to survive the efficiency
of the 'Net. You see, no sooner do they jump up with this
nonsense, the modern day Paul Reveres notify the entire country in
a matter of moments of the pending skullduggery. This, coupled
with the fact that the computing community is far better informed
and educated than the politicians give them credit for makes for
many politicians who'll be astonished at how "fast" the
people "learned". Yes indeed you are correct, I put the
crafty politicians in the same class as the "enlightened
executives at the Online Services. They haven't a clue as to how
far ahead the 'Net and its users truly are.
|
Bits
& Bytes
