> The internet is fucked in the head, because of the basic
> structure. We need a centralised network with a heirarchy like
> Fido.

RG> With the Internet and its non-centralised nature we have
RG> avoided all the bitching by the various NC's and their little
RG> power trips that have plagued fido since its inception.

 I'm not talking about a network run by amateurs... I envisage a
network run properly, for money, by international Telcos. They run it
anyway, why not design a proper system?

> *IF* we had such a sytem, IPs would disappear and be replaced by
> major> companies (like banks) offering BBS services as an add-on.

 Now you are getting the idea. What we have at present, is the insane
situation of thousands of IPs making a quick buck anonymously while
*hiding* the true identity of their users. Who do you sue for damage
if you get screwed? And the answer to that one is no one.

 In actual fact no one is anonymous, courtesy of the FBI and NSA, but
that only advantages the USA (and Microsoft).

RG> So much for freedom of speech then eh? How am I going to learn
RG> how to make bombs if the Banks aren't willing to publish the
RG> relevent information? 

 You equate Freedom of Speech with making bombs? It's a worry...

 But it would not just be banks. The universities would still run
sites, Dicko the Anarchist might have a site, Al Qaeda would certainly
have its site... the *difference* would be that *all* of these sites
would be administered according to the overall rules (or they would be
disconnected). Fido was actually an anarchic system. Once the sysops
obeyed a few simple rules, they could do anything they liked, but if
they broke the rules like Paul Edwards did... taa, taa, Paul... but
where Fido was run by enthusiasts NewNet would be run professionally.

> That's what they said about the hula hoop.

RG> I guess computers are just a fad that's going to go away too
RG> eh?

 Is bread a fad? Why do you jump from the uniwanker net to computers?

> You transfer *money* on the net?? (amazed!)

RG> Shit yeah. I do all all of our banking online (except cash
RG> withdrawalls). I also use my credit card quite extensively for
RG> online purchases too. It is no more risky than doing our
RG> quartly BAS statements (and payments) online.

 You do your Tax online?? (amazed!) Do you *want* your private
details to leak?

RG> Oh, we also ACCEPT online credit card payments for the services
RG> we offer. 

 Of course. Why not? What have you got to lose? Get the money first,
then send the stuff. I'm talking about it from the consumer's point of
view... not the seller's. It's cheap and simple for the banks and tax
office too... just let the computer do the accounting (and the poor
dickhead on the other end).

RG> It really isn't any less secure than going to your bank and
RG> making a deposit. You get a recipt number just the same.

 No... you *actually* get a receipt, with a signature on it, a piece
of paper that will stand up in court if it comes to that.

RG> The only difference is that if you go to the bank, your money
RG> (and/or relevent paperwork) sits on some tellers desk for the
RG> rest of the day before someone enters the details into the
RG> banks computers which at thwe end of the day is transfered VIA
RG> THE internet to the banks central storage facility. 

 Any loss is theirs.. and in any case, banks don't use the Internet
as such. They have their own secure satellite links and encryption
(haven't you seen the big dishes on the roof?). Teh poor mugs using
Internet Explorer... need I say more?

RG> With online banking and transfers, etc that you do is
RG> IMMEDIATELY send to the centralised computer. There is no
RG> teller to fuck things up for you, no papers to get lost in the
RG> shuffle, therefore it is ultimately a lot safer than physically
RG> going to the bank.

 So you say... until soemthign goes wrong. Come back and tell me
then.

RG> Oh, you don't get mugged online either. 

 How do you get cash, then? Do you have a little printer on the side
of your box, or what?

Regards,
Bob






   

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