Screw whatever karma points I'm not going to get...I have nothing too insightful to say on this matter; but i'm going to talk anyway.

I, too, feel it's a trumped up way of making customers pay for a higher tier. I too wonder why they specifically are targeting web-servers than anything else. One part of me wants to say it's a "public" vs "private" aspect. Look at a device like a Slingbox for example. When you get down to it; it's a server. It's a little device that sends data over the internet. At the same time; it's "hidden" and not publically accessible. You need two individual logins to be able to connect to it; one for the slingbox website; another for the slingbox itself. It's not like *anyone* can drive by my IP and go "I think i'll stream some video". I don't know of a single ISP that's had issue with this. I'm sure there's a few people with google fiber running one. Verizon has never taken an attempt to block mine. or tell me I needed to stop running it. Hell, having this insane amount of bandwidth is what made me invest in one in the first place. Same goes for my remote SSH access. Yeah; that's a server alright; but again, it's not a "public" thing...and mine isn't even on a standard port. So, maybe there's a distinction between a "public" server; like an httpd; and "private" servers like SSH, games, torrents; etc. I run a VPN on my network...and that's not even raised any eyebrows by my ISP...and within that VPN I've got access to any server running on my LAN. Again, this is what leads me to believe they make a distinction between public servers pumping out data to everyone; and private servers that "just happen to use your residential" account.

But, let me focus on Verizon for just another minute; since it's the only ISP I've used for the last 11 years (12 if you count the year my DSL was technically GTEi). My original DSL TOS was on like...a 4"x4" leaflet...and said *nothing* about servers. I read that tiny piece of paper three or four times.....GTE (this was before they completely merged the networks sometime in '02) didn't care if you ran a server on your DSL. Therefore; I did. In fact, I ran a server a large majority of the time I was on a DSL connection. Verizon never blocked port 80....and I don't think they even scanned. Oddly enough; the only port they blocked was 25. It was for trying to reduce the amount of spam people's PCs were sending out; and they gave a TON of notice about it. I didn't have a business account...they probably didn't have to tell me; but they did. They even called me to make sure I knew about the upcoming block on incoming port 25. I ran web-servers; ftp; ssh; shoutcast, even an ircd; never had Verizon "get after me" or block any ports.

Ok, granted FiOS isn't offering a 1gpbs plan yet; and I don't know what ever happened to XG-PON...but even now, they don't forcibly prevent you from running a server by blocking ports. A buddy of mine up in MA has a residential FiOS account and has been running an httpd for who knows how long. I've tried running services that are public on standard ports and never had an issue.

There's...a lot I don' t know about how they handle; or even if they check. If google's blocking port 80 incomming (which is what I gathered from some of the comments); then how is it Verizon...whose been called extremely evil...not?

Maybe part of it is the "old" way of thinking it seems tech companies don't want to shake. Maybe they're lumping *anyone* who runs a server as a business; completely shunning the fact a home user might want to run a server as a hobby.

Are you sure you're not talking about the wireless deal? That was between Verizon Wireless and Comcast; along with other cable companies. My understanding of that situation was that in exchange for the wireless spectrum; basically prevents Verizon Wireless from only offering Fios in the oh-so-coveted "Homerun" packages. This went down because some cable companies decided they wanted the homerun packages so badly; they were going to start their own wireless carriers. The problem is; they know nothing about the wireless business. So, they reached an agreement with Verizon to hand the bandwidth to them; and in exchange they would be able to cross-sell each other's services. The "to not encroach" bit was likely misunderstood by the fact Verizon Wireless was forbidden to play favorites with Fios. If a customer came in and wanted a homerun bundle with Comcast; they'd have to do it.

I'd also like to point out that I specifically mention Verizon Wireless; because it's legally a separate entity. Yes; Verizon communications owns 65% of it; Vodafone owns the other 45%. So, in reality; this deal has nothing to do with FiOS expansion. It's Verizon Wireless' deal, not Verizon Communications. Just because VZW has to resell Comcast service in no way means VZC has to stop putting FiOS in each other's territory. The deal was purely to prevent VZW from going "We'll only bundle with FiOS". People were worried it'd mean less incentive/competition because they probably didn't fully understand the deal; and the context it was made in. If anything; it means VZC will have to compete harder to convince people to switch from Comcast without having that VZW bundle wedge.

Verizon stopping it's fiber expansion was simply a matter of money. It was costing them a ton; and adoption was a tad slower than they'd expected. My understanding is they were no longer expanding in to *new* markets; but would finish building out markets that already had service. I still see crews laying fiber in my county; and I've seen them running fiber to some really remote places; simply because the nearby town happens to have FiOS.

Yes, I. Use VUDU...solely because every BD I get has a redemption code for Vudu and UltraViolet. I'm not worried; they essentially got data on my that's accessable...last 4 of the CC number? That's been out there since. Everyone else merely just gets hacked. I don't use the same identity details on important things...you couldn't access my back with jus VUDU info...you need several pieces of info for that. At lease they're doing something; most places just say you're on your own and we're sorry...VUDU gave everyone affected a year of AllClearID identy protection.

First of all; the John Does should have first amendment protection. If the lawsuit works out in the trolls' favor; then kiss first amendment goodbye...because all future rulings will look back on this and say "yes, you can sue someone for sharing an opinion you don't like."

You can watch all the NBC you want; but after 250 hours your viewing will be reduced to MSNBC.

Technically, it's just Voice Over IP technology; it doesn't have to mean "the internet". However; since the majority of people; and a large number of VoIP installations, actually do involve "the internet", it's easy to understand the confusion. I have FiOS, technically I have VoIP; the major difference is the voice traffic doesn't originate from the public internet. So even if one of Verizon's routers decides to fall asleep and kill all my public internet; my phones and on-demand still work. In fac t; the ONT provides an analog PTSN/POTS connection for this very purpose.

Oh, and it fully supports sending and receiving faxes.

I believe they have an oven that has an integrated refrigerant system to keep food cold. I mean, if you're throwing a tablet in the mix, why not a refrigerator. Next thing you know the stove will be streaming videos across the house.

I live in NoVA too...and Buffet is shutting down our local paper (News & Messenger). This ends actually having an idea of what's going on in the county/locally.

Don't forget; the Sega Dreamcast ran WindowsCE; and performed very well IMO. So, maybe the problem isn't the general purpose OS itself; but the fact it hasn't had any optimizations made to it. If you're that devoted to making an excellent Linux based platform; surely you'd be thinking about how to make the OS as unobtrusive as possible to performance. Linux powers most of the touchscreen bartop Megatouch branded video games. If you've ever seen a Fast and the Furious arcade game; it's some version of Windows (2000 or XP, I can't remember). I say if anyone had the ability to make a successful "home game console"; Valve would be the ones to do it, and do it well.

...till you get a phone that for whatever reason refuses to post tweets. Go ahead apps; try to post a tweet to my account....I can't even tweet from my phone.

Funny, Hulu made me login with my Verizon ID to prove I had a TV subscription. Don't assume InternetTV is the future, Hulu is already starting to comply with the requirement of needing a "cable" subscription. I believe this was mentioned on this site a couple months ago. Pretty soon, if you don't already pay for TV, you won't be able to pay for streaming.

"but I only liked will & grace, one time, one day. Wish I hadn't, cause Facebook now thinks I'm gay"

I really have to wonder how they're determining who's gay and who's not. We already tell it out relationship stats, and sometimes, who. If you're not telling Facebook any of that....then I'm worried about how much data they're collecting and how many assumptions they're making. I already know that since I interact Facebook in a totally different way than I normally would. So...what are they assuming about me?

Watching this video just made me more confused. There was nothing but drawings....random mumbling...and the bluish outline of people which interfered with what they were trying to show. Maybe they're trying to prove you can prove existence of aliens by utterly confusing your audience in to believing it. The backwards/repeating voices do nothing to convince me of anything than the author is on something. I wish they'd tell me where they got it, at least I'd of learned something from this video. When seven-foot bluish cat-looking creatures come landing...then I'll believe you.

but the stereo gear is going with me!

Apple doesn't need Carrier IQ to keep up with you....the first time you picked one up it injected tiny nanobots that multiplied inside your body...connecting to and learning to interpret the synapses in your brain....although they likely don't do anything except turn you in to another Apple-loving drone.