Perhaps we should start with something more basic, like access to clean water, absence of marauding militias, a level of education somewhere above shockingly bad, etc.
I, like many others, believe that delivering Internet access to the masses will be what finally enables the citizens of [poor country] to provide food, water, shelter, education, and a stable government for/to themselves.
We are sitting here commenting on a Slashdot blog post, which links to a Techdirt blog post, which links to a blogs.journalism.co.uk blog post, which links to this news article.
I skipped the blogs and read the article.
Whoops!
That link is related to the recent Wikileaks/Shield Law post. Try this one instead: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/09/01/darpa_vid_search_dough/
There's really a trend in going all "That movie sucks!" against every popular movie, and I'm getting tired of it. It might not be original, and maybe people can say "Oh pocahontas did it first!" but that doesn't change that it was a suspenseful, well-made film with some good points that people could think about.
I would compare it to Star Wars, really. It was an ambitious movie with a cliche plot, passable acting, and very impressive special effects. I enjoyed it in the theaters and now own it on blu-ray. It's not The Usual Suspects, by a long shot, but it is a satisfying movie in its own way.
On a side note, the "Star Wars wasn't really
But I couldn't care less for browsing the web on a screen so small my fingers cover a third of what I'm trying to read/work on.
3G dongles plug into anything with a USB port and my Nokia N900 can create a mobile hotspot anywhere I want.
Here in Uganda I have personally connected Internet cafes, small offices, and health clinics using GPRS/3G + bandwidth management and caching. We're living proof that mobile Internet is capable of far more than delivering YouTube to your cell-phone.
Furthermore, as a consumer these days, why would I pay for a fixed access-point instead of one I can carry around in my pocket?
I actually got rid of my fixed line connection at home because I can use my N900 + 3G all day long anywhere I go. If I need my laptop I throw up a hot-spot. If I'm on the road, go to a friends house, or need Internet while on a boat in the middle of Lake Victoria, I have it.
What good is fixed-line neutrality when mobile broadband becomes peoples primary means of connectivity?
The likes of Verizon know that mobile Internet is the future of the market so they don't give a crap if fixed lines stay neutral. It's a bullshit proposal.
Gradually remove all information and apps from your FB profile, in the end leave only the bare minimum that's required to keep the profile alive. Then leave it that way for a while, at least a year or two. Then delete the account.
I recently spoke to a Facebook developer about this at a Uganda Linux User Group meeting. I asked whether or not they keep revision history for profiles. They don't.
So, currently, there's no need to wait 2 years. Simply filling your profile with bad data prior to deletion would be sufficient.
Living on Earth may be expensive, but it includes an annual free trip around the Sun.