[LINK] The PLAN, and broadband speeds?

[Ivan Trundle]

On 22/06/2007, at 4:17 PM, Karl Auer wrote:

> The only things that definitely will not happen are those that  
> break the
> laws of physics, and those that break fundamental human behaviours.
> Everything else is at least possible. To see if it's probable, just
> imagine it being really easy and really cheap. If the picture changes,
> then that thing is probable.

Which is why we *should* be building for the future. I would have  
though that Linkers would have been at the vanguard of high  
bandwidth, and championing efforts to build better systems (and  
cheaper, if possible).

Having moved to an ADSL2+ link at home about six months ago, I can  
now begin to see the possibilities, and the options - I video- 
conference every day when I'm working (from home), and often to  
multiple people around the world. I see a lot more than text typed  
into mail clients, or glossy websites with pictures fixed to the screen.

I am beginning to learn that it makes a world of difference. It  
shrinks the distance. I'm not even vaguely interested in what  
channels of TV can be piped through to my screen, or what 'services'  
can be dropped on my doorstep, but I see a whole world of more  
interesting and inspirational things, such as live webcam feeds from  
places that I'd like to be, or from near the people that I talk to.

What I see, even with this bandwidth, is often fuzzy and dull, but  
the potential is there. And overall, my carbon footprint will reduce,  
because I won't be jumping in a plane to go to talk to people, when I  
can do it almost as effectively as if I were in the same room. I  
often drag the laptop around the home or out into the garden when I  
want the people that I am conversing with to see more than just my face.

It works, and it is a powerful communicator. And it doesn't work on  
the so-called broadband that that average user deal with.

Warmly

iT