AUGD: RE: Computing issues for UG Leaders (is politics?)
AUGD: RE: Computing issues for UG Leaders (is politics?)
- Subject: AUGD: RE: Computing issues for UG Leaders (is politics?)
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:14:53 -0400
Greetings
I regret having caused a bit of a stir here.
And don't blame Lynn, it was my article. I take full responsibility.
InfoManager began including some reports on issues facing computer users
and the online world in the late 1990s as part of the UGN Net Safety
department -- because it had an affect on Apple and Mac users.
Net safety, online crime and the ever increasing politics of the
internet is every computer, iPod and iPhone user's business.
Or should be.
InfoManager has averaged 10 to 20 news items each Monday morning since
1994 -- since 1990 in the UGN. The last Monday was the first in 12 weeks
of which could be considered "political" -- one line item in 14.
Editorial ratio has been less than 7% issues to generalized Mac
hardware and software reporting, and less than 1% PC to Mac.
Someone said:
> I really object to the use of this list to politicise
> what should be information about Apple products,
> events, and software for Macs
RE: Apple products, events and software for Macs ...
This is a "User Group" list. (a*UG*d) It's primary origin was for the
leaders of user groups embracing Apple products.
(Unless that's changed)
Important issues occasionally mentioned in InfoManager SHOULD be of
serious interest to User Group leaders -- because those leaders have
an obligation to their own consituencies.
BOTH Net Neutrality and Internet taxation ARE issues affecting ALL readers
of this list -- and their memberships -- all of which will be sourly
concerned should history go the "wrong" way.
APPLE is currently leading the parade of VIDEO, Podcasts, and Music
downloads -- driving the whole market in the proliferation of video
media, now joined by many purveyors like Google, YouTube, NetFlix
and others.
If Internet taxation is initiated, (which the struck bill would
have prevented) APPLE will be forced to charge for much of the content
it currently purveys for free -- AND -- charge MORE for those services
and products it now sells. ALL video, audio, streaming video, and
Podcasts of any size at all will be the target -- and guess
who pays the freight.
Throughput and bandwidth usage is what these issues are all about.
Remember that Apple has a telephone bill too. But I'll bet your
constituency enjoys those free downloads.
We felt issues that have a real effect on the world of computing should
be included in a Monday morning views, news & reviews newsletter. And,
we have been confident it is a good mix because for every complaint
email we get, there are usually a dozen thanking us for
including the content.
In fact, thank-yous, questions, and comments pertaining to spam, phishing,
identity theft and the politics of computing are the ONLY feedback
we get. Readers seldom comment on any of the other content. You can
see that by the amount of traffic on the InfoManager list.
But several of the posters here in AUGD had good points.
I'm not going to shy away from my own trip-ups.
A journalist should always remain nonpartisan.
I'll admit, I went a bit over the top. I'll try harder.
Someone from Switzerland said:
> rabidly partisan. The latest issue of their Monday
> infomanger was clearly trying to turn any tenuous
> news into an attack
What part of legislation (law) that opens the door to internet
taxation do you consider "tenuous" ??
In my own defense though, it's difficult to consider this reporting
to be "rabidly partisan" -- a search of over 5,000 news items posted
by the InfoManager since 1998, the word "Democrats" appears only
eight (8) times. 5,000 to 8 hardly constitutes "rabidly partisan"
In this case, "who" struck the anti-taxation act was significantly
important to the issue; because it's the same "party" contradicting
themselves by openly politicizing Net Neutrality as a bully-pulpit.
Besides, it was only a single line item in a table of contents.
NOT the story. My posts are always short and very easy to ignore.
Since the only responses on this list are obviously against
having issues mentioned, I can strike any line items which may be
perceived as "political" from the InfoManager table of contents
before posting to this forum each Monday morning.
That keeps the list moms happy, and makes everyone rest easier.
:-)
Thanks for reading.
I'll welcome your comments and feedback -- PLEASE, OFF THE LIST.
By politicizing it on this list, you betray your own complaint.
Fred
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