Open letter to Commissioner Michael J. Copps - Part II
                       Federal Communications Commission
                       Washington, DC 20554

If I may paraphrase, you made the point in your conversation with Bill Moyers that the function of regulating the Internet is to preserve the openness -- to prevent vested interests from regulating for self interest or competitive advantage. And while this thought may be difficult for some to accept, it ties completely with the concept of government "of the people, by the people, and for the people."

You also made the point that we need to "save journalism" and in addition to twisting the emphasis a bit, I added the need to "save the Personal Computer." The answer lies in the question featured on your website.

What are ways in which the 
FCC can better engage the 
public in OPEN proceedings?

OPEN -- What does that word mean -- to what does it apply and who is making the judgment. For example: any individual, with a computer, may sign-up with an Internet Service Provider, ISP, to get access to the Internet via Dial-Up or Broadband. Obviously, that individual needs the proper equipment; however, we need to acknowledge that the Dial-Up user will not see the Internet as very "open" -- as the broadband users dominate the Internet.

Another example: A small business person decides to set up a website to advertise her product. Her assessment of openness depends upon availability and cost of help with a range of new tasks including, but not limited to, advertising. Anybody can have a web site; however, eyes to view that site is a whole 'nother story -- the present Internet is not very open to most of this kind of user.

I would imagine that the journalist that just lost a job with the local newspaper would not see the Internet as very open while searching for a new source of income.

And if you happen to be a reader with a desire to participate in the discussion, you won't see the Internet as "open." Comments are an after thought, programmed for close control in the various blogging software -- where comments are allowed, that is.

Obviously, as a programmer, I have my own complaints about Microsoft, it's dominance and closed control of the DeskTop application market -- that's material for a whole 'nother book.

In short, the Personal Computer/Internet industry is far from "open" dependent upon the area under examination and the nature of the examiner -- a measurement system is needed to help make real sense of all the propaganda.

To be continued.

Doug Skoglund - skoglund@pdmsb.com
SandS Software, Inc.
3396 Yankee Doodle Lane #120
Eagan, MN 55121-1732
651-454-8393
http://pdmsb.com

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