Sam Ewalt wrote:
>American Telephone and Telegraph (ATT) just sweetened the pot as my
>long distance telephone company by giving me a reduced rate on
>longdistance calls and including unlimited Internet access for just
>$7.95. The previous plan I had with them required me to pay a service
>fee of $5.95 monthly to qualify for the low rate on long distance.
>So, I'm getting a lower rate and unlimited net access for another
>two dollars a month.
Freeserve (Crapserve?) in the UK costs �10/$14-ish per month for flat
rate, the whole amount may be used against voice calls. Newer users
have to pay 30% more, and I think the ISPs say the true cost is nearer
�40/$56 per month. When I paid by the minute it cost me �50/$70 month!
Flat rate arrived in the UK under a year ago, forced by some ultimately
phoney announcements from AltaVista. Several smaller and new ISPs tried
to offer a year's flat rate for �80/$112 or less, but I think they've all
folded. There was also a scam where a new PC was offered at 20% of its
value, and would be paid for by providing consumer research information
every month for five years. This company is transferring its operation
to Australia and, IIRC, Canada.
>What this tells me is that in the States at least there is excess
>capacity in the system and that it really doesn't cost very much
>to provide Internet service. Anyone who can figure out how to do
>it can set themselves up as an ISP here.
Magazines about the Net frequently carry adverts for reseller services,
allowing you to offer John Smith an account as [EMAIL PROTECTED]
etc., while raking off a proportion of his connection charges. I doubt
there's any real likelihood of breaking even, but you could provide for
a very happy user-base.
>Destroying healthy animals seems like a sign of panic. Twenty five
>years ago here in Michigan there was a problem with contaminated
>feed for dairy cows affecting the milk supply. Thousands of cows
>had to be destroyed. Farmers would bulldoze huge trenches and herd
>all their cows into them, then shoot them and cover them up.
Our Govt and the chief veterinary officer would say that resisting the
cull is a sign of panic and irrationality. Precautionary measures can
cost a lot in unforeseen ways e.g. Provisional IRA bomb threats meant
the removal of trash cans and left-luggage facilities at stations;
leading to risk of fire and inconvenienced travellers. Maybe fewer
Europeans will visit the US now they know they will be thoroughly
examined and sniffed. TV programmes about small animal veterinary
practices are very popular here, and probably encourage many youngsters
into the profession. Maybe the Foot-&-Mouth will result in a cull of
their numbers, revolted by this aspect of the work?
Regards,
Jake
