Who owns your computer?

[alpha]

A few weeks ago there was a link about the government "owning" your computer on a Cash for Clunkers posting. A lot of people downplayed it, etc. Here is a link to a cnet news article that describes S.773. It appears that control of all computers is exactly what is intended in this bill, and they wouldn't need your permission.

BILL WOULD GIVE OBAMA 'EMERGENCY' CONTROL OF INTERNET

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html

[BobSch]

It sounds like the bill would regulate ISPs, not individual computers. Still, not a good thing.

[cgallery]

So the White House is going to direct network admins at T1/T2 carriers? Good luck with that.

What's the difference between a Tier-1 network admin and God? God doesn't think he is a network admin.

[cabinetman]

Maybe soon we'll see a bill proposing a licensing of any user of the internet, like a CB license. Good form of revenue.
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[Bruce Cohen]

Hey Cab,

You're kinda getting political, be careful you don't piss anyone off, they'll lock the thread.

Bruce

[sweensdv]

Maybe soon we'll see a bill proposing a licensing of any user of the internet, like a CB license. Good form of revenue.
.

Did you really send someone money for a CB license? I never did.

[crokett]

Maybe soon we'll see a bill proposing a licensing of any user of the internet, like a CB license. Good form of revenue.
.

I doubt that will ever happen. Telco lobby would not allow it - they would not want government to have control of who can use their networks, plus they would not want to spend the money to enforce it plus no real way to enforce it. In the early days of high-speed ISPs officially wouldn't let you hook up a router. Now they offer them for sale and most of the modern modems include some routing functionality.

[cabinetman]

Did you really send someone money for a CB license? I never did.

This goes back to the 70's, and I don't remember. Supposedly they could track a signal and there would be fines if there were no call letters. But, in the late 70's the FCC was overrun and the need for a license was discontinued.
.

[MilDoc]

Sorry, gang, this did NOT apply to individual's computers, but to the computers used by auto dealers to file claims. NOT the ISPs etc etc etc.

This bunk has circulated and been disproved more times than I can count.

Remember that old adage that I will here misquote? If it sounds too outrageous to be true, it probably is."

[sparkeyjames]

The Constitution gives the power to regulate interstate commerce to the federal government. The internet is all about interstate commerce and communication. The internet now accounts for a large amount of interstate trade, online purchasing and BtoB relations. Don't forget the internet comprises not only the websites but email and a whole host of other things that you may never see in normal everyday internet use.

Shutting down the internet would be tantamount to shutting down the country. This is proof positive that politicians have absolutely no clue as to what they are doing.

[LinuxRandal]

This goes back to the 70's, and I don't remember. Supposedly they could track a signal and there would be fines if there were no call letters. But, in the late 70's the FCC was overrun and the need for a license was discontinued.
.

It really sounds to me, like Cabinetman is mixing up CB and Ham radios.

[TB Roye]

If I can't control Win XP or IE7, how the H do the expect the gov. to control my computer? I just had to say that. If the day does come that the gov. has control of my computer in any way, I just pull the plug and go back to the old way, if I can remember what that was.

Tom

[jaybee]

It really sounds to me, like Cabinetman is mixing up CB and Ham radios.

No. Canada kept up the pretense of being able to license CB radio far longer than the U.S. Ham radio eventually allowed for a "no code" license ... which most Ham operators around here took to be a sign of the end of the world as we know it.

[Black wallnut]

It really sounds to me, like Cabinetman is mixing up CB and Ham radios.

Actually he is not. Way back in the 70's it was the law of the land that CB operators were required to be licensed. FCC gave up on this;prior to that many ignored it, even though it was explained in owners manuals.

[TB Roye]

I had a CB licence back in the day. It became a real pain to use as it became so popular and there was so much garbage on there. You might calll it the prePC/internet version of Facebook or Twitter. There were some very powerful transmitters in some raidos and the sideband stuff was amazing. Lot of weirdos on there.

Tom