Originally Posted by benny1967

While the idea is nice, FON as one possible way of doing it is not. It's is a closed system and backed by companies with a rather bad reputation. The fact that iSteve falls in love with it now doesn't make it any more attractive.

Originally Posted by rs-px

I've never used it but I guess the most important point is if it actually works, both on a practical level (can I get a signal?) and on a social level (are people willing to put FON boxes in their houses?).

Originally Posted by rs-px

Not sure if I agree that the companies backing it have a bad reputation (Google? British Telecom?). But telco companies aren't usually the most honourable examples of corporations. In fact, of all corporate entities, they often have the sharpest business practices (product lock-ins, extensive contractual demands etc).

Originally Posted by benny1967

The question if it works or not is one of many, not the most important. Thats the wonderful thing about our society: Even though it's said that consumers make rational choices, in fact they don't. There's always a lot of emotion ínvolved. (Like people buying a certain brand because its associated with "young", "free", "independent" - even though they sell furniture which has no potential of making you any more free or independent )

Likewise, the choice for a certain technology is (at least for some of us) influenced in part by moral aspects. We use OGG vorbis partly because it has better quality, but also because its free - even though there's hassle getting the codec to work on some platforms. We use GNU/Linux partly because we like its flexibility, but also because we support an ideology - even though its a nightmare getting the webcams and scanners to work.

So: No, I dont think the most important point is if it actually works. Consuming only what works and whats easily available is somewhat irresponsible, even indecent.



Skype (via EBay) and Google both have a very negative reputation - you know, privacy concerns, closed system, connections to US-administration, all this kind of stuff. They're not the companies I would voluntarily provide additional information like where I am, who I talk to etc.

Originally Posted by benny1967

So: No, I dont think the most important point is if it actually works. Consuming only what works and whats easily available is somewhat irresponsible, even indecent.

Originally Posted by benny1967

Skype (via EBay) and Google both have a very negative reputation - you know, privacy concerns, closed system, connections to US-administration, all this kind of stuff. They're not the companies I would voluntarily provide additional information like where I am, who I talk to etc.

Originally Posted by zerojay

Um, Google has an extremely positive reputation, especially right now... not sure where you're getting that from.

Originally Posted by Texrat

Obviously that assessment depends on the context. I've also seen negative aspersions cast against Google for some practices. Google Earth probably has as many opponents as adherents.