Neutrality, Neutrality

I praised Google back when they stood up to China (though they eventually stepped back), so it's only fair to criticize them here. Google is working with Verizon ISP to deliver content from sites such as YouTube to Verizon internet subscribers faster than other content (commentary here).

This is bad. First, it sets the precedent that ISPs can select which information gets to you the fastest, and, as appears to be the case here, raise prices if you want a plan that gets you this selective speed up. Imagine calling up Comcast to get a cable internet plan, but now you have to choose if you want a premium plan (that comes at a premium) that gets you YouTube at speeds that make it bearable or not. Secondly, it allows ISPs to exercise control over how information on the web is delivered to you -- if at all. This is plain dangerous, as control of information and knowledge is equivalent to control of the population that requires this knowledge in order to make decisions and self govern.

Is this really a tyrannical power grab by Verizon and Google? No, they just want to increase profits. However, it is a step in the wrong direction, especially by Google, who has been fighting for Net Neutrality for some time. The greatest aspect of the web is its openness. When ISPs can filter it as they want, we lose that freedom.

DROID!

The commercials annoyed me, it's true. And I admit that at one point I declared that I would never buy another phone unless it was an iPhone. But I began eating those sentiments double-plus quick when I saw it in action. And, it's on Verizon, to whom I am very loyal thanks to their customer service that has bent over backwards for me on several occasions.

So now, I am the proud owner of a Motorola Droid.
More surprisingly, I've gone from being a Mac person to an Android person. Big time.

This weekend, I used the "My Tracks" application (free!) to follow my progress as I snowboarded down my first black diamond trail. I then uploaded the map to Google Maps while on the lifts. Be sure to click on the red way point marker to see my elevation, max speed, and other stats.

View First Black in a larger map

Android users can find the app here:

or learn more about it here.

I think I'll start posting more Android-esque items. This phone (and operating system) is pretty darn cool.