DISQUS

Yep, no chance at $200 per month.

It would be nice if the Government was upfront and honest about the fact that costs will most probably not be recouped. I think the general public, with the exception of yourself and the other small-Gov types, wouldn't really mind -- they understand that this sort of project couldn't be built by a commercial enterprise because it is too expensive.

But does that mean it shouldn't be built? Should the Government only ever do stuff that is profitable? Should every road be a tollway? Every park have an entry fee? Or should the Government invest in infrastructure that will dramatically increase the opportunities that are available too many people and businesses.

The infrastructure might not be profitable, but the startups that will be able to flourish because of the infrastructures existence will certainly be profitable and create many jobs.

I would have thought that someone as technologically orientated as yourself would see the massive benefits and possibilities of having this sort of infrastructure in place.

Yes, it will cost a lot of money -- but so what? If there's another way, please let us know...

Spinning off Telstra's wholesale arm into this new venture would certainly give it a head-start, and I hope that's what they do. You're right that it doesn't make sense to duplicate networks, but at the same time, keeping the status quo would be worse.

The problem is that Telstra's record indicates that they don't really like to play ball, that they are quite happy with the monopoly that they have... so would you support the Government forcing Telstra to give up its wholesale business?

So what's your beef -- is it that this is a public endeavor and not a private one or is it that it costs too much and it will take too long?

I'm sympathetic on the second point, but on the first point: get over it. The "market" simply isn't interested in serving people who live in areas that aren't profitable for them. Stop being such an ideologue.

"Telstra is already rolling out a 100mbps network in capital cities, beginning with Melbourne this year"

Yep, so it's good if you live in the capital cities, but if you live anywhere else... too bad?

Plus, the more competition Telstra has the better.

There is something a little perverse about the Government ultimately choosing what's included in the Bill of Rights and what's not. One would think that it should be written by an independent committee of sorts that consulates "with the nation" to ensure that there are sections that protect the people from the Government -- free speech being an example of that. Free speech is not necessarily in the Governments best interests; but it is in the peoples.

Yeah, no. Imagine if the Beatles sued someone every time a song kind of, sort of, sounded similar in parts.

Oh, and someone else has already claimed that Coldplay stole this song from them...

http://www.nme.com/news/coldplay/37396

That's great. It was the main thing that put me off using StumbleUpon.

I'm very surprised to see them not including Windows Photo Gallery. Windows Mail and Windows Movie Maker I can understand, because they suck, but Windows Photo Gallery is kind of useful.

Half Life: coming to a Google Chrome browser near you.

It's not really just blogs either. A lot of Australian small businesses that sell software online rely on the majority of their sales coming from the USA.

But still, it would be nice to see more people try to create more of a startup/blogosphere scene in OZ.

If we're five years behind, then 2008 is the year isn't it?

These Microsoft ads are indeed random and irrelevant to the extreme, but... I am beginning to like them.

I'd rather see Microsoft create funny random ads -- which at the very least, keep them in the news -- than try and complete with Apple's ads.

Can you imagine if Microsoft had of tried to make a cool ad? Firstly, it would have mega-sucked, and secondly, it would have simply reinforced the perception that Microsoft lacks Apple's "cool" factor. Simply put, they would have come off looking like absolute try-hards, and everyone would have dismissed the ads within a matter of seconds.

But as it is, aren't you just a little bit curious about where all this is headed?

I bet when the next ad comes out, you'll be champing at the bit to see it.

Great news.

And hopefully next week, you'll announce your own blog on the Crikey blog network -- dealing with Australia tech companies, and tech in OZ in general?

It's not just political blogging that is lacking in Australia.

2015 in America maybe, more like 2025 in Australia... we're a bit behind the times.

That is indeed creepy.

Perfect. That is exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks!

Very useful! What software do you use for your screencasts? Cheers.