guess i am lucky
have optic fibre into the house
the fact that we have a few bandwith hogs nearby gives us a great service, ERICSON has som devel here and the university has computer research...
10Mb line possible uppgrade to 100 or more if i want to pay more.
not too expensive either, less than 30€/month
sad part is that i have all of 6Gb hdd... i can fill that in a extremly short space of time.
Sorry, not a good enough reason to move to swedenOriginally Posted by OErjan
guess i am lucky
have optic fibre into the house
Actually they drew fibres across Finland too but as the recession came ~14 years ago they never hooked them up and the cables are now probably forgotten
Yes, America has both the best technology and the cruddiest information infrastructure in the developed world, I think. Amazing to hear about Asian countries with 4X the bandwidth at half the cost.
They must not have a protectionist attitude toward their information utilities. It's amazing to me how gullible we are w/r/t their BS.
jd
Careful, JD, you're going to start a political discussion.
What the heck! It's interesting how you can get dialup from tons of places, but the only companies you can get broadband from here are monopolies -- the cable company and the phone company, which both have assigned territories and no competition.
(As you know, any government planning of that sort of thing would look like socialism, and we just can't have that, can we?)
Seriously, it has its good and bad points. On the bad side, broadband is too expensive, and coverage is still spotty in rural areas (although getting better). On the good side, if you need to yank their chain, you can complain to the government regulators. Plus the companies are more interested in making money than in regulating content.
Can you imagine what would happen if the government (especially this current government) could regulate Internet content?
(Duck. Run.)
OMG, are you kiding? Haven't you noticed that cookie in your internet cookie folder yet? It's called usagov.spy, maybe it is hidden on your computer Eco2Geek...
Seriously, "our" government is not so much interested in what we see, its more on the lines of how we see, and where we see -=- and if they REALLY want to "watch" me, let them have fun trying to keep up, cause I do some "big time" live chat, one of these rooms, has trivial pursuit games, so, if they are that worried about what I say, they may have to go through a ton of data, before they can even see a single sentence. If we want to go "overboard" on this, I am just waiting for us to get the "Thought Police", and a Government Official shows up on my door, just because I "thought" something against them...
If anything, Eco2Geek, the U.S.A. is diverse, for a country. I have been to some, one's where a card-board box, is considered a Luxury Dwelling, and the pay phone two blocks over, is considered Internal Home Phone Wiring for that dwelling... Funny thing is, you can find that in this country, as well... We have the card-board housing, all the way up to, the multi-billion dollar houses - complete with high speed internet in every room -=- including the bathroom...
Go to any town, or city, and go "off the beaten path", that most of the "passer by's", and "traveler's" go, and you can see what I mean. I used to live in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the funny thing is, no one there thought they had any transients, or vagrents. They were there, but no one saw them, unless they looked for them. I used to donate time to the Salvation Army, and served many of these people meals each night, I could see them on the streets, walking around, and everyone else, couldn't. We are a very diverse country. We have the "stinking" poor, and the "stinking" rich, and all the hue's inbetween, you just have to look...
I am waiting for a show to start, except, it won't focus on one of this country's elite, but rather, the other side... "Life Styles of the Poor, and Destitute -=- with your host, Robin Leach" -=- at least this country would be honest, and be showing a growing populous of people that make up a lot more of our country, than the rich and famous. ( I get so sick of that show, its way too Gawdy for me )
Oh well, I will get back to my "hobble", and be sure the "duct tape" is latched, and the paper window shade is drawn...
Ms. Cuddles
eco2geek what internet? would he permit something as, eeeh, diverse, as that?
Cuddles -- one good thing my county's library system has done is make Internet access freely available, using their computers and connection, to anyone with a library card. Everyone from "street people" to well-to-do library patrons use it.
(This has caused a debate about filtering software, of course. I think the consensus they've reached is that, if you're under 18, you either have to use filtering software or get a parent to sign off that you don't have to.)
As far as the "Big Brother is watching you" thing goes -- true story, my big brother is very concerned about his privacy, to the point where he doesn't accept cookies or run scripts. This did not prevent him from getting his Win2K box infected with the Blaster worm -- over a dialup connection! (Moral: if you're going to run Windows, install firewall software like ZoneAlarm before doing anything else!)
The average joe should be much more worried about his computer getting infected than about conspiracy theories.
I'm not particularly worried about the government watching me -- I'm way more concerned about the government passing laws regulating the content of the Internet, the same way they regulate the content of television and radio.
I have comments on both sides...
firstly isnt some US city proposing WiFi for all... (vagrants excepted)
But also it never ceases to amaze me that Americans think or are taughtFirstly...please this is not a go at America its just amusing to see how people 'assume' a lot and perhaps eductional to challenge some myths.America has (both) the best technology
In fact, its quite funny becuase even we Europeans get caught on the propoganda. for the interested some just for fun questions at the bottom
But its amazing to travel and see technology way in advance of what you think in the weirdest places.
Singapore has a very advanced infrastructure ... but even KL has things that astonish let alone korea or Taiwan.
And forget even starting to compare to Japan technology wise! And bandwidth wise... Japan is aiming for 10 GIGABIT to the home by 2010!!
Finland has brought mobile phone technology in general to a point the US could imagine. Its normal to pay for a bus or a drinks dispenser from your phone!
In Europe most mobile traffic is text messaging and I use my portable phone as much for email and surfing the web as actually calling people.
I only know one person without a mobile phone.... last year I knew 2.
In the UK were are now getting SIM cards on our credit and debit cards something france has done for years.
Norway did away with cheque books years ago though I have to say I fail to see whats so clever about it!
America has a giant economy but techology wise has always been behind most of the rest of the developed world. It relies more on brute force or shere numbers to achieve rather than advanced technology.
Where European engines are designed to get power more efficiently the American answer is bigger engines. When designing a airplane they rely on numbers and durability rather than technology. etc.
Dont get me wrong "quantity is a quality to itself" .. but its a mistake to think a product will be more advanced .... when its American. Indeed their is abundant proof that America's 'make it bigger' attitude works better than technology.
In computing terms the CISC chips are a perfect example....
Intel is a product of brute force and weight of numbers yet supremely sucessful. However Japan for instance has just designed a new chip for genetic calculations... see http://news.com.com/Japanese+designe...3-5322558.html
Its a different approach ... and its hard to argue which is most technologically advanced but its worth remembering our ideas of technologically 'advanced' may not always be so accurate as we have been led to believe....
Anyway intersting questions to answer off the top of your head just for fun.... (then check the answers with Mr Google)
Who invented
Radar
Television
Radio
(http://www.nobel.se/physics/laureate...rconi-bio.html)
http://inventors.about.com/library/i...rs/blradar.htm
its strange but most americans seem to have been taught these and others were American inventions...?
I don't disagree. The raw technology in the US is as good as anywhere. My point was that the DEPLOYMENT of that technology stinks w/r/t information infrastructure, compared to other countries. America has the technology to buy soft drinks from vending machines, just like Europe, but no one has IMPLEMENTED that technology, largely because of poor infrastructure. That was my point.
Agreed as to the autos. Twenty years ago I swore to myself that I would never buy another American car, due to inefficiency, unreliability and poor resale. Problem is, most "European" cars, and many "Japanese" cars are built in the US. My Nissan was built in Tennessee and designed in California. BMWs are built in South Carolina, and some of their designs are American (e.g., X5). Hondas are built in Ohio. Many Volkswagens are built in Mexico. Interestingly, if you look at recent statitstics, European cars are consistently at the bottom of the pile when in comes to reliability. Meanwhile, American cars have improved dramatically, due largely to partnerships with Asian manufacturers. But, there's no point in debating the relative merits of US and European cars, because the Japanese have absolutely spanked both of us on all objective measures.
As to aircraft, I'm sorry, but I have to disagree there. There is no aircraft on Earth less efficient than the Concorde, but this can be forgiven in that it was the first. The American government withdrew public funding for numerous American SST and HST designs and proposals on countless occasions - rightfully so, IMO. It's cool for the rich and famous, but not for the rest of us, and it's not fair to ask the public to fund the development of something that will allow rock stars and millionaires to get across the Atlantic a few hours faster, when the people paying the bills will never be able to afford a ride. As to technology in mainstream commercial airliners, in all fairness, Boeing pioneered a lot of these tech advances that Airbus uses, and Airbus' new double-decker is following a trail blazed by the 747 over 35 years ago. American technology developed carbon fiber composite materials, and many aviation advancements relied on by both Airbus and Boeing came out of the US space program. In all fairness, I don't think you can say that either Europe or the US holds a clear technological advantage in commercial aircraft, and both are very competitive. As to aircraft engines, GE (US) has a longstanding relationship with SNECMA (F), and Rolls Royce (GB) is still highly respected. Now, if you are talking about military aircraft, I'm sorry, but you couldn't possibly be any more dead wrong. While Europe claims amazing advancements with the Tornado, the Harrier, the Mirage, the latest Saab - the newest of those is, what, maybe 25 years old w/r/t the original design? What does Europe have to match the technology of the B-2 stealth bomber, th F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, the F-22 stealth fighter, the JSF, the Comanche helicopter? "Rely on numbers and durability rather than technology?" Come on, let's get real. Maybe you have us confused with the folks who make the MiG. Seriously, the classic criticism of American military aircraft is that they are TOO complex and expensive, and that you can't afford to buy as many - you're claiming just the opposite. Do you seriously contend that Dassault and MBB have any basis to criticize the technology of Lockheed Martin? Please, they've retired more technologically advanced military aircraft than Europe is currently producing. Anyway, didn't mean to get off on this, but you were the one who raised the point.
That's not my belief. And with all due respect, I think it's a common prejudice in Europe that Americans have that mentality. We don't. But in the free market, manufacturers commonly make that assumption in an attempt to maximize profits by selling cheap stuff that "looks" better. A number of American auto manufacturers went broke assuming erroneously that Americans will buy size over substance, and now Mercedes owns Chrysler, and the other two barely stay afloat because they invested in European and Asian manufacturers. The one exception - Americans do love trucks and SUVs., and a good number of them are sold by European and Asian manufacturers.
Design and production are two different things. Don't make the mistake of assuming that the Athlon64FX is the pinnacle of American design - it's just the highest level mass-produced consumer level chip. Not a fair comparison. There are a number of Amreican processor designs that are jjust as impressive as the one you cited.
Well, for some, depends on who you ask, and how one defines the invention. But add to your list the automobile (D), the telephone (some dispute Bell's credit), the jet engine (GB), the jet airplane (D). You're right that many Americans erroneously assume that these and others were American. I just want to make sure that you aren't employing a prejudice in assuming this to be true in my case as well.
Again, I think our beliefs are closer than you assume, and I hope that you aren't assuming a provinciality from my statement that doesn't exist. The point was that our information infrastructure is shamefully bad, despite the fact we have the best technology available (I never claimed by that statement, BTW, that all of this technology was invented in America - only that it was available to us. IOW, we aren't a third-world country dealing with trade restrictions and the like. It would be understandable to have a bad information infrastructure if we didn't have the technology available, but it's just inexcusable that we're in this condition given the technological resources we have available to us.
I'm not going to get involved in this particular debate, except to point out that, as you know, the technology that becomes the most successful in the marketplace is not necessarily the "best" technology (although, of course, "best" is always debatable). Betamax vs. VHS, for example.
It's fairly obvious (to me at least), that the reason the x86 architecture "won" in the marketplace (and Windows, along with it) is that the architecture became easily clonable and essentially "open." Anyone can go into business making and selling x86-compatible motherboards, cases, hard drives, peripherals, etc. This is, at the core, why "Wintel" won out over Apple.
A couple of interesting factoids regarding RISC CPUs: RISC CPUs are nothing new. Wikipedia says the first example of what we'd call a RISC-based computer today was a Cray designed in 1964.
Even more interesting (to me at least), is an article I found buried among a bunch of sales and marketing materials on an Apple reseller CD from 1991. It's an MS Word document entitled "The great RISC/CISC debate," which would indicate that years before Apple switched to PowerPC CPUs (in 1994), they had an internal debate going on about it.
("RISC" = Reduced Instruction Set Computing. "CISC" = Complex Instruction Set Computing. Intel and AMD x86 chips are CISC CPUs. See Wikipedia.com for more info.)
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