Web Forum: Internet News

Nov 13 2009 by Andrew Jackson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IT wasn’t long ago that the Government was singing the praises of its Digital Britain campaign. Gordon Brown went as far as comparing internet access to gas and water supplies – something essential to almost every home.

But last week, Lord Mandelson threw a spanner in the works by setting out plans for a ‘three strikes and you’re out’ policy against persistent illegal file-sharers.

Almost everyone in the internet industry thinks it’s a bad idea. The internet service providers, campaigners at the Open Rights Group (www.openrightsgroup.org) and even MI5, are all united in their criticism of the plan.

Mandelson proposes that anyone caught illegally sharing files on three occasions will be disconnected from the net – forever.

The trouble is, no court would be involved. It would be up to a minister to say who should or should not be punished.

The critics say this is way over the top and doesn’t solve the problem. Financial crime should mean a financial punishment – a fine.. And it should be decided in court, not by a politician.

The ISPs don’t want to be internet policemen either. Monitoring file-sharing is possible, but knowing precisely what files are being shared at any one time by every single customer is a huge and expensive task.

A smarter policy would be to make it easier and cheaper for people to download the stuff they want legally. Other countries have done it, so why can’t we?

DRESS BETTER

Put This On (www.putthison.com) is a striking new fashion blog from Americans Jesse Thorn and Adam Lisagor. The aim is to teach ordinary people to “dress like a grown-up” and it’s a refreshing change from the pretentious rubbish you see all the time in fashion magazines. This is fashion advice that doesn’t take itself too seriously and has something to say to normal people who just want to look good.

BROWSING AROUND... LEGO

The Brothers Brick brilliant blog

www.brothers-brick.com

A Lego typeface

bit.ly/legotype

The official home page

www.lego.com

More amazing creations

legoblockblock.blogspot.com

Legend of Zelda in Lego form

bit.ly/legozelda