1069

Huh. Well, I'm a little behind the curve. I only just got computer-literate a few years ago.
I was more of a traditionalist. I liked books. I devoured books. I ate, slept, and breathed books.
But, admittedly, this is far more interactive.
It's like a book that listens to me and talks back.

TacticalEvilDan

I read a lot too, growing up. Matter of fact, I continue to this day to steal a few minutes here and there to read, enough so that I still polish off one every week or two (depending on the density of what I'm reading).

The thing is, I had a wide variety of interests but I didn't like owning a lot of stuff. I still don't.

A computer offers all sorts of different possibilities for hobbies while at the same time taking up a bare minimum of floor space.

Ta da.

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DURKA DURKA JIHAD

"No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent."
-- Abraham Lincoln

Hugh_Akston

Well, that wasn't a personal attack, just pointing out what many of the rest of us do on the internet and the fact that you didn't know who Tim Russert was before he died. There's nothing in there that isn't true.

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PeteEU

And? Thats some how good? Is it good that it seems (note this) that the US has a less free telecommunications market than the EU!?

My bogus DSL claim? come on its there in black and white on the web page!

You are the one not debating anything. You tried to point out a "flaw" in my opinion, a flaw that was not there, and when I pointed out that you were wrong, you then ignored it. Then you used the "big country" claim, a claim that is just as bogus as the first, especially considering todays technology, which I also pointed out.

As for your claim about my "anti Americanism" bit.. the usual bs.

Its not all cookies and cake in Europe either, but that was not what the discussion was about. We still have old monopoly companies acting like they still are monopolies and governments not living up to laws they enacted themselves.

For example most European countries have laws that says, that every household must have access to a phone for emergencies. These laws are decades even half a century old, so before the mobile phone. Because of the explosion of mobile phones, governments have slacked big time on this requirement for the phone companies, which in turn means its damn hard for new phone lines to be installed in countries like Spain. Especially since you cant call 911 (112 here) on some networks still. The law is still in place, but they do not act on it, even if you complain. I am still waiting 7+ years after a huge forest fire for Telefonica to reconnect my phone line.. I aint holding my breath.

There has also been anti trust issues on mobile roaming charges, which required that the EU along with local governments had to step in and force companies to lower their prices.. prices that were frankly insane. Some roaming charges were 1000%+ mark ups depending of what country.

Also, some countries, like Spain, and Greece, all are so far behind technology wise on the infrastructure that its almost laughable. This has meant that Spain and other European countries are at the fore front on wireless internet and satellite, because the big tele companies with their billions in yearly profits have refused to invest in the "final mile" to the consumer, and instead bought up phone companies in the 3rd world. Another example.. the area I live in has basicly run out of phone numbers, that the phone company is confiscating low usuage numbers so not to get hit by government oversight. The ADSL signal quality in this area I live was up to recently so bad, that only certain types of ADSL modems, specially tuned to weak signals, could be used.. (has since been fixed).. and we are not exactly a low habitable rural area.

So its not all roses and pretty pictures over here, and yet with all our problems, we still manage to have a higher possible access than the US.. which is mind boggling on so many fronts.

I am sorry you cant see the facts when they are there for everyone to see, but that cant be my problem. I am willing to debate this subject whenever where ever.

I can (if I pay the bribe of 500 dollars to get my phone reconnected) get 15+ different ISPs, and at present at least 5 different wireless operated. Nearest town is 1.7 Kms away.. How many can you get where you live?

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PeteEU