Re: Great idea: Free Cable Modem Links for Libraries
Terry Swarner (tswarner@dynamite.com.au)
Sat, 03 Oct 1998 08:18:17 +1000
Very True -- I remember in the states when cable TV 1st started, the
legislation demanded that not only did the cable provider have to
provide all the free to air channels in the area but a community TV
channel for every 500K(? memory is weak) of population for free use by
the public. Hence, the start of Atlanta's famous fish tank channel on
the day the auto billboard machine stopped working and they had to
broadcast something to keep their license valid. That system now
supports 128 TV channels let alone all the other services like community
education links, internet services, security monitoring services,
medical monitoring and communications, etc. out of one little box for a
fee = to the normal POTS phone service.
A different philosophy in serving the public needs. I believe without
the government mandate in the being the US system would not be able to
do what it is doing today.
Terry Swarner