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1. Comment - Will you drop Dropbox over terms-of-service changes?

   (Apr 23, 2011 - 4:11 PM)

   Let's face it -- "Free" and "secure" can't occur in the same sentence in any business model, if the company wants to stay in business. If you're not paying for a service, how do you think the company can afford to pay the cost of delivering the service to you (e.g., Dropbox free 2 GB accounts). I assume any free service uses the Google business model -- parse all input for buzz words and sell it to advertisers. This is done by computer programs and not "employees"; Dropbox policy says "employees" can't access your data.

2. Comment - I sold my soul to Google, can I get it back?

   (Dec 1, 2010 - 8:08 PM)

   Why do you think Google is free? Sure, they give away their services, but you, the Google user, pay with all your internet secrets. The Google business model (and I thought this was widely known) is to parse all your input, analyze, store it and then sell it to advertisers. So think about all the things you typed into Google services over the years -- search, docs, mail, etc. Now imagine Google parsing all this information and building a profile about you that they use to sell advertising. The real value in Google is getting you to give them all your personal information and interests, so Google has to provide a FREE service to entice YOU to voluntarily (and, it seems, enthusiastically) give up your valuable personal information.
   
   There ain't no free lunch -- never was, never will be! Am I paranoid? No, just a computer security engineer.
   
   I do use a few Google services, but I rotate among different providers, e.g., search, news and maps. I also erase cookies periodically. Since I use the internet, I know I can't escape information collection, but I try to minimize it.

3. Comment - Rural America, your WiMAX is waiting

   (Apr 28, 2009 - 7:27 AM)

   There is too much focus on the "last mile" as if that's all you need to give everyone high-speed internet. My experience shows that the ISP's backbone is as important as the "last mile" speed. I am a "barely served" rural dweller whose "narrow-band" internet use is via cellular 3G. My connection supports up to 800 Mb/s during low-use periods, but can slow to dial-up speed (or less!) during high-use periods. My daughter experienced similar problems with her former cable ISP. So just giving everyone fast "last mile" speed doesn't get them real broadband when they get throttled by the ISP backbone.