Note: This column represents the opinions
of the writer and as such, is not purported as fact
Sponsor's Message
|
When I wrote a column about TradeMe a few weeks back I became aware that there's
quite a bit of biffo going on between some of those in the local online auction
business.
At the top of the ladder we have (of course) TradeMe, but nipping at its heels
are a few challengers that are doing everything they can to grab a slice of
its enviable marketshare.
And, it would seem, this turf war is hotting up after the domain name
TradeMe.net.nz
was registered and redirected to OneWay's site.
The registrant is one Gareth Parker and I don't know whether there's any
official link between Parker and OneWay or not - but I'm sure that the
use of this domain name in this fashion will throw another cat amongst
the pigeons.
More turf wars
One of the greatest things about the Net is that it effectively destroys
any government or organisation's ability to keep information secret or to
restrict access to content.
We've already seen examples of this here in NZ when name suppression orders
handed out by the courts and involving overseas parties have repeatedly
proven ineffective. Overseas publications are not bound by such suppression
orders and are free to place such information on the net where it can be
read by all -- including anyone in NZ with a web-browser.
Now have your say
|
Got something to say about today's column, or want to see what
others think?
Visit The Forums
While you're here, why not visit the Aardvark
Hall of Shame
and perhaps make your own nomination.
|
|
Well something not too dissimilar is happening now in the USA where the
NBC paid a whopping NZ$1.2 billion for the exclusive rights to broadcast
coverage of the olympics.
Naturally, NBC wants to protect the value of its investment by ensuring that
it is the only place that Americans can go to get video coverage of the
many sporting contests taking place in Greece. Yes, they really want to
protect their turf.
Unfortunately for NBC, there are many other broadcasters in Europe and
elsewhere who are streaming live coverage to the net, although they are
required as part of their contracts, to block access from off-shore users.
Many of these sites are using a visitor's IP number to determine their
country of origin and thereby denying access to foreigners -- and this
works very well for 95% of the online population. However, as most Aardvark readers
will be aware, it's not too hard to find an open-proxy server and circumvent
such filtering -- thus allowing savvy US net users (and those from other
countries) to watch live coverage that their own broadcasters don't carry.
Wired has a good story on this issue.
Once again this raises the thorny issue of identifying people on the net and
I wonder if it won't prompt politicians to consider even more closely the
prospect of requiring users to use a unique and verified identifier to
get online.
Maurice says: No Local Loop Unbundling
Meanwhile, to change the subject completely, it appears that ITC minister-wannabe
Maurice Williamson is already brushing up on his "means-nothing" poli-speak.
He's told the media that he won't be forcing Telecom to unbundle its local
loop but that "sword of Damocles" will be hanging over their head.
Why don't I believe him?
Could it have something to do with his track record as IT Minister during
the last National government?
No wonder National has fallen behind in the polls again.
Come on Don, find someone with a backbone for this position.
Yes, You Can Gift Money
I've published this website for the past nine years as a service to the
local internet and IT industry and during all that time it has been 100%
free to access. It is my intention to ensure that it remains completely
free and free of charge and contains only the most sparse levels of advertising.
Aardvark is not a business, it is a free resource.
If you feel that this is a good thing and/or you hold a "geniune affection"
for yours truly -- then you are welcome to gift me some
money using the buttons provided. In gifting this money you accept that no goods,
service or other consideration is offered, provided, accepted or anticipated in return.
Just click on the button to gift whatever you can afford.
NOTE: PayPal bills in US dollars so don't accidentally gift more than
what you were intending :-)
Contacting Aardvark
I'm always happy to hear from readers, whether they're delivering brickbats,
bouquets or news tip-offs.
If you'd like to contact me directly, please
this form. If you're happy for me to republish
your comments then please be sure and select For Publication.
Other media organisations seeking more information or republication rights
are also invited to contact me.
Add Aardvark To Your Own Website!
Got a moment? Want a little extra fresh content for your own website or
page?
Just add a
couple of lines of JavaScript
to your pages and you can get
a free summary of Aardvark's daily commentary -- automatically updated
each and every week-day.
Aardvark also makes a summary of this daily column available via XML using
the RSS format. More details can be found
here.
Contact me if you decide to use either of these feeds and
have any problems.
Linking Policy
Want to link to this site? Check out Aardvark's
Linking Policy.
|
Did you tell someone else about Aardvark today? If not then do it
now!
|
|
= open in new window