Net Neutrality

The fundamental debate surrounding net neutrality is whether network operators should be allowed to appropriate parts of the Internet infrastructure and create “diamond lanes” dedicated to heavier traffic, such as web TV and other web based instantaneous services. The issue of net neutrality addresses whether internet traffic legislation should remain fair and equal, in that these new "diamond lanes" could only be accessed by users capable of paying extra money.

Many companies, including Microsoft, Google and Yahoo, were strongly critical towards the idea, and instead advocate a form of net-neutrality where telcos and cable operators would not not be able to decide whose data should flow faster or slower. In addition the fcc wants to protect a free and open internet with a strong intention of keeping the net free from corporate control. President Obama also supports the FCC's stance, explaining: "One key to strengthening education, entrepreneurship, and innovation in communities...is to harness the full power of the internet. That means faster and more widely available broadband– as well as rules to ensure that we preserve the fairness and openness that led to the flourishing of the internet in the first place."

However, major telecom companies like AT&T, Verizon and Time Warner Cable. net neutrality will actually kill Internet innovation.

CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud computing is a broad term used to describe the delivery of hosted services over the Internet. This type

of delivery service allows users to access computing resources such as processing, storage, messaging and databases outside the confines of your home. Unlike traditional hosting services, a cloud service is sold on an as needed basis, (usually by the minute or hour) and is solely managed by the provider.

It becomes clear as to why cloud computing has become so popular to ordinary computer users: all it requires of them as the consumer is a personal computer and Internet access. The ability to check your email, facebook, or sports scores while waiting in line for your morning starbucks, fuels the clouds popularity amongst the everyday computer users.

In addition to the everyday computer users, start-up companies are also taking advantage of Cloud Computing. The use of a Cloud service allows any entrepreneur an easy and cost efficient way to test an idea. Michael Fitzgerald talks about how Combining the ability to rapidly shift capacity with a new distribution and marketing channel like Facebook is what makes the cloud exciting for entrepreneurs, in his New York Times article, "Cloud Computing: So You Don’t Have to Stand Still". Fitzgerald also points out that Traditional companies are also beginning to adapt their computing infrastructure to the cloud.

However, there are many dangers surrounding cloud computing that hinder buisiness and social use of its services. Many people are uneasy about the idea that their documents are being stored on places such as GoogleDocs rather than their own private local machine. Many critics argue that established companies will not adapt to and use the cloud because of these security concerns. However, it is clear that the convenience provided by the cloud is more of an appeal than it's dangers. Progressive companies are joining the cloud because they recognize the huge consumer popularity behind the convenience of being able to access internet from anywhere.