Technology Perspective
September 2nd, 2004
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PC World
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Opinions about and expert analysis of the developments in technology
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September 2nd, 2004
Plugged In: Cheap, Incredibly Fast Net Access
Contrib. Ed. Steve Fox
1. Really Broad Broadband
The Buzz: If you're one of the lucky ones, you'll soon be able to
cruise the Web at 5 megabits per second for about $40 a month. There's
a catch, of course. Verizon's Fios program--which runs
honest-to-goodness fiber-optic cable right to your doorstep--is
currently available only in Keller, Texas, with a couple more cities
due to come online by the end of the year. Verizon will also offer a
15-mbps fiber-optic package (five to ten times faster than cable or
DSL) for $50, or $45 if you have Verizon phone service, and a 30-mbps
version for a price yet to be determined.
Bottom Line: Like the doctor says, fiber is good for you. Too bad it's
so hard to get.
For more info on Fios, read "Verizon Weaves Fiber-Based Broadband
Offering":
http://pcwnl.pcworld.com/t/210875/21421687/754848/0/
2. Phone-Side Chats
The Buzz: Man is a social animal with opposable thumbs, which explains
the burgeoning popularity of SMS (short message service) clubs
composed of mobile citizens who share common interests and a passion
for cell phone "texting." San Diego-based SMS.ac--which boasts 10
million-plus members in some 200 countries--has more than 100,000
user-created clubs, from MJTurkFan ("Michael Jackson's Turkish
Die-Hard Fans") to Nike World. Sending an SMS note is free, but for
receiving messages club members are charged a small fee, which SMS.ac
shares with the club's founder.
Bottom Line: It isn't all fun and games. Say you've missed work or
blown off a meeting. Just SMS a plea to the Alibi and Excuse Club, and
a stranger will intercede (as in, lie) on your behalf. Handy!
3. Windows Shopping
The Buzz: Microsoft is readying Windows Marketplace, a site that will
point shoppers toward Windows-compatible hardware, software, and
downloads. Accessible via the XP Start menu, an Internet Explorer
button (added via Windows updates), and third-party sites, Marketplace
will feature "a really big tent" of merchants, says Windows XP product
manager Tracy Overby. Multiple partners are promised, though at press
time only CNet (which brings Download.com and a passel of e-tailers to
the party) has been announced. It isn't yet clear how Microsoft will
make money from this, though history suggests it'll find a way to
profit.
Bottom Line: Hmm.... I wonder if you'll be able to buy the Windows
version of Monopoly on the Marketplace site.
Read "Microsoft Launches New Shopping Site" for details:
http://pcwnl.pcworld.com/t/210875/21421687/754849/0/
4. Free Music Streams
The Buzz: An intriguing new model for music sharing, Mercora
transforms its members into broadcasters who can stream any song in
their library to others using Mercora's peer-to-peer network. Members
can create groups and specify who gets to hear their music. But all
listening is live: There's no downloading permitted. In the spirit of
P-to-P, members can't listen in unless they make their own content
available for sharing.
Bottom Line: Mercora pays a licensing fee to the record industry. In
other words, it's legal. Look, Ma, no lawsuits.
For more info, go to Mercora's Web site:
http://pcwnl.pcworld.com/t/210875/21421687/754850/0/
* Nagging Question: Why Is It Called Beta Software? *
The second letter of the Greek alphabet, beta signals the second item
in a series. In the world of prerelease software, an "alpha" is the
first iteration--a program undergoing in-house testing. When an alpha
graduates to beta, intrepid customers get to try it out. Most software
passes through multiple beta stages and then "release candidates." The
final version is often referred to as GA (for "general availability")
or "gold code"--an overly optimistic moniker, given the inevitable bug
fixes and service packs that follow.
Have a question or comment? Write to Steve Fox:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Read Steve Fox's regularly published "Plugged In" columns:
http://pcwnl.pcworld.com/t/210875/21421687/515692/0/
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