On 8 May 2012 The Netherlands adopted crucial legislation to safeguard an open and secure internet in The Netherlands. It is the first country in Europe to implement net neutrality in the law. In addition, it adopted provisions protecting users against disconnection and wiretapping by providers. Digital rights movement Bits of Freedom calls upon other countries to follow the Dutch example.

The net neutrality law prohibits internet providers from interfering with the traffic of their users. The law allows for traffic management in case of congestion and for network security, as long as these measures serve the interests of the internet user.

ÖKAD ÖVERVAKNING Mäktiga intressen kämpar om kontrollen över framtidens internet. I veckan samlades nätaktivister, politiker och företag i Frösundavik för att diskutera nätfrihet i ett globalt perspektiv. Men politikernas retorik klingar ihåligt när övervakningen på hemmaplan blir alltmer omfattande

Bra artikel om hyckleriet.

Hoppas SOPA/PIPA stoppas.

This is a clear case where we see the idea that governments should represent the will of their citizens break down completely. Every power structure serves its own needs first. In areas where the interest of governmental systems and the citizens are in alignment, democracy can work - but when there is a conflict between the will of a power structure to extend its power and influence and the desires of the citizens, governments almost invariably choose to serve their own systemic interests.

Internet censorship is a dramatic example of this. Even in democratic societies with large majorities in favor of free communication over the internet, the internal imperatives of governments to monitor and control trump the will of the people, no matter who is in power. In the matter of desiring to be able to read everyone’s email, the governments of the world are in nearly unanimous alliance against their own citizens.

Kommentar från Hacker News.

• If you’re going to be away for a long time, either leave a descriptive away message or sign off. It’s annoying when some is “Away” for 7 hours. Descriptive messages like, “Out of the office for the day” or “At the movies” give people an easy way to decide how they might contact you depending on urgency. If you sign off, then people will use non-IM methods if necessary, instead of sending you four messages, waiting an hour and then using those other methods.
• Don’t want to talk to anyone? Don’t sign on. Or sign on in invisible mode. If you’re online and available and you don’t answer messages after an hour, it’s annoying.
• It’s okay to be terse if you’re busy. Just answer the question, or say “I can’t talk right now” (or both) and mark yourself as away or sign off. There’s nothing worse than seeing the “X is typing…” icon and then waiting for 20 minutes to see a two word answer. And then waiting another 20 for another two words. If you’re busy, it’s cool. Just make it clear.
• Don’t initiate a file sending request without first messaging the intended receiver.
• Unless you’re being purposefully funny or ironic or strange, use emoticons extremely sparingly.
• If you’re actually laughing out loud, it’s okay to write “LOL,” but if you write it at the end of every sentence, you’re an idiot. This is especially true if you’re talking to a colleague.