Forgive me in advance for rambling a bit, because there are two or three topics I wanted to address in one article. These are just some observtions that didn't fit into other articles, but I thought were important to bring out.

BROADBAND CONNECTIONS
Anyone who has struggled along with dialup connections to the internet, knows how frustrating the lack of speed can be. I think my first modem had a connection speed of 2400 bps. I struggled along for years with dialup, trying to get the most speed out of whatever modem I had at that time, and it took a long time to get a high speed connection where I live.

Once you do get a cable connection, it really changes your internet experience.

The ISPs have spent a lot of money building their broadband infrastructure, and try to sign up more customers all the time.

But, one of the main things that drives people to spend an extra 40-50 bucks a month for high speed internet, is for the speed and ease with which you can download and upload files. I doubt that if the only benefit from having a fast connection was loading webpages faster, or downloading your mail faster, that many could justify the excess cost.

And, I don't think all those cable modems are humming along downloading patches from Microsoft, nor downloading movie trailers from Apple.com . There are tens of millions of people using P2P, and the majority seem to have a fast connection. I'm not saying that everyone with a cable modem is sitting around downloading MP3s or new movies,
but, there are lots of people whose primary use of their high speed, is to download and/or upload files of some sort.

Sure, there are also lots of legal data transfers that are facilitated by a fast connection, including telephone calls/voice over cable, sending medical imaging data, virtual medical procedures (e.g. such as consultations), and many other non-infringing uses.

Some ISPs have gone to limiting the amount of bandwidth a customer can use in a given period, i.e. limiting the amount of megabytes or gigabytes one can transfer over their internet connection per week or per month.

P2P- The virtual "RED LIGHT DISTRICT"
The point I am trying to get at is this. Anyone in a position of management with broadband companies, HAS to know that file sharing is a major use of these broadband connections. As such, it is a very important source of income for the ISPs, but it is as if they want to treat it like it's a dirty little secret. An anaology would be a city that depends a great deal on the taxes that "Adult Entertainment" establishments pay, but they want to hide them away and not acknowledge them.

It's about time that the ISPs face a few facts. P2P is the engine driving demand for broadband for many people. More ISPs need to start standing up for subscribers and opposing the attacks by the RIAA against their subscribers. SBC and Verizon have been to court against the RIAA, and I assert that ALL major ISPs need to do the same thing.

ONE HAND WASHES THE OTHER
Without broadband, digital download distribution of music and movies would never become feasible. On the other hand, without something to download, or upload,
fewer folks would be paying out the money to have a high speed connection.
Thus, there is a close relationship between the two.


CHOOSING DIGITAL DOWNLOAD MUSIC SERVICES
Customers need to remember, and remember well, who attacked them in 2003.
If digital music download service "xTunes" is in bed with the RIAA, and pays money
to the RIAA, people need to be aware of that association. It's clear that there are going to be lots of Digital Music Download Channels or Services which apparently will be offered by Wal*Mart, Microsoft, and many others, but, apparently, a portion of each sale is going to trickle back to the RIAA's labels.

BOYCOTT THE RIAA FOR CHRISTMAS
You don't buy the stick for someone to beat you with. Customers need to support those music services that supported them during 2003. As we move into this Christmas season, the big labels are going to need YOUR MONEY.

Remember the grinning face of Cary Sue when you are tempted to go buy that major artist CD for someone for Christmas. The boycott is still on, and during Christmas, we can make a bigger difference than we did back in the summer.

SUPPORT INDIE / SUPPORT DMUSIC
Support independent musicians, and most of all, support DMusic.com.

DMusic continues in the fight for rights of independent musicians and consumers,
and, DMusic continues to bring you the kind of news that the main networks
"forget" to report. With this in mind, think about supporting the artists of Dmusic.com and the site.

~Code

Code you are right in a lot of ways however I don't know how much file sharing is responsible. I'm sure there's a lot but is it a majority of the reason. I went to broadband because each of my kids had a computer and we needed to network. There are also many who love online gaming, chatting is easier and faster and there are tons of legitimate downloads avaliable. Online banking and stock trading is much faster because of the interaction required along with streaming media. I'm sure you're right that it's a big part but is it really that big??

yes, it's really that big

As a broadband connection illegal file sharing college student, I would venture to say that 75-80% of household broadband connections "illegally" download music/movies/porn. Among college students, I would say it's probably in the high 90's. Everybody downloads music, and doesn't know or care about the possible consequences.

I have not bought a cd in over a year, and I encourage my friends not to buy them, and tell the truth about the RIAA to anyone that will listen. I will do everything in my power to drive them into the ground.

Down with the RIAA!!!!!

tylerfd I have got a comedy file for you. I got it off Kazaa it's called music wars-parody. under comedy. go look for it. it's about the RIAA. you'll love it. I did.

I believe broadband is a big feature for downloads I just wondered if that was the main reason people were getting it. now I know.

Were 60 million strong!

Not sure I would agree with the "P2P is the engine driving demand for broadband for many people" there are a lot of other reasons why people would choose to fork out for broadband. Once you or your kids start using your telephone all day and night then it virtually costs in to go broadband instead of getting a second line installed. Also gaming on consoles will drive demand because if your kids friends have it then are you going to deprive your own ?. Uploading 5 meg tracks to DMusics is not recommended on a 56 K dialup is it. Websites have become bloated so just getting around the web these days can be a big drag on a dialup connection and what about business drivers such as home working for example, I could go on but the point is I don't think P2P is a big driver in broadband demand. However I do agree with everything else !

Yeah, we are 60 Million stong, and the entire reason that i want to get cable internet at my house is because this 28.8 isn't cutting it anymore for downloading stuff (it was never an acceptible speed, always too slow). When I get a brodband connection I will use it primarily for p2p uses (uplpoading and downloading, more so uploading).

I was just going to say something about not buying a RIAA CD for anyone for christmass, or any other holiday that you may celebrate instead of christmass. Expecially with the biggest shopping day of the year comming up (this Friday). Resist the temptation, and think of it this way....

If I buy this Britney Spears (Or any other artist signed by a major laybol that is part of the riaa) CD, I will go to jail, why because I will be supporting the RIAA, and since I download music off the internet for free, the RIAA will have more money to spy on me, find me, and sue me. If I buy this CD, all my freinds at Dmusic (and may other sites) will never talk to me ever again and portray me as a traitor, which I would be if I buy this CD. If I buy this CD, I will admit defeat to the RIAA, and will end up going to jail as a direct effect of my actions.

So remember, this holiday season, Don't buy it (the CD) or you'll spend allot of time in the slammer (jail).

It's basically waht Code said in the article, but a little more elabrit.

Good work Code!

It's for the porn. Isn't that the basis for every tech innovation? Either that or war.

Don't forget me, Code! If mine grows some more, I can get at least a little attention and do something without being a virtual unknown.

http://www.ciaari.tk/

you got it Chris...
and carla is right....
from sources I've read, the real success behind the VCR was renting X rated movies...

and so it goes...

the oldest vice known to man

No files to D/L = No need for high speed. In a second, i will dump it for 56k.

I totally agree with Code's synopsis on demand for broadband being driven in large part by P2P use, both "legal" P2P downloads as well as what many consider to be "illegal" copyright infringing downloads.

Now, what the ISPs need to do is contribute to an advertising fund to launch a major PR campaign which highlights the unfairness of existing copyright law and the internet freedoms which may be taken away from us by various international treaties which Code & others on this site have been discussing.

It's time for a major Public Relations offensive! With contributions from P2P users and contributions from ISPs, it should be possible for money to be raised to do this.

SO WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR? Launch the PR Offensive now!

I'm specifically asking for a few indie CDs, in the hope that looking for them will require family to notice a few decent music sites.

ive said it before here that if we want some real changes all we have to do is cancel our broadband services for about three months and you can bet that the isp's will be spending some money to lobby on our side. but like the boycott on the riaa its going to take everyone working together to do it . think about the revenue losses when 60 million people drop the $50 a month they spend

Mine is only 35 a month. And my ISP is also my cable company. It's very small, and has probably VERY few customers on the Internet end. So I doubt I'd be making a difference by canceling a subscription to someone who's not tied into big business in any way, shape, or form.

My mother asked me for some CD's for Christmas. I told her that I could not buy them due to my boycott. They are getting none of my money!

If I may add a little to this... Instead of buying anything by the RIAA for your family and friends; Download it, high quality copies, burn it and give it away to your family and friends. Boycott's are nice, but to really drive the point home; the music must continue to be "shared".

The RIAA is complaining about lost sales, and sueing the hell out of everyone and anyone they can. Don't support them, But don't deny yourself the music either; for this is what they want.

Instead, I say again, Download it, burn it, give it to your friends; Convince them NOT to buy these albums; You'll give them copies instead.

Boycotting sales of riaa music does hurt the riaa of course, but it also hurts you the music lover. The RIAA cannot have it's cake and eat it too.

Regards,
Raid HHI

riagh on kats good to see that the fight is still going on here.

you kats want to help on the other front?

we have loads of databases that need to be searched over to find the riaa and the scum like them.

hop on over to http://www/peerguardian.net

and help us out