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From: bill@ssbn.UUCP
Newsgroups: news.stargate,news.misc,comp.org.usenix
Subject: Re: Stargate
Message-ID: <306@ssbn.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 9-Jun-87 08:42:18 EDT
Article-I.D.: ssbn.306
Posted: Tue Jun  9 08:42:18 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 13-Jun-87 03:48:02 EDT
References: <109@stargate.UUCP> <3254@well.UUCP>
Reply-To: bill@ssbn.UUCP (Bill Kennedy)
Distribution: na
Organization: W.L. Kennedy Jr. & Associates, Pipe Creek, TX
Lines: 30
Xref: utgpu news.stargate:166 news.misc:474 comp.org.usenix:233

Brad made some interesting observations regarding the cable industry
implications.  His (and several others) signature stimulated me to
clear up another misunderstanding, the one regarding redistribution.

Realize and understand that the mentality of the satellite carrier
is cable TV oriented.  From their point of view the redistribution
of usenet from a Stargate site is the logical equivalent of teeing
into your cable and pulling a wire next door.  Everything they do
has a "socket" or "subscriber" mentality.  I'm quite sure that the
Stargate people would not object to redistribution if they could
convince the satellite carrier otherwise.  The other similar services
broadcast by the same carrier have equally restrictive provisions in
their agreements.

If you doubt the opportunistic and sometimes repressive nature of the
cable industry, think again.  I can't get cable, I have a dish.  It
took a fair amount of maneuvering, by the Stargate people, to convince
the satellite carrier not to pay a "royalty" to the nearest cable
company for my subscription.  The premium services I subscribe to do,
indeed, send money to the nearest cable company for my subscription
rather than giving me a break on the rate.  Program originators claim
that it is a necessary "courtesy" to keep cable companies happy.  This
has nothing to do directly with Stargate but it gives you an idea of
the mentality it must deal with when trying to get the service going.

Apologies form the length, I am just weary with and frustrated about the
amount of heat those guys take when they are working hard (and for free)
to drag us kicking and screaming into another generation of service.
-- 
Bill Kennedy  {cbosgd | ihnp4!petro | sun!texsun!rrm}!ssbn!bill