Who's Winning The World-Wide-Web War ?

Super! Spiffing! Splendid! Strewth!

Shout it out. Spread it around. Start believing in Santa again.

Because, unaccustomed as This Old Brit is, to blowing his own bugle - or trumpet - he hereby declares that those who enter here, need abandon all hope, no more.

Whoopee, wowzer, whizz-bang and wotchercock!

Feast your eyes on this.

Breaking America's grip on the net

After troubled negotiations in Geneva, the US may be forced to relinquish control of the internet to a coalition of governments

Kieren McCarthy - Thursday - October 6, 2005 - The Guardian

So far, so good, eh?

You would expect an announcement that would forever change the face of the internet to be a grand affair - a big stage, spotlights, media scrums and a charismatic frontman working the crowd.

But unless you knew where he was sitting, all you got was David Hendon's slightly apprehensive voice through a beige plastic earbox.

The words were calm, measured and unexciting, but their implications will be felt for generations to come.

Has the heart started racing already?

Are the tingles running down the spine?

Is the mouse moving for you yet?

Do I detect digits, all quivering 'cross keyboards?

Survived the suspense so far?

Old allies in world politics, representatives from the UK and US sat just feet away from each other, but all looked straight ahead as Hendon explained the EU had decided to end the US government's unilateral control of the internet and put in place a new body that would now run this revolutionary communications medium.

(snip)

The issue of who should control the net had proved an extremely divisive issue, and for 11 days the world's governments traded blows. For the vast majority of people who use the internet, the only real concern is getting on it.

But with the internet now essential to countries' basic infrastructure - Brazil relies on it for 90% of its tax collection - the question of who has control has become critical.

And the unwelcome answer for many is that it is the US government.

Aha! Until now, that is.

So see some more and cease to weep.

A number of countries represented in Geneva, including Brazil, China, Cuba, Iran and several African states, insisted the US give up control, but it refused.

The meeting "was going nowhere", Hendon says, and so the EU took a bold step and proposed two stark changes: a new forum that would decide public policy, and a "cooperation model" comprising governments that would be in overall charge.

Much to the distress of the US, the idea proved popular.Its representative hit back, stating that it "can't in any way allow any changes" that went against the "historic role" of the US in controlling the top level of the internet.

But the refusal to budge only strengthened opposition, and now the world's governments are expected to agree a deal to award themselves ultimate control.

It will be officially raised at a UN summit of world leaders next month and, faced with international consensus, there is little the US government can do but acquiesce.

Well, don't simply sit there like somebody stupid --- hit the link below --- then go man, go.

But before you do -- hands up, all those who said there's never any good news given out here ?

Duh!

Y'know, sometimes, I don't think some darned folk deserve me ....

er, him ..... uhm, us ...... ermmmm, this blog.

Awh, whatever.

What are you waiting for?

http://technology.guardian.co.uk/weekly/story/0,,1585288,00.html

See also, this X-ref link to a good American friend & fellow blogger, Elaine.

http://culturelifenewsfinance.blogspot.com/2005/10/two-navis-fight-on-net.html