License to Surf, Take Two

License to Surf, Take Two 503

Posted by michael on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:22PM from the do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going,-sir? dept.

NaugaHunter writes "A story on Yahoo asks Should [a] License Be Required to Go Online? It appears to be suggested by Bruce Schneier, chief technology officer for Counterpane Internet Security Inc. 'It could be a four-year college degree, a one-month course. It might be a good idea.' The story also details efforts of some schools from simple orientation to threats of fines for spreading viruses, and questions exactly who would be responsible for keeping track of who is and isn't licensed." Not a new idea, but one that's going to keep coming up. Update: 09/13 18:11 GMT by M : Bruce Schneier notes that he isn't in favor of computer licenses.

License to Surf, Take Two

This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Search 503 Comments Log In/Create an Account

Comments Filter:

While we're at it... (Score:3, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:24PM (#6949808)

Why don't we start taxing email! Or perhaps data by the megabyte! Think of the revenues!

Can we (Score:3, Funny)

by Phosphor3k ( 542747 ) writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:25PM (#6949814)

Take care of revamping drivers tests first? A retarded monkey can pass drivers tests in most states.

Gasp! (Score:3, Funny)

by Weatherman-au ( 572907 ) writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:28PM (#6949830) Homepage

You mean the "Internet Driver's Licence" isn't a real licence for that there Interweb? Bugger, now I have to take it off my resume.

Ooooo...wait till they approve a curriculum (Score:3, Funny)

by JoeShmoe ( 90109 ) writes: <askjoeshmoe@hotmail.com> on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:31PM (#6949844)

Which includes lessons on how Windows(R) with its WindowsUpdate(TM)(C)(R) is more easy to secure than Linux and even UNIX!

And you thought the evolution in schools issue was a flamefest...

- JoeShmoe
.

Godwin's law! Damn! (Score:3, Funny)

by SoTuA ( 683507 ) writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:32PM (#6949850)

Bruce Schneier is a Nazi.
Damn! There I was, putting my finishing touches on my "+5 insightful" comment and BAM! the discussion is ended!
oh well... there'll be other threads...

Re:Godwin's law! Damn! (Score:3, Funny)

by NoMoreNicksLeft ( 516230 ) writes: <john@oyler.comcast@net> on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:36PM (#6949872) Journal

Yes, and he scored triple bonus points, because his very last word was nazi, no less.

I get tired of amateurs that use it in the first sentence of a large paragraph.

Re:While we're at it... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:36PM (#6949875)

And spammers are fine upstanding law abiding citizens who would gladly pay their taxes accurately and fairly.

College degree?? (Score:3, Funny)

by bob65 ( 590395 ) writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:37PM (#6949880)

It could be a four-year college degree.
Um, yes. I'm proud to be a Bachelor of Mouse-Clicking.

Our Own Network (Score:5, Funny)

by Heem ( 448667 ) writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:37PM (#6949883) Homepage Journal

When we, the technologicaly elite, make our OWN network, based on encrypted tunnels on the existing infrastructure - then we can choose what level of certification is required to interact with peers.

I'm serious.

Re:Can we (Score:5, Funny)

by Shadestalker ( 598690 ) writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:45PM (#6949933)

I was going to rebut, but my ride is here - gotta go before he starts flinging feces at the neighbors.

Must redefine priorities (Score:2, Funny)

by MikeCapone ( 693319 ) writes: <skelterhell AT yahoo DOT com> on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:48PM (#6949948) Homepage Journal

People should need a license to have children, not to surf the internet.

Re:While we're at it... (Score:3, Funny)

by Serapth ( 643581 ) writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:52PM (#6949962)

Yes, I missed out on the math error... I know im going to hear about it... again... and again... and again... :) This is slashdot, right? ;)

In regards to the governement handling it... I agree 110%... in all things, I generally want less government involvement, not more. I would think the only feasible way to "tax" email... would be for the charge to be from the worlds telco's. I should imagine a technology could somewhat equivelant to how phone calls are billed now, could be applied to email. That said... I would never *EVER* want to see the billing structure be comprable to, say, long distance providers now...

So what do you DO with the license? (Score:5, Funny)

by wytcld ( 179112 ) writes: on Friday September 12, 2003 @11:54PM (#6949976) Homepage

Knock on the door.

"Please open up. We have reason to believe someone inside is online without a license!"

The license can't just be a smartcard, or everyone will just leave theirs in the slot so family and friends have access - and likely put the whole crew and half the wireless neighborhood on NAT behind them. So we're going to have to build biometric security into every potentially Net-connected device.

That will surely get the Dept. Homeland Security Seal of Approval. Let's have Microsoft build it so it really works!

Re:I was gonna make a joke... (Score:4, Funny)

by LostCluster ( 625375 ) writes: on Saturday September 13, 2003 @12:35AM (#6950120)

Let's face it... airline security would be a whole lot easier if they could get rid of most of the damn passengers and have a select group of 20 backround-check cleared people be the only ones flying.

When securing something equals destroying it, you've got a big problem...

Re:While we're at it... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Saturday September 13, 2003 @12:38AM (#6950132)

Please %s/\.\+/./g before posting.

Re:All I can say is WOW. (Score:3, Funny)

by rolocroz ( 625853 ) writes: on Saturday September 13, 2003 @12:53AM (#6950179)

Phones can be dangerous; just ask CmdrTaco. [cmdrtaco.net]

Re:Can we (Score:4, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Saturday September 13, 2003 @01:14AM (#6950234)

what will I need to procreate? A Nobel prize?

Panic not, aspiring scientist! First you'll need a girlfriend.

Re:While we're at it... (Score:3, Funny)

by pompousjerk ( 210156 ) writes: on Saturday September 13, 2003 @02:40AM (#6950519)

...I agree 110%...

Today just isn't a good math day for you, is it?

What we do need! (Score:4, Funny)

by Cinematique ( 167333 ) writes: on Saturday September 13, 2003 @03:02AM (#6950563)

People should have to get a license to have kids, not to surf the Internet.

Yeah, I said it.

There may be more comments in this discussion. Without JavaScript enabled, you might want to turn on Classic Discussion System in your preferences instead.

License to Surf, Take Two 503

License to Surf, Take Two More Login

License to Surf, Take Two

While we're at it... (Score:3, Funny)

Can we (Score:3, Funny)

Gasp! (Score:3, Funny)

Ooooo...wait till they approve a curriculum (Score:3, Funny)

Godwin's law! Damn! (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Godwin's law! Damn! (Score:3, Funny)

Re:While we're at it... (Score:1, Funny)

College degree?? (Score:3, Funny)

Our Own Network (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Can we (Score:5, Funny)

Must redefine priorities (Score:2, Funny)

Re:While we're at it... (Score:3, Funny)

So what do you DO with the license? (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I was gonna make a joke... (Score:4, Funny)

Re:While we're at it... (Score:1, Funny)

Re:All I can say is WOW. (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Can we (Score:4, Funny)

Re:While we're at it... (Score:3, Funny)

What we do need! (Score:4, Funny)

Related Links Top of the: day, week, month.

Slashdot Top Deals

Slashdot