Micropayments are Bad, Bad, Bad
Re:Neilsen, Jakob, The Case for Micropayments. See also Readers' Comments on Micropayments. Sidebar to Jakob Neilsen's article on Micropayments. (January 25, 1998)
I completely disagree with the micropayments system. The internet should be free of cost at all times unless you are going to purchase an item or good. As Neilsen says, "The Web is a user-driven phenomenon, where people go online for a purpose. Quite often, that purpose will be to buy something, so there is a great future for commercial sites that sell or support products and services. Traditional products can be charged to credit cards, but many Internet services will require incremental payments rather than large one-time payments. "
Unless you are going online to purchase goods, you should not have to pay for viewing a web site. I can see how the Post Office is trying to tax emails because they are being financially hurt due to decreased mail flow. But too bad!! If we allow the internet and email to be taxed or charged for viewership then what next!!
2 Comments:
I agree that micropayments are setting a bad precedent. I cannot see myself paying even a quarter to view someone's comic strip. The Internet was created to be used as a global marketplace where we must pay for products and services, but for ideas? I just hope it doesn't catch on.
I wouldn't say that "most often" people are going online to buy something; but I do agree with you that the internet should be free! But is it- I mean really free? Besides when we are on campus (wireless connection) we still have to pay a monthly fee for internet service. It's not unlike T.V. Sure you get the real steamy stuff, late night for a few bucks more, but as long as pay your monthly bill, you can watch all the Opera and Good Day America you want...
Post a Comment
<< Home