>>>Thats the whole problem with portals.... where does a website end and a portal begin?
A good question, and one which I would like to broaden a bit. In this new world of electronic communication it would be good to create a new section of the dictionary to handle it. There seems, currently to be a lot of confusion as to what is what.
What is a PORTAL? The Latin suggests it is 'a door.' That definition seems to suggest that portal is synonymous with INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER, which provides the primary connection between the individual computer and the various WEBITES on the internet.
GNET is, I think, a WEBSITE COMPANY which offers a number of different ONLINE SERVICES at WEBSITES which can be reached directly or through a link from its main website.
AOL, I think, is an ISP and ONLINE SERVICE company, since it has a dial-up number and various services which can be reached ONLY through its direct connection.
The CABLE issue creates more uncertainty.
The so-called CABLE MODEM, I think, allows greater BANDWIDTH (faster transfer of information) between the user's computer and the ISP, by using the television cable system, rather than telephonic connection.
What happens beyond the ISP? I think I understand that the INTERNET runs on telephone wire, so isn't the BANDWIDTH of any connection limited by the slowest link in the chain of connections?
I would imagine that any consumer oriented CABLE system would have to offer access to the entire internet in order to be competitive.
I am trying, among other things, to understand the much ballyhooed benefit to GNET from Paul Allen's ownership of CABLE ISP interests.
Would those ISPs lead directly to GNET, in the same way a phone number leads to, and through, AOL?
I am all for Paul's involvement in the company, to be sure. He is a smart guy, and his resources will no doubt benefit GNET in a number of ways, but I don't think many of us understand how.
On an unrelated subject, but one of concern to most of us, I agree with the recent writer who suggested we ignore the posts of those who are overly prolific and/or self serving. Engaging them, critically or otherwise, gives them the result they are after and thereby encourages them.
Cheers, de |
