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Technology Stocks : AUTOHOME, Inc -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (18051)	12/19/1999 1:30:00 AM
From: E. Davies	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 29970

Their backbone, for example, is not a universally shared resource as other SPs' backbones are.. a more or less (in the absence of a rule book) required quality for entitling one to be called an ISP. I think this may be at the heart of it. This is a fact I did not know, because quite honestly I (and likely most people) do not fully understand the economics behind the net. an "ISP" universally shares their backbone? Do they charge for the access? Could you explain this basic concept? It might go a long way into understanding your perspective. My "ISP" (and most of the 3000+ ISP's) leases backbone from someone else (in my case UUNet=WCOM). My "ISP" is nothing more than a small handfull of people (one was quite literally two people) with a billing system, a bank of V.90 modems, some servers, and a connection to the backbone. From my limited view of "ISP's" I can't see their purpose in a broadband world. I don't know what everyone is trying so hard to protect. Enlighten me- ok? Talk down to me so I can get it. What the heck does an ISP do? Eric

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (18051)	12/19/1999 12:37:00 PM
From: GraceZ	Respond to of 29970

We wont see many of these recently rebuilt or overlaid systems redesigned again without extensive pressures being applied from the outside Perhaps this is, in fact, the best reason we have for implementing OA. If I am to understand you correctly, the current configuration is not sufficient to carry the same quality of service that ATHM enjoys for all takers. Therefore if they were to try to implement the best solution, the one that these other ISPs are clamoring for, we'd have to seriously consider getting that fiber closer to the home. There may be no other greater impetus out there that would compel T and the other cable partners to spend the resources necessary to do this. ATHM may find itself being the odd person out, struggling to stay abreast of still-untested ideas. This is always the danger in a closed rather than open system. Secondly, and this is in some ways related to the first reason above, it would very likely put an end to the on-again, off-again restrictions on certain forms of work-at-home and conversational modes of use that are now "frowned upon." At least for some period of time. Music to my ears. I've talked about it in the past how having an at home fast link to my business location would improve the quality of my life. I understand the need to have levels of service that differentiate between commercial use and consumer use (my business is a prime example, I've had to pick more than one lay person off the floor when I tell them the price of our prints as opposed to what they can get at Walmart, whereas my regular commercial clients don't even blink when the price is doubled or quadrupled as in the case of rush charges.) I wouldn't mind paying for commercial level service here at home if it were available because it save me a 30 mile commute on many occasions. Thank you so much for your reply it was as usual enlightening. I only have one other question, do you ever have a hard time charging for your advice when you seem to give it away so freely here? (not that I'm in any way suggesting you stop!)