Internet Licence

Bar · 6 Sep 2006 at 08:45

Is it just me or would a license to use the internet be a good idea.

Basically in order to get a license you would need to prove that you have the common sense of a 5 year old who has been taught not to trust or talk to strangers.

Or would it simply result in a 50% reduction of the posts in GD?

Flubble · 6 Sep 2006 at 08:48

dunno about internet license, but a PC License has been thought about before
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/03/pc_tax/

Nix · 6 Sep 2006 at 08:49

No, but it sounds like you've found something else Brown can tax us on though.

The internet is successful because it is open to anyone and easily accessible. However, it would be a bright idea to restrict paedophiles et al, but how would you enforce lack of a licence? How could you actually tell who is using the internet at any given time?

afraser2k · 6 Sep 2006 at 08:52

If you could make the license apply to over-21's only then I reckon it's a good idea.

dirtydog · 6 Sep 2006 at 08:53

Nix said:
how would you enforce lack of a licence? How could you actually tell who is using the internet at any given time?

Like now with the TV licence. You'd have 'internet licence inspectors' coming to your home, who would inspect your computer.

dirtydog · 6 Sep 2006 at 08:53

afraser2k said:
If you could make the license apply to over-21's only then I reckon it's a good idea.

You think an internet licence is a good idea? :eek:

Why?

Chunky · 6 Sep 2006 at 08:55

afraser2k said:
If you could make the license apply to over-21's only then I reckon it's a good idea.

so that means most students wouldn't be able to get it :rolleyes:

Flubble · 6 Sep 2006 at 08:55

Nix said:
How could you actually tell who is using the internet at any given time?

you would have to get the license when you register with your ISP, and they tax you every month or whatever whether you use the internet or not, because you have access, you pay the license

(and im going to shut up incase people with power get an idea about internet tax)

AtreuS · 6 Sep 2006 at 08:59

And any government that tried it would soon find out that poeple will only take so much... as will big business.

You thought the poll tax riots were bad?

Visage · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:03

Bar said:
Is it just me or would a license to use the internet be a good idea.

Basically in order to get a license you would need to prove that you have the common sense of a 5 year old who has been taught not to trust or talk to strangers.

Or would it simply result in a 50% reduction of the posts in GD?

90% at least.

dirtydog · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:07

Visage said:
90% at least.

You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, your posts aren't that bad

afraser2k · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:09

Chunky said:
so that means most students wouldn't be able to get it

Exactly, time for you to go to the library and learn instead of copying from Wiki.

And hopefully reduce the amount of kids messing about on forums/games/latest craze.

Visage · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:10

dirtydog said:
You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, your posts aren't that bad

Oh yes they are.....

Metalface Mark · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:16

Nix said:
No, but it sounds like you've found something else Brown can tax us on though.

The internet is successful because it is open to anyone and easily accessible. However, it would be a bright idea to restrict paedophiles et al, but how would you enforce lack of a licence? How could you actually tell who is using the internet at any given time?

Sex M F (circle)

Paedophile Y N (circle)

Nix · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:17

Flubble said:
you would have to get the license when you register with your ISP, and they tax you every month or whatever whether you use the internet or not, because you have access, you pay the license

(and im going to shut up incase people with power get an idea about internet tax)

But the idea of having a licence is to restrict certain people from using the internet and only allowing people we want. What's to stop person Y who doesn't have a licence because they're a pleb (for all purposes, let's call them 'KizZ'). What's to stop 'KizZ' using person X' computer who has a licence?

You can't feasibly enforce the licence. Any taxation would only affect those who have the licence in their name, for example the house-owner. If a house-owner has a licence and allows his family who don't own licences to use the internet, then the whole point of the licence falls on its face doesn't it?

afraser2k · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:20

Nix said:
But the idea of having a licence is to restrict certain people from using the internet and only allowing people we want. What's to stop person Y who doesn't have a licence because they're a pleb (for all purposes, let's call them 'KizZ'). What's to stop 'KizZ' using person X' computer who has a licence?

You can't feasibly enforce the licence. Any taxation would only affect those who have the licence in their name, for example the house-owner. If a house-owner has a licence and allows his family who don't own licences to use the internet, then the whole point of the licence falls on its face doesn't it?

Surely you could look at the records of ISPs when they are billing households? You could then vary the cost depending on how many people are living in that home. Failure to uphold the terms of the license would incur a fine like the TV license we have now.

Like any tax though there will be ways around it and open for abuse.

Nix · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:23

afraser2k said:
Surely you could look at the records of ISPs when they are billing households? You could then vary the cost depending on how many people are living in that home. Failure to uphold the terms of the license would incur a fine like the TV license we have now.

Like any tax though there will be ways around it and open for abuse.

That's not the point. How can anyone actually tell if someone's child for example is using the internet instead of the licenced home-owner? The only possible way would involve an invasion of privacy.

dirtydog · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:26

Nix said:
That's not the point. How can anyone actually tell if someone's child for example is using the internet instead of the licenced home-owner? The only possible way would involve an invasion of privacy.

I agree that a licence system would not prevent under 21s (or people of any age) using the internet. That doesn't mean that a licence system wouldn't be practicable though.

I hope Gordon 'thieving bar-steward' Brown isn't reading this thread as he'll probably be making notes for his next budget :mad:

Nix · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:29

dirtydog said:
I agree that a licence system would not prevent under 21s (or people of any age) using the internet. That doesn't mean that a licence system wouldn't be practicable though.

I hope Gordon 'thieving bar-steward' Brown isn't reading this thread as he'll probably be making notes for his next budget

Then the whole objective of the licence is defeated. As laid out in the OP, the point of the licence would be to prohibit the people who we don't want using the technology. When you assume that children would have free reign, like they currently do with no licence, then what really is the point? It would only be some other form of stealth taxation.

MasterMike · 6 Sep 2006 at 09:32

Personally, no, not viable. "The internet" is such a broad term which covers everything from VoIP to ordering food. What would it mean to "license" its use? Wouldn't it just be easier to "license" the use of everything which is capable of long-distance communication? Wouldn't work.