I was wondering if useful things come for free. Free as in without any price. For instance, nature gives us good things for free-clean air, pure water to drink, fruits, vegetables, land etc. Our society has ensured that all these things- save the air we breathe- come attached with a price tag.
Though not entirely free, the internet has become very affordable . My bet is that one day there would be enough sponsors displaying ads to make internet browsing free, just like listening to radio. And there are lot of services that come free on the internet. The e-mail services, chat, blogs, social networking sites etc. Of course the companies that own these make money by displaying ads, but the end user is not charged a fee.
In developing countries like India, finding qualified instructors, particularly in the higher education sector has been a challenge. Internet has the potential to rival traditional techniques of knowledge dissemination like attending schools,reading up textbooks etc. Schools of excellence which can afford high quality instructors and distinguished faculty can webcast their lectures for free, while generating revenue by displaying ads to the target audience. For instance, a webcast lecture on archaeology can carry ads from History channel. A lecture on VLSI design can carry ads by semiconductor companies. This would lead to seamless knowledge sharing at an affordable price .
Though not entirely free, the internet has become very affordable . My bet is that one day there would be enough sponsors displaying ads to make internet browsing free, just like listening to radio. And there are lot of services that come free on the internet. The e-mail services, chat, blogs, social networking sites etc. Of course the companies that own these make money by displaying ads, but the end user is not charged a fee.
In developing countries like India, finding qualified instructors, particularly in the higher education sector has been a challenge. Internet has the potential to rival traditional techniques of knowledge dissemination like attending schools,reading up textbooks etc. Schools of excellence which can afford high quality instructors and distinguished faculty can webcast their lectures for free, while generating revenue by displaying ads to the target audience. For instance, a webcast lecture on archaeology can carry ads from History channel. A lecture on VLSI design can carry ads by semiconductor companies. This would lead to seamless knowledge sharing at an affordable price .
