Those savvy with the wiles of the world wide web are wary, I would suggest, of paying for the privilege of accessing content on the Internet. Or, as ShosOn, commenting on Mark Day’s blog at The Australian, put it: “Charge money for a podcast!? HAHAHAHAHAHHA [sic] Meanwhile, back in the real world…”
There are good examples of Internet users being beneficiaries of the largesse and altruism of various organisations all over the web, as well as instances of content providers finding ways to stay afloat while at the same time securing an audience.
Since 2006 Google has provided the 70000 residents of Mountain View, California (in Silicon Valley) with free WiFi Internet. It’s one way of keeping the neighbours happy.
Skype is another freebie available on the net. Computer-to-computer chat is free, while costs are attached to computer-to-phone calls.
All of the Australian magazine The Monthly’s articles are published on the Internet. Free important selected content is available for anyone to read on the website, while other material is restricted to online subscribers.
*find Free! Why $0.00 is the future of business at www.wired.com/techbiz/it/magazine/16-03/ff_free<
