...
Most systems/people on the Internet are not subsidized. This is well known. The critical mass of users has obviated the need for it.
The subsidies are as follows:
- universities that provide "free" access to students, faculty, researchers, etc. (all those ".edu" accounts)
- corporations that provide similar access to some or all of their employees
- government labs, offices, etc.
The number of Internet users who are going through commercial services like Netcom, Panix, Portal, etc., or through services like CompuServe and Prodigy, is currently a small fraction of the overall total. This will grow, but for the present discussion, most Internet users are not paying their own bills for their usage of the Net (let alone paying to ship NetNews around the world).
Unusual use of the word 'subsidized'... Most of the above I would just call indirectly funded. I don't think you'd say that corporate employees get subsidized pencils just because it's an expense item for the corp. and they buy in bulk. I guess what you meant was 'institutionally supported'. 'Subsidized' normally means gov. grants to me. (Yes, a fraction of the above examples get gov. grants specifically for Internet expense, but not most.) Thanks for the clarification. sdw -- Stephen D. Williams Local Internet Gateway Co.; SDW Systems 513 496-5223APager LIG dev./sales Internet: sdw@lig.net OO R&D Source Dist. By Horse: 2464 Rosina Dr., Miamisburg, OH 45342-6430 Comm. Consulting ICBM: 39 34N 85 15W I love it when a plan comes together Newbie Notice: (Surfer's know the score...) I speak for LIGCo., CCI, myself, and no one else, regardless of where it is convenient to post from or thru.