Topic: Dial Up

The hosts reminisce about the evolution of modem speeds, from 300 baud acoustic couplers to 56k V.90 technology. They discuss the "modem wars" between vendors like Hayes and US Robotics and the distinct sounds associated with different connection speeds. One host recalls using a TRS-100 laptop with an acoustic coupler to file news stories from the field.

Verizon's $4.4 billion acquisition of AOL is analyzed as a strategic move to capture government broadband subsidies rather than an advertising play. By converting AOL's remaining 2 million dial-up customers to broadband, Verizon could potentially access billions in FCC funding intended to expand high-speed internet access.

In a protest against the FCC's net neutrality proposals, the web hosting service NeoCities identified the FCC's internal IP range and throttled their connection speeds to 28.8kbps. This "slow lane" treatment is intended to give the agency a firsthand experience of the packet inequality that critics argue their policies will create for the general public.

A listener from rural Australia requests a low-bitrate version of the podcast to accommodate a slow dial-up internet connection. The hosts discuss the technical challenges of providing multiple file formats and consider seeking a volunteer to re-encode the show. They also mention ongoing technical issues with their Squarespace and Amevio hosting platforms.