Ares Connect

With the advent of an agreement between the US 9th Circuit Court and Comcast that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had no jurisdiction to make networks neutral, an important injunction was removed which will have potentially far reaching effects on internet usage and from there popular file-sharing networks like Ares Vista.

Net Neutrality

The principle behind so-called ‘net neutrality’ states that user access networks participating in the Internet should experience no restrictions on content, sites, or platforms, on the kinds of equipment that may be attached, and on the modes of communication allowed. They should also experience communication that is not unreasonably degraded by other traffic.

Unfortunately, this latest development will mean the exact opposite. Internet Service Providers like Comcast and Verizon will now be able to favor their own networks like VCast over competitors like iTunes. If, like many Americans, you use a file-sharing network like Ares Vista to download your music and video, your use and participation may be radically reduced. The effect of this stranglehold on the exchange of information will be the thwarting of completely legal data repositories exchanged over services like torrents.

Paying A Premium

Consumers can also expect to pay a premium for using file-sharing networks, as the carriers won’t be happy about the likes of Ares and iTunes riding ‘their’ wires for free. ISP’s will have the freedom to slow down popular file-sharing networks, yet still allow their own, or that of their partners, to operate freely. Where unrestricted services are offered, it is likely that they will be charged at a far higher rate. None of this is good for the consumer. After all, why should the public be penalized for accessing file-sharing networks like Ares Vista just so the ISP’s can rake in extra money on top of what they already charge?

File sharing networks, like Ares, provide access to a vast network of music, video, and picture files. Millions of satisfied users take advantage of the huge database of material available for sharing. For ISP’s to have the ability to restrict consumers’ access is a huge step backward in the arena of net neutrality. Freedom of choice to access file sharing networks should be the right of every consumer. But instead, the Comcast agreement has in effect narrowed the Internet from a six-lane highway, to a one-lane dirt track, complete with tollbooth at either end.

From Highway Back To Dirt Track

Once upon a time, the Internet was seen as a clear highway of information, freely accessible to everyone, with no restrictions. Now everyone is expected to pay a premium to use it and the freedom consumers once had to access vast networks of music, pictures, and video, has vanished into the ether. Utilities are no longer a public resource – they are now a valuable source of public revenue.

Who knows where all this will end but, ultimately, it is the consumer who will suffer and their pockets that will be hit. There is no way this can ever be seen as a positive development when Joe and Jane Public is unable to exercise his freedom of choice and use his favorite file-sharing networks without incurring a hefty financial penalty.

I spent all Saturday playing with my new IPad and must say, I LOVE it! And yes, the first thing I tested was whether the IPad played my music and movies I downloaded with Ares. It did, but more about that later.

As I said, I do love my IPad (hope the Macbook isn’t too jealous). Mostly because of it’s ease of use, but I must admit it’s partly just because it is downright sexy! I’ve seen a lot of people question what the market is for it, and I don’t think they will “get” it until they get their hands on one.

Things I REALLY like about the IPad

• Superfast startup – almost instantaneous
• Superfast opening applications – less than 5 seconds for most
• NO heat generated, so very comfortable on your lap
• Awesome screen resolution/picture
• Easy navigation – combines the best of macbook and Iphone nav ideas
• Long battery life. May reach the 10 hours of usage they claim, but even better for me, it last MUCH longer if just sitting on the desk but not plugged in (unlike the macbook which takes a lot of juice to hibernate).

As for things I REALLY don’t like about the IPad? Not too much yet

• Screen too small – I’d add another inch or 2
• Some apps not available yet, like openoffice

A couple things others don’t like, but not a big deal for me

• lack of USB port. Ok, I can understand that, but not a huge deal for me.
• Can only run ONE app at a time.

For the most part, that is ok with me. Since it opens apps instantly, you can jump back and forth between apps – you just have to tailer your work habits a little. It is a shame though that you can’t use it as a music player while you are working.

For me, it doesn’t replace anything, but is a nice addition. I leave it on the coffee table and use it for browsing email and the web while watching TV. I think mostly at night, but is good to check the days news in the morning with my oatmeal. Also do a little light work on it sitting in a comfy patio chair out back, as it is much easier to see in bright light than my macbook. The total lack of heat makes also helps a lot. I’ll also bring it on travel and use it in the airport or on the plane as the 10 hour battery life is super convenient.

The biggest “WOW” factor was as a photo viewer or for watching movies. Colors and resolution are spectacular. And that brings us to the headline of this article. YES, the movies and music I downloaded using Ares Vista do play on the IPad just fine. I had read some speculation that it would have some special anti-piracy software that prevented “unauthorized” files (not from the Istore) from playing, but I’m happy to report that is definately not the case. Of course, Ares doesn’t run on the IPad, as it is a windows only application, but the IPad isn’t intended as the sole PC in a home. But that doesn’t mean you need a microsoft machine either. I run Aresvista on my Macbook pro using bootcamp.