two tin cans and a digital string

Clay Shirky's article on Zapmail, wifi, and voice over IP (VoIP) is a fascinating look at how the internet provides for new business models while crushing the outdated ones. Also, it makes me want to try out Vonage. They offer low-cost nationwide unlimited plans and dirt cheap overseas calling with all the bells and whistles the phone company charges extra for (caller id, voicemail (web accessible even), call waiting, etc). The kicker is that you can keep your old number, or have a new one in any area code you like, and it doesn't require the use of any phone wiring in your house, just some ethernet from your DSL or cable modem connection.

The Ma Bell phone cartel should be shitting themselves right about now. Their time for this world is short, if new upstarts can deliver on VoIP at a fraction of their rates.