This article is a substitute for this week's podcast, as I have a cold and a sore throat.

The United Nations has proposed a "'Net Ten Commandments." This would affect not only the United States, but every nation part of the UN. The rules proposed are as follows:

1. Independence of applications
2. New applications can be added anytime that’s a core value
3. Permissionless innovation
4. Open standards
5. Accessible and globally inclusive—anyone can use it
6. User choice—I can choose what applications I use and where I go to with them
7. Ease of use—I can use it in my language, I can use it in a device I’m familiar with
8. Freedom of expression
9. The ability to change rapidly
10. Trustworthy and reliable is one we have to work on; it’s got to be a core value.

I feel much more comfortable with the UN proposing rules for Internet service providers instead of the Federal Communications Commission. The F.C.C. is a government agency, the UN is an international organization. This, in my opinion is a great step on the road toward network neutrality.

Google has acquired a startup advertising company, Teracent. Teracent takes in information about your business or product and uses their complex algorithms to deliver the most effective advertisement possible. Google already owns DoubleClick, and now they own Teracent. This puts Google in an excellent position to completely own all advertising on the Internet.

Apple has taken the offensive with their new ads against the Verizon Droid. The advertisements take advantage of AT&T's ability to use the data network and the telephone features simultaneously. For example, if someone calls your iPhone and asks when the movie showing is, you can go into Safari or a third-party app and check the time. The Droid vs. the iPhone is a continuous battle between Verizon and Apple.

I feel the most significant of these three stories is the first. I was opposed to the F.C.C regulating the Internet, but the UN is an international organization that has checks and balances to ensure that this really is a good move. As a matter of fact, I wrote an essay for my Rhetoric & Composition class at my high school against the F.C.C. regulation of the Internet. However, I am more against F.C.C regulation than I am for United Nations regulations.