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First-up is this item out of Australia.

This is a perfect example of why a good penetration of *AFFORDABLE* broadband is important to New Zealand, or any Western nation for that matter.

Given that NZ already has an extremely respectable reputation in the areas of computer-generated animation and technologies such as that used by Virtual Spectator, one has to wonder how much more we could be earning if the "small players" could reach overseas markets in a cost-effective manner.

Could New Zealand, in an era when the percentage of computer-generated content in most action-movies is growing rapidly, become the new Hollywood?

Probably not -- but there's no way we can even come close now that our dollar is climbing through the roof and we're paying a small fortune to send and receive large files such as hi-resolution video footage through broadband connections.

You'll remember that last week I highlighted how the government seemed hell-bent on protecting spammers' right to "free speech" using email?

Well things get even more bizzare!

Check out this story from the NZ Herald this weekend.

Yes, it seems that while it is ever-so important that we preserve a spammer's right to free speech using email, such protection doesn't extend to local net-user who might criticise US military policy.

According to The Herald's report, this wasn't a threat, it contained no abusive language, it was simply someone expressing their feelings and opinions in the typed word and delivered by email.

Perhaps those who have scoffed at suggestions our government was slowly chipping away at the rights of its citizens will now take a step back and think again?

What next? Will anyone who sends emails containing political statements that aren't aligned with government policies also wind up in court for "misusing a telephone" and face a possible 3-month prison sentence?

I note that the "offender's" PC had not been seized and, according to The Herald, the police "had no intention of doing so."

Is that simply because the recently passed Counter Terrorism bill has yet to be gazetted I wonder?

For the first time since I started writing this column some eight years ago, I feel just a little concerned that I might end up in big trouble because of something I've said.

As NZers we should all take a moment to enjoy our freedoms -- while we still can -- because this is getting seriously scary!

If any Aardvark readers want to share an opinion on today's column or add something, you're invited to chip in and have your say in The Aardvark Forums or, if you prefer, you can contact me directly.

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