David writes: > One model exists in the postal service operated > 'by' each country. Have you really thought through how much this would cost in the Internet world? It would be a staggering burden, just as it already is for postal mail. A large part of what you pay in postage for a letter simply covers the cost of collecting and verifying the postage for a letter. And a large part of the delay in getting the letter to its destination comes from the need to collect and verify postage. > As implied above, one or a few organizations > per nation would provide clearing services. Monopolies, you mean? I can imagine the effect on prices. Then again, I don't have to imagine, since it has already been done in other domains. That's another reason why sending a letter costs 37 cents--and that's a price-controlled monopoly. > Of course, there is a cost. The cost is far beyond what you appear to be imagining. > I think I understand the costs quite well. I think not. I hope your ideas are not too widespread. > Probably by appropriate tiering of responsiblity > and granularity of transactions recharging meters. Transactions recharging meters. With a billion computers talking to a billion other computers a trillion times a day? What you are suggesting is a bit like billing for telephone service based on the content of a conversation, or billing for cable TV based on the stars in the cast of the show you are watching.