Okay, so not to negate all of the chaos erupting in Egypt and all, but I came across this blog (?) with photos about the best Egyptian protest signs. Now, I have known that Facebook and twitter and the Internet as a whole was blocked in Egypt (reinstated Wednesday). But, these pictures made me realize just how important the Internet is all around the world.
I love the first one, with the guy holding the sign that says "EGYPT" using various logos associated with some of the largest companies having to do with the Internet. Several others are to the effect of "I want to call my mom" and directions for moving items out of the recycle bin and into the trash.
These photos displays the importance of the Internet in the daily lives of the Egyptian's, but what are the immediate effects of the Internet shutdown and what effect will it have on Egypt in the future? Obviously, communication was halted. That was point. But was it considered how the shutdown effected local businesses? Ordering supplies and products, running credit card machines, and other daily functions important to the effectiveness of a company are based on the Internet and the services provided.
What about companies, ISP's, tech startups, VoIP providers, etc., considering basing their headquarters in Cairo or elsewhere in the country? I'm sure many of them are reconsidering. And other companies that currently have their foundations there? Are they leaving? What about the jobs? What's the effect on the economy?
Shutting down the Internet is something that needs to be taken seriously. It's more than missing social networking sites for a couple of days. It's the backbone to many economies.
© 2011 Adrienne McEwan
I love the first one, with the guy holding the sign that says "EGYPT" using various logos associated with some of the largest companies having to do with the Internet. Several others are to the effect of "I want to call my mom" and directions for moving items out of the recycle bin and into the trash.
These photos displays the importance of the Internet in the daily lives of the Egyptian's, but what are the immediate effects of the Internet shutdown and what effect will it have on Egypt in the future? Obviously, communication was halted. That was point. But was it considered how the shutdown effected local businesses? Ordering supplies and products, running credit card machines, and other daily functions important to the effectiveness of a company are based on the Internet and the services provided.
What about companies, ISP's, tech startups, VoIP providers, etc., considering basing their headquarters in Cairo or elsewhere in the country? I'm sure many of them are reconsidering. And other companies that currently have their foundations there? Are they leaving? What about the jobs? What's the effect on the economy?
Shutting down the Internet is something that needs to be taken seriously. It's more than missing social networking sites for a couple of days. It's the backbone to many economies.
© 2011 Adrienne McEwan
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