Very very interesting idea proposed by Seth Godin -- I get the intent behind validating Google Gmail users by credit card accounts -- but right now it would only reinforce the digital divide. Perhaps that's what the "gold standard" means...
Most of the individuals in the emerging world don't use credit cards. Even in underserved communities in U.S. many folks don't have credit cards. They go to a local community center, Internet cafe or library to check their free Web mail account. And if they did have a credit card, or perhaps a debit card, do you really advise them using it on a public terminal?
I noticed nearly everyone in Guatemala this past December (just one anecdote as I've traveled to many other parts of world) using Hotmail (don't ask me why Microsoft is so damn prevalent in C. America - many people had no idea what software libre is -- must be the old Yankee imperialism - btw, that's tongue-in-cheek - influence or proximity to Seattle).
Many people in developing countries access the Internet and rest of the digitized world via a shared or rented PC (or Simputer). They don't have a computer at home, and maybe not a landline POTS phone. Thus signing up for a monthly dial-up ISP account and having your own email account isn't happening either.
Free webmail services are a huge boon to the emerging world' s ability to communicate and participate online. I'm not sure how one would weigh that against the pros offered by Godin's suggestion, but I sense some of these implications weren't considered in the cons.
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