> accessing them is like making a long distance call that gives the
> illusion of being next door.  It's not that my local provider is slow;
> those distant connections are fast!
 
I think, Ingrid, you are missing a vital point.  Using your anlogy of
the long distance call, yes, perhaps you can establish a trans-Pacific
long distance call as easily and quickly as you can call your next-door
neighbor.  But, you are going to pay a lot more for it.
 
More or less, the same applies to the Internet.  Difference is you don't
have to pay the bill directly, though you do pay it eventually, one way
or another.
 
Nothing wrong with going trans-global if that is what you have to do
to get what you need.  But, if the material is available locally it
is a waste of resources to go elsewhere, isn't it?
 
Douglas
       Douglas Winship   Hays County, Texas  [log in to unmask]
                    Secondary AUTOCAT Listowner
                              MEDLAB-L