FCC Enacts Internet Morse Code Requirement (fwd)

[richard barth]

What???  You mean there isn't a May Fool's Day too?  Oh well, then,
save it for next year

Subject: FCC Enacts Internet Morse Code Requirement

>Date: Fri, 01 May 1998 09:07:02 -0400
Subject: FCC Enacts Internet Morse Code Requirement
>
>Found on the web. Perhaps a 4/1/98 leftover.
>
>The FCC, under pressure to clean up the Internet, especially after the
>Communications Decency Act provisions regarding Internet content regulation
>were stricken as violating the U.S. Constitution, has decided instead to
>require a Morse code requirement for Internet users. Citing the success of
>the Amateur Radio Service and the general belief that its requirement for
>operators to pass a Morse code proficiency exam and other technical
>requirements, has kept the A.R.S. "clean", the FCC will enact a 5
>word-per-minute requirement for all Internet users. They are leaving open
>the issue of whether there should be a "codeless" class of Internet user
>and are soliciting comments on this proposal.
>
>Persons wishing to develop a web site having only links to other web sites
>having links to other web sites, and so forth, must pass a 13
>word-per-minute test and demonstrate proficiency in HTML, the Internet
>authoring language.
>
>Persons wishing to develop web sites that have actual content, as compared
>to just links to other web sites, must pass a 20 word-per-minute Morse
>proficiency test, demonstrate proficiency in HTML and the Java programming
>language, and show that they have mastery of at least one human language,
>such as English.
>
>The FCC, which lacks budgetary authority to implement the testing program,
>has stated that it intends to create Volunteer Examiner programs for
>Internet applicants.