markbarrington

The main argument against the current net neutrality laws is that they are unnecessary legislation and that government should only intervene with rules when some harm has been shown.

The internet worked just fine with respect to ISPs not favoring content before the net neutrality laws were passed in 2015. Yes, there were some instances of push and shove between content providers and ISPS but overall not a big problem. After all the internet has exploded in reach and scale prior to 2015 without that law.

It’s hard to give concrete answers without understandimg the business context but here are a couple of ideas to think about

1/ If you can’t scope work yet propose a discovery phase in which you’ll do whatever you think is needed to get to a scope of work. More importantly in this phase work out the ROI for their business of doing the work. You should be able to bid this fixed price - 3 of you for x weeks/months.

2/ Day rate consulting is safe but you may not be able to capture a fair share of the value you create. Pricing based on a percentage of their ROI over 3 to 5 years may get you a better deal.

At the end of the day what you are doing right now is sales. The companies budgets, your competition, how they like to work etc will all be big drivers of how you can operate. Make sure you understand all that.

Is there a programmer who has had more impact over a career than Linus Torvalds?

If you signed an NDA with the company (not the founder personally) then it is probable that spreading the information within the company is fine.

Try this. Keep a log for one week of why they are calling. Then find a way for them to self serve the top 3 reasons for calling. Product info. Update your FAQ. Order status. Provide a web update or email update. Project Status. Provide a weekly update in advance.

Focus on making their lives more efficient and your efficiency will surely follow.

Many companies where I have worked typically ask potential suppliers to sign NDAs because they don't want details of future product plans either being made public or, more likely, discussed in the industry.

There is a patchwork of law and regulations that all need to be aligned to allow internet streaming of broadcasts. Copyright Office regulations, FCC regulations and the Communications Act. Today they (a) are not all aligned and (b) need interpreting by the courts to see how they apply to the internet.

What we're seeing is that being worked out in court cases, Congress, FCC proceedings and Copyright Office proceedings.

It will get worked out but my opinion is that it will need Congress to intervene eventually.

Of particular interest in this case, a cable company owns it's own infrastructure to transmit programming. A streaming video service over the public internet does not. Previous attempts to get the same ruling have failed on this difference.