Chapter 20

Posted: September 27, 2006 - 10:50:53 pmUpdated: September 27, 2006 - 11:48:19 pm

"I will cover the basics only of what my program does. First and foremost, you need a computer. Then you need a phone line, cable or satellite connection, and the appropriate modem.

"Depending on the size of your computer hard drive, you can sample and store as much or as little material as you desire. If you type in a specific address, it will connect you. No exterior server or service is needed.

"As a few of you or the person, companies, or countries you represent already found out, I also put security algorithms in place, in my sample product. It's amazing how many of my search engines have been launched already, and it is not even released for use, yet. I hope those persons have enjoyed the free use of my engine; because as of ten minutes ago, I sent out the kill code for any of my engines on the net, to cease functioning. One thing my sample is programmed to do, is to check a specific website frequently. At the start of the meeting, I activated the code which will cause all my programs now operating, to stop," I paused and looked around.

Actually, it also copied a 'worm' or 'Trojan' from that site. It downloaded virus into the operating computer. Most firewalls or anti-virus programs were not up to handling this little baby. The engine shut down when the worm was copied to files. No need to get into the science or details of it, not with this lot.

I went on with the group. I asked them to turn to page one, and everyone did so. This page listed a group of web addresses that had been operating my engine and had launched it. I am sure a lot of these people recognized some of these site addresses.

The other pages had to do with other things, but I wanted them to specifically take note of this page. A few pages were business projections, and the final pages dealt with probable loss of business to ISPs already in business. These same types of projections were used by companies the world over to project their own profits and the increase or decrease of their business competitors' profits.

I entertained questions at that time, and they came fast and furious.

"No," I answered to a question, and then continued my answer. "I do not hate the ISPs now in business. What I object to, is the collection of specific information about me if I use their service. I am building 'the better mouse trap', so to speak.

"This whole thing started, because of what I felt was the intrusive actions on the part of the ISP I was using at the time. Ever read a EULA agreement from one of the 'normal' ISPs?" (Note: End User License Agreement)

"It is all loaded for the benefit of the company supplying the service. The customer is given only the barest minimum of consideration. They are all like that. It's not like I can change my ISP, and find one with a better EULA agreement, now can I?" I responded reasonably.

Well... I thought I was being reasonable. Apparently, this group did not agree. Of course, it might be because they represented specific companies, or organizations and their interests, and not mine or the end users.

"All I am going to do, is to provide an alternate way of getting online. It will be easy for the average 'man or woman on the street' to set up and use. There will be no need for anyone to be 'walked thru', or trained to a certain level. This is the standard way that is offered by ISPs, at this time. All my system is doing, is offering a choice. It is one that's free of the 'side benefits' that companies presently reap, at their customer's expense, that's all," I paused.

"As it stands right now, an ISP company offers me service. One of the things I have to do, is sign the previously referenced agreement. Said agreement absolves the company from liability when it collects my personal information, and web use information, and then sells it. The company is collecting twice off of each customer. One, I pay for the service. Two, they then turn around and collect all sorts of information about me. They then sell that information to other people and companies, who want to sell me something. In this way, they are reaping even more money. Money that obviously is not disclosed to the average customer," I finished a bit sourly.

"Now for a demonstration of my system, in action."

I stopped speaking, and fetched a rolling table, upon which a computer had been set up.

I plugged the 50" monitor behind me into the auxiliary feed. I took a seat in front of the computer and my personal monitor. I made my connection to the internet, as the 50" screen showed exactly what my monitor was showing.

"Depending on the size of your computer's storage capability, the engine is set to find the first ten sites asked to be searched for. It then lists them for you, creating a small library. Nowhere near as big as... say Google, or AOL, or the government's data base. If I wanted to invest in their storage capacity; I, or anyone for that matter, could give those companies a run for their money with my little program,"

"Anyone have a specific site they want me to look up?" I asked.

Someone shouted out a name, and I typed it into my search bar, and we were off. As I said, if there were ten or more listings, only the first ten were listed. That site then went into the 'library' of known sites. You could then go to a site a couple ways, click on the address from your library, or if the search bar was active, what was in the address bar.

The best part was that I was not online with any of the main ISPs, such as AOL, Earthlink, or any local ISP. I was there without there 'help'. I could see they were all realizing what this meant to their companies, or themselves. It could eat into company profits deeply and make other companies obsolete.

"It is not my intent to ruin people or careers, or companies. It is my intent to surf without giving away the keys to my identity and without getting onto endless Spam lists. If I happen to make some money along the way, so much the better. After all, business is business as they all say," I said to them with a slight smirk.

The meeting erupted into shouts, accusations, threats of lawsuits and other actions. Since most of the people there were shouting all this (with the exception of one or two quiet persons, who seemed lost in thought), I terminated the meeting.

I asked security to invite the two men and one woman who had not violated my request of 'no threats' to my hotel room for further conversation. A short time later there were four of us seated on chairs in my room. I had rented a nice room for the occasion.

"Well, you all know me, I am Scott Garner. May I ask who you are, and which company or companies you represent?" I asked, and we were off.

The woman was a representative for the UN. The first man was a tall thin elderly man. He was a US government rep. The other, a shorter and younger man, was with Time Warner. I had picked these people to talk with first, and to hear their pitches, as they had not violated my rules. I would not rule out any of the other principles, but I would not speak to the reps that had shown up this first time. These people at least knew how to comport themselves, without threatening and blustering.

The first thing I found out was they were all uncomfortable speaking with the competition present. Each one wanted to speak to me privately, or with just me and my attorney present.

The US interests were simple. They wanted to insure that if started an ISP company, that I included their access via my 'server'. Apparently, the government had won a court case a number of years ago. It gave the feds a back door into all the ISPs in the nation, in case they needed to run a check on someone. They wanted to make sure I knew I would be violating the law, if I started one without providing the option of full Federal access to all accounts. He was also impressed with the speed of at which new engine operated, considering I had not created a 'library' of sites as of yet.

After he made his pitch he left me to my 'business'. The UN rep wanted me to turn this new search engine over to the United Nations for the benefit of all. After her pitch, she gave me some printed material, and left me with the Time Warner rep.

"Sir, to be blunt, your new engine looks very good. We think it represents an exciting opportunity. Time Warner would like to buy the engine from you. Name your price, Sir. I am authorized to negotiate up to nine figures. Anything over that, and I will need further authorization," he told me.

I sat stunned! Nine figures? That was in the hundreds of millions of dollars!

"I see I have caught you by surprise. Talk it over with whomever you must. Our company wants this engine to flourish, but we want total control and ownership. We are prepared to pay cash in three yearly payments, of those nine figures I was talking about. Or, we can talk a combination of cash and stock options," he stood. I stood also.

"No doubt you will want to hear the competitions offers, but please keep us in mind and our offer," he left an envelope on the table, after shaking my hand and departing.

"Wow!" I told my attorney. I was still surprised.

"I would have gone with a percentage deal, instead of a straight payment deal," my attorney said with a chuckle.

I opened the envelope. In it were a check and a letter. I looked at the check. It was made out for one million dollars. I read the letter.

It was signed with a flourish. I passed the check to my attorney, then the letter. He read them both with interest.

"While it says this is a 'no strings check', I would think twice before cashing it. Still, the letter is clear enough. It does obligate you to always include Time Warner in a bidding war, if you decide to sell your idea. That 'Opportunity to Counter', at the bottom is the clincher," he told me.

It was definitely an eye opener. I am glad I had my attorney with me. While the million dollars free and clear looked good, it was actually linked to a request. I got out some hotel stationary, and wrote a brief response. I had my attorney read it, and received his nod of approval. I placed the note and the check into this new envelope, and gave it to my attorney. He said he would deliver it to the correct person.

I was sending it back to them. Was I crazy? Well, I didn't want any type of obligation at all, at the start. I might consider modifying that, later, but I doubted it

The lawyer was also in communication with his office. Already, people, governments, and corporations were calling and asking for appointments. They all wanted to apologize for their first representative's behavior.

Right, and if I believed that, I would buy anyone's swamp land, too. I snorted when I heard what my attorney told me.

I was taking no calls. This was without exception. This hotel provided good service. For the price I was paying for the use of their conference room, and my privacy, I expected it. I was also starting to have second thoughts about what I had done. Ok, I was nervous. I was young, and I was rocking the boat in a very severe way. People's livelihoods were on the line. I was finally doing some soul searching and second guessing. I needed to talk to someone.

I contacted Tom, and talked with him for a short time. He was more amused than anything else at what had occurred at the meeting, and my impromptu meeting, later.

"Welcome to the world of high finance and power," Tom told me chuckling.

"Damn it, Tom, it's not funny. I have never done anything like this before, and it makes me uncomfortable. Plus, what about all those people I would be putting out of a job?" I asked mournfully.

"First of all, you need to relax and take it easy. Don't schedule any meetings, or anything else, with anyone. Not for at least the next day or two. Let the other people work for you. Let THEM get nervous. Let THEM wonder why they have not heard from you.

"The companies and corporations of America long ago sold out and moved to acquire the cheaper labor available in other countries. They operate on the bottom line of what's best for the company, not the people. They are reaping what they have sowed is all, Scott," Tom explained.

Edited by TeNderLoin