[DRAFT] Worldwide Digital Switchover

by **Caocuratia** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:39 am

This is my first proposal, what do you think of it?

THIRD DRAFT

by **Bears Armed** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:52 am

That is not 'Free Trade', because it imposes a restriction rather than removes one. As currently written, it doesn't fit into any Category.
You could maybeso make it 'Free Trade' by emphasizing how a switch to digital would allow a large increase in the number of channels within the same range of wavelengths.
One month is a ridiculously short amount of time for a changeover, bearing in mind that not only would the broadcasters have to replace their transmitting apparatus but all consumers would have to replace their receiving apparatus.
And please explain why is this an appropriate subject for international, rather than national, legislation.

Welcome to the GA's drafting chambers, anyhows, though!
... and congratulations on having the sense to post your draft here for consideration, instead of just assuming that it was perfect and going straight to submission as all too many other nations have done with their ideas.

*(sends over a gift basket of this nation's produce, including a large jar of high-quality honey and a large bottle of high-quality maple syrup as well as assorted fruits and nuts)

by **Wallenburg** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:07 am

"Absolutely not! Wallenburg relies entirely on analog signals and data in order to store, process, and transmit electronic information. What you ask of us is to effectively destroy all long-range communication! Are you mad, Ambassador?"

by **Caocuratia** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 5:59 pm

Here's my second draft.

by **Linux and the X** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 6:20 pm

Caocuratia wrote:Here's my second draft.

It's customary to edit your first post for each draft, to make the current version easier to find.

DEFINING Analog TV signals as signals transferring audio-visual content over radio waves, and also

DEFINING Digital TV signals as signals transferring audio-visual content as binary code,

Are digital TV signals not also radio waves?

REQUIRES that major Analog TV signals from all regions be terminated before 8 years from the passing of this proposal, and

What is a "major Analog TV signal"?

URGES the Pacific regions to shut off their Analog TV signals in 8 months, and

GRANTS certain regions and countries (ex. Wallenburg) the money and equipment to gradually transition to digital signals, and

You can't mention regions (at all) or specific nations in a proposal.

ALLOWS amateur Analog broadcasting so long as it doesn't interfere with other broadcasting mediums, or provide a simulcast of a Digital TV network.[/spoiler]

Does this mean that national radio regulators are required to allow analog ATV?

by **Wallenburg** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 6:38 pm

Caocuratia wrote:Here's my second draft.

Worldwide Digital Switchover
Council: General Assembly
Category: Free Trade
Strength: Significant

DEFINING Analog TV signals as signals transferring audio-visual content over radio waves, and also

DEFINING Digital TV signals as signals transferring audio-visual content as binary code,

NOTING that in certain landscapes, Analog TV signals are hard to receive and highly prone to interference, and

RECOGNIZING that Digital TV signals are higher quality and less susceptible to interference,

ACKNOWLEDGING that Digital TV can offer multiple channels in the same space that one Analog channel takes up, and

REALIZING that terminating Analog TV signals will promote world trade and commerce, make TV more convenient for consumers, and make it easier for new TV networks to compete,

THE WORLD ASSEMBLY

REQUIRES that major Analog TV signals from all regions be terminated before 8 years from the passing of this proposal, and

URGES the Pacific regions to shut off their Analog TV signals in 8 months, and

GRANTS certain regions and countries (ex. Wallenburg) the money and equipment to gradually transition to digital signals, and

ALLOWS amateur Analog broadcasting so long as it doesn't interfere with other broadcasting mediums, or provide a simulcast of a Digital TV network.

In addition to the points Linux makes, how can you be so certain that alien equipment will be compatible with Wallenburgian equipment? Where does this equipment come from? How are Wallenburgians expected to understand it?

by **The Second Moon Rising** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 6:52 pm

The Second Moon Rising wonders how this would work for nations that have yet to achieve their digital era..? The cost of funding a nation that has just recently 'discovered' analog to upgrade immediately to digital seems... prohibitive. Beyond just replacing equipment, infrastructure would need to be built and personnel trained on how to care for the new technology. And all within a month of this proposal, should it go to vote and pass, being ratified? Such an extreme change and in such a short period of time could leave vast sections of populations without emergency broadcasting services. And what of nations where analog is the preferred medium because it does not interfere with other forms of their technology? No... The Second Moon Rising believes that this is a matter best left to individual nations, as they would be the better gauges of when they are ready and able to use digital mediums.

by **Byzanthia** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:07 pm

Caocuratia wrote:Here's my second draft.

Worldwide Digital Switchover
Council: General Assembly
Category: Free Trade
Strength: Significant

DEFINING Analog TV signals as signals transferring audio-visual content over radio waves, and also

DEFINING Digital TV signals as signals transferring audio-visual content as binary code,

NOTING that in certain landscapes, Analog TV signals are hard to receive and highly prone to interference, and

RECOGNIZING that Digital TV signals are higher quality and less susceptible to interference,

ACKNOWLEDGING that Digital TV can offer multiple channels in the same space that one Analog channel takes up, and

REALIZING that terminating Analog TV signals will promote world trade and commerce, make TV more convenient for consumers, and make it easier for new TV networks to compete,

THE WORLD ASSEMBLY

REQUIRES that major Analog TV signals from all regions be terminated before 8 years from the passing of this proposal, and

URGES the Pacific regions to shut off their Analog TV signals in 8 months, and

GRANTS certain regions and countries (ex. Wallenburg) the money and equipment to gradually transition to digital signals, and

ALLOWS amateur Analog broadcasting so long as it doesn't interfere with other broadcasting mediums, or provide a simulcast of a Digital TV network.

OOC:

First of all, let me congratulate you on pursuing such an ingenious idea as your first draft for the GA. Second, let me say that Byzanthia, unfortunately, is unable to recognize the existence of the WA in our universe/reality. To do so would rip a hole in our space time continuum and destroy the history of our nation as we know it, as well as introduce technology virtually incompatible with the physics of our universe. (If you are wondering where Byzanthia is from, we are from Earth, so that means that we do not understand the laws of faster than light travel, teleportation, magic, and a large majority of the technology possessed by WA member states) However, OOC wise, the WA is just as real everything else. I do really appreciate the time and effort that people like you put into your work, and I like to see how unique resolutions are able to get passed only here, and nowhere else. I am inclined to support your proposal. I for one believe that digitizing the transfer of information would revolutionize the world, and would enable trade and global economics to move at a smoother scale.

by **Byzanthia** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:09 pm

The Second Moon Rising wrote:The Second Moon Rising wonders how this would work for nations that have yet to achieve their digital era..? The cost of funding a nation that has just recently 'discovered' analog to upgrade immediately to digital seems... prohibitive. Beyond just replacing equipment, infrastructure would need to be built and personnel trained on how to care for the new technology. And all within a month of this proposal, should it go to vote and pass, being ratified? Such an extreme change and in such a short period of time could leave vast sections of populations without emergency broadcasting services. And what of nations where analog is the preferred medium because it does not interfere with other forms of their technology? No... The Second Moon Rising believes that this is a matter best left to individual nations, as they would be the better gauges of when they are ready and able to use digital mediums.

What if we were to create a "global warning system" of some sort, that was able to operate on even the even most technologically primitive basis? This is just an idea, and I know that there are many hurdles I would have to pass, but wouldn't it be neat?

by **Wallenburg** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:31 pm

Byzanthia wrote:
The Second Moon Rising wrote:The Second Moon Rising wonders how this would work for nations that have yet to achieve their digital era..? The cost of funding a nation that has just recently 'discovered' analog to upgrade immediately to digital seems... prohibitive. Beyond just replacing equipment, infrastructure would need to be built and personnel trained on how to care for the new technology. And all within a month of this proposal, should it go to vote and pass, being ratified? Such an extreme change and in such a short period of time could leave vast sections of populations without emergency broadcasting services. And what of nations where analog is the preferred medium because it does not interfere with other forms of their technology? No... The Second Moon Rising believes that this is a matter best left to individual nations, as they would be the better gauges of when they are ready and able to use digital mediums.

What if we were to create a "global warning system" of some sort, that was able to operate on even the even most technologically primitive basis? This is just an idea, and I know that there are many hurdles I would have to pass, but wouldn't it be neat?

It would certainly be neat, especially since a global communication system using nothing but rocks, twigs, and string is, as far as I know, impossible.

Author, exactly why do you want to forcibly eradicate analog technology anyway?

by **Imperium Anglorum** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 12:07 am

Wallenburg wrote:Author, exactly why do you want to forcibly eradicate analog technology anyway?

MADSONS: Analogue sounds old. Digital is the future.

by **Wallenburg** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 12:23 am

Imperium Anglorum wrote:
Wallenburg wrote:Author, exactly why do you want to forcibly eradicate analog technology anyway?

MADSONS: Analogue sounds old. Digital is the future.

Ogenbond scoffs. "I guess you think landlines and battleships are 'old' as well, eh?"

by **Imperium Anglorum** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 1:13 am

Wallenburg wrote:
Imperium Anglorum wrote:MADSONS: Analogue sounds old. Digital is the future.

Ogenbond scoffs. "I guess you think landlines and battleships are 'old' as well, eh?"

PARSONS: The lines always get cut. Honestly, would have rather been on a battleship.

by **The Greater Siriusian Domain** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 2:14 am

This is incompatible with Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Industrial Age nations as well as fantasy (low or high) nations that have comparable tech levels. It does not affect nations that have banned television altogether and is completely pointless regarding nations that are advanced enough to have rendered broadcast television obsolete. In addition, most nations' television broadcast networks are self-contained and content is usually not distributed across international borders except through localized broadcast stations. I fail to see how this is an international issue.

In addition to the above, this proposal restricts free trade, rather than encouraging it. You cannot categorize this as a free trade proposal.

by **Caocuratia** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:08 am

Thank you for your comments. I have put a third draft in my first post.

by **Wallenburg** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:13 am

Caocuratia wrote:REALIZING that terminating Analog TV signals will promote world trade and commerce, make TV more convenient for consumers, and make it easier for new TV networks to compete,

"This is just as untrue as it has always been, Ambassador."

REQUIRES that TV Networks from all regions that are broadcasting in analog be terminated before 8 years from the passing of this proposal, and

"You still haven't demonstrated why, sir."

GRANTS nations the money and equipment to transition to digital signals, and documents so that broadcasters will know how to use the equipment.

"Ambassador, are you really that confident that nobody will require actual training in order to support the transition to digital transmissions?"

by **Imperium Anglorum** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:15 am

Wallenburg wrote:
GRANTS nations the money and equipment to transition to digital signals, and documents so that broadcasters will know how to use the equipment.

"Ambassador, are you really that confident that nobody will require actual training in order to support the transition to digital transmissions?"

NORTH: Hold on though, this is the perfect place to argue against expanded WA spending.

by **Wallenburg** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:21 am

Imperium Anglorum wrote:
Wallenburg wrote:"Ambassador, are you really that confident that nobody will require actual training in order to support the transition to digital transmissions?"

NORTH: Hold on though, this is the perfect place to argue against expanded WA spending.

"Sir, I most certainly agree with you. The costs associated with building nationwide digital broadcasting systems in every single member nation are enormous, especially given only eight years--in whatever calendar the Ambassador is using--to construct it. If the World Assembly has to purchase the material to build the systems and make them compatible with native technology, the costs will be prohibitive. If, in addition, it must fund the construction efforts, provide instruction manuals in the native language, provide all necessary training that the native nation does not have available, and so on, those costs amount to total budgetary inanity."

by **Caocuratia** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:28 am

I have to agree with you on that. Are there any other suggestions to fix this so that the world economy doesn't collapse?

by **Wallenburg** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:40 am

Caocuratia wrote:I have to agree with you on that. Are there any other suggestions to fix this so that the world economy doesn't collapse?

Ogenbond gestures to the nearest wastebin.

by **Saveyou Island** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:42 am

Caocuratia wrote:I have to agree with you on that. Are there any other suggestions to fix this so that the world economy doesn't collapse?

"Burn it.

I fail to see a good reason why this should become a WA resolution. If individual nations feel they benefit from it, they can begin a transition themselves. I don't see any international issues here."

by **Caocuratia** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:45 am

Ok. Proposal is burned. Wallenburg, thanks for being a pain in the butt.

by **Saveyou Island** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:52 am

Caocuratia wrote:Ok. Proposal is burned. Wallenburg, thanks for being a pain in the butt.

"Warmest welcomes to the Assembly, ambassador. You'll soon learn to hate everyone here."

by **Wallenburg** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:56 am

Caocuratia wrote:Ok. Proposal is burned. Wallenburg, thanks for being a pain in the butt.

OOC: No problem. Welcome to the Festering Snakepit.

by **The Greater Siriusian Domain** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 7:45 pm

Wallenburg wrote:
Caocuratia wrote:Ok. Proposal is burned. Wallenburg, thanks for being a pain in the butt.

OOC: No problem. Welcome to the Festering Snakepit.

OOC: I prefer to use the term "Shark Tank", because that's basically what it is.

[DRAFT] Worldwide Digital Switchover

[DRAFT] Worldwide Digital Switchover

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