[joshstrange]

> NaviDial is an example of how infrastructure can outlive its original context. In 1997, it was a genuinely innovative service that solved a lot of problems for corporations while keeping costs affordable.

Was it? FreeDial sounds like it was innovative and NaviDial sounds predatory. NaviDial was actually the complete opposite of "innovative", it just changed who paid with completely predictable results.

I would be incessed if I had to pay money to talk to (or sit on hold!) with a company I do business with like that. I have never in my life called a 1-900 number and can't imagine a scenario in which I would.

The idea of charging for access to suicide/domestic abuse lines feels so wrong, I can't imagine why the Japanese people stand for it. Then again, I'm sure they would look over at the US with are "you really want to go there" look and be justified...