Pages

May 15, 2007

IT and the Edge of the Network

My new work situation brought up an old debate with a good friend (perhaps good debate with an old friend? Works either way I suppose... but I digress): future topology of data and computing models on the network.

Or to put it another way: where do the leaf nodes connect to the edge of the network? Locally, in the home as a gateway for experience (or CPE in my new lingua franca) or remotely, that is, "directly" to remote applications and data stores.

This was/is partially a "client side computing" debate - where and how are performance, security, and storage best optimized.

But the observation at the end of it was this: The world only needs 6 servers arguments are currently in vogue (with consumers, who speak with their time), because, well, IT management sucks. To wit, allow me to posit: It is easier (i.e. better) to use remote applications with remote data for most users because it pushes the information management pain to professionals.

In order of "pain in the ass to maintain": Windows, Mac, Cell phone... not un-coincendentally, also a measure of how closed the software and hardware eco-systems are, in practice. Game consoles are particularly interesting in this regard (I'm rating them as easier than cel even), as everything but the VERY top layers of the stack are single sourced - sounds suspiciously like the RIA platform arguments, no?

(And all the User Access Controls in Vista, and installation hurdles for Apollo only argue against the edge being at the desktop for most applications...)

74 comments:

Unknown said...

Funny you should post this. Soon after your job announcement, Om posted this http://gigaom.com/2007/05/08/comcast-goes-web/ The Rise of the Stupid Network was sort of a telco thing, but it makes for interesting reading. I don't agree with all of it (my Mom certainly doesn't want to piece together her phone service), but when you consider the Internet vs. the US mobile network, he does have a point. http://www.hyperorg.com/misc/stupidnet.html

Hope all's well with the new job

Sree Kotay said...

Interesting reading (particularly the Stupid Network), and I pretty much completely agree.

But, (a) I think the whoever makes services management easier will win, and (b) I don't agree with the premise that Comcast is trying to build a smart network, at least, not as David Isenberg suggests.

Binding services (exclusively) to the network (wired or otherwise) is a losing proposition. I'd say Comcast is trying to use its network presence as leverage for audience, but to build services that are valuable beyond its footprint.

Anonymous said...

Somewhat related ...

http://fortuito.us/2007/04/living_online_with_web_apps

Anonymous said...

9A211r The best blog you have!

Anonymous said...

D36Cna actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.

Anonymous said...

Hello all!

Anonymous said...

Magnific!

Anonymous said...

Good job!

Anonymous said...

Thanks to author.

Anonymous said...

Hello all!

Anonymous said...

actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.

Anonymous said...

Thanks to author.

Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

Anonymous said...

w6oyKG write more, thanks.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog.

Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

Anonymous said...

actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog.

Anonymous said...

Please write anything else!

Anonymous said...

actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.

Anonymous said...

Hello all!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog.

Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

Anonymous said...

Thanks to author.

Anonymous said...

Please write anything else!

Anonymous said...

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Anonymous said...

What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?

Anonymous said...

Thanks to author.

Anonymous said...

640K ought to be enough for anybody. - Bill Gates 81

Anonymous said...

Energizer Bunny Arrested! Charged with battery.

Anonymous said...

actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.

Anonymous said...

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.

Anonymous said...

If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.

Anonymous said...

Save the whales, collect the whole set

Anonymous said...

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

Anonymous said...

Good job!

Anonymous said...

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

Anonymous said...

A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.

Anonymous said...

Good job!

Anonymous said...

Magnific!

Anonymous said...

Oops. My brain just hit a bad sector.

Anonymous said...

640K ought to be enough for anybody. - Bill Gates 81

Anonymous said...

C++ should have been called B

Anonymous said...

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.

Anonymous said...

Save the whales, collect the whole set

Anonymous said...

What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?

Anonymous said...

Beam me aboard, Scotty..... Sure. Will a 2x10 do?

Anonymous said...

Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.

Anonymous said...

What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?

Anonymous said...

Magnific!

Anonymous said...

Good job!

Anonymous said...

Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!

Anonymous said...

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.

Anonymous said...

Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.

Anonymous said...

If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.

Anonymous said...

Hello all!

Anonymous said...

Ever notice how fast Windows runs? Neither did I.

Anonymous said...

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.

Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

Anonymous said...

Ever notice how fast Windows runs? Neither did I.

Anonymous said...

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Anonymous said...

Oops. My brain just hit a bad sector.

Anonymous said...

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!

Anonymous said...

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

Anonymous said...

What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?

Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

Anonymous said...

C++ should have been called B

Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

Anonymous said...

Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.