[60556] in North American Network Operators' Group
RE: How much longer..
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (St. Clair, James)
Thu Aug 14 09:26:54 2003
From: "St. Clair, James" <JStClair@vredenburg.com>
To: "'variable@ednet.co.uk '" <variable@ednet.co.uk>
Cc: "''nanog@merit.edu ' '" <nanog@merit.edu>
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 06:25:08 -0700
Errors-To: owner-nanog-outgoing@merit.edu
I've lived in the UK, and never had a license to maintain or update the
engine.
Additionally, I could drive on the M1 or M5 at speeds rarely found in the
US, certainly not legally. You don't get any additional training to do this
- its implied in your licensing.
The "computers as cars" analogy applies to commoditization of a utility. The
message is 99% of the world's computer users (private and otherwise) view
their PC/laptop as a "gadget" like their phone or TV. They plug it in, they
turn it on, it works. That is what the expect and is all they will
culturally accept. Placing the burden on the user will not work.
-----Original Message-----
From: variable@ednet.co.uk
To: St. Clair, James
Cc: 'nanog@merit.edu '
Sent: 8/14/2003 9:17 AM
Subject: RE: How much longer..
On Thu, 14 Aug 2003, St. Clair, James wrote:
> Cars did not become more popular because owners had to learn how to
swap
> more parts.
The good ole "computers as cars" metaphor. In the UK:
1) In order to drive a car, you have to have a license.
2) In order to have the car on the road, you have to have it taxed and
have a qualified mechanic certify it for basic road worthiness.
Neither of these rules currently apply to computers. Maybe they should.
Rich
