[170] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: The previous message from the BITNET policy list
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Martin Lee Schoffstall)
Thu Nov 15 12:03:00 1990
To: capybara!lws@capybara.comm.wang.com (Lyle Seaman)
Cc: com-priv@psi.com
In-Reply-To: Your message of Mon, 12 Nov 90 11:28:31 -0500.
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 90 11:31:02 -0500
From: "Martin Lee Schoffstall" <schoff@psi.com>
Lyle,
My reading of John Porter's message was somewhat different, I took
him to be commenting on the BITNET technology (essentially RSCS),
and little to no commentary on the building/running of networks.
IBM did a good job of selling their hardware for many years (even
to this day) by sponsoring BITNET for a short time, and then abandoning
it once everyone was dependant on their gear. To this day many
of us have to dissuade organization after organization from buying a 93xx
machine so that they can "join the network".
Of course I could draw some interesting analogies to today.
I don't think anyone (including PSI) is interested in seeing one network,
though at a minimum we would like to see modern technologies if not
one or two protocols across these networks.
Marty
------------------
Stan Barber <sob@tmc.edu> posted a message originally written by
John Porter <ccjp@BU-IT.BU.EDU>.
John listed his opinions about the future role of BITNET in US
networking, and apparently doesn't think it really has a role,
that it should be replaced by whatever replaces the Internet.
I don't wish to contest his opinions, but I don't think we should
underestimate the value of competition in the market. John writes:
"We should all be working toward building one viable national network
structure, not perpetuating multiple dissimilar networks."
While it's inarguable that one national network could provide the
most smooth integration, and create the fewest hassles for administrators
and users alike, we must strive to create an environment in which it
is possible for new providers to enter the market, to provide
competition and innovation.
I'm willing to live with the difficulties of multiple (even dissimilar,
if necessary) networks if they will prevent an effective monopoly or
oligopoly.
Lyle Seaman Wang Labs
lws@comm.wang.com
508 9672322 One of those "commercial" sites uunet!comm.wang
.com!lws
