[2156] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: low-end users
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Dave Crocker)
Tue Jan 28 19:20:23 1992
To: bzs@world.std.com (Barry Shein)
Cc: rma@tsar.cc.rochester.edu, bjp@sura.net, com-priv@psi.com,
In-Reply-To: Your message of Tue, 28 Jan 92 18:26:33 -0500.
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 92 16:18:41 -0800
From: Dave Crocker <dcrocker@Mordor.Stanford.EDU>
Barry,
One could argue that your approach of highly simplified user equipment
(basic terminal service) is similar to what the phone company provides,
so there is inherent appeal -- and very certainly there is immediate
utility -- to your model.
But I hope that we don't settle for it.
I guarantee you that having me sit on a Mac with a 2400 baud modem, even
if we give it full IP connectivity (though slaving email off a relatively
nearby server, as well as some level of other file storage, I suspect) is
definitely -- I repeat, definitely, not the 'best' that we should think
about. Therefore, I don't think it should be viewed as the enemy of good.
The mediocre is also the enemy of the good. And since the model of
service that you are describing is circa 1975 (or earlier) I somehow
think we ought to try for better. And contrary to the suggestion in a
private note to me, I don't think it need take us the 100 years it has
taken the phone company. (Unless we continue the oft-cited trandition of
standing on each others' feet, rather than shoulders.)
(The 'masses' don't yet have that 1975 level of service, so I have no
argument with using your model where we must, or WHEN we must, but certainly
it is not dreaming to strive for more? Besides, a PC is a terrible
thing to waste. And reducing one to terminal interaction is definitely
wasting it.)
Dave
