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Simon Phipps's personal commentary

If the network were the computer...

When I say 'revolution in pricing' I mean it, by the way. While there's plenty to discuss in Sun's new Java System offerings, the thing that's most significant to me isn't so much the technology features (or the naming) as the sign that Sun's rediscovered the truth that "the network is the computer". The rediscovery is in process:

• If the network were the computer, pricing and licensing wouldn't depend on how the network/computer was implemented - and the Java System is priced per employee, not per processor, removing all the barriers to innovation that per-processor licensing introduces. So
  • employees can have access to the desktop systems they need, thick or thin, without licensing headaches.
  • There's no need for the BSA to bring the armed federal marshalls in because licensing compliance is self-evident
  • You can handle processing load changes without worrying about having the right licenses
  • You can speculatively try new services without having to commit funds to software license growth
• If the network were the computer, there would be no point trying to artificially define boundaries to defend in the name of security. Rather, security would be based on multi-factor ID systems that created a 'positive privacy' around each person and thing on the network and around the interactions they need.
• If the network was the computer, software would be developed by the community of stakeholders rather than by 'experts in isolation'. So Java Desktop is built from open source parts to deliver a great place to deploy Java client software.

I apologise is this seems market-hype stuff, but I'm genuinely exploring this idea - I think we're actually on to something here and I'd even rest my cynicism long enough to describe it as 'exciting'. What else would be true if we all really believed the network was the computer?

posted at 9:42 PM (UK) | |