| DECAFBAD has got some very interesting thoughts about exploding a PC's functions into myriad computers scattered round the house and wider internet. Two bits really caught my eye. Miscellaneous Thoughts about Exploded PCs - Archives - Blog - 0xDECAFBAD Blog : Furthermore, I have concerns that ditching the open, general-purpose PC could kill a lot of freedom. This is especially worrisome if appliance vendors lock into proprietary networking and communication standards, or require nasty licenses like for the CSS algorithm used with DVDs. I'd really want to see the fabric between appliances, the circulatory system between my PC's exploded organs, based on open standards and protocols. Right now, the general-purpose PC is virtual and fluid enough to dodge efforts to hold it in place, but firmware and hardware are practically forever. This is I think critical. Every special purpose machine we're being sold now has some form of lock in. Even the humble iPod (and it's not so humble apologists) has siginifcant lock in to iTunes and Apple. I’ve already ditched a central desktop computer, and sometimes this makes me feel like I’m living in the future. I used to have a machine that I used for everything— network services, web browsing, email, IM, file storage, movies, games, et al. However, slowly but surely, all the things this one machine used to do for me are being split off into simpler, dedicated devices. It’s like all the internal organs of my old PC are being splattered throughout our apartment. The Network is the Computer... |
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[ 14-Dec-04 2:10pm ]
