Revbill, Roger, the discussion on server databanks is obviously central to the NC's potential as a home device. As previously stated, there is little doubt about the NC's success in the business-place for LAN's and WANS. However, let's discuss some the implications of the server databanks:
1. COST
I presently have 5 Megabytes of network space with my IP as part of the basic monthly fee. I can buy more space for additional monthly charges if I choose. Therefore, an important negative aspect for server databanks is "monthly fees." There will be plenty of IP's willing to provide network databank space, because if the idea takes off it will be very lucrative--like monthly telephone and utility bills. So with 2.5 Gig, 10 ms, 5400 rpm hard drives selling as low as $214 (Fry's Electronics), who will want to incur additional monthly expenses for the privilege of network data storage? I don't know about you guys, but I try to minimize the number of monthly obligations I incur.
2. RELIABILITY
Remember the two separate power outages covering five U.S. western states in the past year? The cause, programming failures. Even as recently as a month ago, the Silicon Investor had a problem with its server which rendered pieces of this stock talk group unusable for two to three days. I doubt we have yet seen the emergence of "viruses" intended to cripple the internet. The constant probability of server problems will be a difficult thing for IP's to prove before the "masses" will rely on server storage.
3. INDEPENDENCE
I spend about 1/3 of my computing time "online." The rest is used for independent purposes for which the "internet" means nothing to me. When I power on my machine, I want instant access to my programs and data. Maintaining your own hard drive is becoming easier than it used to be. Regular use of scandisk that is a part of Dos 6.0 and above, and Windows 95 can prevent many disk drive problems before they occur, and repair minor problems without program or data loss. Severe problems can also be fixed, and restoration of program or data is not difficult. However, you guys have made a good point with hard drive maintenance. The average computer user does not even know what scandisk is, or that it even exists.
4. SECURITY
Computer "hacking" will always be with us. There are an increasing amount of websites devoted to online private investigation services. I don't know how capable these services are, but if mass internet data storage takes off there will always be the potential for unwanted access to personal and private information. Bill Clinton' desire to create a "government standardized" encryption code is frightening. His justification is so that the judiciary can have access to the internet in justice probes. Again, this is frightening, and ultimately will lead, in small increments, to the "collecting" of private information under an extremely questionable motive.
5. SPEED & CONNECTIVITY
It will be some time before the internet is connected nationwide, continentwide, and worldwide at acceptable transfer rates. Also, how many times have you guys been suddenly "bumped-off" your internet connection for no apparent reason?
I would genuinely love to hear your arguments about these ideas. Maybe you guys will yet convince me to "see the light."
Up, Up, & Away,
Scott |
