Michael; the 100 baseT and fiber networks allow this to be done. Stop the local computer from being used as any kind of local mass i/o, or data storage and you are back to the old Novell or Airline ticket type of network. Works fine for all the tasks set for it, but bogged down with GUI data flows. The new networks high speeds will allow the GUIs to run as fast as those older types did, and you do not want golf on them anyway, so take that away.. Some will need some kind of disc input, and some can have it, with CD/ZIP/JAZ/1.44 or whatever, if they can be trusted not to fiddle. In that case some might need local hard drives too. GUI in ROM, as well, to cut overhead, and where have we arrived? The next corporate model.?
The ordinary workers could get by with the fast intranet access, and at some higher managerial level mass i/o would be allowed. They have just started to implement a 10:1 increase in hard drive data density that will allow 10-20 gig drive to cost what 1-2 cost now, so the local storage would remain viable. So many variable, which will win? They all will, as they can all coexist, and each will have pros and cons.
Bill |
