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From: MACALLSTR@vax1.physics.oxford.ac.uk
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Re: Musings on the future of computing.
Message-ID: <9102090049.AA27689@uunet.uu.net>
Date: 8 Feb 91 08:22:52 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 43

I believe the concept of X-Windows terminals served by powerful servers is
 a 'dead duck' and would be surprised if this were the way forward.
The way forward, I believe, is for processing power on the desk, with a
 windowing system ( X-Windows client-server running on the desk ) and with
 local storage and, perhaps, when price/reliability permits personal tape/disk
 drives and printers. The way forward must be for the computer-on-the desk to
 be independent of any central machine for day-to-day running i.e. it will
 only be down if the user switches it off or if there's a fault.
However, users will not want to be involved with management (backups,etc) and
 software updates. This will be done, automatically, across the network. There
 will still be a requirement for a computing service in a mangement/advisory
 role.
I also believe that we'll see many portable turn-key systems in specialist areas
 as soon as hardware,etc becomes sufficiently compact and portable: in much
 the same way as we have calculators at the moment.

Summary: the way forward for the immediate future.
         
          Personal stand-alone systems with fast network connections.
          User has no involvement in system management.
          System management is performed accross the network, automatically,
            as required.
          Compact turn-key systems in specialist areas.


Just some personal views,
 John


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| Name           : John B. Macallister                                        |
| Postal address : Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Keble Road, Oxford OX1 3RH, UK.|
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