Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/01/01

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Monoliths I have known or... Is that all there is?
From: "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Jan 2001 20:06:50 -0500
References: <200101012256.OAA20412@riverside.haddockseyes.com>

Interesting observations, Brian....as to changing the world, however, I'd
refer you to Tom Wolf's latest book - collection of pieces - for some
thoughts about how none of these advances seem to really change the world,
in the sense of making it a more civilized place. Interesting.

B. D.

Brian Reid wrote:

> > Tell me what the next big bang is if anyone knows or if they are out
> > there.
>
> "Looking for the next big bang" is my profession (I'm in communications
> research) so I wish I had a simple packaged answer for you.
>
> My opinion is that the next big bang will result from solving the "last
> mile" problem. By the year 2010 about 20% of the households in North
> America will have 1 Gigabit optical communication links that connect
> not to "the phone company" or "the cable company" but to metropolitan
> switchpoints. This will enable low-cost or free gigabit communication
> within a physical community, and will enable significant new
> communication setups.
>
> Imagine, for example, that I'm having trouble managing a photograph
> that I have on my computer. I know I need to dodge the shadows and
> lessen the contrast there and there, but I keep messing it up. Somehow
> I manage to get Tina Manley to agree to help me, and she locks her
> computer to mine, edits my image while I watch, and then unlocks.
>
> Reliable always-on non-monopoly communication infrastructure is going
> to change the world a lot. I believe it will end up being installed by
> power and water utilities and not by phone or cable companies.
>
> For some random references, try these:
>
> http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2000/06/26/daily10.html
> http://www.ispworld.com/bs/BS_102000b.htm
> http://www.robotics-cabling.de/ (in English and German; click on
>                         "Product" or "Produkt")
> http://www.bruggtc.com/e/projects_lichtgeschwindig.htm
>
> Brian

In reply to: Message from Brian Reid <reid@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> (Re: [Leica] Monoliths I have known or... Is that all there is?)