From: Ken Meyering (ken@define.com)
Date: Fri Nov 20 1998 - 06:37:29 MST
We need to create a new OS. We need to do it as an open source
internet project. We can base it on Unix, or use some other OS,
looking to Thinking Machines, Cray, or some other parallel
distributed system for a model to learn from.
The problem is simple: We're going to need to be able to program this
massive supercomputer called "The Internet". The broadband
infrastructure to support distributed nonlinear video requires this.
We should assume that each computing node has massively parallel DSP
chips and gigabytes (even terabytes) of local ram. It would be a
good idea to keep in mind that additional nodes will be added as soon
as they roll off the production line. Plan for nodes with faster
processors and ram to be added as quickly as they can be manufactured
and added to the network.
Now what do we do? Today is a good time to start, as these items
will be the infrastructure necessary to keep the masses entertained,
and scientists and engineers educated and productive.
It's probably best to think of money as being less of an object than
human capital and time availability. I think it would be wise *not*
to assume that will be a commercial OS.
Let's go home and make, and watch movies. This foolish competition
has reached the point of diminishing returns. We can implement a
price freeze and use funny money if necessary. There's plenty of
food to go around (see http://www.adm.com/). Let's go home, watch
movies, surf a broadband net with voice recognition, grow vegetables
in the backyard (see http://www.cannabis.to/pictures/), and think up
ways to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.
-------------------
ken@define.com
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