Tyler Durden wrote:
The PC as we know it will evaporate, and in its place will come a variety of different devices, running a variety of OSs. In fact, 5 years from now most computer-owners won't even know what OS their machine is running, or at best if you ask them they'll answer: "Uh, I think it's Firefox."
The circle is complete. We started with 3270 terminals doing page-update transactions with central servers, and that's where we're headed. OK, the graphics are better than a 3270 now.
The leaves an interesting question: Does a networked computer even NEED an OS? With a nice big, fat pipe it might suffice for it to have the BIOS & Firmware, and then boot a TCP/IP stack to go get the OS.
What OS? Think X terminals, with HTTP substituting for the X protocol. It's an ideal consumer medium, too. All that's available is what the servers offer, with no chance for local wizard-wannabees to install software that doesn't follow the rules. Hmm... sounds like a set-top box, doesn't it? -- Roy M. Silvernail is roy@rant-central.com, and you're not "It's just this little chromium switch, here." - TFT CRM114->procmail->/dev/null->bliss http://www.rant-central.com