Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it’s creating new bandwidth-intensive “killer apps” and services, or other uses we can’t yet imagine.
New deployment techniques: We’ll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we’ll share key lessons learned with the world."
In related news, founders of computer networking company Arista Networks, David Cheriton and Andreas Bechtolsheim, have stated that despite the fact that there are super-fast, complex networks that are capable of holding a mammoth-sized amount of data, people should still be worried about their reliability. “We think of the Internet as always there. Just because we’ve become dependent on it, that doesn’t mean it’s true,” says Cheriton. Bechtolsheim adds that "because of the Internet’s complexity, the global network is impossible to design without bugs. Very dangerous bugs, as they describe them, capable of halting commerce, destroying financial information or enabling hostile attacks by foreign powers."
Even though the likelihood of network failures/attacks is small, I think Cheriton's and Bechtolsheim's points shouldn't be ignored. We pour much of our time into Facebook, Youtube, and other things, simply because the data is there. And now, smart phones and tablets allow for this data to be available at any time. On top of that, applications are allowing for people to read tons of literature on these devices, eliminating the need for print. This is great, no doubt about it. However, I just think that we should be cautious with how we proceed, as we are transferring a lot of civilization from the real world to the cyber world.
10 comments:
I agree with Vincent. It's great that we have all this data online, but we have to be aware of dangers that go along with it. There are several viruses that could break down a computer and if all of one's data is on there, then it is all lost. It also makes it very easy for hackers to access ones information if it is all online. Also, if the electricity gets cut, people may not be able to access any of their information. Yes, most people have phones that can do the same jobs as a computer, but I think precautions still need to be taken. I think its great however to see all the new technological advancements we are capable of and excited to see what comes next.
I find this blog very interesting especially in this century of the usage of web. People have made a lot of money building the internet, but they still need to worry about the reliability. Having great amount of data quickly only means that there is a greater threat of catastrophe. People pour way too much information online for the rest of the world to see like in Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. The more transactions among computer only increase the amount of accidents and system attacks. Google’s cloud of email has already been interrupted several times. I agree with Vincent, since the internet is complex it is impossible to have no dangerous bugs. This bugs can be dangerous enough to halt commerce.
I also agree with Vincent and Raquel. Moving society onto cyberspace does have its merits but there are also many dangers. To add on, an overload or crash on any server can prove to be disastrous if society becomes too dependent on the internet.
Additionally, in today's world, the key to a business surviving is speed. By improving their product to support faster engines, Google will out compete competitors. Since Google is already as large as it is, I think that a monopoly would start to form if other companies, such as Yahoo, cannot keep up.
This post reminded me how heavily our society relies on the internet and technology in general today. While I do think these new, extremely fast networks have perks (less time waiting for websites to load, thereby maximizing efficiency), I think we as a society need to be careful about relying entirely on the internet or technology. As Vincent's post mentioned, should a bug enter the system or should there be a malfunction, having back-ups somewhere else or in another form may be very helpful. But overall, I think these new, fast networks can be beneficial.
I'M AGAINST ALL INTERNET USAGE.
Lol j/k, obviously.
Actually, I'm not very concerned with issues of reliability in the interwebs. I mean, it is risky of course, but we have security developing almost as fast as bugs, and with a few redundancies and such, I think we'll be able to survive possible errors/risks. I mean, our government and even our bodies are also pretty easy to mess with, but they work enough to make it worth it, and I think a more internet-connected will work too. Keep in mind I'm not opposed to keeping back up disks or anything, I just don't think that a transition to an internet-focused society should necessarily be hindered by safety concerns.
Well, in America at least. I think the real issue with the internet is that it's kind of elitist, since only people with freedom to access it and computers can connect.
Regarding the last part of your post, Brian, I am curious about what you consider China, or Egypt's policy towards using the internet is. If America's internet policy is elitist, what about these two countries that block sites like Facebook which allow people to post their thoughts about, well, anything?
Well, Vincent, I didn't mean that America's internet policy is elitist, I meant that the entire entire system of internet-connecting favors those with freedom to use the internet and money, making the internet sort of American-favoring elitist.
Places that limit internet usability, such as those which you mentioned, obviously do not have internet-favored citizens. And I don't really think those countries' limiting policies are related to internet growth, just to freedom of speech in general, which is a different matter.
Technology is great! We should be jumping for joy after reading this article instead of criticizing the reliability of the internet.
The vast amount of information we have available to our generation is a privilege that we should be thankful for. We shouldn't be afraid of the change from paper to computers because it's the only way our society can grow and prosper.
Yes, we might have a few flaws... BUT!~ These flaws are important to have initially, so we can fix them later and hopefully create a more efficient system in the end!
In my opinion, I would much rather "google" how many centimeters are in an inch instead of opening a textbook to find the conversion. Not only is it useful for everyday questions like that, but we also have government databases filled with reliable, accessible information. Forget going to the library filled with annoying people; lets just stay at home in front of our computers. (Forever alone)
Lets celebrate technology! Woo-hoo. Its great. Lets hope it continues to expand and change.
In response to Curtis' comment: Soo, if faster internet will cause more people to stay at home, thus somewhat indirectly increasing the number of obese people, because they don't go out anymore? On a side note, yes this will probably make "forever alone" seem more like a reality lol.
I think that while faster networks will make technology more reliable and information more easily accessible, this will most likely to people consolidating their reliance on technology even more.
Also, once we become used to the new/higher speed, anything slower will be considered "unacceptable" or "too slow" to us because we have raised our standard of how fast our internet should be to Google's soon-to-be-a-reality high speed networks.
But all in all, I look forward to seeing how fast these new networks will be, compared to the current 4G speed.
The way I see it, is that the information-highway just added extra lanes. Which reminds me of the saying "everything's bigger in texas". Of course, everything is healthier in moderation may not apply here, but moderation itself has to grow some time.
In terms of reliability, the ultrafast networks all depend on the people who run them, and of course people can be human sometimes which means they are liable to make mistakes. The reason I'm stating the obvious here is that in the long-run, people shouldn't take the securities against these real dangers of the internet for granted and google translate reliability=dependability. That is what probably makes people so complacent to share as much information as they can over the internet with no other real substitute in mind.
The dangers of the internet are what we initially expected when each of us started to use the internet in the first place, so placing blame on a new technological resource when things go wrong will not solve those problems. I agree with Curtis' point that "[t]hese flaws are important to have initially, so we can fix them later and hopefully create a more efficient system in the end".
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