Internet working because Cold War-era pioneers designed it to handle almost anything

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Imagine what things would be like right now if the internet had collapsed?

Internet working because Cold War-era pioneers designed it to handle almost anything

Coronavirus knocked down - at least for a time - internet pioneer Vinton Cerf, who offers this reflection on the experience: "I don't recommend it. . . It's very debilitating."

www.nationthailand.com

 

[Big Matt]

The internet is by far the most important technology achievement in my lifetime (56 years)

 

[plpgma]

it's an amazing piece of technical engineering -- and 100% Built in the U.S.A.!

 

[bbodb1]

The internet is by far the most important technology achievement in my lifetime (56 years)

That is an interesting point to consider.
Of course, the question of what does one define as technology is going to enter into this as well.
With all this free time we have, I will have to ponder on this for a bit....

 

[Big Matt]

That is an interesting point to consider.
Of course, the question of what does one define as technology is going to enter into this as well.
With all this free time we have, I will have to ponder on this for a bit....

Just consider COVID 19 and how we would be working or not working remotely without the internet. I suppose we would still have phones and texting.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Just consider COVID 19 and how we would be working or not working remotely without the internet. I suppose we would still have phones and texting.

Fax machines (and telex before that).

CDs and DVDs and memory sticks. As recently as ten years ago that was the only way to move large files. Heck, I remember when the 4.5" floppy disk (that stored less then 1 Mb) was replaced by the small plastic disks that fit in a shirt pocket.

The printed page. Fifteen years ago I used three-ring binders to submit my 200- to 300-page reports and applications. Spend half of a day at Kinko's, printing, copying, collating, punching, and assembling. Now that's all done electronically with PDF files.

 

[Old Hickory]

Great topic. We could still be using the same dial-up over copper wires. But instead, my smartphone is notifying me, right this instance, that a kitty cat is crossing my front yard. How can you live without that?

 

["Roger"]

As long as we are giving credit to WWII era pioneers and their work that much later led to some modern day technology: Hedy Lamarr and her frequency hopping innovation (originally for secret messaging during WWII) which today allows for secure WiFi, GPS systems, and Bluetooth.

Link to one of many articles on topic