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Writings and MusingsWelcome to my writings. If you want the recent essays check out the sidebar on the left or, better, go to Further Readings for a curated list of essays. Other essays are listed in chronological order and then by category. The main essays are in larger letters and minor documents (such as messages posted on discussion sites) are indented and in smaller letters. The documents themselves are located on this site (www.Frankston.com) and as well as external sites. Note that I'm currently writing shorter transient posts on Facebook as "Bob Frankston". I'm gathering links here. You can send me Email. Note this unique address is only valid for the next few days. The best way to link to a document is as http://rmf.vc/keyword.
Writings and Updates by DateSome of the recent entries are also listed on the sidebar. Secondary items such as postings on other mailing lists are indented. Note that the year shown is the year the essay was updated. An essay written in 1979 might be listed under 2009 if it was updated recently. Years: all recent 1974 1979 1989 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Facebook Posts 20-Jan-2018 (Updated: 18-Apr-2018
PDFAn attempt to catalog my Facebook Posts until when and if I use the ideas in formal essays and columns
Re Is Science Hitting a Wall - it's not just about science 08-Apr-2018
We need to think of the future in terms of discovery and opportunity and not just the past a little faster and better. We see an example of this in public policies pushing faster old style telecom networks instead of creating new opportunities for connectivity.
Connectivity as a Vital Consumer Service 27-Mar-2018 (Updated: 28-Mar-2018
PDFToday we retreat the Internet as if it were another television channel. If the service goes out we are fully dependent upon a provider to diagnose and fix the problem.
Today we are increasingly dependent upon connectivity and must meet the challenge by empowering consumers to work with providers to address issues and assure connectivity.
((Also avalable on CircleID)
Re A start-up says it can back up your brain. However, there’s one small catch. - The Washington Post 16-Mar-2018
Why do people think they can easily digitize the brain?
Further Reading 18-Feb-2015 (Updated: 05-Mar-2018
PDFAny one essay can only skim the surface. For further reading ...
From Net Neutrality to Seizing Opportunity 05-Mar-2018
PDFNetwork neutrality is important in the context of assuring the opportunity to innovate in how we communicate and connect. We can't define it in terms of specific outcomes but rather in terms of what we enable. The Internet is just one example of what we can do when given the opportunity to use software to fashion our own solutions. (Also avalable on CircleID and at Broadband Breakfast
Cockamamie #broadband pricing from #Cox. 20-Feb-2018
Another reminder of perverse pricing of broadband
Re Stop Saying 'Smart Cities' 18-Feb-2018
Smart Cities are like intelligent networks. Instead we need empowering cities.
House Republicans Just Voted to Eliminate the Only Federal Agency That Makes Sure Voting Machines Can't Be Hacked 15-Feb-2018
Another attack on the credibility of our basic institutions.
Nationalizing the imaginary 5G Network? 30-Jan-2018
PDFThe proposal to nationalize 5G may be spurious but it is an opportunity look at how we think about networking.
Got API? 06-Jan-2018 (Updated: 07-Jan-2018
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Interconnected computing 02-Jan-2018
It's useful to think of the internetworking effort as a way to weave end points, initially computers, into a whole. The network is just a means. We need to look beyond neutrality to infrastructure.
Assembly Required 20-Nov-2017 (Updated: 20-Dec-2017
PDFIncreasingly consumer devices are not just become smart but connected. We are only at the earliest stages of understanding this connectivity and how to give users the ability to manage the connections.
The Internet as Infrastructure FAQ 04-Dec-2017 (Updated: 18-Dec-2017
PDFWhen I write about the Internet as infrastructure I find some questions keep reappearing - hence this FAQ
It's time to move from "Broadband to Infrastructure" 13-Dec-2017
PDFNetwork Neutrality is about the business of telecom vs. a future in which we can assume Ambient Connectivity.
Bob Frankston interview at ICCE Asia October 2017 19-Nov-2017
📹 (video) Interview by IEEECSocTV after my keynote.
Re Is New York's preternatural calm a sign of resilience or is terror the new normal? | US news | The Guardian 04-Nov-2017
Terror loses its impact if we don't panic
Life (yet to be) Scripted 23-Dec-2013 (Updated: 21-Oct-2017
PDFThe goal of "home automation" seems to write rules to control our homes (and our lives) as if we were setting rules for a very smart butler. But the real world is more complicated and computers aren't omniscient butlers who can read our minds and anticipate every eventuality.
Interview with Factor Daily in Bengaluru India 15-Oct-2017
Thoughts while I was in town to speak at ICCE Asia
Whither Consumer Electronics 23-Sep-2017
PDFWhat is consumer electronics in an age where we use software rather than (just) electrons to create value. And when devices are defined by apps rather than hardware?
Operating System: A Relic of the Past 20-Mar-1996 (Updated: 20-Aug-2017
PDFA paper I presented in 1996 on why the classic operating system needs to be rethought.
Re Why Google Fiber Failed to Disrupt the ISPs 26-Jul-2017
A reminder that Google FIber is still in the old ISP model.
VisiCalc: The Visible Calculator 06-Jun-1979 (Updated: 14-Jul-2017
PDFThis is the paper I presented at the 1979 National Computer Conference where we introduced VisiCalc.
5G: Telecom Versus The Internet 14-Jun-2017 (Updated: 27-Jun-2017
PDFMy July 2017 IEEE CE Magazine Column: Overview of the contrast between 5G and the Internet.
The Stories of Software 12-Aug-2016 (Updated: 03-Jun-2017
PDFThe concept of software has evolved from the early days of programming when each minute step of had to be described in detail. Yet the challenges remain because, ultimately, software is about sharing our understandings with devices that will act as our agents.
I learn a lot writing these columns. This one made me think about what software is and why automatic programming succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations yet has seems to have succeeded at all. Bob Frankston
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