Internet2 attracts research centers

St. Louis Post-Dispatch ^ | 4-17-02 | Peter Shinkle

[FairWitness]

With all the economic turmoil surrounding the Internet, it might seem unlikely that people would be eager to invest in yet another Internet.

But three St. Louis research institutions announced Tuesday they will work together to connect to Internet2, a network similar to the Internet but with significantly better performance.

[FairWitness]

Interesting, at least for techno-geeks. I don't need a hookup to Internet2 at my house, but as a former (recently retired) employee of a large R&D-based company, with research centers in five cities on two different continents, I can certainly see the value to research and industry.

[general_re]

I've seen it in action - here in NY, I2 is done under the auspices of NYSERNET. Real time videoconferencing and the like - it's very impressive.

[T. P. Pole]

I don't need a hookup to Internet2 at my house,

and I can't imagine ever using the 64k that my new Commodore has.

[FairWitness]

O.K., I get your point, but I'm doing fine right now with a cable connection. Until I can type faster and/or think faster I doubt I will feel too deprived.

[T. P. Pole]

I look at computer stuff like I do income. Your "needs" always grow to match your income, and your computer "needs" will always grow to match the computing capacity.

We went from "internet" bulletin boards to what we have today in under ten years. I suspect that folks like Blockbuster will get involved in the higher bandwidth. Who needs telephones when you can have full-speed video conferencing?

And once the techs and businesses figure out what it is used for, the average user will find stuff, too.

Of course, what it really means is more porn...

[Sloth]

Of course, what it really means is more porn...

And better porn.

[realpatriot71]

I LOVE IT! The more diffuse and decentralized the internet(s) is/are, the harder it is for that information to be controlled by a government and/or other institutions.

[ELS]

BTTT