On 16 Jun 2011, at 07:05, Alan Ruttenberg wrote: >> >> I think that we are beyond the point where that kind of extremely >> >> idealised account is useful for evaluating web technologies. >> > >> > We will agree to disagree then. Perhaps in another thread you will say >> > what *will* be useful for evaluating web technologies. >> >> Adoption trends, ergonomics, fit with the existing technology ecosystem, >> existence of migration paths, marketability, potential of network effects. >> > > Does what the technology *accomplishes* fit in there somewhere?
Web technologies are never about accomplishing anything new; they are about taking something that already works on a small and local scale, and making it work across the internet with its loosely coordinated actors. > Looking at the above, one might conclude that a successful Ponzi scheme of > some sort would score well. :-) If you want to look at it that way, standards, like anything that exhibits network effects, are a bit like a ponzi scheme: once you're inside, you benefit from getting others in your vicinity on board. The difference is that “late adopters” in a ponzi scheme are the suckers who lose their investment; while late adopters of a standard get the largest benefit at the smallest cost. Best, Richard
