On 12 Dec 2006, at 19:14, Steve Jones wrote: > What about the world wide phone network? Its bigger than the > internet, has multiple co-operative players and operates in a > federated manner. You can argue that the specs are "simple" but that > hides alot of complexity and indeed is the infrastructure on which the > internet relies. Anyone who argues that telco specs are "simple" must be arguing from a position of extreme and blissful ignorance :-)
Whilst I'd agree that other networks existed before the Web, it's the ability for most anyone to join and extend the Web without asking permission, join a big-boys' club or amass much technical or architectural know-how that is both its strength and weakness. Paul -- http://blog.whatfettle.com
