Monthly Archives: September 2001

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More flawed business models in the wireless world …
I know that people will sometimes scoff at my observations and thoughts of the wireless evolution (revolution?) however this is one that I have seen coming for a long time … and predicted. To me, the model that Metricom created was not going to be sustainable. Their proprietary approach attempted to “control” the standards, hardware, access, and infrastrcuture … a very costly proposition. I never could see how they thought they would drive costs down, and membership up. Instead, the adoption of standards like 802.11b, and getting out of the hardware business, could have provided an “out”. I have heard good things about their service, but they are now down and out. Likewise, I believe that MobileStar and others in the 802.11b business have been following a similar model … slightly better, but still flawed models. They are looking to install and own 802.11b infrastructure which again is a very costly model. I truly believe that a “public” infrastructure is developing which is going to catch a lot of people by surprise!

Metricom files for bankruptcy. Metricom, the makers of the Ricochet wireless Internet service, files for bankruptcy protection but intends to keep its 41,000 wireless subscribers online for now. [CNET Tech News]

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A hit of Gene Therapy …
Some of the discoveries of the gene world of truly becoming impressive. The possibilities that are created in this space are almost endless … and look like we are going to find ways to regenerate nerves and maybe neural development. Wanna take a hit of gene-therapy brain boost?

Manipulating A Single Gene Dramatically Improves Regeneration In Adult Neurons: Finding May Lead To New Approa. Science Daily Jul 2 2001 10:29AM ET [Genetics news]

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This is a very cool idea for creating AI …
I am an advocate that AI will emerge, not within a single computer, but within a community of computers. Obviously the Internet is such a community, and we humans are a good way to “program” that AI. Mindpixel is such a project, which can use the network effect to create a huge wealth of knowledge in a system that can then be tapped for various purposes. This is a very cool implementation of a truly distributed AI …

Mindpixel project will apply psych test to AI model [Nanodot: News and Discussion of Coming Technologies]

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Amazing job with Flash …
During the last presidential election, here in the USA, there was a great “Election Day” flash animation from JibJab making it’s rounds on the Internet. This is a similar one that is pointed at the UK and their leaders … and it is great! What fun!

Fun with Flash

This is just too cool. Play with your favorite MP’s (hint: stands for Minister of Parliment) [Adam Curry: CurryDotCom]

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Impressive Internet statistics … evidence of much …
I came across this web site on another stock discussion thread. I really liked the statistics and information that is provided here for a few reasons.

The original post was made about measuring the impacts of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on the Internet and Internet connectivity. The writer commented on the hundreds of networks which were effected during that fateful Tuesday event. The measurements of the BGP routing tables were used to see what occurred.

Obviously this relates directly to ways that we can monitor, manage, and maintain the human organism that we are creating. The mass connectivity that is forming at a global level, can now be looked at in many new ways, and I can envision when we have new tools which will relate the various networks to the services that are provided by them. This will then provide information on where redundancy makes sense, and where we are going to want to build in extra security services.

The last area that I can see here is the relation to the Singularity. If you are following the writing on the Singularity then you might have seen the work of Ray Kurzweil and his propositions on the measuring of accelerating change. He has presented a series of graphs which measure various attributes of human evolution and technological evolution. If you look a these graphs of BGP route increases, you’ll recognize the predictable pattern …

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I never even thought about this … the TRS-80 alive!
I started my microprocessor programming on a TRS-80 Model-I … and I still have it around in the basement! I never even thought about the fact that (of course) someone was going to write an emulator for these old boxes. It only makes sense … if MAME can be created to emulate the old game machines, then it was just a matter of time until the old Z80 machines like the TRS-80 were emulated …

Catweasel to DMK 2.1 (Default). Use a Catweasel to copy any SD or DD floppy to TRS-80 emulator image format. [freshmeat.net]

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Like Ricochet, is the future of MobileStar already known?
There are, IMHO, some serious flaws in the business models of the current wireless providers. This is becoming more and more evident as 3G roll outs are done, and not done. The costs of constantly upgrading the wireless infrastructure are extremely high, and without the ability to defray these costs, the ROI in a quickly evolving market and industry are just too high.

This quote actually demonstrates the flaws of their business model … one which is tracking closely to the same cellular model:

“But like 3G and other wireless technologies, Wi-Fi must find backers at a time when investors have little appetite for tech start-ups. Mr. Kaiser is trying to raise $30 million in new funding for MobileStar, which he says has enough cash to operate at current levels for four to five months.”

IMHO, MobileStar is already seeing the flaws that are also hitting those looking to deploy 3G wireless solutions as promised.

Elliot Spagat writes in great detail about MobileStar’s plans, and commentary on the rest of the industry, in today’s Wall Street Journal: unfortunately, the article is not publicly linkable, available only on their subscription site. A brief summary: MobileStar has received additional financing and hired a new CEO. Both WayPort and MobileStar are sitting on large cash stakes. MobileStar is now stating that roaming agreements would be premature in this nascent industry; this sounds more like a winner-take-all argument, and they are in the catbird’s seat with more active locations than any other national provider. MobileStar apparently has the contracts for JFK, San Francisco International, and O’Hare (Chicago) airports. A formal roll-out with advertising of the Starbucks network is planned for later this year.

[80211b News]

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A good analysis of 3G …
This is yet another good article on the state of 3G wireless solutions. I too believe that this will become one of the many wireless solutions that people will be using with their wireless devices.

When I put on my wearable computer (or when it’s on me because I put my clothes on!) I know that I’ll be using several wireless technologies at the same time – 802.11b for high-speed/close range, Bluetooth for peer to peer/close range, and some sort of cellular for PSTN voice communications and low-speed data.

I still think that 3G will be too little, too late for real useful digital data communications …

Analysis of 3G cellular, Bluetooth, and 802.11b, dismissing hype and making a fair assessment of prospects

[80211b News]

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Not quite a wearable …
This article indicates some of the “wearable” peripherals that are showing up. This one is a kit that adds a wearable half-keyboard and other “mounting” straps for wearing your Palm device. I’m not in agreement that this “competes with industrial PCs”, however it is demonstrating the “fashion” that is beginning to appear.

Palm Becomes Wearable. Kit competes with wearable industrial PCs [allNetDevices Wireless News]