Technological developments for the digital environment

7. The Negroponte Carrier Switch

That which is now in/on the ground will take to the air. That which is now in the air, will soon be found in/on the ground.

AT&T Wireless bets Japan's hit technology will score here
Though loop networks (such as cable) now combine with star networks (like phone) , STAR networks will take over.
Visualization of US internet infrastructure till 1995 from NCSA
Net backbone withstands major attack

Study Questions

1) What cultural factors dispose(d) Japanese to use instant messaging as they do/did? What factors in the U.S. point in which direction with regard to adoption? Will folks in U.S. use wireless computing enough to generate critical mass?

2) Network layout matters. Strengths and weaknesses of our infrastructure? Major trends?

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Negroponte, Being Digital