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called autonomic computing will enable systems and networks to become self-
healing much like the human body.
Easy: A software system developed by a student in Finland, called Linux, is
changing how computers will operate. From Beijing University to Taiwanese
entrepreneurs, Linux is taking Asia and the rest of the world by storm. As more
and more computers use Linux and more and more students come from school
with Linux skills, it will make e-businesses much easier to build and maintain. A
new approach to creating software applications, called “web services”, will allow
web sites to do much more than “click here to buy”. The result will be that web
sites will do much more for us and we will stand in fewer lines in the physical
world and have to endure fewer telephone call centers that want to control us.
Fulfillment models at our favorite retailer’s web site will result in the staple goods
we need just showing up outside the garage door when we need them.
Trusted: Security is not going to be the biggest issue. Authentication is. Who is
that web server you are dealing with? How do they know it is really you they are
doing business with? The NGi will use Digital ID's so that we can have
authentication; i.e. be able to establish that we are who we say we are and
without having to go to a Notary or a bank. We will also know that web sites we
visit really are who they say they are. We will be able to send messages to
friends and businesses that only they can read, be assured that no messages
were changed, and allow our financial transactions on the web to stand up in a
court of law. Once we establish who we are we will also be able to establish the
level of privacy we would like to have.
The potential of the Internet is much greater than meets the eye. As the Internet
evolves to the NGi, it will be so pervasive, reliable and transparent that we will
take it for granted. It will be part of our life—like electricity or plumbing. We know
that the Internet is already transforming business, education and entertainment.
Even larger changes are coming as the Internet becomes more reliable and
robust. Net Attitude will help you get comfortable with the seven characteristics of
the NGi and allow you to start planning for how to take advantage of them.
Next Generation Attitude
To build a successful e-business requires insight about what the Next Generation
Internet will make possible and an e-business strategy that is deeply embedded
into the fabric, the culture, and all the operational systems of the company. Also
required are a solid business plan, a robust technology plan, and in-house or
outsourced human resources with all the latest skills. But even having all of these
things at your disposal is not enough to build a successful e-business. In fact, all
the technology and money on the planet won’t enable you to meet people’s
expectations if you don’t have the right attitude. It is essential to have a “next
generation” attitude imbued in management at all levels of the organization --
company, university, hospital or government – so they are prepared to think and
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