Non-proprietary standards will ensure that different parts of the network built and operated by independent parties, will all work together properly. By employing widely-used, non-proprietary standards, the NREN will make it easy for new information providers to offer their wares on the network. The market will snowball: as more services are offered, more users will be attracted, who will increase overall demand.
Predictor: Kapor, Mitchell
Prediction, in context:In a September 1991 submission to the Network Working Group’s Request for Comments (Request for Comments 1259), Mitchell Kapor, co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, writes: ”Congress can create an environment that stimulates information entrepreneurship by mandating that the NREN [National Research and Education Network] rely on open technical standards whose specifications are not controlled by any private parties and which are freely available for all to use. Such non-proprietary standards will ensure that different parts of the network built and operated by independent parties, will all work together properly. By employing widely-used, non-proprietary standards, the NREN will make it easy for new information providers to offer their wares on the network. The market will snowball: as more services are offered, more users will be attracted, who will increase overall demand. The NREN will also be a test-bed for development and experimentation with new networking standards that facilitate even broader, more efficient interconnection than now possible on the Internet. But throughout the stages of the NREN, all concerned should be sure that these functionalities are fostered.”
Biography:Mitchell Kapor founded the Lotus Development Corporation and also founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation with WELL (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link) members John Perry Barlow and John Gilmore in 1990 in direct response to a threat to free speech. He was an outspoken supporter of open access to the Internet, and was asked to speak in many venues about the issue, including Congressional hearings. (Pioneer/Originator.)
Date of prediction: September 1, 1991
Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure
Subtopic: Pipeline/Switching/Hardware
Name of publication: Requests For Comments
Title, headline, chapter name: Building the Open Road: The NREN As Test-Bed for the National Public Network
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.eff.org/Publications/Mitch_Kapor/nren_npn_nii_kapor_eff.rfc
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney