Elon University
The prediction, in brief:

The wait times associated with networked computers will not be an issue thanks to scalable switches that allow network bandwidth to be automatically increased or decreased to support the internode traffic. Lower latency, less overhead, increased reliability and constant cost are also keys to making this work.

Predictor: Bell, Gordon

Prediction, in context:

In a 1995 article for Computerworld, Gordon Bell looks ahead: ”The wait times associated with networked computers will not be an issue thanks to scalable switches that allow network bandwidth to be automatically increased or decreased to support the internode traffic. Lower latency, less overhead, increased reliability and constant cost are also keys to making this work.”

Biography:

Gordon Bell proposed a plan for a U.S. research and education network in a 1987 report to the Office of Science and Technology in response to a congressional request by Al Gore. He was a technology leader at Digital Equipment Corporation (where he led the development of the VAX computer) and with Microsoft. (Technology Developer/Administrator)

Date of prediction:

Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure

Subtopic: Pipeline/Switching/Hardware

Name of publication: Computerworld

Title, headline, chapter name: The View from Here: Unflagging Technology Activist Gordon Bell Previews a Future in Which Plugging in to a Worldwide Network is as Easy as Getting a Dial Tone

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=13531e2e97a46b9c44af8b4913d14576&_docnum=3&wchp=dGLbVtb-lSlAl&_md5=3abf7f5c887ef6c7d2467e2587d65a8f

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Bolger, John S.