4 ms·
>> In 1990 no one thought there would be a global network for anyone and everyone that would change the world a few years later. > The prevailing discussion in
by jamesrcole 10y ago
>> In 1990 no one thought there would be a global network for anyone and everyone that would change the world a few years later.
> The prevailing discussion in the late 80's/early 90's on the tech boards (BBS) I frequented were all talking about networking and how computers were one day all going to be interconnected.
That's obviously a fairly small subset of people, though.
(On a separate note - I'm curious, do you recall if they thought it was going to be "a network for anyone and everyone"?)
I remember when the web started becoming popular and that there was a lot of discussion about whether it would be passing fad, so it was far from obvious to a lot of people then.
- coldtea 10y ago>That's obviously a fairly small subset of people, though. Yes, but it's the same kind of "fairly small subset of people" that today would frequent a place like HN. So if today's devs and engineers don't think there'll be much in smartphone innovation, then it's like people in BBS in the 80s not believing in a networked future.
- Gargoyle 10y agoIn my memory of the internet becoming a thing in the early 90s, there was an intense fight over the commercialization of it. There was a group that really didn't want it to support money-making enterprises. Even at the time it seemed like a losing battle, but I doubt anyone foresaw just how overwhelming the commercial forces would be.