Citing statistics claiming that barely one third of US households have computers, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison stated forcefully Tuesday that "we will never have the information age ... because PCs are much too complex." In response, Ellison demonstrated his "divinely simple" solution - the "Network-In-a-Box" program, developed by Oracle subsidiary Network Computer Inc., to "move complexity off the desktop and onto the server where it belongs."
However, while it may ease administrative problems for IS managers, the "Network-In-a-Box" system requires servers to be set up and utilizes smartcards - elements that could end up complicating matters for others.
"A fifth-grade teacher can enable their classroom for the Net in less than a half hour," promised Ellison, noting that five NCs and one NCI server would cost only US$5,995.
Some were suspicious of Ellison's solution. "Remember that all he described is a teacher plugging in the networked computer," said Zona analyst Harry Fenik. "That's because the infrastructure [like the Ethernet connection] has to be put in place in by someone else." Fenik also critiqued the over-simplification of the network itself, noting that the idea of teachers setting up complex systems without training "is an interesting concept, to say the least."
Ellison downplays the complexity of the system by referring to the NC as a "simple appliance" like the TV, radio, or phone. And whereas the interconnected network of servers and NCs might seem complicated, Ellison said that for end users it will be an easy-to-grasp experience. Ultimately, Ellison hopes to see the NC "set standards for a variety of digital appliances," including digital TV and Web TV.
Bonny Crater, Oracle's marketing VP, echoed Ellison's central metaphor for the server itself: "The idea is that we're creating a server appliance. Today, you and I are used to buying server software that you have to integrate yourself. Now it's all pre-installed." The system, however, assumes that users will have Ethernet connections already available, which may be the first stumbling block for schools and home users.
Oracle on Tuesday announced its $100 million Promise Foundation, an effort to put NCs into schools - and compete against Bill Gates' $200 million investment to put Windows-based machines in classrooms. Now, schools will need to adapt to the NC Card technology, says Crater, "assigning a smartcard to every kid" or providing a "pocket of smartcards" at the door - "something that is very cool."
From the Wired News New York Bureau at FEED magazine.
