jacksblog

One aspect of the reading that I was a little bit confused about is the notion of host to host protocol. If host to host protocol is software that allows communication between computers does this term include the process in which a computer translates information from the Imp. Could the Imp not have been part of the computer instead of a separate entity? I also wonder how the property rights of the ARPA’s first network unfolded economically. In this moment of great innovation was anything patented? Was the telephone company compensated for the computer’s use of the Data line and was BBN paid for manufacturing the Imps? Although we learn about the actual engineers I wonder which larger darker forces were behind these architects, spying out immense profit. Perhaps the apparent initial lack of financial exploitation of ARPA’s network hints at a time of more American patriotism. Although I am sure there are examples, for some reason it is hard for me to think of a time that I can remember when something has been constructed purely for the good of the country with the government the innovator rather than a corporation. Finally, in class we discussed competition with the Soviet Union and the surprise of Sputnik as a reason to create the internet so I wonder how far along Russia were in the creation of a network of there own.

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