Bill Kearney

hServe

Nicest of the Damned mentions Intel's pocket server project.

I've long suggested that what'd be better than lugging around a ton of devices would be a repository for your home.

I suggested this while working on the Newton as a "PDA for your house". What I learned, however, was that asking programmer types to design lifestyle devices is like asking deaf people to make violins. They don't have the same frame of reference. Programmers, and I'm painting with an overly broad brush, don't have lives so asking them to make devices for the people who do is just plain silly.

Intel obvious wants people buying more chips. Talking them into lugging around more devices is certainly to be expected. More devices means more chips which in turn means more revenue for Intel. I'm not sure the various problems with syncronization, backups, security and reliability make it very practical for people to go lugging around their own servers.

Instead I'd much rather have an hServe; a house server. One that acted as a respository for MY stuff. This instead of using hosted services that can't be trusted to A) stay in business or B) not pimp out my personal information to the direct marketing industry or the government.

Then just make smart client interfaces to it from various places. Your cell phone is one obvious choice but how about public terminals? Couple it with a Bluetooth-capable keychain of some kind. That way your physical keychain could act as a security/encryption device to allow remote access.

Surf back from the grocery store to pickup that list of things to buy. Or have it understand to send you an text message to pickup your dry cleaning when it sees your cell phone is near that part of town.

But above all, the device is yours and is acting with your intentions in mind. Not as some tool for advertisers or the government to further intrude on your life. We need tools that help us thrive. If by doing so it helps the larger ecomony then fine!

But do not be deluded into thinking that devices or services driven by the economic desires of corporations will ever come close to actually helping you and your community. They're looking out for numero uno and you aren't their number one.

Sure, sell me this box, but don't expect to get away with abusing me in process.