9fans archive / 1996 / 01 / 32 /    prev next

From: mhw@min... mhw@min...
Subject: Fact or Fiction
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 07:18:53 -0500

>From today's issue of Computing, a UK industry newspaper, as a sidenote
to an article about Larry Ellison's network computers vision:

"What are Network Computers?

Network computers include several types of devices. Some are already
being developed, while others remain in the minds of the Oracle
executives who hope to incorporate them into the company's networked
appliance environment. The devices include the Internet or Web TV
terminal, which will use ISDN or cable modems as well as existing
modems, set-top boxes, personal communicators and video phones. This
year, users will be able to but the first three, if not more, according
to Oracle sources.

[...]

The initial prototype device will be a Web TV terminal. Essentially,
this will be a Web access device which includes a Web browser, but will
also allow users to view video in what is effectively a marriage between
the Web and interactive TV. The operating system for the current
prototype of the terminal run the Plan 9 system, a microkernel developed
by Bell Laboratories."

(Rest omitted.)

Anyone know any more?

-Mark.