TIOILWECUWANNFI: "This Is *Our* Invention

...Came Up With A New Name For It!"

Our Brett asks:

Does anyone really know what grid computing means? Where/how does peer-to-peer fit in? [And, later:] P.S. How does Distributed Computing differ from Grid Computing?

Old wine in new skins.

But, hey, if you can get everyone to think that your *skins* are the essential part -- then you've got a shot at cornering the *wine* market!

Not too bad a business idea, if you can get away with it.

Take this quote, for example:

"Peer-to-peer computing is the sharing of computer resources and services by direct exchange of systems. That sounds grid-like to me," [Paul Messina] said.

More correctly, I'd say it's the other way around: "Grid computing is the sharing of computer resources and services by direct exchange of systems. That sounds peer-to-peer-like to me."

This whole "Grid Computing" thing, it seems to _me_, is just a new name they're trying to impose on what so far has been known as "Peer-To-Peer Computing" and/or "Distributed Computing" -- in order to makle people think it's *their* idea.

(That's why the technical details are still in rather a state of flux: They're waiting to see which P2P/Distributed techniques, exactly, are going to be a hit, before they can claim that those, exactly!, were the ones they meant in "their" 'standard'.)

And this:

"I believe grid computing will revolutionize the way we compute, in much the same way as the World Wide Web and Internet changed the way we communicate," said John Ellis, a theoretical physicist and adviser to the director general of CERN.

Yeah, yeah...

Look, if you don't like the old wine/skins adage, I'm sure John here could spin you a yarn about how "I believe this intelligence-sensing Imperial Cloth will revolutionize the way we dress for formal occasions, in much the same way as spinning and weaving changed the way we dress for warmth"...

It's all just marketroid bullshit, AFAICS.

[Edit: Improved acronym in headline.]
[Oh, and I'll let the .sig stand for Andrew, alone, in this one -- I think I *am* qualified to point a finger at salesdrones trying to commit language-rape!]

... and what do you think is the key to its success?

Now that the 'net is the grid, what type of software(s) will "distribute" the load?

(and where will the data be stored, etc.)

edit 2/21/02 : InfoWorld article:
[link|http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/02/02/21/020221hngridwrap.xml|
Grid makers eye up the enterprise]
....
Wladawsky-Berger said OGSA -- and grid computing in general -- solves a number of problems for companies facing the complexity of mushrooming network management tasks, collaborative business processes, outsourcing, and even small-business access to high-end computing facilities.

Platform Computing also used the forum as a backdrop to launch the beta version of Platform Globus, its commercial software suite wrapped around Globus technology. Available to the industry in March, Platform Globus packs the Globus Toolkit software, documentation, and technical support for grid computing, professional services dealing with the installation and configuration of a grid network, customization procedures, and grid computing training. Platform Computing will also offer services for Grid security, design, planning, and integration.

Looking to capitalize on the potential of grid computing as a delivery mechanism for future .Net initiatives, Microsoft endorsed OGSA and the grid computing effort. Unix variants such as Linux presently corner the market for grid operating systems, but due to its vast installed base, Windows OSes will have a tight relationship to grid computing, Wladawsky-Berger said.

The Global Grid Forum was the most recent culmination of a string of moves from companies looking to bring grid computing to corporate users. With the likes of IBM, Compaq, Sun Microsystems, and several grid-specific organizations coming together behind grid computing, little doubt remains that vendors are priming the technology for the enterprise.
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[link|http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,50538,00.html|The Grid Draws Its Battle Lines]
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