Pervasive Computing: IBMs Autonomic System and the Cautions Necessary

Pervasive Computing: IBM's Autonomic System and the Cautions Necessary Pervasive computing is here. It is being integrated into our society in as many ways that can be thought up. Chips are popping up in everyday objects. Cars, planes, ships, phones, PDA’s, refrigerators, and soon a person’s hat, shoes, and clothing. This is all well and good, the advancement of technology is something that has always and will always be a constant in our culture. The need for more interconnectivity is becoming more apparent in business, schools, and personal lives. IBM is working on a project, called Autonomic Computing, which will create a universal standard for technology and the integration of electronic devices. One of their claims for the necessity of the project is a quote, â€Å"Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them." - Alfred North Whitehead. They say that we make cultural advances by taking the processes and procedures we have now and automating them, thus giv ing the freedom to explore new and unique ways to complete the left over processes and procedures. The advancement of the culture is a necessity for any society, but the relinquishment of control of certain processes has to be regulated. IBM says that the problem is because of the rapid expansion of information and technology we as humans cannot keep up with the increase. Access to information is becoming rampant through the creation of wireless and handheld devices. These devices need a standard of production and connection to provide the greatest effect. IBM’s solution is a computer network that is â€Å"flexible, accessible, and transparent.† (The Solution, IBM Research) The system will... ...lems are cause for worry. Humans ultimately need to have the control over the system, having the option to monitor and observe the system, limit its sphere of influence, or completely deactivate the system. Bibliography 1. http://www.research.ibm.com/autonomic/ Autonomic computing; IBM, 2. http://www.doorsofperception.com/projects/chi/ â€Å"The design challenge of pervasive computing,† John Thackara Doors of Perception, April 2000.. 3. http://www.nathan.com/thoughts/unified/unified.pdf Information Interaction Design: A Unified Field Theory of Design, Nathan Shedroff, Chief Creative Officer, vivid studios, 1994 4. Halligan, Tom., (1999) â€Å"Lose the remote, take in some oxygen.† Electronic Design. p. 16 (database: Applied Science & Technology Abstracts 1983 – Present) 5. Electronics industry index from www.encyclopedia.com