[ih] Nit-picking an origin story

[Dave Crocker]

On 8/16/2025 12:29 PM, Jack Haverty via Internet-history wrote:
> I still think computer networking started with Licklider and his early 
> 1960s vision of a "galactic network"


Ok.  And...

It is worth making a distinction between vision, components, and 
systems.  Vision is easy, but successful visions are not. Successful 
vision needs enough texture, direction, pragmatics and timeliness to 
drive a cohesive effort.  But it's quite a long way from making 
something working and useful.

Same for the differences between functionality, performance and scaling.

The IETF's former standards status of 'draft' really only required 
demonstrating functionality.  Full standard has always simplified the 
criterion down to 'getting used on the Internet', which at least 
(sufficient) functionality and (sufficient) performance, and 
(sufficient) scaling, without really setting objective metrics for these.

All of these are essential to get to a place like the Internet has 
gotten, but each is quite different from the other.

Hence, separate milestones are worth noting.


d/

-- 
Dave Crocker

Brandenburg InternetWorking
bbiw.net
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