[/caption]Was it really so long ago...
Back in the mid-nineties I worked with for Giles and with Mark (or Grooty as I know he loves to be known). I used to travel around Europe (or was that EMEA) with a two of these devices and a server (Tadpole Sparcbook) and network rig. When we had the original and ONLY 2 N|C devices in the whole of EMEA we named them "Sandra" and "Magaret" - after two of the women who worked in our group.
It was a fun and rewarding time - and whilst the technology was somewhat flakey the principals were fine - actually even then "back to the future" as the approach was essentially the same as the well established "Sun Discless Client" workstation method (netboot via DHCP, OS and useer files on a "file server").
The devices became affectionately known as "NOTwork computers" - and over time came in various flavours (Java Stations) and from various vendors. We should remember though that back then a PC cost around a thousand dollars (without a monitor) - and often around a thousand UK pounds. Larry's vision was to forsee a tiome when devices to attach to a network (the Internet) could be simpler and significantly CHEAPER.
Larry Ellison relives reveals network computer netbook dream • The Register.
