Storage Space
Processing Power
As these become limitless it changes the way we work with computers. I suppose that’s the premise of Web2.0 (assuming there’s a premise beyond the hype).
The elimination of these three bottlenecks promotes Time-Shifting, Place-Shifting and People-Shifting.
This has already started. Tivo and other DVRs started the time-shift. Why should I have to wait at home on a Wednesday night just to catch an episode of CSI. Now Tivo records it for me and I watch at my leisure. I’m in control of my time.
I contend that Place-shifting started before that. Cell phones were the first place-shifting devices. Why should I stay home on Saturday waiting for a call when I can take the phone with me wherever I go? I’m in control of my location.
People-shifting.. ok, I made this one up.. but things work best in threes. People-shifting, why should I be the only person working on my document. Collaborative online applications allow for us all to work on it simultaneously. Niche interests are encourages by online social groups. This started with mailing lists. I have the freedom to discuss Fourteenth Century Tablet Weaving with a group of 50 people even though only one of them is within a 3 hour drive. The Internet brought us together and allows us to exchange ideas and to collaborate on theories.
The thing is… what’s the thing? What is the next big thing that these shifts are going to cause?
No idea. Just mulling it over.