We choose this as our leadoff because it is the main driving theme for many of the other topics we will consider in coming issues. Many of the exciting applications of distributed computing are predicated on having a worldwide, standard system for distributed objects. We should carefully distinguish between ubiquity and distribution, of course. The basic argument for interoperable plumbing can be made by analogy to the world-wide telephone network. We are now well-used to the notion that we can originate a telephone call at home and call anywhere else in the world.
Phone calls are simple to make because of the standardization of the international telephony system.
There is a single ubiquitous telephone technology. For a contrary example, we are perpetually annoyed at the fact that in the late 20th century, we cannot easily view a North American NTSC video cassette on a European PAL television. Most of us are oblivious to the technical differences between these standards. Things would be much simpler if you could send Aunt Bori in Hungary a video of your Christmas dinner. The cautionary lesson of video standards is illuminating for nascent digital networks.