The Network Computer/Net PC

To increase the flexibility and usability of the NC, Apple, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Netscape, and Sun Microsystems have joined together to establish guidelines ("NC Reference Profile 1") for the network computer, based on industry standards. This is an attempt to alleviate the problems caused by proprietary (closed) systems which has added to the complexity of PCs. The "NC Reference Profile 1" established that the NC would operate on industry standards and protocols, such as TCP/IP, FTP, SNMP, HTML, HTTP, Java, SMTP, IMAP4, POP3, JPEG, GIF, WAV, and AU.

Regarding the hardware side of the NC, Oracle has joined with several companies who will serve as the manufacturers of the actual network computers/ Internet appliances. Acorn Computer Corp., Akai Digital, Funai Electric Co., IDEA, Proton Industrial Electronic Co., RCA, Uniden, and other companies are included in the list of manufacturers that will begin producing such machines early this year ('97). The average price for the NC will be approximately $500 US dollars.

An array of other Internet appliances, such as network-televisions are also in development. These next-generation NCs will be developed by Scopus, IntelliMatch, Com.Sortium, The Consumer's Choice Network, and NetChannel. Another side of the network computer- television market is being developed by companies such as WebTV. WebTV, in conjunction with consumer electronics powerhouses such as Sony and Philips, will manufacture web-ready set-top boxes for Internet/TV use. WebTV has also forged alliances with other companies including: Concentric Network Corp., Excite Inc., Headspace Inc., Integrated Device Technology Inc., Progressive Networks Inc., and Surfwatch Software Inc.

[Apple] [IBM] [Netscape] [Oracle] [Sun]

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