Google’s Data Centers

Alan Kay wrote “The only way to predict the future is to invent it”.

Robert Cringley’s analysis on why Google is buying dark fiber - namely to provide better response times for AJAX-style applications, and to enable broadcasting of video through free traffic peered with ISPs, is a clear demonstration of Alan’s statement.

Microsoft rightly evaluated that the latency of internet is no threat to Microsoft’s dominance over (desktop) applications, assuming that the latency problem of web applciations cannot be solved. It is only an assumption, and as a non-native of the web, sees this as given and not changeable. But a native of the web sees the web differently. It sees the web as a strong medium with some flaws, but fixable flaws. Putting in data centers will change the topology of the web forever, and setting the bar very high for new entrants.