A Call to Arms, By John C. Dvorak Part 2 of 4

Now, when I was in the software business I always thought that there were
four important applications: word processing, spreadsheets, databases and
telecommunications.  Curiously, during this marketing session the speaker
never once mentioned telecommunications.  I realized that this wasn't an
error, but a trend.  I've seen it before.  For some unknown reason
telecommunications and the baggage that comes with it -- including bulletin
boards such as this one -- has taken a back seat to the rest of the
software business. This despite the millions of modems out there and the
need to telecommute as a way of life in the future.

It's this second aspect -- the need to telecommute -- that I feel is the
key to all this.  LAN's and control are more important to executives in the
post-industrial white collar environment.  It's obvious that control is
being eroded by people with computers and FAX's and satellite dishes living
in the Vermont woods.  Heck, nobody can look over their shoulder. Todays
independent computer user is fighting against control and seeking
independence and freedom when he takes off with his modem.  Nobody wants to
emphasize this, do they?  After all, we have huge unfilled office buildings
in Dallas that need to be jammed with drones, don't we?

See Part 3 of A Call to Arms