The Nonexistent NC

Bruce E. Golightly
Principal Software Engineer
Carnegie Mellon University
bg0l@andrew.cmu.edu

I don't disagree with all your points, but I think you've overlooked a few things. Although reduced administration is considered to be the larger benefit, $1200 for a decked-out NC is about half the average price now paid by corporations for a similar PC, and NCs probably won't have to be replaced as often. There's a myth that PCs represent flexibility and freedom, and NCs the opposite. Most companies already dictate what kind of PC users get, how it is configured, and what kind of software must (and must no t) be installed on it. Many corporations also monitor Internet use. NCs are much more secure than PCs because they don't persistently store information. Most of the critical information amassed by companies is stored on centralized computers. NCs won't replace all PCs. They are just a lower-cost way to get some jobs done.-- Tom R. Halfhill, senior editor