Standards make up the most important issue in the computer field. As an unregulated industry, we have wound up with thousands of data formats and languages, but few standards that are universally used. This subject is as heated as politics and religion to vendors and industry planners. In order to truly understand this industry, it is essential to understand the categories for which standards are created.
No matter how much the industry talks about compatibility, new formats and languages appear routinely. The standards makers are always trying to cast a standard in concrete, while the innovators are trying to create a new one. Even when standards are created, they are violated as soon as one vendor adds a proprietary extension.
The Future
After 50 some years of computing, we've managed to create thousands of languages, formats and interfaces in this business. While many become bona fide standards endorsed by recognized standards organizations such as ANSI and the IEEE, some of the most widely used are de facto standards. Intel and Microsoft standards are the most obvious examples.
While the Internet is helping immensely, it will by no means solve all issues. As we forge ahead with new technologies, there is some point where we can no longer cling to the old designs for compatibility. At that time, the new has to break from the past, as the previous infrastructure only holds us back. It's no different than constructing a new building on top of a weak foundation. It seems to be the way of things. See standards bodies.
Standards Categories
These are the major categories of electronic systems that require standards. Developing information systems in today's environment often seems like the Tower of Babel.
No matter how much the industry talks about compatibility, new formats and languages appear routinely. The standards makers are always trying to cast a standard in concrete, while the innovators are trying to create a new one. Even when standards are created, they are violated as soon as one vendor adds a proprietary extension.
The Future
After 50 some years of computing, we've managed to create thousands of languages, formats and interfaces in this business. While many become bona fide standards endorsed by recognized standards organizations such as ANSI and the IEEE, some of the most widely used are de facto standards. Intel and Microsoft standards are the most obvious examples.
While the Internet is helping immensely, it will by no means solve all issues. As we forge ahead with new technologies, there is some point where we can no longer cling to the old designs for compatibility. At that time, the new has to break from the past, as the previous infrastructure only holds us back. It's no different than constructing a new building on top of a weak foundation. It seems to be the way of things. See standards bodies.
Standards Categories
These are the major categories of electronic systems that require standards. Developing information systems in today's environment often seems like the Tower of Babel.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- California adopts tough new requirements on HDTV energy use: Visionary or draconian?
- For years, California has had the nation's toughest emissions standards to counter the pollution from its massive volume of cars and trucks. Now it's turned its sites on the energy consumption coming from its residents' HDTVs. The result? Earlier this week, the California Energy Commission unanimously passed new standards to...
- Blog posts 2009-11-21
- Mozilla: Still too dependent on Google for revenue; Can it diversify?
- well its in Google best interest ...that mozilla is healthy and and kicking .... anyone claiming monopole they point out that they support Mozilla foundation big time ...Google keep its competition alive they should do more invest in ubuntu ... so they...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- iTablet goes OLED,??bumped until late 2010
- $2000? I doubt it.Apple puts themselves in a "premium" price range, but $2000 for a 10" tablet? Even they're not THAT crazy.No ThanksDon't need or want either, waste of space...If I want real gaming, I'd rather play real games on my PS3 or Wii on my flat screen; or on...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-19
- Microsoft shares a few tidbits on IE9 and (lots) more on Silverlight 4
- Safari? What Safari ? :-)http://www.tgdaily.com/software-features/39495-safari-4-beta-first-browser-to-hit-100-score-in-acid3-testI know, Steve doesn't like Apple but you're supposed to be a journalist? ;-)Google chrome?IE like Microsoft is stumbling around in a new ecosystem in which spending thousands of dollars is not an option.Plus, it locks you into a insecure OS platform with...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- MySQL Workbench OSS 5.2.8b1 (Mac)
- MySQL Workbench enables a DBA, developer, or data architect to visually design, generate, and manage all types of databases including Web, OLTP, and data warehouse databases. It includes everything a data modeler needs for creating complex ER models, and also delivers key features for performing difficult change management and documentation...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Google to demo Chrome OS; Detail launch plans
- the windoze killer has arrivedChrome OS will put the final nail in M$ coffin!You really can't be seriousyou have to be a fake or something.Your posts are allways way off the mark.By like a continent or two.Windoze? Grow up, manI hope Chrome is good - because it will make...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-17
- Microsoft to share some details on IE 9 at PDC show this week
- Tabs that dont hang and,1. HTML 5 standards compliance ahead of Chrome and FF2. Better plugins3. CSS 3 compliance4. FASTER!Trying to develop for IE8 is still a pain!Addon supportFor things like AdBlock Plus.Also, an x64 version of silverlight.Grow upso do not read this blog - OK? Prefer Firefox but...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-17
- Apple contemplating free, ad-supported iPhone?
- Apple has no tasteOh, wait, no, that was Microsoft that had no taste because there are Windows 7 desktop themes available that have images of Coke cans in them. Isn't that right tigertank? For some reason that I can't wait to hear, this move by Apple, however, is very tasteful.Cue...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-17
- WordPress 2.8.6 (Windows)
- WordPress is a personal publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, Web standards, and usability. WordPress was born out of a desire for an elegant, well-structured personal publishing system built on PHP and MySQL and licensed under the GPL. It is the official successor of b2/cafelog. WordPress is fresh software,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-13
- Apple hints at possible pen-based tablet
- different?this doesn't look different from other tablets. may be it will use both multi-touch and stylus just like other tablets out in the market???the Apple iFail 2.0... :Tablet computing is a niche market and all of these "inventions" are ancient.It doesn't have to be to be "innovative"it just needs...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-12
- Is Windows 7 a Mac OS X wannabe? That explains why I like it
- no, it looks like kde but doesn't have it's functionalityjust put kde 3.5. with transparent taskbar and crystal theme and you got what win7 looks like.and kde 3.5. was way older than vista and 7.So it IS about pride after all?To Apple fans it is always important who copied who....
- Discussion threads 2009-11-12
- CCHIT going on almost as if nothing happened
- Republicans up to no good again.Another buck for doing nothing.CCHIT HappensThats it.We bought a package that was CCHIT certified, one of our requirements.We had plenty of other requirements for an EHR, but they wanted to make sure it was certified by someone else just incase the goverment came up with...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-11
- It's a girl! (or Ed Tech, 6 years hence)
- Regular readers and followers of my Twitter feed will know that yesterday was pretty eventful. My wife and I (well, mostly my wife, but I did make some moderate contribution) had a baby girl who currently remains nameless (we're leaning toward Penelope, but she was delivered by c-section so...
- Blog posts 2009-11-10
- Where should Mozilla go from here?
- Consolidation and security, Now!Firefox has emerged as the most buggy browser robustness and security. It has more vulnerabilities discovered than any other browser, month after month. Each new release sees new stability and robustness problems.And Firefox still does not have support for sandboxing.Repeatedly they have to patch patches because their...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-09
- 60 Minutes: We're not ready for a cyber war
- Just like 9/11 thousands will have to die Before we give a damn. It's really a shame.and everything workshow's that possible?Unfortuantely, it will take a disasterIn the US, until disater strikes no one will do anything. Once it does happen then there will be screaming for heads to role....
- Discussion threads 2009-11-09
- Worm inflicts Rick Astley wallpaper on jailbroken iPhones
- But... but... but... OS X is Unix! It is immune!Hmm, guess not.Now, let's list the "attacks" and then cue the double standards...1. iPhone must have the [b]worst[/b] security model out there because hackers only go after the low hanging fruit.2. I don't care [b]why[/b] no one attacks Windows Mobile, all...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-08
- Update on Chinese wallboard with a side order of sulphur
- buy more China products!Hey China rocks, I love 'made in China'!!!Bring it home to China!BUY CHINA productsYou will help devalue the dollar even more,it is ranked 48 in the world.BUY C H I N A productsYou will help devalue the dollar even more,it is ranked 48 in the world.Good griefThe...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-06
- February 2013 - The date when Firefox could pass Internet Explorer
- RE: February 2013 - The date when Firefox could pass Internet ExplorerThat does assume that everything remains constant, which it won't. If someone creates a new browser that could disrupt it, or when either company releases a new version of their browser that is also going to throw things...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-06
- Why Google released Closure Tools
- another nail in M$ coffinIt seems Google is second to FSF to send M$ to its grave.You are an idiot....First of all did you even read the article...Not only the article makes no senselike your idiotic rant aggainst MS but it contains several errors.AJAX is javascript and is not unique...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-06
- How fast can remote monitoring move?
- What the remote medical monitoring industry needs to get past the analysts' hockey stick graphs are standards. Technical standards, payment standards, approval standards. This is no longer rocket science, it's not experimental. by Dana Blankenhorn
- Blog posts 2009-11-04
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Keep Up With The Latest In Document Management with The DocuMentor.
-
Doc delivers the scoop on today's enterprise content management, printer maintenance, and all other issues related to document management. It's the DocuMentor Blog.
- Learn more >>
- New Online Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems.
- Learn more >>
- Learn more about tools to grow your business
-
The Business Essentials Guide provides you useful tools and templates to help grow your business and save you time with automated shipping solutions.
- Save time with the UPS Business Essentials Guide
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
Popular Sanity Saver Videos
