1. From systems to networks - tools to infrastructures - design to installed base cultivation Ole Hanseth

2. Challenges Doesn’t take off: No value for few users – everybody waits for the others. Doesn’t take off: No value for few users – everybody waits for the others. If it does – it becomes autonomous: If it does – it becomes autonomous: –Lock-in –Develops in undesired directions –Increases the problems one tried to solve (reflexive/self-destructive)

3. Strategies (some ideas) Flexibility Flexibility –The duality of standards –Minimalism, modularisation (loose coupling) (=gateways) (=gateways) Use the installed base as resource Use the installed base as resource –Bootstrapping Build upon existing installed bases Build upon existing installed bases Build an installed base (users before functions) Build an installed base (users before functions) –Avoid lock-ins: Gateways

4. Granovetter/Schelling model Ex: Dying seminar, crossing a street Ex: Dying seminar, crossing a street Our preferences depends on others actions Our preferences depends on others actions Preferences vary Preferences vary Processes depends on distribution of preferences Processes depends on distribution of preferences Small changes may have large effects Small changes may have large effects

5. Growing networks Manipulating preferences Manipulating preferences Arranging users Arranging users Bootstrapping Bootstrapping

6. ’Bootstrapping’ Enclocypedia: ’She bootstrapped herself to the top’ – to manage on one’s own Enclocypedia: ’She bootstrapped herself to the top’ – to manage on one’s own Lifting yourselves by your hair Lifting yourselves by your hair Booting a computer Booting a computer Implementing a programming language Implementing a programming language Language learning Language learning Making a tool/network by means of the tool/network Making a tool/network by means of the tool/network ”Deliver a better today, rather than promise a better tomorrow”. ”Deliver a better today, rather than promise a better tomorrow”. Late adopters adopt because the others have already Late adopters adopt because the others have already First adopters must adopt for another reason First adopters must adopt for another reason

7. Experiences in health care Big bang projects never fire (too complex) Big bang projects never fire (too complex) Pilots and demonstrators die Pilots and demonstrators die Very hard to move form bi-lateral links to network Very hard to move form bi-lateral links to network

8. Identifying and arranging preferences Multi-dimensional Multi-dimensional Personal, individual Personal, individual Use areas and situations Use areas and situations Technological aspects Technological aspects Coordination/governance structures Coordination/governance structures Arranging preferences and dimensions (dynamically) Arranging preferences and dimensions (dynamically)

9. Bootstrapping Network Technologies Select motivated and knowledgeable users Select motivated and knowledgeable users Simple, non-critical, non-complicated use areas where no large organisational changes are required. Simple, non-critical, non-complicated use areas where no large organisational changes are required. Select simple, relatively cheap and well supported technical solutions. Select simple, relatively cheap and well supported technical solutions. Users first, then functionality/technology Users first, then functionality/technology

10. Individual/personal preferences Motivation, attitudes towards technology Motivation, attitudes towards technology Knowledge about technology Knowledge about technology

11. Aspects of use areas and situations Resources Resources Benefits of communication within a small network Benefits of communication within a small network Critical/non-critical activities Critical/non-critical activities Complexity of tasks and work practices Complexity of tasks and work practices Organizational changes needed Organizational changes needed

12. Aspects of technology “Distance” between users and designers/vendors “Distance” between users and designers/vendors complexity complexity costs costs flexibility flexibility “allied with the future” “allied with the future”

13. Coordination and governance Structures and institutions have to be established (bootstrapped) Structures and institutions have to be established (bootstrapped) “Standardization bodies” “Standardization bodies” –Technology (protocols) –Work practices/procedures (protocols) (The Internet is an example to learn from in this respect as well) (The Internet is an example to learn from in this respect as well)

14. Interdependencies and conflicts Highest benefits: Highest benefits: –Radical change, –critical situations –complex technology Advance along one dimension before another Advance along one dimension before another In general: use (enrol more users) before technology In general: use (enrol more users) before technology

15. Design strategy 1 Start with Start with –simple, cheap, flexible solution –small network of users that may benefit significantly from improved com. with each other only –simple practices –non-critical practices –motivated users –knowledgeable users

16. Design strategy 2 1. Repeat as long as possible: enrol more users 2. Find and implement more innovative use, go to 1 3. Use solution in more critical cases, go to 1 4. Use solution in more complex cases, go to 1 5. Improve the solution so new tasks can be supported

17. Lock-in and gateways Large networks are never made from scratch – extending and improving the installed base Large networks are never made from scratch – extending and improving the installed base Backward compatibility Backward compatibility EPR: institutionalised (standardized network) of practices EPR: institutionalised (standardized network) of practices Fit/support existing practices (otherwise no bootstrapping) Fit/support existing practices (otherwise no bootstrapping) Makes a larger network – harder to change Makes a larger network – harder to change Gateways between old and new networks: connected and different Gateways between old and new networks: connected and different

18. Changing networks & infrastructures Extensions – transformations Extensions – transformations Changing large infra: Changing individual modules Changing large infra: Changing individual modules

19. Change strategies “Flag day” “Flag day” –Everybody changes at the same time –Requires tight coordination –Coordination must be possible –Now needs for technological support Continuous Continuous –No coordination needed –Needs technological support

20. Example 1: IPv6 Extending functionality (range) Extending functionality (range) Continuous change Continuous change Tunneling (=gateways) Tunneling (=gateways)

21. Example 2: E-mail Many gateways : Internet, AOL, nets based on proprietary prot( cc:mail ++) Many gateways : Internet, AOL, nets based on proprietary prot( cc:mail ++) Permanent solution Permanent solution Not trivial (addresses) Not trivial (addresses)

22. Example 3: NORDUNET Nordic universities: Establish interoperability Nordic universities: Establish interoperability –Many different networks: –HEPnet: physicists (CERN), DEC –EARN: ?, EDB-centres, IBM –Internet: computer science, –.... Strategy: Common protocol - OSI !! Strategy: Common protocol - OSI !! Different interests – all users wanted a quick solution, i.e. based on their existing technology Different interests – all users wanted a quick solution, i.e. based on their existing technology OSI – slow progress, complicated, … OSI – slow progress, complicated, … Flow of money was about to be closed Flow of money was about to be closed Had to find a pragmatic solution! Fast! Had to find a pragmatic solution! Fast!

23. Solution Tried out various strategies and technologies,.. Tried out various strategies and technologies,.. Two important events occurred: Two important events occurred: –IBM wanted to transfer EARN to the univ. –A Cisco-router that also was running DECnet, IBM, X.25 over IP appeared

24. The NORDUNET Plug

25. Gateways Important because Important because –Quick, efficient, well working solution –Compromise: Everybody’s interests were accounted for Were considered traitors in the rest of Europe Were considered traitors in the rest of Europe

26. Further developments Made connections to other networks easy – install SW on own computer Made connections to other networks easy – install SW on own computer –Especially relevant for Internet –dual stack solutions Caused transition to Internet Caused transition to Internet Important reason behind Scandinavia’s early adoption of the Internet Important reason behind Scandinavia’s early adoption of the Internet