Special Features:
GRID MOVES TOWARD MAINSTREAM W/ STATEWIDE EFFORTS
By
J.S. Hurley, Editor-at-Large
Grid computing is characterized as an emerging technology whose fundamental
premise is access to a wide range of compute resources, both within and
between sites. The ultimate goal of an emerging technology is widespread
adoption by a broad user base -- interpreted most often as a validation of the
technology. In order for technologies to be widely adopted, they must be
user-friendly and provide enhancement of performance in both cost-effective
and measurable ways. Companies continue to closely examine information IT
infrastructure and resources "bottom line" costs as they define their overall
future roadmaps. Some industries are quite slow to incorporate and implement
new technologies, largely due to existing cultures that rely on traditional
and historical approaches to solving problems. In these "institutions,"
standards are an extremely vital consideration in technologies that they seek
to adopt -- remember that in some instances we are talking about processes
that are more than 30 years old.
A number of key industries in states across the country are facing major
decisions as some jobs related to core businesses in the American culture are
being transitioned out of states, and in some cases out of the country.
Colorado (Robert Marcus), North Carolina (Wolfgang Gentzsch) and West Virginia
(James L. Estep) are leading the way in establishing Grid computing as a
technology that can better position the states for higher tech opportunities.
THIS WILL HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THEIR GENERAL POPULATIONS. These states are
key because of unique relationships with the university communities and
relevant industries that have been, in some cases, adversely affected.
Training has been a major concern that has often been raised regarding the
role of traditional computer science programs in generating the qualified
scientists and engineers needed to support and implement grid computing. The
excellent Universities in these states may be able to make serious inroads in
this regard.
Institutions that understand and embrace the significance of relating
results
to the average citizen stand a much better chance of success. We often forget
that the academic research community is still a substantially small segment of
the overall population. This reality is important for a less than obvious
reason -- John and Joan Q. Public's ability to see how research has relevance
to their lives builds vital advocates of the technology -- something that has
more often than not been missing. New and emerging technologies, now more than
ever, need evangelists who don't have obvious benefits to make convincing
cases.
We look forward to the upcoming events and updates on the progress of the
state Grid efforts.
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