The Future of the Internet - Book Report/Review Example

Introduction: Computer and digital technologies are ubiquitous terms that have our life encircled in every way possible. However having said that, computing world is the least secure medium and it is faced with all kinds of challenges in form of insecure operations, privacy concerns, infiltration and many more factors that seek in time resolution to make the computer world a safer and better medium where the users would feel less vulnerable and more easy in going about things which are part of their routine. Since the computing world has sunk deep into every domain of society, it must be made more secure for this purpose. While many proponents of the field of computer have tried touching upon the various challenges and obstacles faced in this modern day of computers which has engulfed us in every possible way, yet Zittrain in his book looks at it from a fresher angle enabling better understanding. Brief review of the writer: Jonathan Zittrain a professor in Harvard Business School with majors in Law, he derives his repute from excellence and knowledge in the field of cyber laws and the legal, technical and futuristic and commercial challenges that are faced by the world wide web of internet. He has dedicated his services and energies towards securing the World Wide Web and providing better means which can be achieved both in form of technical and non technical means. In general he recommends further expansion and understanding of the concepts of cryptography, coding, and safer operations and exchange. The book is based on similar concepts yet in a non technical way. It is a non technical interpretation of what is actually the mind set of this learned person. The tone of the book is deducible in some instances, and one prime instance is early in the book. The book starts off with a very nice analogy of a cartoon character that keeps running till the edge of the cliff until it realizes it has stepped too far. This has been presented to explain the given and present state of the internet and its users. Each of these have a common point between them, gaining, exploring and taking upon so much that would be hard to cover and contain, and as a result of this vast expansion it has made the global medium a less secure and least controllable agent. Broader sections of the book can be divided into three sections, with the first setting up tempo for the main topic, defining and providing a slight overview of how the trends are changing such as the change in trend towards portable devices, tablets and in terms of technology how the Web 2.0 concepts are coming in to shape and shaping a new world in their own way, the second provides detail as to what challenges what barriers, what entities and standards exist in modern day, on legal front as well as technical front, looking into them in a way that is beneficial and by further looking as to , in what way have they created vulnerability towards overall internet medium. The last section of the book is dedicated towards the possible remedies, which may be adopted to make things less murky as they may stand in the view of the writer. A section of the book does contain and name number of agents which may help identifying and barring certain elements and websites, from entering a settled network and not letting them unsettle the free flow of communication, however this is a mere recommendation part of the book. The book lambasts at the monopolies that may exist in form of the big wigs and the giants that have made their mark in the market and are now dictating the market trends and terms in a manipulative manner. Bigger picture: While the generality concept maybe taken for the concept of open source applications, the good thing about this entire piece of work and suggestive matter is the fact that it even encourages any improved in the so called non open source operating systems which come in form of the Microsoft Windows and other similar operating system. Johannathan Zittrain has given a new touch to the field and overall review of computer world, its present state, the circumstances it is faced with, the level of security an ordinary user enjoys and many other related factors. The author has drawn comparison between the services and goods provided to the common user of internet and the market in form of mention of Apple Inc, its services and then the pedia service in form of Wikipedia which facilitates millions of users on hourly basis across the globe and the entire thing is done in a chartable manner where each of the user may contribute in whatever way they feel like or are able to. The theme is based on generality which is mentioned in the above paragraph as well, and it pertains to the users’ access and ability to further refine the existing technologies in any way possible. Zittrain advocates check and balance over the principle of generality since it gives rise to the malicious entity and malicious being that exists in the world of computing in form of the generic term virus and Bots which exist in more than one form and haunt every individual in a certain way. Some of the critics do differ to his concept of tethered applications, as tagged by Zittrain being a high risk entity, but the critics believe that not the entire entity of these applications may pose a collective threat, rather certain segment and certain dimension may do so which can be controlled and overcome if proper measures are taken in time and unbridled access and authority is not granted. The entire theme in a subtle way tries to address the factor of the challenges faced to the internet in form of a constricted elements and the new shape that is being adopted by the new applications that are being introduced in abundance on daily basis. Other writer’s reviews: Cory Doctorow (Doctorow) in his review of the book gives it good grades and terms it a well thought out and a well worked out book that has addressed and shed light on the power of people which they possess towards running and directing the traffic of internet and also stresses the need for they must do it now if they are to save the internet from being taken into a few hands and being ripped off its natural feature and functionality. He has tried covering and addressing the internet and its social impact and social dimensions, being an integral part of almost every society in present day, it is bound to have its impacts on the social activities of individuals. Terming the modern era a society that is connecting people more in an online manner than the conventional way, the stress is laid upon how each of the member may play a role towards safeguarding the universal medium that has brought the over more than half of the universe on a single page in form of internet connectivity. The touch upon the area of how to extract the goods from generality concept and leaving behind the possible glitches is stressed and focused upon in the last part of the book. The author has tried to wake up the people before it is too late, and has called out loud and clear to take the measures that are endangering the medium to which the entire mankind owes so much as it has given them numerous kinds of comforts and innovative ideas that have made the outlook of the world a more dynamic and colorful one. The book and the entire idea is focused on the concept and effort of finding any possible solution to making the experience of browsing and conducting other necessary activities according to the need but in a secure manner. To him this can be done by first creating necessary awareness and followed by the grouping of members who may have unity in their operations and mindset towards betterment of the internet utility. A generic example can be derived in comparison to this model in form of the open source programs designers that exist for various operating systems that are present around us. These teams and groups must bring about the best efforts and abilities for the purpose of improvements in the nature and design of internet in connectivity with the safety. The book has tried to provide a holistic image of the situation at hand in which the entire stakeholder unit has to take responsibility and realize their roles and duties towards making the medium of internet and communication a safer one. The blame game must be stopped for this purpose and harmony must be constructed and devised between the service providers as well as the back end functioning units. These two especially come to loggerheads situation in case of the installation of the firewall in the networks which according to the service providers view, does inflict and obstruct the traffic on many instances as a result impeding impact on the natural flow of traffic in the network. The book does highlight such issues and stresses to resolve or least find reasonable solutions towards it. The theme in a very apt way addresses these challenges that are faced, and these challenges are termed as the ones that we face in every day operations such as filtering issues, the spammers, the piracy menace, and the role of governments towards curbing the free flow of information to the masses which has been on display in many parts of the world, especially those where the unelected or tyrants are ruling and dictating the free citizens life and liberty. Addressing the issues faced in form of the end to end principle is another attempt to first highlight the obstacles that stand in the way, followed by proposing and possible seeking of solution from an expert view point both in the view of a legal expert and a technical expert who would find a middle way out that will not just help the service providers but also the other party involved by addressing their concerns. His ideas put large amount of trust in the concept of virtualization which is a new concept overall and is less vulnerable to the conventional form of malice intended operators and users of computing technology. According to him, virtualization would make the systems secure in such a way that not all would be at stake and quick retrieval can be made possible. The good point about the book is the fact that it also allows addressing the solutions and remedies that may be available to the common person in form of clear instructions and clear guidance. These are provided by informing the readers what the possible impacts of the viruses are, how they pose threat to the ordinary users, how safe they are and what actions they may take to protect themselves from the challenges faced. To him the solution lies in either enhancing the facilities and functions provided to the common user who have least of information and knowledge about the computer security ,or providing them with training and guidance, which can be done by telling them how lethal a single virus can be . He has tried addressing number of questions related to the legal aspect and how they may be utilized in time to avoid any severe challenges in future. Conclusion: Overall, the book is a breath of fresh air, it may not be the best book in the market, yet it has the recipe to stand as one that will catch the attention on many occasions. The book is a perfect balance of what is at hand, and what can be extracted from it if the steering is controlled and if otherwise let loose, what harm it could do in a broader way. Emphasis is being laid on the professionals to work out strategies towards better future of internet. References: Doctorow, Cory. Zittrain's "The Future of the Internet" -- how to save the Internet from the Internet. 23 July 2011. 18 April 2013 . Zittrain, Jonathan. The Future of the Internet And How it Stops. London: Yale University Press, 2008. Read More