
59
Chapter 4
A New Vision of Computing
“If you fail to plan, you can plan to fail”
– attributed to Benjamin Franklin
Key Concepts
This chapter describes a new, greener vision for computing:
• Simplicity: Beyond the PC
• The new green agenda and climate change
• Cloud computing
• The Zen of green computing
4.1 Cloud Computing Emerges
The average person’s view of computing’s future is largely shaped by Star
Trek and similar science fiction TV shows and movies. On the bridge of the
Enterprise, people talk out loud to the computer; it answers back by voice, and
via screens dispersed around the bridge, the walkways, recreation areas, and
personal space ...