Zero Configuration Networking: The Definitive Guide

Foreword

Why can’t computers in real life work like they do on Star Trek? I mean, it seems obvious that if you’ve got a lot of computing horsepower tied to your building (or your ship, or whatever), and if you’ve got all kinds of wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IRDA, and so on), and if you’ve got a handheld “data pad” (like an Apple Newton or Nokia 770 or Treo 650), you ought to be able to see and use and share all of your digital resources. But you can’t— not without a lot of careful handwork involving cables and IP addresses and logins and passwords. They don’t have to do that stuff on Star Trek—it all just works! Is it just special effects, or are we missing something?

Of course, it’s long been possible to get Hollywood-like seamlessness from your collection of gadgets, as long as all of those gadgets were produced by the same company. Consider Metaphor’s desktop appliance, if you’re old enough. It’s also possible to “hack together” a pretty decent digital environment if you have a lot of technical skill, a lot of time on your hands, and a willingness to get those hands very dirty. Of course, a hand-hewn digital environment won’t be very tolerant of change, nor of guests. Why can’t we just buy new gadgets, take them home, plug them in (or not!) and use them? If electricity worked like communications, your house would be wired for Apple voltage or Microsoft voltage and you’d need a special step-down transformer if somebody gave you a desk lamp for Christmas that needed ...