Windows Vista Microsoft seeks patient on immortan computing

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Can you imagine all of the posts generated here - Saved for hundreds of
years? Just think in 100 years, someone digging up all the rants, raves,
insults that we all throw around. Heaven help us now!



Here is the story in the Seattle paper from January of this year:




E-mail from the grave? Microsoft seeks patent on 'immortal computing'

By TODD BISHOP
P-I REPORTER

In this culture of instant information, some Microsoft Corp. researchers are
pursuing a radical notion -- the concept of saving messages for delivery in
decades, centuries or more.

The project, dubbed "immortal computing," would let people store digital
information in physical artifacts and other forms to be preserved and
revealed to future generations, and maybe even to future civilizations.

After all, when looking that far in the future, you never know who the end
users might be.

"It is definitely a long-term project," said Andy Wilson, the Microsoft
researcher whose musings on the ephemeral nature of digital information
inspired the research initiative.

One scenario the researchers envision: People could store messages to
descendants, information about their lives or interactive holograms of
themselves for access by visitors at their tombstones or urns.

And here's where the notion of immortality really kicks in: The researchers
say the artifacts could be symbolic representations of people, reflecting
elements of their personalities. The systems might be set up to take
action -- e-mailing birthday greetings to people identified as
grandchildren, for example.

The previously undisclosed project came to light through a newly surfaced
patent application in which the researchers explain some of the concepts
they're exploring. The project seeks to address the fact that large amounts
of valuable information are stored on media with limited life spans, in
formats that could be rendered obsolete. Consider how quickly floppy disks
disappeared.

But the researchers aren't just thinking about the informational legacies of
individuals.

"Maybe we should start thinking as a civilization about creating our Rosetta
stones now, along with lots of information, even going beyond personal
memories into civilization memories," said Eric Horvitz, a Microsoft
principal researcher who also is working on the project.

Where the project will end up isn't clear. In some cases, Microsoft Research
projects ultimately lead to products, or contribute to them, but in other
situations they don't. The researchers declined to say whether they have a
working prototype of an "immortal computing" artifact.

This is just one of multiple projects for each of the involved researchers.
But the patent application, filed in June 2005 and made public this month,
at least shows that they've given the concept of "immortal computing"
considerable thought.

Among other things, the filing describes the potential use of durable data
storage, such as advanced imaging techniques, to make sure the information
survives over time. One key will be to avoid storage devices that require
movable -- and potentially breakable -- internal parts.

The filing says the information could be retrieved through a separate
interface, independent of the individual artifact, in part to allow the
method of display to evolve with changing technology. People who store
information would be able to decide in advance when and to whom it would be
disclosed, using DNA or biometrics to confirm identity.

The application also cites the potential use of alternative energy, such as
thermal or inductive power, to run the interface.

The artifacts also would be designed to make the process of accessing the
information clear, in case those who discover them aren't sure just what to
do with these strange objects from the 21st century. Among other things, the
patent application cites the possibility of accompanying instructions, in
multiple languages or hieroglyphics.

In that way, the instructions would be "self-revealing," the researchers
say. The concept is similar to the symbolic instructions with the Golden
Record on board the Voyager spacecraft launched in the 1970s -- they gave
details on how to build a player for the record, which contained greetings
in various languages.

To be sure, the Microsoft researchers aren't the first to see the growing
need to preserve information in the digital age.

One existing online approach is called the Handle System. Launched more than
a decade ago, it assigns unique identifiers that, unlike traditional
Internet addresses, can be used to find online information and media even if
they're subsequently moved. The system grew out of the work of Bob Kahn, the
technology pioneer who was separately responsible for the system design of
the Arpanet, the forerunner to today's Internet.

"I'm delighted when anybody takes interest in this," Kahn said in an
interview last week, when asked about the Microsoft Research project. "More
and more information is being generated, and everybody, whether it's a
corporation or individual, from time to time wants to go back and find
something and they don't know where to look.

"I think there's a generic issue here that's really important for the
future," he added. However, he said, there's no reason that the Handle
System by itself can't be used to reference any type of informational
resource.

And the fact that Microsoft has applied for a patent could raise eyebrows in
the industry.

"I think it's great that they're pursuing it. If they feel like they have to
patent it in order to pursue it, I guess that's a business decision they
have to make," said Mark Anderson, publisher of the Strategic News Service
technology newsletter. "But I would hope they wouldn't try and do it in a
way which would preclude others doing the same thing."

The Microsoft researchers talked generally about their project, but the
company says it doesn't comment on pending patent applications, as a policy.

Anderson proposed a similar concept several years ago at one of his Future
in Review conferences, suggesting that someone offer an Internet storage and
communications service that people could use to pass along vital knowledge
to descendants, in a way that rarely happens today.

The Microsoft researchers say they also are interested in ways of preserving
information online, not just in artifacts. At the same time, researcher
Horvitz said, there's something to be said for keeping the information in
one place in some cases.

"The whole reason to go to a cemetery could be transformed," he said. "The
idea of a locus in physical space where this information exists ... makes
that much more of a meaningful location to actually travel to."
 
Oops - headline typo - Should read Microsoft seeks patient on immortal computing

Oops - headline typo - Should read Microsoft seeks patient on immortal computing


"Bill Yanaire" <bill@yanaire.com> wrote in message
news:%23pojgQM8HHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Can you imagine all of the posts generated here - Saved for hundreds of
> years? Just think in 100 years, someone digging up all the rants, raves,
> insults that we all throw around. Heaven help us now!
>
>
>
> Here is the story in the Seattle paper from January of this year:
>
>
>
>
> E-mail from the grave? Microsoft seeks patent on 'immortal computing'
>
> By TODD BISHOP
> P-I REPORTER
>
> In this culture of instant information, some Microsoft Corp. researchers
> are pursuing a radical notion -- the concept of saving messages for
> delivery in decades, centuries or more.
>
> The project, dubbed "immortal computing," would let people store digital
> information in physical artifacts and other forms to be preserved and
> revealed to future generations, and maybe even to future civilizations.
>
> After all, when looking that far in the future, you never know who the end
> users might be.
>
> "It is definitely a long-term project," said Andy Wilson, the Microsoft
> researcher whose musings on the ephemeral nature of digital information
> inspired the research initiative.
>
> One scenario the researchers envision: People could store messages to
> descendants, information about their lives or interactive holograms of
> themselves for access by visitors at their tombstones or urns.
>
> And here's where the notion of immortality really kicks in: The
> researchers say the artifacts could be symbolic representations of people,
> reflecting elements of their personalities. The systems might be set up to
> take action -- e-mailing birthday greetings to people identified as
> grandchildren, for example.
>
> The previously undisclosed project came to light through a newly surfaced
> patent application in which the researchers explain some of the concepts
> they're exploring. The project seeks to address the fact that large
> amounts of valuable information are stored on media with limited life
> spans, in formats that could be rendered obsolete. Consider how quickly
> floppy disks disappeared.
>
> But the researchers aren't just thinking about the informational legacies
> of individuals.
>
> "Maybe we should start thinking as a civilization about creating our
> Rosetta stones now, along with lots of information, even going beyond
> personal memories into civilization memories," said Eric Horvitz, a
> Microsoft principal researcher who also is working on the project.
>
> Where the project will end up isn't clear. In some cases, Microsoft
> Research projects ultimately lead to products, or contribute to them, but
> in other situations they don't. The researchers declined to say whether
> they have a working prototype of an "immortal computing" artifact.
>
> This is just one of multiple projects for each of the involved
> researchers. But the patent application, filed in June 2005 and made
> public this month, at least shows that they've given the concept of
> "immortal computing" considerable thought.
>
> Among other things, the filing describes the potential use of durable data
> storage, such as advanced imaging techniques, to make sure the information
> survives over time. One key will be to avoid storage devices that require
> movable -- and potentially breakable -- internal parts.
>
> The filing says the information could be retrieved through a separate
> interface, independent of the individual artifact, in part to allow the
> method of display to evolve with changing technology. People who store
> information would be able to decide in advance when and to whom it would
> be disclosed, using DNA or biometrics to confirm identity.
>
> The application also cites the potential use of alternative energy, such
> as thermal or inductive power, to run the interface.
>
> The artifacts also would be designed to make the process of accessing the
> information clear, in case those who discover them aren't sure just what
> to do with these strange objects from the 21st century. Among other
> things, the patent application cites the possibility of accompanying
> instructions, in multiple languages or hieroglyphics.
>
> In that way, the instructions would be "self-revealing," the researchers
> say. The concept is similar to the symbolic instructions with the Golden
> Record on board the Voyager spacecraft launched in the 1970s -- they gave
> details on how to build a player for the record, which contained greetings
> in various languages.
>
> To be sure, the Microsoft researchers aren't the first to see the growing
> need to preserve information in the digital age.
>
> One existing online approach is called the Handle System. Launched more
> than a decade ago, it assigns unique identifiers that, unlike traditional
> Internet addresses, can be used to find online information and media even
> if they're subsequently moved. The system grew out of the work of Bob
> Kahn, the technology pioneer who was separately responsible for the system
> design of the Arpanet, the forerunner to today's Internet.
>
> "I'm delighted when anybody takes interest in this," Kahn said in an
> interview last week, when asked about the Microsoft Research project.
> "More and more information is being generated, and everybody, whether it's
> a corporation or individual, from time to time wants to go back and find
> something and they don't know where to look.
>
> "I think there's a generic issue here that's really important for the
> future," he added. However, he said, there's no reason that the Handle
> System by itself can't be used to reference any type of informational
> resource.
>
> And the fact that Microsoft has applied for a patent could raise eyebrows
> in the industry.
>
> "I think it's great that they're pursuing it. If they feel like they have
> to patent it in order to pursue it, I guess that's a business decision
> they have to make," said Mark Anderson, publisher of the Strategic News
> Service technology newsletter. "But I would hope they wouldn't try and do
> it in a way which would preclude others doing the same thing."
>
> The Microsoft researchers talked generally about their project, but the
> company says it doesn't comment on pending patent applications, as a
> policy.
>
> Anderson proposed a similar concept several years ago at one of his Future
> in Review conferences, suggesting that someone offer an Internet storage
> and communications service that people could use to pass along vital
> knowledge to descendants, in a way that rarely happens today.
>
> The Microsoft researchers say they also are interested in ways of
> preserving information online, not just in artifacts. At the same time,
> researcher Horvitz said, there's something to be said for keeping the
> information in one place in some cases.
>
> "The whole reason to go to a cemetery could be transformed," he said. "The
> idea of a locus in physical space where this information exists ... makes
> that much more of a meaningful location to actually travel to."
>
>
>
 
Re: Oops - headline typo - Should read Microsoft seeks patient onimmortal computing

Re: Oops - headline typo - Should read Microsoft seeks patient onimmortal computing

Bill Yanaire wrote:

"Patient"?

I know, you just be a IT guy and, don't worry, I won't sue you.

--
Alias
To email me, remove shoes

> "Bill Yanaire" <bill@yanaire.com> wrote in message
> news:%23pojgQM8HHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Can you imagine all of the posts generated here - Saved for hundreds of
>> years? Just think in 100 years, someone digging up all the rants, raves,
>> insults that we all throw around. Heaven help us now!
>>
>>
>>
>> Here is the story in the Seattle paper from January of this year:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> E-mail from the grave? Microsoft seeks patent on 'immortal computing'
>>
>> By TODD BISHOP
>> P-I REPORTER
>>
>> In this culture of instant information, some Microsoft Corp. researchers
>> are pursuing a radical notion -- the concept of saving messages for
>> delivery in decades, centuries or more.
>>
>> The project, dubbed "immortal computing," would let people store digital
>> information in physical artifacts and other forms to be preserved and
>> revealed to future generations, and maybe even to future civilizations.
>>
>> After all, when looking that far in the future, you never know who the end
>> users might be.
>>
>> "It is definitely a long-term project," said Andy Wilson, the Microsoft
>> researcher whose musings on the ephemeral nature of digital information
>> inspired the research initiative.
>>
>> One scenario the researchers envision: People could store messages to
>> descendants, information about their lives or interactive holograms of
>> themselves for access by visitors at their tombstones or urns.
>>
>> And here's where the notion of immortality really kicks in: The
>> researchers say the artifacts could be symbolic representations of people,
>> reflecting elements of their personalities. The systems might be set up to
>> take action -- e-mailing birthday greetings to people identified as
>> grandchildren, for example.
>>
>> The previously undisclosed project came to light through a newly surfaced
>> patent application in which the researchers explain some of the concepts
>> they're exploring. The project seeks to address the fact that large
>> amounts of valuable information are stored on media with limited life
>> spans, in formats that could be rendered obsolete. Consider how quickly
>> floppy disks disappeared.
>>
>> But the researchers aren't just thinking about the informational legacies
>> of individuals.
>>
>> "Maybe we should start thinking as a civilization about creating our
>> Rosetta stones now, along with lots of information, even going beyond
>> personal memories into civilization memories," said Eric Horvitz, a
>> Microsoft principal researcher who also is working on the project.
>>
>> Where the project will end up isn't clear. In some cases, Microsoft
>> Research projects ultimately lead to products, or contribute to them, but
>> in other situations they don't. The researchers declined to say whether
>> they have a working prototype of an "immortal computing" artifact.
>>
>> This is just one of multiple projects for each of the involved
>> researchers. But the patent application, filed in June 2005 and made
>> public this month, at least shows that they've given the concept of
>> "immortal computing" considerable thought.
>>
>> Among other things, the filing describes the potential use of durable data
>> storage, such as advanced imaging techniques, to make sure the information
>> survives over time. One key will be to avoid storage devices that require
>> movable -- and potentially breakable -- internal parts.
>>
>> The filing says the information could be retrieved through a separate
>> interface, independent of the individual artifact, in part to allow the
>> method of display to evolve with changing technology. People who store
>> information would be able to decide in advance when and to whom it would
>> be disclosed, using DNA or biometrics to confirm identity.
>>
>> The application also cites the potential use of alternative energy, such
>> as thermal or inductive power, to run the interface.
>>
>> The artifacts also would be designed to make the process of accessing the
>> information clear, in case those who discover them aren't sure just what
>> to do with these strange objects from the 21st century. Among other
>> things, the patent application cites the possibility of accompanying
>> instructions, in multiple languages or hieroglyphics.
>>
>> In that way, the instructions would be "self-revealing," the researchers
>> say. The concept is similar to the symbolic instructions with the Golden
>> Record on board the Voyager spacecraft launched in the 1970s -- they gave
>> details on how to build a player for the record, which contained greetings
>> in various languages.
>>
>> To be sure, the Microsoft researchers aren't the first to see the growing
>> need to preserve information in the digital age.
>>
>> One existing online approach is called the Handle System. Launched more
>> than a decade ago, it assigns unique identifiers that, unlike traditional
>> Internet addresses, can be used to find online information and media even
>> if they're subsequently moved. The system grew out of the work of Bob
>> Kahn, the technology pioneer who was separately responsible for the system
>> design of the Arpanet, the forerunner to today's Internet.
>>
>> "I'm delighted when anybody takes interest in this," Kahn said in an
>> interview last week, when asked about the Microsoft Research project.
>> "More and more information is being generated, and everybody, whether it's
>> a corporation or individual, from time to time wants to go back and find
>> something and they don't know where to look.
>>
>> "I think there's a generic issue here that's really important for the
>> future," he added. However, he said, there's no reason that the Handle
>> System by itself can't be used to reference any type of informational
>> resource.
>>
>> And the fact that Microsoft has applied for a patent could raise eyebrows
>> in the industry.
>>
>> "I think it's great that they're pursuing it. If they feel like they have
>> to patent it in order to pursue it, I guess that's a business decision
>> they have to make," said Mark Anderson, publisher of the Strategic News
>> Service technology newsletter. "But I would hope they wouldn't try and do
>> it in a way which would preclude others doing the same thing."
>>
>> The Microsoft researchers talked generally about their project, but the
>> company says it doesn't comment on pending patent applications, as a
>> policy.
>>
>> Anderson proposed a similar concept several years ago at one of his Future
>> in Review conferences, suggesting that someone offer an Internet storage
>> and communications service that people could use to pass along vital
>> knowledge to descendants, in a way that rarely happens today.
>>
>> The Microsoft researchers say they also are interested in ways of
>> preserving information online, not just in artifacts. At the same time,
>> researcher Horvitz said, there's something to be said for keeping the
>> information in one place in some cases.
>>
>> "The whole reason to go to a cemetery could be transformed," he said. "The
>> idea of a locus in physical space where this information exists ... makes
>> that much more of a meaningful location to actually travel to."
>>
>>
>>

>
>
 
Re: Oops - headline typo - Should read Microsoft seeks patient on immortal computing

Re: Oops - headline typo - Should read Microsoft seeks patient on immortal computing


"Alias" <iamalias@shoesgmail.com> wrote in message
news:fbq2jd$ipv$3@aioe.org...
> Bill Yanaire wrote:
>
> "Patient"?
>
> I know, you just be a IT guy and, don't worry, I won't sue you.
>

You would have a hard time with a lawsuit there in Spain, Just FYI

> --
> Alias
> To email me, remove shoes
>
>> "Bill Yanaire" <bill@yanaire.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23pojgQM8HHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> Can you imagine all of the posts generated here - Saved for hundreds of
>>> years? Just think in 100 years, someone digging up all the rants,
>>> raves, insults that we all throw around. Heaven help us now!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Here is the story in the Seattle paper from January of this year:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> E-mail from the grave? Microsoft seeks patent on 'immortal computing'
>>>
>>> By TODD BISHOP
>>> P-I REPORTER
>>>
>>> In this culture of instant information, some Microsoft Corp. researchers
>>> are pursuing a radical notion -- the concept of saving messages for
>>> delivery in decades, centuries or more.
>>>
>>> The project, dubbed "immortal computing," would let people store digital
>>> information in physical artifacts and other forms to be preserved and
>>> revealed to future generations, and maybe even to future civilizations.
>>>
>>> After all, when looking that far in the future, you never know who the
>>> end users might be.
>>>
>>> "It is definitely a long-term project," said Andy Wilson, the Microsoft
>>> researcher whose musings on the ephemeral nature of digital information
>>> inspired the research initiative.
>>>
>>> One scenario the researchers envision: People could store messages to
>>> descendants, information about their lives or interactive holograms of
>>> themselves for access by visitors at their tombstones or urns.
>>>
>>> And here's where the notion of immortality really kicks in: The
>>> researchers say the artifacts could be symbolic representations of
>>> people, reflecting elements of their personalities. The systems might be
>>> set up to take action -- e-mailing birthday greetings to people
>>> identified as grandchildren, for example.
>>>
>>> The previously undisclosed project came to light through a newly
>>> surfaced patent application in which the researchers explain some of the
>>> concepts they're exploring. The project seeks to address the fact that
>>> large amounts of valuable information are stored on media with limited
>>> life spans, in formats that could be rendered obsolete. Consider how
>>> quickly floppy disks disappeared.
>>>
>>> But the researchers aren't just thinking about the informational
>>> legacies of individuals.
>>>
>>> "Maybe we should start thinking as a civilization about creating our
>>> Rosetta stones now, along with lots of information, even going beyond
>>> personal memories into civilization memories," said Eric Horvitz, a
>>> Microsoft principal researcher who also is working on the project.
>>>
>>> Where the project will end up isn't clear. In some cases, Microsoft
>>> Research projects ultimately lead to products, or contribute to them,
>>> but in other situations they don't. The researchers declined to say
>>> whether they have a working prototype of an "immortal computing"
>>> artifact.
>>>
>>> This is just one of multiple projects for each of the involved
>>> researchers. But the patent application, filed in June 2005 and made
>>> public this month, at least shows that they've given the concept of
>>> "immortal computing" considerable thought.
>>>
>>> Among other things, the filing describes the potential use of durable
>>> data storage, such as advanced imaging techniques, to make sure the
>>> information survives over time. One key will be to avoid storage devices
>>> that require movable -- and potentially breakable -- internal parts.
>>>
>>> The filing says the information could be retrieved through a separate
>>> interface, independent of the individual artifact, in part to allow the
>>> method of display to evolve with changing technology. People who store
>>> information would be able to decide in advance when and to whom it would
>>> be disclosed, using DNA or biometrics to confirm identity.
>>>
>>> The application also cites the potential use of alternative energy, such
>>> as thermal or inductive power, to run the interface.
>>>
>>> The artifacts also would be designed to make the process of accessing
>>> the information clear, in case those who discover them aren't sure just
>>> what to do with these strange objects from the 21st century. Among other
>>> things, the patent application cites the possibility of accompanying
>>> instructions, in multiple languages or hieroglyphics.
>>>
>>> In that way, the instructions would be "self-revealing," the researchers
>>> say. The concept is similar to the symbolic instructions with the Golden
>>> Record on board the Voyager spacecraft launched in the 1970s -- they
>>> gave details on how to build a player for the record, which contained
>>> greetings in various languages.
>>>
>>> To be sure, the Microsoft researchers aren't the first to see the
>>> growing need to preserve information in the digital age.
>>>
>>> One existing online approach is called the Handle System. Launched more
>>> than a decade ago, it assigns unique identifiers that, unlike
>>> traditional Internet addresses, can be used to find online information
>>> and media even if they're subsequently moved. The system grew out of the
>>> work of Bob Kahn, the technology pioneer who was separately responsible
>>> for the system design of the Arpanet, the forerunner to today's
>>> Internet.
>>>
>>> "I'm delighted when anybody takes interest in this," Kahn said in an
>>> interview last week, when asked about the Microsoft Research project.
>>> "More and more information is being generated, and everybody, whether
>>> it's a corporation or individual, from time to time wants to go back and
>>> find something and they don't know where to look.
>>>
>>> "I think there's a generic issue here that's really important for the
>>> future," he added. However, he said, there's no reason that the Handle
>>> System by itself can't be used to reference any type of informational
>>> resource.
>>>
>>> And the fact that Microsoft has applied for a patent could raise
>>> eyebrows in the industry.
>>>
>>> "I think it's great that they're pursuing it. If they feel like they
>>> have to patent it in order to pursue it, I guess that's a business
>>> decision they have to make," said Mark Anderson, publisher of the
>>> Strategic News Service technology newsletter. "But I would hope they
>>> wouldn't try and do it in a way which would preclude others doing the
>>> same thing."
>>>
>>> The Microsoft researchers talked generally about their project, but the
>>> company says it doesn't comment on pending patent applications, as a
>>> policy.
>>>
>>> Anderson proposed a similar concept several years ago at one of his
>>> Future in Review conferences, suggesting that someone offer an Internet
>>> storage and communications service that people could use to pass along
>>> vital knowledge to descendants, in a way that rarely happens today.
>>>
>>> The Microsoft researchers say they also are interested in ways of
>>> preserving information online, not just in artifacts. At the same time,
>>> researcher Horvitz said, there's something to be said for keeping the
>>> information in one place in some cases.
>>>
>>> "The whole reason to go to a cemetery could be transformed," he said.
>>> "The idea of a locus in physical space where this information exists ...
>>> makes that much more of a meaningful location to actually travel to."
>>>
>>>
>>>

>>
 
Re: Microsoft seeks patient on immortan computing

too late, the story of retaining all the internets information in a time
capsule in space has already been written.
The story also involves the destruction of earth due to vista

http://unbreakable-blog.blogspot.com/2007/01/star-trek-vista.html


this is a small part of the story here:


Part 1 The discovery of the time capsule

Data: We were able to retrieve this time capsule that was launched into
space a few hours before World War III started.

It was a probe with ion propulsion and its intention was to preserve all the
information from the global computer network they called the "internet".
It had crashed on this large asteroid.

Picard: This discovery is of monumental value... all information of that
ancient network had been thought as lost! Have you been able to retrieve the
data?

Data: No Sir. Only a decade after its launch the galaxy's core went into its
unstable radiant neutron phase, and this was not known by the scientists of
the era, so they did not give the space vehicle the proper shielding to
preserve data.




"Bill Yanaire" <bill@yanaire.com> wrote in message
news:%23pojgQM8HHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Can you imagine all of the posts generated here - Saved for hundreds of
> years? Just think in 100 years, someone digging up all the rants, raves,
> insults that we all throw around. Heaven help us now!
>
>
>
> Here is the story in the Seattle paper from January of this year:
>
>
>
>
> E-mail from the grave? Microsoft seeks patent on 'immortal computing'
>
> By TODD BISHOP
> P-I REPORTER
>
> In this culture of instant information, some Microsoft Corp. researchers
> are pursuing a radical notion -- the concept of saving messages for
> delivery in decades, centuries or more.
>
> The project, dubbed "immortal computing," would let people store digital
> information in physical artifacts and other forms to be preserved and
> revealed to future generations, and maybe even to future civilizations.
>
> After all, when looking that far in the future, you never know who the end
> users might be.
>
> "It is definitely a long-term project," said Andy Wilson, the Microsoft
> researcher whose musings on the ephemeral nature of digital information
> inspired the research initiative.
>
> One scenario the researchers envision: People could store messages to
> descendants, information about their lives or interactive holograms of
> themselves for access by visitors at their tombstones or urns.
>
> And here's where the notion of immortality really kicks in: The
> researchers say the artifacts could be symbolic representations of people,
> reflecting elements of their personalities. The systems might be set up to
> take action -- e-mailing birthday greetings to people identified as
> grandchildren, for example.
>
> The previously undisclosed project came to light through a newly surfaced
> patent application in which the researchers explain some of the concepts
> they're exploring. The project seeks to address the fact that large
> amounts of valuable information are stored on media with limited life
> spans, in formats that could be rendered obsolete. Consider how quickly
> floppy disks disappeared.
>
> But the researchers aren't just thinking about the informational legacies
> of individuals.
>
> "Maybe we should start thinking as a civilization about creating our
> Rosetta stones now, along with lots of information, even going beyond
> personal memories into civilization memories," said Eric Horvitz, a
> Microsoft principal researcher who also is working on the project.
>
> Where the project will end up isn't clear. In some cases, Microsoft
> Research projects ultimately lead to products, or contribute to them, but
> in other situations they don't. The researchers declined to say whether
> they have a working prototype of an "immortal computing" artifact.
>
> This is just one of multiple projects for each of the involved
> researchers. But the patent application, filed in June 2005 and made
> public this month, at least shows that they've given the concept of
> "immortal computing" considerable thought.
>
> Among other things, the filing describes the potential use of durable data
> storage, such as advanced imaging techniques, to make sure the information
> survives over time. One key will be to avoid storage devices that require
> movable -- and potentially breakable -- internal parts.
>
> The filing says the information could be retrieved through a separate
> interface, independent of the individual artifact, in part to allow the
> method of display to evolve with changing technology. People who store
> information would be able to decide in advance when and to whom it would
> be disclosed, using DNA or biometrics to confirm identity.
>
> The application also cites the potential use of alternative energy, such
> as thermal or inductive power, to run the interface.
>
> The artifacts also would be designed to make the process of accessing the
> information clear, in case those who discover them aren't sure just what
> to do with these strange objects from the 21st century. Among other
> things, the patent application cites the possibility of accompanying
> instructions, in multiple languages or hieroglyphics.
>
> In that way, the instructions would be "self-revealing," the researchers
> say. The concept is similar to the symbolic instructions with the Golden
> Record on board the Voyager spacecraft launched in the 1970s -- they gave
> details on how to build a player for the record, which contained greetings
> in various languages.
>
> To be sure, the Microsoft researchers aren't the first to see the growing
> need to preserve information in the digital age.
>
> One existing online approach is called the Handle System. Launched more
> than a decade ago, it assigns unique identifiers that, unlike traditional
> Internet addresses, can be used to find online information and media even
> if they're subsequently moved. The system grew out of the work of Bob
> Kahn, the technology pioneer who was separately responsible for the system
> design of the Arpanet, the forerunner to today's Internet.
>
> "I'm delighted when anybody takes interest in this," Kahn said in an
> interview last week, when asked about the Microsoft Research project.
> "More and more information is being generated, and everybody, whether it's
> a corporation or individual, from time to time wants to go back and find
> something and they don't know where to look.
>
> "I think there's a generic issue here that's really important for the
> future," he added. However, he said, there's no reason that the Handle
> System by itself can't be used to reference any type of informational
> resource.
>
> And the fact that Microsoft has applied for a patent could raise eyebrows
> in the industry.
>
> "I think it's great that they're pursuing it. If they feel like they have
> to patent it in order to pursue it, I guess that's a business decision
> they have to make," said Mark Anderson, publisher of the Strategic News
> Service technology newsletter. "But I would hope they wouldn't try and do
> it in a way which would preclude others doing the same thing."
>
> The Microsoft researchers talked generally about their project, but the
> company says it doesn't comment on pending patent applications, as a
> policy.
>
> Anderson proposed a similar concept several years ago at one of his Future
> in Review conferences, suggesting that someone offer an Internet storage
> and communications service that people could use to pass along vital
> knowledge to descendants, in a way that rarely happens today.
>
> The Microsoft researchers say they also are interested in ways of
> preserving information online, not just in artifacts. At the same time,
> researcher Horvitz said, there's something to be said for keeping the
> information in one place in some cases.
>
> "The whole reason to go to a cemetery could be transformed," he said. "The
> idea of a locus in physical space where this information exists ... makes
> that much more of a meaningful location to actually travel to."
>
>
>
 
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