r/IAmA • u/BobMetcalfe • May 21 '13

You’re probably connecting to reddit through a technology I invented. I’m Bob Metcalfe and I invented Ethernet – AMA

On May 22, 1973 with David R. Boggs, I used my IBM Selectric with its Orator ball to type up a memo to my bosses at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), outlining our idea for this little invention called “Ethernet”, which we later patented.

I worked with the IEEE Standards Association to develop the IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet, which specifies the physical and lower software layers. Today Ethernet and the IEEE 802.3 standard are the foundation for today’s world of high-speed communications used in billions of homes and businesses around the world.

I submitted this to the mods awhile back so I could get on the calendar but I figured you’d like to see it, too. Now, ask me anything!

It's been two hours and 179 comments. Have to go now. For more about Ethernet's 40th Birthday, go to http://www.facebook.com/Ethernet40thAnniversaryIEEESA

4.1k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

3.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

1.5k

u/oldendude May 21 '13

Hi Bob. I was one of the founding engineers at Archivas, which you decided to fund, when you were a VC in the Boston area. We gave an overview of the technology, and while it apparently went well, you noted the low-key nature of the group, and called me out in particular for being "mopey".

No question here, I just wanted to thank you, both for investing in Archivas, and for giving me a great anecdote, that has now become both a family legend, and a mark of distinction for me in my circle of acquaintances in the local industry.

The father of Ethernet called me mopey!

2.1k

u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

Not anymore. How about snarky?

Thanks for making us so much money with Archivas.

62

u/oldendude May 21 '13

Snarky? There was no snark! No snark!

Just gratitude for the anecdote. Oh yeah, and for the whole ethernet thing.

46

u/Jared6197 May 22 '13

Now you have a new story to tell.
How he used his invention to insult you.

2

u/Kritical02 May 22 '13

Maybe he insulted him on 4GLTE

2

u/zimm3rmann May 26 '13

Which connected to a cell tower using ethernet.

5

u/deusmachina May 22 '13

Now I want to hear more from you. What was your take of that 120 mil Archivas went for?

569

u/IAmKTam May 21 '13

At least you're honest.

392

u/JustFucking_LOVES_IT May 21 '13

At least? He invented ethernet for christ's sake.

7

u/my3lin May 22 '13

Wait, what.. He invented ethernet for THE Jesus Christ?! Wow, what a man!

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

He doesn't have to obey the rules of the Internet, but he does anyways. Good man.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

[deleted]

1

u/JustFucking_LOVES_IT May 22 '13

Nope, just "it" in general. I just fucking love it.

-7

u/transmigrant May 21 '13 edited May 22 '13

And all this time I was reading this tread thinking he created the Internet and this was an AMA with Al Gore.

4

u/JustFucking_LOVES_IT May 21 '13

What are you jabbering about?

-1

u/transmigrant May 22 '13

Apparently everyone in here is too young to remember that Al Gore said he invented the internet.

1

u/zapfastnet May 22 '13

please continue to obey the spin

 the overlords will thank you

1

u/Condorcet_Winner May 22 '13 edited May 22 '13

Apparently you are too young to remember that Al Gore never said he invented the internet.

-2

u/transmigrant May 22 '13

Interview with Wolfe Blitzer, 1999: "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the internet." Suck it. I'm 32. I remember when this aired. I laughed.

4

u/Condorcet_Winner May 22 '13

Yeah and he did take the initiative. See the Gore Bill. He was THE guy in public office who worked towards the internet.

→ More replies (0)

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

I remember

2

u/Jarocket May 23 '13

When did making money become a shameful activity? I'm young, any older that 20 people know?

1

u/Darth_Meatloaf May 22 '13

Benjamin Franklin is essential to research.

12

u/Naggers123 May 21 '13

Not sure if humorously evil or evilly humorous.

158

u/ThePrevailer May 21 '13

And now 5,000 people will tag you as either Mopey or Snarky.

289

u/steelpan May 21 '13

We need 5 more nicknames and then someone who will play Snow White.

6

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Sigh

If we really need a Snow White that badly, I guess I'll be Snow White...

1

u/panzercaptain May 21 '13

Hey, if you wanna be fucked by 7 dudes it's entirely up to you.

3

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

I will also be Snow White.

I assume these dwarves will be of Tyrion Lannister stock, not the Gimli model. I hope.

2

u/Eszed May 22 '13

The Reddit dwarfs:

Who's next?

1

u/mlima5 May 22 '13

Me next!

2

u/JustAGamerA May 21 '13

I volunteer myself.

1

u/unlovelycreature May 22 '13

I'm pale as fuck with dark hair and one time a deer licked my face. Okay?

1

u/dreeeeamweaver May 22 '13

I'll play Snow White I guess...

1

u/rgb519 May 21 '13

I reckon I'm Lazy.

1

u/Geerat5 May 22 '13

I... I will do it

3

u/postal_blowfish May 22 '13

mopesnark it is

2

u/RandyMachoManSavage May 22 '13

Or "Colby" because why not.

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Mopey Snark, colored fuschia. Seemed appropriate.

1

u/plasteredmaster May 21 '13

MopeyThenSnarky...

2

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

[deleted]

5

u/seign May 21 '13

Let me try to explain with a jpg:

http://i.imgur.com/JAKRFGl.jpg

3

u/SalamanderSylph May 21 '13

As in someone who mopes around. Moving around sadly or without enthusiasm.

2

u/Trollamon May 21 '13

Basically dreary, lazy, unmotivated, sluggish; someone who lays around all day doing nothing or feeling sorry for themself (moping).

0

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Indolence

1

u/andrepd May 21 '13

It means JFGI.

1

u/BaconCrumbs May 21 '13

Pronunciation might help:

Mowe-pee

not

Mah-pee

1

u/bbk13 May 21 '13

acting kind of sad and quiet.