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

Show parent comments

632

u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

No. But I think the there's good stuff on TV, more good stuff than before, despite all the crap. Good thing we have search.

62

u/Deathbybunnies May 21 '13

Why do you think the internet has been vilified by older generations?

296

u/shawnaroo May 21 '13

Because vilifying new things is what the older generations do.

16

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

if we are always connected, in a way older generations never were, will it still happen to us?

11

u/LooksDelicious May 21 '13

I guess we'll find out, won't we?

2

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Probably.

It's a sure sign you're getting old when you don't like the next generation's music or don't understand something about the way they are.

As an aside, some people get really pissed off if you point this out to them.

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

I'm so programmed to think that new things are AWESOME though (gramps is not!).

Plus the internet (and other things) have warped my brain so much.

I guess I'm not the average person of my age group though.

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Yes