The big software chill

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Abstract
If a technology (or idea) does not achieve mainstream status quickly enough, it dies. Video on demand (interactive TV), the information superhighway (ISDN), and massively parallel supercomputing may be examples. These ideas are okay, but they could die for lack of legs. At present, consumers are simply shunning them, illustrating the power of Information Age mainstreaming. A corollary to this law is that a technology (or idea) thrives, even if it is a bad technology or idea, as long as it quickly achieves mainstream status. Microsoft Windows, Java, C++ and others illustrate the overwhelming power of mainstreaming. It's positive feedback. Simply put, the rich get richer, especially when they hold a monopoly. In the Information Age, the definition of wealth includes domination of standards as well as having cash in the bank. The problem with software is that software companies don't get paid unless they reap a profit within the time limit set by the mainstreaming law. Commercial software companies have to hit the big time, or else

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