Usage model considerations for future distributed computing systems

Mass user adoption is often a good indication of a technology's success. We argue that the vision laid out by some distributed computing system (DCS) pioneer that "almost everyone who uses a pencil will use a computer" is still unrealized. We review the past and present DCS usage models and call for explicit attention to the end user's need. In particular, manageability, mobility, security, privacy, and ease of use demand attention from the research community. In addition to providing suggestions for addressing these requirements, we attempt to illustrate a "digital ink and paper" usage model technology which provides a good bridge between DCS users and those who still conduct their work solely on pencil and paper. We believe that this technology will bring us one step closer to realizing the vision of making the widely distributed computing system the universal vehicle for thinking and communications.