The Google search is powered by cheap linux clusters .Held together with velcro !.
They wrote software that makes sure an alternate server/diskdrive is used if a failure
happens . Hardware failure is harder to predict than software failure .
And when the hardware fails ,they are easily replaced .
That would
mean Google could run continuously and without fail ,using software
to take redundant paths.
In essence ,it is a reliable service built over an unreliable lower layer .
This is a powerful philosophy .
To build something reliable over something unreliable .
Brought to my mind the dabbawalas of bombay .
They have been rated six sigma by Forbes magazine for their reliability .
They use a transportation system which consists of trains, tongas and buses .
Yet these semi-literate guys founded a system that reaches food from the homes to the offices of the workers with clockwork precision and efficiency.
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3 comments:
wow great analogy!
This comparison after reading it sounds so obvious, I thought surely there must be someone else who's already thought about this and done a more comprehensive study on this amazing similarity.
Googled for google dabbawalas and surprisingly didn't find any relevant search result. Maybe we should ask the dabbawalas ;)
One key factor is the dabbawalas are human, they're working for their livelihood but I dont see that making a difference though.
He he!!!
Nice article, very thought provoking.
I wouldn't agree with Sanjay though - I'm a firm believer of the "Drop by Drop fills an ocean concept".
India is a country with nearly 60% official poverty - any help towards self sufficiency through simple techniques as "Micro Financing" or "Home-based Companies" is a welcome sign.
Keep writing - I also related to your "Googlitis" syndrome a little while ago.
I won't be surprised if Google is the next Network operating system - we use it for every kind of knowledge management.
Do visit http://charlesvaz.blogspot.com
by saying I dont see that making a difference, I meant that I dont see that making a difference in the comparison between google and the dabbawalas.
I dont know have a comment about their livelihood - whether they're poor or doiing well,or maybe its only a part time job for some of them and they may have other income as well, guess thats out of the scope of this post :)
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