[Worldbuilding] Divergent, retro and other 'not of this world' Computers and Software

[vicky_molokh]

Greetings, all!

Okay, I have a reasonably formed picture of what computers are like in my current setting, but I guess it never hurts to ask the hive mind for more ideas. Also, probably no harm if this topic is expanded to all sorts of non-Homeline computers and software. I'll just integrate any ideas that would fit ÆS, while anybody else can pick up posted ideas for alternate histories / aliens / whatever. Oh, and the list of does NOT necessarily imply that they are used together. So, here goes:

Exponential increase in Complexity from linear increase in size. This option is used in Æthereal Sun.

Dedicated, largely hardcoded, but robust, reliable and bug-free computers. (Traveller.)

More architectural diversity: a world with a dozen (or more) lazily competing architectures, each with different advantages and different software. On one hand, standardisation is dead on arrival; on the other, stuff is made to be a lot more tolerant of accepting new protocols and the like (to quote Unix Hater's Handbook, 'you’ll discover ways of rewiring sendmail’s insides so that “@#$@$^%<<<@#) at @$%#^!” is a valid e-mail address'). (This is partially true in ÆS.)

'University' instead of 'corporate' approach to software copyrights (which may or may not match the 'early UNIX' approach): most software is written by a guild's local computer experts for the guild's dominant architecture, financed by the guild based on current needs; piracy exists (where people get both access to and uses for said software), but is not seen as a big deal as in our world (bothering to enforce software copyrights is more trouble than the potential gains due to several factors in such a setting). (This is somewhat true in ÆS.)

Partially interconnected social networks and messengers: in our world, various government and phone companies, both stationary and mobile, managed to interconnect that we can call anyone anywhere. In this setting, there's a roughly 80% chance that any two social networks or instant messenger services have a direct interconnectivity, allowing their users to chat with minimal limitations (e.g. possible inability to send files directly). (This is the case in ÆS, and I have no idea why not in our world.)

Awaiting your ideas.
Thanks in advance!