The Unpredictable Certainty White Papers (1997) / Chapter Skim
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Role of the PC in Emerging Information Infrastructures
Role of the PC in Emerging Information Infrastructures
Pages 388-396
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From page 388... ...
The fact is Mat Me ubiquitous information device exists now, inane form of the personal computer. In fact, while the government and the telecommunications companies argue about how best to deregulate the telecommunications industry, consumers are voting with their pocketbook by purchasing personal computers, the only available interactive information device, at record levels.
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From page 389... ...
The market moved the personal computer industry forward at a phenomenal pace, and we encourage following this mode! rather Can the heavily regulated telecommunications model, which has proven slow to evolve and respond.
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From page 390... ...
For the first time last year, consumers spent more money on computers Han on TVs and VCRs combined, making the PC the most successful consumer electronic device. Another indication of the success of the personal computer In the home is that of the more Han 6 million PCs sold to consumers In 1994, about 25 percent were additional computers to homes already owning one or more PCs.
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From page 391... ...
with computing power equal to the mainframe of just 6 years ago. This, combined with a high resolution display, a CD-ROM, and CD quality audio sound provides for a rich multimedia experience.
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From page 392... ...
An example is the PCT bus, which has become the standard for the high-speed internal bus of personal computers. The cable television industry still operates in the traditional vertical organization.
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From page 393... ...
Evolution But the single most important difference between He TV and the PC has noting to do with any one feature but rather with the fact that the PC is constantly changing, in effect adding features on a regular basis. For those who live in the world oftelecommun~cation and television where Wings move very slowly (witness integrated services digital network and high-definition television ~DTV]
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From page 394... ...
The following key characteristics of the personal computer industry ensure that the PC will continue to be the primary interactive device of the information superhighway: . It is a hippy capable device designed from the start for interactivity.
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From page 395... ...
The Intemet is packet switched, but much of the potential is lost in the circuit switched POTS network that connect homes to the Intemet over the "last mile." If we are to broadly utilize the NIT for applications such as electronic commerce, security considerations are going to become Important. However, we consider this to be an issue between He two end points of the transactions and not of the network.
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From page 396... ...
Government should understand and facilitate these trends. The computer industry has to play an active role in this process.
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