Computers make the world smaller and smarter

[maiquang]

The ability of tiny computing devices to
control complex operations has transformed
the way many tasks are performed, ranging
from scientific research to producing
consumer products. Tiny 'computers on a
chip’ are used in medical equipment, home
appliances, cars and toys. Workers use
handheld computing devices to collect data at
a customer site, to generate forms, to control
inventory, and to serve as desktop organisers.
Not only is computing equipment getting
smaller, it is getting more sophisticated.
Computers are part of many machines and
devices that once required continual human
supervision and control. Today, computers in
security systems result in safer environments,
computers in cars improve energy efficiency,
and computers in phones provide features
such as call forwarding, call monitoring, and
call answering.

These smart machines are designed to take
over some of the basic tasks previously
performed by people; by so doing, they make
life a little easier and a little more pleasant.
Smart cards store vital information such as
health records, drivers’ licenses, bank
balances, and so on. Smart phones, cars, and
appliances with built in computers can be
programmed to better meet individual needs.
A smart house has a built-in monitoring
system that can turn lights on and off, open
and close windows, operate the oven, and
more.
With small computing devices available for
performing smart tasks like cooking dinner,
programming the DVD recorder, and controlling
the flow of information in an organization,
people are able to spend more time doing what
they often do best - being creative. Computers
can help people work more creatively.
Multimedia systems are known for their
educational and entertainment value, which
we call 'edutainment'. Multimedia combines


text with sound, video, animation, and
graphics, which greatly enhances the
interaction between user and machine and
can make information more interesting and
appealing to people. Expert systems software
enables computers to 'think' like experts.
Medical diagnosis expert systems, for
example, can help doctors pinpoint a
patient’s illness, suggest further tests, and
prescribe appropriate drugs.
Connectivity enables computers and software
that might otherwise be incompatible to
communicate and to share resources. Now
that computers are proliferating in many
areas and networks are available for people
to access data and communicate with others,
personal computers are becoming
interpersonal PCs. They have the potential to
significantly improve the way we relate to
each other. Many people today telecommute -
that is, use their computers to stay in touch
with the office while they are working at
home. With the proper tools, hospital staff
can get a diagnosis from a medical expert
hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Similarly, the disabled can communicate more
effectively with others using computers.


Distance learning and videoconferencing are
concepts made possible with the use of an
electronic classroom or boardroom accessible
to people in remote locations. Vast databases
of information are currently available to users
of the Internet, all of whom can send mail
messages to each other. The information
superhighway is designed to significantly
expand this interactive connectivity so that
people all over the world will have free
access to all these resources.
People power is critical to ensuring that
hardware, software, and connectivity are
effectively integrated in a socially responsible
way. People - computer users and computer
professionals - are the ones who will decide
which hardware, software, and networks
endure and how great an impact they will
have on our lives. Ultimately people power
must be exercised to ensure that computers
are used not only efficiently but in a socially
responsible way.