Language Points 合 3 There is never a reliable map for unexplored territory, but we can learn important lessons from the creation and evolution of the $120-billion personal-computer industry. The PC-its evolving hardware, business applications, on-line systems, Internet connections, electronic mail, multimedia titles, authoring tools, and games-is the foundation for the next revolution 4 During the PC industry's infancy, the mass media paid little attention to what was going on in the brand- new business. Those of us who were attracted by computers and the possibilities they promised were unnoticed outside our own circles
3 There is never a reliable map for unexplored territory, but we can learn important lessons from the creation and evolution of the $120-billion personal-computer industry. The PC — its evolving hardware, business applications, on-line systems, Internet connections, electronic mail, multimedia titles, authoring tools, and games — is the foundation for the next revolution. 4 During the PC industry’s infancy, the mass media paid little attention to what was going on in the brand-new business. Those of us who were attracted by computers and the possibilities they promised were unnoticed outside our own circles. Language Points
Language Points 合 5 But this next journey, to the so-called information highway, is the topic of endless news paper and magazine articles, television and radio broadcasts, conferences, and widespread speculation There has been an unbelievable amount of interest in this subject during the last few years both inside and outside the computer industry. The interest is not confined only to developed countries, and it goes well beyond the large numbers of personal-computer users
5 But this next journey, to the so-called information highway, is the topic of endless newspaper and magazine articles, television and radio broadcasts, conferences, and widespread speculation. There has been an unbelievable amount of interest in this subject during the last few years, both inside and outside the computer industry. The interest is not confined only to developed countries, and it goes well beyond the large numbers of personal-computer users. Language Points
Language Points 合 6 Thousands of informed and uninformed people are now speculating publicly about the information highway. The amount of misunderstanding about the technology and its possible pitfalls surprises me. Some people think the highway is simply todays Internet or the delivery of 500 simultaneous channels of television others hope or fear it will create computers as smart as human beings. Those developments will come, but they are not the highway
6 Thousands of informed and uninformed people are now speculating publicly about the information highway. The amount of misunderstanding about the technology and its possible pitfalls surprises me. Some people think the highway is simply today’s Internet or the delivery of 500 simultaneous channels of television. Others hope or fear it will create computers as smart as human beings. Those developments will come, but they are not the highway. Language Points
Language Points 合 7 The revolution in communications is just beginning. It will take place over several decades, and will be driven by new applications"-new tools, often meeting currently unforeseen needs. During the next few years, major decisions will have to be made. It is crucial that a broad set of people- not just technologists or those who happen to be in the computer industry- participate in the debate about how this technology should be shaped. If that can be done, the highway will serve the purposes users want. The n it will gain broad acceptance and become a reality
7 The revolution in communications is just beginning. It will take place over several decades, and will be driven by new “applications” — new tools, often meeting currently unforeseen needs. During the next few years, major decisions will have to be made. It is crucial that a broad set of people — not just technologists or those who happen to be in the computer industry — participate in the debate about how this technology should be shaped. If that can be done, the highway will serve the purposes users want. Then it will gain broad acceptance and become a reality. Language Points
Language Points 合 8 I'm writing this book The road ahead as part of my contribution to the debate and, although it's a tall order, I hope it can serve as a travel guide for the forthcoming journey. I do this with some misgivings. We've all smiled at predictions from the past that look silly today. History is full of now ironic examples- the OXford professor who in 1878 dismissed the electric light as a gimmick; the commissioner of U.S. patents who in 1899 asked that his office be abolished because "everything that can be invented has been invented. This is meant to be a serious book, although ten years from now it may now it may not appear that way. What I've said that turned out to be right will be considered obvious and what was wrong will be humorous
8 I’m writing this book The Road Ahead as part of my contribution to the debate and, although it’s a tall order, I hope it can serve as a travel guide for the forthcoming journey. I do this with some misgivings. We’ve all smiled at predictions from the past that look silly today. History is full of now ironic examples — the Oxford professor who in 1878 dismissed the electric light as a gimmick; the commissioner of U.S. patents who in 1899 asked that his office be abolished because “everything that can be invented has been invented.” This is meant to be a serious book, although ten years from now it may now it may not appear that way. What I’ve said that turned out to be right will be considered obvious and what was wrong will be humorous. Language Points