A Computerized World

Since the first computer was made in the late fifties,


the technology has developed extremely. Computers which took


the place of a living-room then, are now being made in


creditcard-formats. More and more areas are being taken over


by the computer.


    As computers are capable of handling large amounts of


data in a very short time, they are well suited for


wordprocessing. I guess that it won't be long till all the


paper-archives are replaced by magnetic tapes and diskettes. A


diskette can contain much more data than a written page, and


it takes less place! It is possible to get the Norwegian


telephone book on just one diskette.


    In near future, a new area will be taken over by


computers, namely maps. Different routes are stored on one


single compact-disk. Imagine, simply insert the CD into the


CD-driver in your car, and tell the computer where to go. The


rest will be done automatically. This will be a safer, faster,


and more comfortable way to travel.


    Another new area, called "virtual reality" is currently


being tested. This is a way to simulate reality on a monitor.


In order to feel this so-called reality you have to wear


special electronic glasses and an electronic suit. Fastened to


the suit are sensors, which send information to the main


computer. This computer works with the data and displays them


on the electronic spectacles. This is a technique which use


three-dimentional views, therefore the scenery seems


incredibly realistic. If you want to be a boxer, simply change


the scenery on the main computer, and you are in the ring.


    Today, many kids have got video games. You could say


these games are the present's answer to ludo and monopoly. In


a way, it is a great advantage that the kids are being


presented to computors at an early age,...