Computer Technology

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

Computer Technology

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY PAGE 1 OF 2

Technology as a whole has changed society in many ways . Advances now are almost taken for granted . Computer Technology in particular has advanced at a pace that would not have been dreamed of just a few short decades ago . In the next decade the advances are sure to astound us Even today , as terra byte drives are on the brink of being mass marketed and three gigahertz processor speeds are the norm , one has to wonder what the next ten years

has in store for us . Although I believe that it is very difficult to predict the future development of technology in general and computer technology in particular , I believe that my life will be affected most by the advances in computers with regards to health care , employment , and leisure time

The use of computers in health care is almost invisible to us even today . From the pre hospital environment where paramedics have access to electrocardiograms that can actually diagnosis rhythms on the scene to CAT , MRI , and PET scans that have brought highly detailed non-invasive imaging to the emergency room , the use of current technology saves lives . In the next ten years this type of imaging may be routinely available in doctor 's offices . Three dimensional holographic images might be possible . This will affect me in two very different ways . First , if I am injured or have a serious illness , the diagnosis will be faster and more accurate , allowing faster treatment times . Secondly , as these devices are developed , I am sure that health care costs will go up , which means I will be paying more for health insurance

Employment characteristics are already vastly different today than they were in the 1980s . In ten years , the ability to get a living wage job without the benefit of higher education will be next to impossible Everyone will have to be somewhat computer literate to even survive , let alone flourish , in the workplace . Even fast food outlets are becoming more automated as computer time clocks , ovens , fryers , and cash registers become common . I believe

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that telecommuting , in its infancy today , will be a standard option in ten years . The development of ultra high speed communications coupled with the price of fossil fuels will quite possibly drive me to seek a telecommuting position . I am going to have a hard enough time paying for the health insurance already discussed let alone gasoline at what ever price it will be at in ten years

When the work day is done , be it at a job site or at home disconnecting from the server at the job site , it will be time for a little rest and recuperation . My computer-controlled electronic choices of entertainment will be many and varied . I will be able to immerse myself in a three dimensional viewing environment or participate in internet based virtual reality games . The days of going out to the movies will...