send: Tuesday, January 27, 2009

1999 vs 2009

Which is the most significant technology development over the past ten years? and Why? Please give examples.

a. Computing (Size, Speed and Power)
b. Broadband Internet (Wired and Wireless)
c. Digital Media Explosion (Audio/Video Formats, Tools and Services)
d. Other... (please explain your custom answer)

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that the biggest development out of this list has to be computing. The primary reason that I believe this is because without the stunning advances in computing power and technology none of the other technologies would have had nearly the impact they have had and it's possible they wouldn't even exist at all. For example, if computers hadn't undergone the advances that we have witnessed (as evidenced by Moore's Law) there wouldn't be much of a reason for having a broadband connection since there would not be mainstream usage of the internet. Without a computer there's no widespread adoption of the internet. In the same way without computers capable of taking advantage of them why would we need such a plethora of digital media, if computers as we know them didn't exist why would anyone even know what an MP3 is?

Anonymous said...

I think that the most significant technology development over the past ten years would have to be computing in general. Zack makes a great point about computer technology being the driving force behind other technological developments. Going with his point I would say that these developments translated into the more extensive cell phone technologies that have become so prevalent in today society. By developing faster more mobile computers the technological advancements were able to be translated into mobile devices that could perform task similar to the computer. The developments in speed and mobility with computers created a desire which evolved into a need for individuals to have continuous access to information on the go.

Unknown said...

I definitely agree with the first two comments that computing is the most significant technology development over the past ten years. Albeit the (b) and (c) have undoubtedly pulled their own weight, without an advanced and ever-evolving computer platform they would not be able to enjoy the level that they currently are at. With increased speed and power, as well as decreased size, computer devices have been able to launch other successful devices. BlackBerry's, iPhone's, the arguable defunt Trio all would not be possible if the computer market had not been as advanced as it is today.

Unknown said...

Have to agree - it's definitely the computing size. The other two "options" you mentioned would not have been possible really without the advances in computing size. We wouldn't have MP3 players, so we probably wouldn't have seen the jump in digital media. Wireless internet? Would you use wireless internet if the AP was the size of a desktop PC and the wireless "card" for you computer was of a similar size? Probably not. Bottom line - the fact that we've been able to pack so much power into such tiny devices is what has spurred all the other "revolutions" we've seen.

Anonymous said...

I understand why everyone else picking PC. However you have to consider that technology advances and becomes obsolete pretty fast. Although computers get better, we do not constantly buy new ones usually you could be stuck with a laptop/desktop for a few years as technology further advances around you. Thats why i think Broadband internet and wireless is the most significant. I remember when i was stuck at home with three brothers and a phone modem with only one jack. Now i can step outside with my laptop and never have to worry about loosing signal especially where i live in NYC. Before people thought the internet would chain u down into a dark room all day, but now that image has changed and we do not have to deal with long loading time to get information for anything. I think we are missing the point computers are more lighter, faster, and more powerful because we need them to be so we can do more when we out and about using Facebook or playing games. Unlike the others I think the broadband internet is the most significant since you do not need all the extra stuff and technology on your PC to just connect and enjoy its services. This is coming from a person who buys a new fully loaded laptop every chance I get. I do not need it and probably never gonna use half the stuff i have on it, but i will always use the broadband internet to its full potential.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Cesar that Broadband internet has made it possible for one to be more mobile with his or her computer. I also agree that we are no longer constrained to our computer room desk with our computer plugged into a phone jack. Wireless internet has definitely made our internet experience more convenient. However, I believe advances in computing with speed and size has really moved our world forward. Transactions, applications, and all other internet operations have sped up enormously making our world, our businesses, and our personal lives advance faster and more efficiently. Wireless internet has merely made our lives more convenient with where you can connect to the internet, whereas increase in internet speed and size has really acted as a catalyst in moving forward at a faster pace with a significant amount of information.
Also, we all know wireless internet connectivity still causes many problems trying to connect at times which has been stressful.

Anonymous said...

By Michael Boshnack

In my opinion broadband internet has been the most significant technological advancement. It was broadband internet that has led to the evolution in the computing and digital media industries. Without high speed internet there would be much less demand for smaller and more powerful machines as people want these machines to access all different forms of information on the internet. Additionally, digital media has evolved in response to broadband as high speed internet has allowed for easy transfer of files among computers.

Anonymous said...

I understand why those at the beginning of this thread chose computing but I would have to agree that the computer has adapted to the range and abilities inherent in the use of broadband and wireless internet. Though technology is always advancing, wireless internet sped up the evolution of the computer in providing an instant information source which people everywhere can access at a moments notice if they have the right tools (i.e. an efficient, small, portable computer.) Phones like the Blackberry and the Iphone show the next step in this process, where even smaller devices have been created which can be used to access research accounts online, social networking sites and email while plotting directions and picking up your morning coffee. Ultimately though, computing and the internet are interdependant and would not exist in the forms we have today without eachother.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the first posts that have been made. Despite boradband internet and digital media exploding in the last ten years since 1999. 1999 was the year of Mac OS 9, the iMac g3, and the Power Mac g4. Since that time, significant advancements have been made in decreased size of computers in addition to tremendously amplified power and speed. These models from 1999 are simply archaic and did not contain significant capacity to hold todays advancements in broadband internet or digital media. The computing revolution has changed the rules for the forum that broadband internet and digital media can house. Had the advancements in computing not been made, significant revolutions in digital media would not have been possible. For example, where would the Youtube service house all of its content without the proper server capacity to do so. I agree that the advancement of the computer has sparked other digital revolutions.

Anonymous said...

i would say the implementation of wireless internet has been a huge development over the past decade. In 1999 we couldve never dreamed we would be able to have access to wireless internet from pretty much anywhere as we do now. Furthermore in 1999 the standard was dial-up where now we have access to broadband service without the hassle of wires.

Anonymous said...

i would say the implementation of wireless internet has been a huge development over the past decade. In 1999 we couldve never dreamed we would be able to have access to wireless internet from pretty much anywhere as we do now. Furthermore in 1999 the standard was dial-up where now we have access to broadband service without the hassle of wires.

Anonymous said...

I definitely agree that advent of wireless Internet is a huge addition to the world since
1999 and has certainly changed everything. As I think about the benefits of wireless and
high speed internet connection it makes me think of how much amazing technology we can
now hold in our hands that we couldn't even have at all in the 1990s. Its impressive
because over the decade since 1999, not only has the technology increased in complexity,
but it has also gotten smaller and more user friendly.

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