Computers and software

[Creamcracker]

I was pondering the other day as to how big a part of our lives computers have become. Not only that but they have become important to us in a relatively short period of time. Who knows where they will take us next. I was trying to pin down what I thought was the most significant computer hardware and computer software advance over the last five years. I talked to my sons...both computer/IT professionals but even the (technical) language they were using left me pondering further.
So ....what do you all think is the most significant computer hardware development in recent years?
and....what do you think is the most significant computer software develoment in recent years?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Philip

[jdarkoregon]

iPhone and those like it. along with the cellular technology behind it

[Mike B]

I guess it depends on what you mean by 'recent'.

Hardware - IBM's introduction of the Personal Computer into the market in the early 80's caused parts and peripheral manufacturers to standardize their devices. Anyone could go out and purchase a device for their machine, plug it in and it would just work. This kind of standardization caused an explosion of people using PC's.

Software - The introduction of Linux, a UNIX work-alike, in the early 90's. Linux is a free operating system that just seems to keep getting better and easier to use, as opposed to the proprietary systems most people use, which keep getting prettier, buggier and less secure.

Mike
Hayden Lake, ID

Remember this?

Viruses
Infections
Spyware
Trojans
Adware

[madjack]

...it would be hard to argue with Mike on the hardware side, BUT, the GUI, the Graphical User Interface is a no brainer on the software side since it allowed virtually anyone to use a PC wthout having to have any knowledge of programing...no peeks, no pokes, just click and go.....
madjack

[Creamcracker]

I guess it depends on what you mean by 'recent'.

within the last five years

Philip

[starleen2]

Last five years?? - The development of large capacity Flash drives / storage media - Remember the 3.5 floppies and the CD-rom disks for storage??. These little USB "thumb" drives have shrunk in size and in price. I usually carry an 8 gig.

[Elumia]

It's harder to find something without software in it these days.

Anything with some sort of operator interface has software! The sheer quantity of items with software to me is the significant change.

If I had to point to a specific area, it would be communications related. Smart phones, Netbooks, VOIP, and now we are starting to see television over internet protocol. Video game consoles connect to other video game consoles. The explosion of facebook/myspace. Crackberry for businessmen and text messaging. My son hardly uses a PC anymore, he used is Ipod touch with wi-fi. He recently downloaded an app which lets him make telephone call. I think it was "truphone" Crazy stuff.

Seems we are more "virtually connected" than talking face to face anymore.

Mark

[Roly Nelson]

And for years, I thought I was wasting my time in my typing class in high school. After all the only reason I took the class was because it was loaded with lots of pretty girls. Now, many of my aging "brainy" fellow students don't even own a computer and say "I don't need one of those things, I can write my checks by hand!"

I'd be lost without my PC, it is a very nice outlet where I can load and unload my mind. Too bad I won't be around when they implant a chip under the skin on the back of our hands, which we can type on in years to come and these one-eyed-monsters will be antiques.
Roly