The hologram computers of tomorrow

Article Abstract:

Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation is a computer-industry consortium that is developing a holographic storage system known as Holostore. The use of holograms in computer memory systems could potentially store the contents of thousands of books in a piece of material no bigger than a Scrabble tile. The new system could retrieve in one second the amount of data it would take existing computer disk drives five hours to retrieve. Holograms are the shiny three-dimensional images found on credit cards, and scientists have thought of using the technology for storage for 30 years. Holographic storage differs from disk drives in that holographic systems store data in three-dimensions, not just two; holographic systems are faster because they can be built without any moving parts; disk drives retrieve data a single bit at a time, but holographic systems can store and retrieve an image at a time.

Commercial physical research, Product development, Holography, Storage media, Data storage media, Future Technologies, Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp.

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Megabytes and floppy disks snare novices in an older generation; computers allow the elderly broader communications

Article Abstract:

Seniornet, based at the Univ of San Francisco, runs 28 computer centers in the US and Canada. Seniornet offers computer training for people who are 55 or older. Seniornet also operates a telecommunication network, so that participants can send electronic messages over the telephone system. The organization, which was founded in 1986, has already trained 4,000 people to use computers. So far, 700 people have signed up to use the telecommunications network. Primary funding for Seniornet comes from the John and Mary R. Markle Foundation in New York, which aims to use communications technology to promote democracy. Lloyd N. Morrisett, president of the foundation, says it is important to keep seniors in touch with the rest of society. Mary S. Furlong, executive director of Seniornet, says older people have been left out of the computer revolution. They have, she adds, a lot to say.

Aged, Elderly, Management, Computer networks, Finance, Telecommunications systems, Training, Networks, Computer Education, Grants, Nonprofit Organization, Foundations, SeniorNet (computer network), San Francisco, University of, John and Mary R. Markle Foundation, University of San Francisco

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The evolution of the floppy disk for PC's

Article Abstract:

New technology is about to increase the capacity of the ordinary floppy disk many times over, leading to a reexamination of the floppy's role in microcomputing. Existing 3.5-inch floppy disks have a capacity of 1.4 megabytes, a sizable amount roughly equivalent to 1,000 typewritten pages. However, many new programs have become so complex they cannot fit on one disk.IBM's new disk, however, can store 2.9 megabytes of information, and 'floptical' disks will soon reach the market that are capable of storing more than 20 megabytes. These high-capacity floppies will not replace hard disks, but for applications such as laptop computers where size and weight are considerations, they may prove valuable.

Equipment and supplies, Disk drives, Product introduction, Memory management, Floppy disk drives, Floppy Disk Drive, 3.5" Disk, New Technique, Storage Capacity, Enhancements

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