Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!ccwf.cc.utexas.edu From: awessels@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Allen Wessels) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy Subject: Re: They'll Look Like Toys? (Was: The Amiga's Future) Message-ID: <50393@ut-emx.uucp> Date: 12 Jun 91 15:07:57 GMT References: <5068@orbit.cts.com> <16647@darkstar.ucsc.edu> <#g1H3+$o@cs.psu.edu> <22340@cbmvax.commodore.com> Sender: news@ut-emx.uucp Reply-To: awessels@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Allen Wessels) Organization: The University of Texas at Austin Lines: 25 In article <22340@cbmvax.commodore.com> daveh@cbmvax.commodore.com (Dave Haynie) writes: [stuff deleted] >of computer history outside of ivory tower stuff. And at this point, just >about anyone can sit down and use a computer without knowing much about it. I >don't think we have much farther to go, any other major improvments are just >gravy. > >At least until we get to the direct brain interface. I hope not. I'm looking forward to lots of virtual reality stuff. I see several possibilities opening up. With interactive TV, hi-res displays, CDTV, and ISDN (or other net), there are lots of possibilities. Given that the phone companies are getting into DP services, I can see a new utility springing up. With a decent multiprocessing OS, especially one that recognizes other OSs, you'll be able to increase processing power in smaller steps, but ideally more quickly (pop in a new processor.) If you need a temporary increase in MIPs, tap the utility, or you could even latch onto a pool of idle CPU time from other users. Most people would only be passive users, but I think there would be enough power/generative users that hot hardware would have steady demand.