Hello All,
We will begin to look at the Info Highway more in terms of the "Big Picture" so to speak. At first hearing the Info Superhighway one, (I in particular) would think of the Internet and the various components covered in our lessons over the past six months. After much study and also sitting in on a Seminar at my local NBDPA Chapter meeting I am seeing more and more. We may use the Info Highway for our information quests and so on, but there is a larger battle (for the better) of creating the roads of the Info Highway. These roads ultimately are depend on the type of information that is made available the the method in which it is presenting.
Let me repeat. The Info Highway is not just the Internet,FTP,Email,etc., but it is the means of moving information around and also getting information that you need. As we near the turn of the century, how our information is brought to us we determine if in fact we "buy in" to the new (emerging) technologies.
What we are looking at is information and getting it to you. Something else as an aside (a bit of info from that BDPA meeting) is that mega corps are banning together to first create the technology and sell this information. So the we have three winners as follows:
1) The person who created the technology
2) The person who bought that techology and sold it
3) The end user who needed it and now has it
The information that we speak of is currently in what is called analog-based and is moving to digital based information. Digital delivery is important, at the Government thinks so in its effort to create the network infrastructure.
Our information comes to us via many vehicles such as Images,Music,Art,Text,etc. Again, how this information is presented is very key. The person who possible never used computers, but has a strong interest in Art, may find that he or she can further satisfy that Artistic desire as they find Art coming to them via their computer. Amazingly the Mona Lisa now playing on their computer screen is crystal clear and looks "Life Like".
The government is interested because it believes that computers play an important role in the gross national product. Information Processing Firms have a large impact on our economy. So the Information Superhighway is not limited to only certain types of information, but compasses a variety. The much treasured move clip, has now been mastered digitally on a CD that you can now watch from your computer key screen. On top of that, you can listen in as well via your video sound card and speakers. Your operating on your PC and in the upper right hand corner you are watching TV or you have picture of your family in the same corner. It's information my friend it's information. It is up to us learn and see how it can benefit us. As I presented in a Seminar to a sold out conference at the National Black Data Processing Associates 20th Anniversary, I was asked, "Mike, where can I get more information on this?", I was happy to present to each attendee a tutorial diskette and them, "The additional information you seek is on the disk".
Come and journey with me in the coming weeks as we attempt to look at the Bigger picture of the Info Highway and look at the Phone,Cable and Wireless communication companies and more!
We wrap up yet another lessons, hoping that your cyber-travels are educational ones!
As always, these lessons (from day one) are available via the following locations in Cyber-Space:
http://haven.ios.com/~holmanm/lessons.html
ftp: haven.ios.com pub/users/holmanm/info_highway_lessons
Note: At the FTP site you will find one file called IHLESSON.ZIP with is the Electronic Book Version of the weekly series, "Info Highway Lesson". Additionally you will find the files info1 through about info30, which contains each lessons seperately.
These lessons are a "Holman's World" project for you learning enjoyment!
Our Tip of the Week:
Where can you get pictures and other important info on the Smithsonian Institute?
Answer.
FTP
Where?
sunsite.unc.edu
Directory?
pub/multimedia/pictures/smithsonian*
Enjoy!
P.S.
Have the past six months of lessons assisted you in any way?
Email me a holmanm@haven.ios.com and let me know!