Topic 162

emerging technologies as the result of convergence of computers and communications technology by Alex with additions by Nitish

Computers have allowed many types of technologies to emerge and expand than ever before. As a result, humans have begun to utilize resources better than previously and also, have begun organizing them. Computers also have allowed certain technologies to be used from allowing a specific group to any person who has the right materials. Computers have allowed us to think beyond manpower and our limitations. For example, previously, we used to calculate using our hands or even instruments far predeceasing the calculator. Now, to calculate, even the worst computer will have a calculator. We have moved on from 2d to 3d. A thing which would have taken 2 days to build now takes only 10 minutes. For example, we built our sketchup models on our computer in less than 40 minutes. If we had used paper and done 3-4 drawings depicting a 3d realism, then it would have taken far beyond that of sketchup.

For example, video conferencing used to be very limited because it was very difficult to set-up, expensive and was not used by many people. In fact, it was impossible. People only dreamed of such software which would be free, cheap (or better, cost nothing at all) and easy to use such that anyone could use it. Now in this century, anyone (any person with sufficient amount of experience with computers) can set-up video conferencing on the computer or a laptop and with an internet connection and a software such as instant messaging. Such an example is VOIP.

VOIP (voice over internet protocol) has been another technology that has emerged with software such as Skype. Skype (IPA pronunciation: /skʌɪp/, rhymes with type) is a peer-to-peer Internet telephony network founded by the entrepreneurs Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, also founders of the file sharing application Kazaa. It competes against existing open VoIP protocols such as SIP, IAX, and H.323. The Skype Group, acquired by eBay in October 2005, is headquartered in Luxembourg, with offices in London, Tallinn and Prague. Skype has experienced rapid growth in both popular usage and software development since launch, both of its free and its paid services. The Skype communications system is notable for its broad range of features, including free voice and video conferencing, its ability to use peer to peer (decentralized) technology to overcome common firewall and NAT (Network address translation) problems, and its extreme countermeasures against reverse engineering of the software or protocol. {www.wikipedia.org}
Skype has enabled us pc users (and mac users) to extend our limitations beyond the telephone. We can now call to anyone with a microphone (which comes with almost every pc) and speakers. Better yet, if you have a web camera, you can do live video conferencing (a dream in the past, reality in the future)

Of course gaming is another emerging technology.
A video game is a game that typically involves user/player interaction with a controller interface to generate visual feedback on a video screen. Generally, it also has some system of reward presented to the user (such as points) in return for meeting certain accomplishments within the framework of a given rule set. The "video" in "video game" traditionally refers to a raster display device. However, with the popular use of the term "video game" the term now implies all display types and formats. The various types of electronic systems on which video games are played are known as platforms and examples of these are personal computers and video game consoles. (www.wikipedia.org)

Producers make many kinds of graphics cards and many types of games including shooting games, action, sports, strategy games and many other types. Some popular ones include Half Life, Command and Conquer, WOW, etc. But coming to the main point, previously, gaming used to be playing board games or just sports. No one could ever think of digitalizing the whole experience with games. Therefore, with the emergence of computers, we have enhanced our word for ‘entertainment’.

Other emerging technologies would be that of forums and personal life on the internet. Every day, more and more people are involved in forums and constantly discussing whatever they would like to talk about. Sites such as My Space and Facebook are examples of where people post and talk about there personal life and also chat as well. Although they are social groups, they also have forums of their own.

A social network service is social software specifically focused on the building and verifying of online social networks for whatever purpose. Many social networking services are also blog hosting services. As of 2005, there are over three hundred known social networking web sites. MySpace, Facebook and Friendster are some well known examples. (Wikipedia.org)

An Internet forum is a facility on the World Wide Web for holding discussions and posting user generated content, or the web application software used to provide this facility. Web-based forums, which date from around 1995[citation needed], perform a similar function as the dial-up bulletin boards and Internet newsgroups that were numerous in the 1980s and 1990s. A sense of virtual community often develops around forums that have regular users. Technology, computer games, and politics are popular areas for forum themes, but there are forums for a huge number of different topics [1]
(wikipedia.org)

Lastly, digital downloads have emerged as well. In the US, people can rent movies through the internet on sites such as Netflix and also on iTunes, people can buy music digitally. Previously, we used to get cassettes, and CD’s. Before that, it used to be on big records, and on reels. The emergence of computers has allowed us to ease the process of going to the store or buying it. Other people use torrents to download music or movies.

With the emergence of technology as a result of computers, more and more things are becoming common and new technology is invented every day, thereby, helping us improve our way of living and modernize it.