Week 1.

Week one of New Communications Technology introduced the topic of micro-computing with a reading based around Australians consumption of them within the 1970’s and 80’s.

Microcomputers, although unpopular to many, were relevant for their time.  Many people felt these 8-bit machines were useless and had no real practicality for them, especially at their price point. Philpson states that ‘many people who bought expensive and under-powered PC’s wondered what to do with them (Swalwell M, 2012, pg. 64).’ For many, these computers were the first interaction with such technology, where hobbyists embraced them. The Commodores, the TRS and System 80s were the new potentials of computing that were adopted by these hobbyists, whom took their unfailing interest in them and wrote their own software, making mostly games, to a computer that lacked a lot. Through these developments and the demand in better software, the popularity increased throughout the 80’s and people’s perspectives on micro-computing changed as it became a communication tool that users no longer needed to know every detail on.

Now decades later, computers have evolved into what sceptics of the 1980’s micro-computer, could have only dreamed about. Computers are now an essential part of people’s lives, both in the workplace and home and this article really intrigued me on how pessimistic people were about computers when I can’t go a day without using one.