The Next Computer Revolution
In less than 50 years computers have become essential to industrial society; in the next phase they will grow more powerful by at least an order of magnitude and become a ubiquitous intellectual utility
Features
Advanced Computer Architectures
Conventional computers attack problems one step at a time. Advanced computers are able to do several parts of the problem at once, just as a team of workmen might divide a task to complete it more quickly
Chips for Advanced Computing
In 1959 the number of transistors that would fit on a chip was one; now it has surpassed a million. As limits are reached, the pace is slowing, but by 2000 there will be chips with a billion components
Programming for Advanced Computing
Parallel computers pose the major challenge: they demand programs that do many things at once. How do we organize a complex beehive of activities to form a coherent whole?
Data-Storage Technologies for Advanced Computing
In five years magnetic devices will write and read data twice as fast as today's systems on a disk holding five times more data. Magneto-optical technology offers an even higher storage density
Interfaces for Advanced Computing
Why should sophisticated computers be difficult to use? The coming generation of supercomputers will have the power to make elaborate artificial realities that facilitate user-computer communication
Networks for Advanced Computing
Computers linked in networks can interact and can share programs, data and expensive hardware. The physical link is not enough: one computer must be able to understand what a different one is saying
Advanced Computing for Science
Computational experiments are enriching scientific investigation. They are now becoming as important as theory, observation and laboratory experiments
Advanced Computing for Medicine
In time computers may be as basic to medicine as the stethoscope. Medical systems can store data and retrieve it selectively; soon they will be smart enough to advise on diagnosis and treatment
Advanced Computing for Manufacturing
Supercomputers may assume a major role in industry. They have already greatly influenced the design of such aerodynamically efficient products as airplanes and cars
Departments
50 and 100 Years Ago: October 1987
Back with a Vengeance
Animal Passions
Hearts of Darkness
Getting Warmer
Threat to the Spotted Owl
Eyeing Myopia
Skin of Frog ...
Sonic Punch
Torn Genes
Dysaphrodisiacs
The Bad Seed
Back to the Future
It's a Dirty Job
But is it Art?
- Letters
Letters to the Editors, October 1987
- Recommended
Books, October 1987
- Amateur Scientist
The Amateur Scientist, October 1987
- Departments
The Authors, October 1987
Computer Recreations, October 1987
Bibliography, October 1987