Behold the lowly mouse: clever technology close at hand

Article Abstract:

The computer mouse debuted in 1964, 20 years before Apple's Macintosh computer arrived in 1984. Stanford Research Institute Professor Douglas Engelbart developed the mouse for facilitating cursor movement on early computers' screens. The bulky and somewhat awkward mouse outperformed the keyboard's arrow keys, as well as NASA devices such as a light pen and knee switch in 1966. Xerox's Alto, one of the first commercial PCs, included a single-ball mouse in its 1973 introduction. Mice began to influence computer-aided design, air traffic control's display and tracking systems, plus video games in bars and arcades. Sales improved and prices declined as home computers gained popularity, but the mouse drew widespread attention with the release of Macintosh. Mice and trackballs now offer a range of shapes in addition to more functions and increased reliability. Users can avoid many technical problems by cleaning the mouse and work environment.

Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing, Display Control Mouses, Equipment and supplies, Design and construction, Technology overview, Computer peripherals industry, Mouse devices (Computers), Mice (Computer peripherals), Mouse

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Asia fires its rounds in the flat-screen war; get in line for those notebook PC's

Article Abstract:

Although Asian factories are working at peak capacity, producing 200,000 liquid crystal displays (LCDs) monthly, they cannot fill the demand for displays. Worldwide demand has surged because the displays are used in computer terminals, desktop monitors, video games, communications terminals and computer notebooks. Asian manufacturers of LCDs will see a rise in revenues for 1999 to $11 billion from 1998's $7 billion. Analysts are predicting revenue rises of $15 billion in the year 2000 and up to $17 billion in 2001. Manufacturers have benefited from a shortfall after years of oversupply and decreasing prices but Asian and American computer makers are having great difficulty meeting customer demand. Computer makers are not able to offer the discounted prices that generate back-to-school and holiday lead-in sales. Demand has taken the LCD manufacturers by surprise as consumers look for ever-bigger and finer-resolution screens.

United States, Market information - general, Production management, Asia, Other Electronic Component Manufacturing, Liquid Crystal Displays, Computer industry, Economic aspects, Forecasts and trends, Supply and demand, Market trend/market analysis, Electronic components industry, LCD display

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