A restless loner on a custom bike: it's HAL on wheels; Steve Roberts works and lives in 'dataspace', operating a chain drive mainframe

Article Abstract:

Steve Roberts, a 39-year-old author, speaker and computer consultant, travels the US on a 580-pound bicycle that carries an Apple Macintosh, two IBM-compatible computers and a Sun Sparcstation. Roberts sold his home in 1983 to take up work and life on the road. The bicycle is equipped with many features in addition to the computers. A cellular modem enables Mr Roberts to receive electronic mail as he travels, and a sophisticated alarm system notifies him and the police if anyone comes within 15 feet of the unattended bicycle. A computerized ultrasonic device in the customized helmet and eight keys built into the handlebars allow Roberts to work as he is riding. The bicycle is eight feet long, and pulls a wide bright-yellow trailer that houses the electronic equipment. Most of Roberts' equipment is donated, and he finances his unusual lifestyle through consulting, free-lance writing and publishing a quarterly journal called Nomadness.

Technological forecasting, Wireless LANs, E-mail, Email, Telecommuting, Creativity, Future of Computing, Cellular Radio, Mobile Radio Systems, Wireless Network

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Video phones: picture looks brighter at last

Article Abstract:

Video telephones have been a promising technology for more than 20 years, but they are finally making economic sense, and according to an analyst at market research firm Gartner Group Inc, the market is exploding. The market for video telecommunication equipment may be worth more than $100 million in 1990, and could expand by at least 50 percent annually for the next several years. Prices for the units typically range between $65,000 and $80,000, but analysts say prices will fall to under $10,000 with three years. Companies that have made the investment claim they more than recoup the expenditure in increased productivity and reduced travel costs. Analysts say the market is dominated by two firms, Compression Labs Inc of San Jose, CA, and PictureTel Corp of Peabody, MA.

Telephone and telegraph apparatus, Communication services, not elsewhere classified, Marketing, Telecommunications equipment industry, PictureTel Corp., PCTL, Videoconferencing, Videophones, Video telephones, Market Analysis, Compression Labs Inc.

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Computers cut through the service maze

Article Abstract:

Customer service is becoming an important factor in remaining competitive, and new technologies such as image processing and expert systems are helping companies respond to customer questions over the telephone in a timely and efficient manner. Systems that allow computers to communicate directly with telephones reduce the time a customer is on the telephone with an operator by providing the operators with relevant information that customers input using their touch-tone telephones. Image processing reduces the amount of time a customer spends on a telephone by scanning documents and electronically storing the data in a computer. Technical information is now sometimes provided to operators by expert systems that helps them answer customers' questions.

Communications Equipment, Social aspects, Usage, Customer service, Expert systems, Image processing, Telecommunication switching equipment, Telecommunications switching equipment, Switches, Competition

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