Media Lecture

The Information Revolution

Today's lecture was about the growth and development of interactive and electronic media and the modern internet.

We learned how the concepts and ideas behind these technologies have existed much longer than the technologies themselves, e.g. interactive TV, GUI (graphic user interface) and the computer mouse. The computer mouse was picked up by Apple Computers when they developed GUI.

The internet started as a US military system called ARPAnet (Advanced Research Project Agency Network). By the late 1970s, consumers had a wide choice of computer systems from various companies who were developing the technology, which eventually made computers affordable. These companies included Sinclair, IBM, Commodore, Atari and Acorn.

In the 1980s, technologies such as overhead and slide projectors and film and data projectors were still required. But this decade saw the start of a revolution that would see the development of gaming, image manipulation, sound and word processing technologies. By this time, computer technology was more developed, more wide spread and more affordable. Due mainly to companies such as Amstrad and Apple.

In the 90s, advanced technologies such as large data storage, Wi-Fi and multimedia arrived. This means computers were able to do much more than before. Large data storage formats such as DVDs allowed the integration of text, still images, audio and video, all of which the user could interact with.

The World Wide Web was then launched in 1992. Using a dial-up line connected to a modem, people were able to search a vast amount of information using a basic browser.

By early 2000, the internet as we know it today began to emerge. Including play back and streaming video clips, TV movies and Broadband.

As we move forward into the future, developers are pushing the boundaries of technology. 30-40 years ago, we could never have imagined exactly what technology would be available today. Who knows what will be developed in the next decade or two.