The Advantages of Personal Computers

Personal computers have transformed the world

In 1998, Bill Gates, then chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation, spoke to 200 leaders at the Manhattan Policy Institute about the advantages of personal computers. His points ranged from communications technology to political philosophy.

Information

The World Wide Web, which is primarily accessed through personal computers, allows more people to read, learn and locate information online: The same kind of information is instantly available to everyone in the world.

Creativity

Because editing tools have become so inexpensive and easy to use, ordinary people can write and format their own documents, film and edit videos, create and color graphics, record and transform audio, and package all the pieces into multimedia offerings.

Communication

Personal computers allow anyone to bypass traditional channels and distribute their own writings, photographs, music and video to an audience of millions.

Health

With a personal computer, anyone can monitor the status of health hazards and outbreaks, while scientists and doctors can use collaborative tools to share research over the Internet.

Democracy

The personal computer can strengthen democracy by allowing citizens to bypass government controls and reveal their versions of the truth to other like-minded parties around the world.

References

• Microsoft PressPass