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Chuck Harstad
Chuck Harstad is Vice President of
Corporate Marketing at 3M Company. 3M is the creator of the Postit
note and other exciting invention. Mr. Harstad provides us with an
interesting and intelligible view of the computer today.
What do you think is the most important component
of the computer industry today?
Today, I feel the most important component of the computer
industry is the explosion of the Internet and the ability to now do everything
"web based". Today, we can send everything from photographs via the web
to providing distance learning around the world at a very low cost and
deliver 7x24.
If you could choose one important innovation for
the future surrounding computers, what would it be?
One innovation that I am beginning to hear about is in the
area of "artificial intelligence". This is an extremely innovative area
where extensive research is taking place today so that our computer responds
to us based on our gender, feelings, etc. In other words, it can read our
mind and mood before it responds to us.
What do you think is the most revolutionary invention
for the computer industry?
As bandwidth continues to broaden, I see revolutionary inventions
such as voice technololy, streaming video, 3D animation to name a few being
available to everyone.
How do you see yourself involved in the computer
industry?
A major player both from a personal and professional level.
The Internet has brought us to a new channel of marketing and it has opportunities
we can't even comprehend yet. The computer industry has also opened up
a new world to our children and as we continue to use the Internet as a
marketing channel, we can't forget that these young people will be running
Internet start-up companies in the near future.
What do you think is the most important trend
to watch in the development of computers?
I believe both the PC itself and the technology in which
to run them will continue to develop beyond comprehension today. I see
the laptop getting smaller and smaller and eventually we won't even need
to carry one but will be integrated into our cell phones, home phones,
TV's...everyplace humans are.
What is your favorite aspect of today's technology?
The ability to connect people all over the world at any
time at a very low cost.
Do you credit anyone in particular for leading
the computer industry to where it is today?
Major players such as Bill Gates of Microsoft and the US
govt.for starting the Internet concept some 19 years ago.
Who do you think will be the prominent figures
in the computer industry in the future?
Small start-up companies that we have never heard of today.
In fact, sharp, young entrepreneurs like yourself.
What would you refer to as the first "computer"?
IBM mainframes that were the size of some small companies.
Do you have any further points of interest you
would like to share to the readers?
The Internet has totally changed the world and will continue
to do so. I would encourage you to learn everything you can to use this
vehicle as both a learning and exploration tool as the future holds many
jobs in this exciting arena.
Chuck Harstad
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