Add to ORKGIn order to understand the impact of computer technology in the 1980s one must first understand the force underlying its ever-widening proliferation: electronic integrated circuit technology. Integrated circuit technology's impact on society will rank in importance with the invention of the steam engine and other such technological innovations or perhaps surpass them. This technology is presently in its infancy. Most of us are aware of some of the early progeny: calculators and electronic watches and games. Some may be aware that it is now possible to buy a small home computer for about $700. This is just the beginning of what will become a wide variety of products which will affect every person. The reason? Low cost. The semicond...