Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
In 1995, a combination of electronics companies—Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and
Panasonic—brought out a high-capacity optical disk storage device called a
digit-
al versatile disk
or
digital video disk
(commonly called a DVD). These had much
higher capacity than the older compact disks (CDs) from the previous generation.
The DVD format would lead to a subindustry of home theater equipment that
included a DVD player and a high-end audio system with either five or seven
channels of sound. The DVD format held so much information that it was no
longer limited to mere stereo sound. These home theaters were filled with embed-
ded software and indeed probably could not operate successfully without embed-
ded software. DVD drives also showed up on computers, but in a computer con-
text, the older CD drives were still the norm.
In 1997, the International Software Benchmark Standards Group (ISBSG) was
formed in Australia. The ISBSG is one of the most convenient sources of soft-
ware benchmark data and is also fairly inexpensive. Its data collection of more
than 6,000 software projects is widely used in every major country.
In or about 1997, Electronic Arts commissioned studies that used GPS satellites
to map a number of golf courses. This mapping led to both simulated computer
golf games such as Links and later to the ability to download highly accurate
GPS maps of thousands of golf courses onto handheld and even wristwatch-sized
devices.
Technology Changes the Sport of Golf
Golf is a sport that has been changed significantly due to software
and microcomputers. Computers and software also led to the de-
velopment of golf-course design packages that allow both amateurs
and professionals to model highly realistic golf courses. These are
often add-ons to computerized golf games but are also used to
design real golf courses.
In today's world, golfers can buy a variety of small GPS
devices, including several that are worn as wristwatches. These
provide useful information such as the exact distance from any
point to the next tee. Some also caution about hazards and obstruc-
tions and will even keep score.
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