Since computers were first introduced to the public in the early 1980’s, technology (change) ____________________a great deal. The first computers (be) ____________________simple machines designed for...

Since computers were first introduced to the public in the early 1980's, technology has changed a great deal. The first computers were simple machines designed for basic tasks. They did not have much memory and they were not very powerful. Early computers were often quite expensive and customers often paid thousands of dollars for machines which actually did very little. Most computers were separate, individual machines used mostly as expensive typewriters or for playing games. Times have changed. Computers have become powerful machines with very practical applications. Programmers have created a large selection of useful programs which do everything from teaching foreign languages to bookkeeping. We are still playing video games, but today's games have become faster, more exciting interactive adventures. Many computer users have also gotten on the Internet and have begun communicating with other computer users around the world. We have started to create international communities online. In short, the simple, individual machines of the past have evolved into an international World Wide Web of knowledge.