This year, small, hand-held communications devices, initially known as Personal Digital Assitants, were the hot thing in business computing. Leading products were the Palm Pilot made by U.S. Robotics, Psion Plc's Series 5 and the Nokia Ab Oyj 9000. In 1998, speed and performance will be hot, according to Reuters. In '98, new technologies will improve Web page delivery and enable PCs to handle expensive software additions without crashing. Personal computer boosters include FireWire technology, and Cambridge, England-based ATM Ltd's ATOM range of chips.
ATOM chips boost phone line capacity and speed up consumer Internet connections.
An upcoming conference, January 26, in Salina, Kansas, will be devoted to how farmers can afford seasonal farm machinery through co-ownership or leasing. Topics include developing a business structure to lower liability risk, how to recognize the obstacles of moving equipment, and how to finance such a business. JoAnn Wilcox Successful Farming Assistant Technology Editor Soil sampling from the air Some Morgan County, Colorado, farmers are taking to the air to find out where they should take soil samples. With the help of AgriTrak consultant, Dan Wiens, these farmers are using aerial maps to make smart grids and get away from the more extensive and expensive grid soil sampling method. Ron and Robert Geisick, two farmers working wit h Wiens, identified three smart grids in their field by looking at an aerial map.