Reston, Virginia was a site for the program. While the technology was cost-effective, the problem was supplying service and information that consumers were willing to pay for. That problem still exists. The new technology being discussed is certainly adequate, but the service cannot become economically viable unless one has the marketing skill to create sufficient demand. Finally, personal computers will greatly influence computer graphics.
New systems being offered now all tend to feature graphics and data plotting capability.
The systems are rapidly being interfaced to a variety of commercial data bases. But more important, a generation of youngsters is beginning to use the computer and graphics associated with it as a natural extension of their education. A study conducted by Jack Niles under a grant from the National Science Foundation, contains some fascinating conclusions. It argues that the personal computer will have a greater effect on current lifestyle than television did 25 years ago, because the personal computer talks back. In a culture already accustomed to watching TV, the ability to get answers to specific questions will have a substantial effect on the way people think.