With the availability of new technologies and changes in information processing, it's imperative that Extension's leaders look ahead and identify the role Extension will play to invent Extension's desired future. The future is the sum of several independent innovations coming together. It carries television, telephone, radio, and data transmissions. Communication networks spread ideas and concepts around the world and are even more powerful than the printed media. The ultimate effect of convergence is that distinctions blur between products and services, and among information technology modes.
Workstations are more than just computers.
They bring together voice, data, and video. The portable versions have flat panel screens that display both data and video. They connect to the world via cellular phones or portable satellite dishes. Laptop and smaller handheld workstations will have most, if not all, the capabilities of a desktop system. Pocket-sized computers will track appointments, addresses and phone numbers, expense accounts, calendars, notes, and communicate with other computers.