Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology

272 laptop computerapplications for VR technology. Another company, NewYork-based Original Ventures, focuses on VR-based entertainmentsystems.From 1997 to 2001, Lanier was chief scientist ofAdvanced Network and Services, a developer of the Internet2(advanced high-speed networking) project, as well asserving as lead scientist of the National Tele-ImmersionInitiative, a coalition of universities developing applicationsfor Internet2. From 2001 to 2004 Lanier was also a visitingscientist at Silicon Graphics, Inc., doing fundamentalresearch on tele-immersion and telepresence. Since 2004Lanier has been a fellow at the International Computer ScienceInstitute at UC Berkeley and since 2006, an interdisciplinaryscholar-in-residence at Berkeley.Futurist and Technology PunditLanier’s humanistic and artistic background is reflectedin the stance he has taken in recent years toward the technologyhe helped create. He has a column called “Jaron’sWorld” in Discover magazine and regularly contributesto other publications such as Edge. In his writings Lanierhas criticized the tendency to see the Internet as somesort of collective intelligence, warning that the individualmight be in danger of being overwhelmed (see flashmob). Lanier has also coined the term “cybernetic totalism”to refer to the tendency to put the constructs of thecomputer world ahead of the full dimensionality of humanexperience.Besides writing and lecturing on virtual reality, Lanier isactive as both a musician and an artist. In 1994 he releasedhis CD Instruments of Change. Lanier’s paintings and drawingshave also been exhibited in a number of galleries.Further ReadingCave, Damien. “Artificial Stupidity: Virtual Reality PioneerJaron Lanier Says Computers Are Too Dumb to Take Overthe World.” Salon.com, Oct. 4, 2000. Available online. URL:http://archive.salon.com/tech/feature/2000/10/04/lanier/index.html. Accessed February 6, 2008.“Homepage of Jaron Lanier.” Available online. URL: http://www.jaronlanier.com/. Accessed September 25, 2007.Lanier, Jaron. “The Hazards of the New Online Collectivism.”Edge. Available online. URL: http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/lanier06/lanier06_index.html. Accessed September25, 2007.———. “One Half of a Manifesto.” Available online. URL: www.edge.org/3rd_culture/lanier/lanier_index.html. Accessed September25, 2007.Steffen, Alan. “What Keeps Jaron Lanier Awake at Night: ArtificialIntelligence, Cybernetic Totalism, and the Lack of CommonSense.” Whole Earth (Spring 2003): 24–29. Available online.URL: http://www.wholeearthmag.com/ArticleBin/111-5.pdf.Accessed September 25, 2007.laptop computerA laptop is a portable computer that contains all components(keyboard, display, motherboard, drives, etc.) in asingle (usually hinged) case. In general, a laptop can performthe same tasks as a desktop computer, though not necessarilyas quickly. (Laptops that have the full power andA traditional laptop computer with a clamshell case. Laptops arenow differentiated into lighter, more compact “notebooks” andsomewhat larger and heavier “desktop replacement” units. Meanwhile,smaller hand held devices can replace laptops for somefunctions.capacity of a desktop are sometimes called “desktop replacements,”while smaller, lighter, but less powerful machinesare called “notebooks.” For even smaller or lighter computers,see pda and tablet pc.)Typical ComponentsA typical laptop computer in 2007 has the following components:• a processor such as Intel Core 2 duo or a version (suchas Pentium M) optimized for wireless and lower-powerconsumption• one or two gigabytes (GB) of system memory• hard drive (80 to 160 GB capacity)• combo CD/DVD optical drive with read-and-writecapabilities• LCD flat panel display (widescreen format) from 14inches to 17 inches• graphics card or integrated graphics• wireless networking• keyboard with touch pad and/or pointing stick (tosimulate the mouse)• six- or nine-cell lithium ion or lithium polymer batteryModern laptops are well supplied with USB and network(Ethernet) ports. Many include readers for memory cards(such as SD cards). Additional capabilities can be providedby means of PC cards or Express cards. Most laptops runthe same operating systems (such as Windows Vista or MacOS X) as their desktop counterparts.While portable and convenient, laptops do have somedisadvantages compared to desktops: They cost more for agiven level of performance; they are more difficult to repair;and they are more attractive to thieves.