amily of microprocessors. In addition, while IBM did not use a proprietary operating system (the program which users use to interface with the computer), but instead used Microsoft's DOS operating system, Apple's operating system is proprietary. Apple gained notoriety in the mid-1980s when it introduced its Macintosh computer, which was easy to use, and which Apple hoped would bring an entire generation of users to the Apple family. The company has also been successful at targeting educational institutions as part of its marketing program, with the result that it has developed a high level of brand awareness among even very young users. However, the company's creative marketing has not prevented it from difficult times in recent years, and Apple now finds itself struggling, and facing the first year of losses since its beginning (Girard and Wong 32).
In the past ten years, there have been substantial changes in the computer industry as personal computers have ceased to be used only in business but have also found their way into homes and on the road. Consumers are increasingly interested in machines which will enable them to perform work assignments from their house or from other remote locations, and there is an increased number of computers now in use throughout all types of businesses. Technology has progressed to the point where the hardware is relatively inexpensive and powerful, with the result that the personal computers available today are more powerful and faster than mainframe computers of 30 years ago. Communications software and hardware has also progressed to the point where effective communications can take place from remote locations, and the proliferation of the Internet and World Wide Web (sometimes called the Information Superh
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