About every ten years there is a “new and emerging” trend in the technology industry.
The 1970's brought us the acceptance of Mainframes; 1980's brought the client server market; 1990's gave us the Internet; 2000's are bringing us "Web 2.0."
- Each new trend does not mean the demise of the previous trend. We still have mainframes, PC's, servers, software, and Internet browsers.
- However, new trends layer on older established technologies, and enable us to provide new services to a growing user base.
In the 1980's the technologies made it easier to mass market.
- The 1990's Internet explosion allowed us to mass customize.
- The 2000's let us mass personalize.
Specifically, mass personalization allows users with specific (niche) needs to access products, services, or like-minded people.
- The current trends let us connect directly with information and people around us using the most convenient device.