On 01/16/98 08:48:17, "Andrew Herd" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Smart cards have been the subject of several trials, going back a decade in
> the UK. Last one I can recall was in Exeter. I enclose an article written in
> 1988 (!) when they were the smart new thing.
>
> I think the economic arguments have always defeated them.
Although I appreciate the arguments, 2 things happened since the 80s,
Andrew:
(a) The storage capacity and processing power of the tiny chips have
gone ballistic
(b) At the same time, costs have gone rocketing downwards
Both of these trends continue to date with every day passing , you get
more processing power and storage for your penny.
I came across a card recently that can hold 64 Gb! Yes, that is 64
gega bytes = the entire 20 million volumes in the Library of Congress!
Just imagine :-)
Ahmad
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Dr Ahmad Risk
http://www.cybermedic.org
Chairman British Healthcare Internet Association <http://www.bhia.org>
Director Internet Healthcare Coalition - USA <http://www.ihc.net>
Home: +44 1273 724866/748198
Work: +44(1737)240022 Fax: +44 1737 244660
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