Enabling rich data types in personal computers

Enhancements to personal computer hardware and software that enable application developers to use rich data types in applications are presented. The author notes that rich data types on personal computers are enabled by solving problems of performance, availability, and lack of standardization. Base-level performance must be improved so that the high-bandwidth requirements of motion video and still images are satisfied, and that three-dimensional graphics are practical. This base-level performance is improved by increasing CPU performance and by providing processor local bus access to graphics and video subsystems. The basic capabilities that provide rich data types must be commonly available on personal computers so that rich applications will run on a given desktop. This issue is resolved over time by providing motherboard designs featuring high-performance graphics, video, and audio to volume OEMs. Standards issues can be resolved by increased involvement of vendors with standards organizations such as the Interactive Multimedia Association.<>