Twinkle, twinkle little star,
connect me to my friends afar.

Jock Asiimwi has seen the future. The day might come when our
phone bills resemble a page from TV Week

We all know that there is a real revolution occurring in communications, and the new digital satellite system delivers us at least four channels. But in the background, an even bigger, surreptitious revolution is occurring, and it will make your latest systems look antiquated before the year is over.
You see, in the past month, a conference was held in the United States - well more of an expo - at which the new media for broadcasting were paraded before a stunned audience. The internet is set to become the main form of delivery in the years ahead. It is happening now. All you need is a computer and a high speed link.
Was that a big groan I heard? At present, to set up a digital satellite receiving service costs over $2000. To set up a computer system capable of receiving the same, costs under $2000 - and currently provides over 100 television stations from around the world (including ABC, SBS, Seven Central (yes! Aussie Rules!!), BBC, and plenty others to choose from), and over 2000 radio stations.
The system includes a 'LAN box' (the computer / black box) and a satellite dish. Only a single monthly charge after that. But do not run for the free steak knives yet, there's more. Apple (of Apple Macintosh) have just released 'Quick Time 4', a free software package that allows any computer to literally become a broadcast station. This means that communities will soon be able to do live broadcasts of their football team playing in another community, and send it via high speed satellite link on the internet. Any one can dial up the internet address, and receive live to air pictures. Or community BRACS can transmit individual matches as they wish.
Video conferencing is become standard fare in the outback. In fact, it is predicted that 'webcams' will be standard built in pieces of equipment for computers by the year 2003. If you ask me, I think they prediction is a bit behind the times. I reckon 2001 is a more realistic prediction.
If the last thirty years is used as an example, about all that is predictable is that the future is unpredictable. And you may as well buckle in for the ride. AT & T (the US's largest communications provider) have realised the impact of the internet, and are busy investing in networks instead of trying to set any standards in phone services.
The days of the phone as we know it are numbered. Our phone already tells us who is calling before we answer. We fax to and from our computer, saving the need to buy that horrible thermal paper. If we go away on business, our laptop computer still lets us do all our faxing, email, and phoning from anywhere in the world.
The internet now allows us to shop around for cheaper phone rates. And here's an irony, most of the time it is cheaper for us to phone the US or Britain than Tennant Creek, and our phone is switched by the exchange at Tennant Creek.
If I use Telstra or Optus to ring my friends in Uganda, I pay on average, $2.30 a minute. Via AT & T on the internet, 45c a minute. And do not be fooled into thinking that theses services are only available in the big cities first. These services are being developed with a global economy in mind.
The big communications companies are targeting you and I, the small users. After all, if they can get everyone in India and China to pay $10 per year for access to such services, how much profit would that be? 10, 15, 20 billion? There is a realisation that many people paying a little mean bigger profits than a few people paying lots. For those of us buying computer systems, forget the expensive software, the large companies on the internet are so keen to get us on-line, they give most of the basic software away for free, or at a nominal cost, which is more often than not, an administration fee, offering free updates.
Shareware is becoming big business for small companies. It allows you to try out programmes before you decide to buy. And there are some beauts about.
The rule for us these days is to shop around. Really shop around. It is easy to do. Just use Netscape or Internet Explorer (both are free to download) to search for you. In fact the computer dealer we use, does not even bother to carry much software now, they buy it in for us if we ask, but generally just tell us to buy over the net. It's quicker.
In fact, whether you order from Alice Springs, Sydney, New York or London, the delivery times are much the same. Overnight express is just a normal part of the postal system (and I am sure Australia Post are amazed at some of the express services which pass through to our mail bag).
So what can we expect in the near future?
A move to widescreen televisions which will deliver to the outback the latest releases from Hollywood, before it hits the cinemas in Alice Springs, Darwin or Sydney.
Cheaper, flexible communications. More refined television and radio services (free to air television in the US is currently suffering a backlash from disgruntled viewers who are turning away to the many other stations on the internet).
And a lot more advertising - but then, one has to make some concessions to receive more.
Well, I have to go now, I have a video call waiting to answer. By the way, want a really funny version of solitaire? Try this one : http://www.freeverse.com/ .
Cheers, Jock Asiimwe