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Rating: 
Summary: Global changes from the Information Marketplace
Review: As head of MIT's laboratory for computer science, Dertouzos uses the "Information Marketplace" as a metaphor to illustrate "What Will Be" in the 21st Century. Though some of his ideas have already become reality, his narrative is easy to read and is interlaced with numerous scenarios about how our lives will change during the technology revolution. Many examples relate to the author's experiences at MIT, yet it's not too technical for a novice. The Information Marketplace will affect changes in our daily life, entertainment, health care, education, business and government, and Dertouzos describes how the paradigm shift will have understandable influence on us all. This is a book that helped me put the future in a more global perspective
Rating: 
Summary: A vivid picture of what our future may be.
Review: Dertouzos churns out the usual 'information wil change the future' vision that dominates books of this nature. Unfortunately, nothing here is really new, nor does Dertouzos write with much passion nor pizazz - his pronouncements come across as somewhat pretentious and trite. I prefer Esther Dyson's Release 2.0, which hawks much the same vision but in a nicely homey, conversational style that reveals how personal her book is compared to this one.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: How will the information superhighway, or information marketplace as Michael calls it, change our lives? He has been there, seen that done that, and now, he has put together an excellent book on how it will impact the way we live, whether we like it or not. It opened my eyes to the new wave and how those who do not address it, will be left behind. Excellent reading for everyone, not only computer buffs. CEOs, Managers, Engineers, Doctors, Taxi drivers....READ THIS. A very good insight into what the future holds for mankind
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Summary: Everyone needs to know What Will Be!
Review: I didn't know anything about Michael Dertouzos prior to discovering and reading this book. It's a presentation of a man's visions of our world's digital future. However, he is not just any man. Dertouzos has been director of the MIT Computer Science Lab for several decades, and has been a leading party in many discoveries and innovations that took place in MIT, or with collaboration to it. He has for many years been a most active participant in the evolution of computers, networks and the Internet itself, thus being the most suitable one to try to envision a picture of our networked world as it will be in the near future.Dertouzos presents quite interesting aspects about how our future will be shaped by all networked electronic equipment, be they computers, TVs, or mobile devices. He shows how more and more uses of the Net will gradually evolve, uses that most of us have not even imagined possible. He calls the Internet a global "Information Marketplace", since he shows how it will grow to include all human activities, not necessarily linked to computers as we know them today. The only hitch I can find in Dertouzos's reasoning, is the time he is talking about. While he says that most of the innovations he talks about will start showing up and rapidly evolve in the next 10 to 20 years, I believe that this time is short. My opinion is, it will take quite some more time for all of Dertouzos's dreams and aspirations to come to life and full use. I wouldn't like to reveal anything more about what's mentioned in this book. I'm not a good summary-writer, so I wouldn't want to spoil your experience of learning What Will Be!
Rating:
Summary: A glimpse at the future
Review: I gave this two ratings because (in spite of what the book cover spiel says - ".. written for every reader affected by technological change - both the digital sophisticate and those still struggling to understand e-mail"), my guess is that most net heads will find this book boring, as a lot of this is self-evident. Having said that, because netheads are a minority (at least today), *MOST* people will find this book very good. I think that Michael does an *EXCELLENT* job of keeping the techno-babble to a minimum, and clearly explaining *HOW* the net, the information highway, the WWW or whatever you want to call it, will affect us todmorrow, and how it is affecting us today. Another good book that complements this is: The Digital Estate, by Chuck Martin
Rating:
Summary: A book about OUR future.
Review: In the early 1980s, Dr. Dertouzos boldly predicted a place where people could freely exchange information and services using a personal computer. Today this place is widely known as the Internet. Dr. Dertouzos, head of the MIT Lab for Computer Science, uses this book to share more of his ideas and predictions of "What Will Be" in the future.
His book, without getting too technical, explains how society will be changed by a new revolution he calls the Information Marketplace. His examples of new networked technologies that will simplify our lives opened my eyes and got me excited about what lies ahead in the future. His idea of a 'Bodynet,' a personal mobile network which enables you to make phone calls, watch the news, and mingle with strangers as you stroll down the block is realistic. But other ideas, such as a database that keeps track of your clean clothes in your closet to help you decide what to wear seems farfetched and even useless.
Overall I was satisfied with the content of Dr. Dertouzos' book. It was clear and concise and provided some humorous examples of how the new technologies will be used. I would recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in how technology will shape society's future.
Rating: 
Summary: Information Marketplace of the 21st century
Review: This book as mentioned by the author is seperated into three parts: 1) Shaping the Future, 2) How Your Life Will Change, and 3) Reuniting Technology and Humanity. I feel Dertouzos did a good job balancing the technical side and the human side of the various issues and changes individuals and society will face in the twenty-first century. The book discusses changes various industries - education, business, government, and religious organizations - will experience in obtaining customers and paradigm shift in performing various tasks. At points throughout the book I found it hard to follow and read, many times I had to put the book down and reflect on what I had just read. Dertouzos closes with an excellent summary of the key discovery's presented throughout the book and some final words concerning the human aspect of the twenty-first century. In the conclusion as well as throughout the book, the author asks thought provoking questions - some which he answers, and some he does not
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Summary: What can be not what will be
Review: What will be, by Michael Dertouzos, is indeed an interesting read despite his lack of support for his thesis. By the nature of the title and subtitle, the reader is teased with a possible glimpse into our technological future. Perhaps the book should have been titled, What can be. How the new world of information can change our lives. The largest stumbling block toward accepting the title and premise is Deertouzos' careful avoidance of information technology venture capitalism, marketing, and legal environments that determine what actually is designed, manufactured and marketed. If an author infers that technology will actually happen, then they are obligated to explain when and how momentous longstanding roadblocks will be removed. Of course these issues are discussed but in a highly speculative and vague manner. On a positive note, the section What is Wrong with Technology is very clear and makes the book worth reading. I recommend this book. Despite content sprinkled with lofty assertions, Dertouszos prepares the reader for technological issues which will continue to revolutionize our world.
Rating:
Summary: What can be not what will be
Review: What will be, by Michael Dertouzos, is indeed an interesting read despite his lack of support for his thesis. By the nature of the title and subtitle, the reader is teased with a possible glimpse into our technological future. Perhaps the book should have been titled, What can be. How the new world of information can change our lives. The largest stumbling block toward accepting the title and premise is Deertouzos' careful avoidance of information technology venture capitalism, marketing, and legal environments that determine what actually is designed, manufactured and marketed. If an author infers that technology will actually happen, then they are obligated to explain when and how momentous longstanding roadblocks will be removed. Of course these issues are discussed but in a highly speculative and vague manner. On a positive note, the section What is Wrong with Technology is very clear and makes the book worth reading. I recommend this book. Despite content sprinkled with lofty assertions, Dertouszos prepares the reader for technological issues which will continue to revolutionize our world.
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