Computers: From Mozart to Megabytes

Compact discs now offer a symphony of knowledge too

Millions of music lovers have become addicted to the crisp, clear sound of the compact disc, which is rapidly replacing the records and cassette tapes in their collections. Now the CD seems destined to win the affection of computer buffs too. Inserted into a special disk drive connected to a personal computer, a single CD can deliver to the screen as much information as can be stored on 1,500 floppy disks. That is music to the ears of software manufacturers. Says Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, who has spearheaded U.S. research in CD technology for computers: "The key is that the CD...

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