The computer software world has come a long way since the first simple personal computers rolled off assembly lines in the late 70's. Thanks to dedicated software developers, there have been vast improvements to the performance, function and usability of computers today. Every year, there are major developments that lead to faster software and hardware applications that improve the performance of computers for personal and business users. Just in the last decade, more people than ever are using computers to perform basic functions of their jobs and lives. The future holds many more new advances. So what are the top five advances in computer software just in the last few years that stand out in the history of computers?



Data storage and processing

Over just the last ten years, there has been a huge improvement in the amount of data that personal computers can store and process at once. When a 256 MB system used to be state of the art in computer memory, now we are lucky to have computers managing over 30 GB routinely. Thanks to the development of Microsoft Windows, computers can easily handle multiple applications running all at once. And there are many options in the storage of data, whether it is backup software, external drives or web-based storage ability - we can manage much more data than ever before thanks to these developments.

Internet applications

With the birth of the World Wide Web in the 90's, human beings became more connected to the rest of the world than ever before. And we couldn't have done this without software applications like Internet Explorer or Netscape to provide browsers that we use to "surf" the Net. Then came instant messaging and telephony applications that allowed us to talk with people in real time. As we move into the future, we will be even more connected via use of mobile devices like cell phones, texting units and GPS systems.

Entertainment

When personal computers came out, they were very clunky, albeit they included some entertainment value in the form of simple programs and games. Some could even be programmed to chime little tunes. But now, thanks to the plethora of entertainment applications, we can set up our home computers to link to our home television and music systems to enjoy a total entertainment experience. And if we want to take our entertainment with us, we have Mp3 devices to carry music and videos with us thanks to software development in that area.

Gaming industry

Just in the last ten years, the advances in the gaming industry have been tremendous. Now there are realistic virtual reality video and computer game software that creates a fully interactive experience for players. Thanks to software advances, gamers are taking their playing to the next level, competing against other players around the world in real time.

Social media and networking

One of the biggest and best developments in software has been the advent of social media and networking software, which enable computer and mobile device users to interact with other people anywhere and anytime. Now people are connecting with each other as never before.