WORLD'S SMALLEST INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
The world's smallest integrated circuit is the size of a flake of coarse ground pepper. Built by National Semiconductor, the SC7-5, measures 2mm by 2.1mm. The microchip is designed for use in pagers, cordless and cell phones. The chips list for US$0.27 when purchased in quantities of 1,000. (Source: ComputerWorld, 3/30/98.)

GROCERY SHOPPING ON THE WEB
Grocery shopping via the Internet? According to a research firm in New York, on-line grocery sales are expected to grow from US$85 million in 1997 to US$6.6 billion in the year 2002. Here in Eau Claire, we have Mega Pick 'N Save (http://www.megafoods.com) from which you can order your groceries on-line. (Source: PC Week, 4/20/98.)

THE PERSONAL COMPUTER IN 1999
Look for the next generation of Windows based personal computers to have a minimum of a 300 MHz CPU, 32 MB RAM, support for multiple displays and no ISA slots. The ISA slot is being eliminated in favor of the PCI standard. Network interface cards will be standard equipment in those PCs made for the business or "office" environment.

Microsoft released these standards at the recent Microsoft Hardware Engineering Conference. Dropping the ISA slot has many corporate users worried. Currently the ISA slot is used for sound cards, modems and network interface cards. Loss of the ISA slot prematurely makes these devices obsolete. Microsoft is also laying the groundwork to have the serial and parallel ports replaced with the universal serial bus (USB) and the 1394 port.

Manufacturers have some leeway in implementing the standards but most industry observers expect the PC makers to incorporate these features so that their PCs can display the Windows98 logo. (Sources: ComputerWorld, 3/30/98; PC Week, 3/30/98 and 4/13/98.)

WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
This month's site will probably appeal to the young scientist in the family. The "Yuckiest Site on the Internet" www.nj.com/yucky examines all those things that parents find to be slimy, smelly and gross. Topics include the physiology behind bodily functions including bad breath, ear wax and belching. Sound clips and animation are used throughout the site. This Web site is part of a regional news site supported by a New Jersey newspaper. (Source: Wall Street Journal, 3/15/98.)
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Technology Tidbits is published monthly by Jerry Price, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
© 1998 Jerry W. Price

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