Since computers were first introduced to the public in the early 1980's,
technology (has changed) a great deal. The first computers (were) simple
machines designed for basic tasks. They (did not have) much memory and they
(were not) very powerful. Early computers were often quite expensive and
customers often (paid) thousands of dollars for machines which actually
(did) very little. Most computers (were) separate, individual machines used
mostly as expensive typewriters or for playing games.
Times (have changed). Computers (have become) powerful machines with very
practical applications. Programmers (have created) a large selection of useful
programs which do everything from teaching foreign languages to
bookkeeping. We are still playing video games, but today's games
(have become) faster, more exciting interactive adventures. Many computer
users (have also got) on the Internet and (begun) communicating with other
computer users around the world. We (have started) to create international
communities online. In short, the simple, individual machines of the
past (have evolved) into an international World Wide Web of knowledge.