THE POST PC-ERA - Computing is already entering "the post-PC era," says the New York Times, as intelligent networks, linked by powerful hub computers, deploy data. Computing will abandon the desktop for personal digital appliances that send and gather information from the Web and other networks. Already in use are laptops, digital cell phones and so-called palmtop computers, like the Palm Pilot and the Motorola Pagewriter.

How big a niche will portable learning carve? "It's hardly going to be a niche," predicts Sun's Neece. "It will be the predominant way to learn in a decade." So what should trainers do about highly portable online learning right now? "Other than get their kids to teach them? Retrain themselves and acquire these new skills by practicing Web-managed, learner-centric continuous learning." And keep an eye on those kids and their handheld games. "Watch what adolescents of all ages are doing with the toys," suggests Floyd. "Game technology will be the training-delivery mechanism of the future." (ONLINE LEARNING/NEWS 5 Jan 99)