Fast Video Machine was a PC-based system that first came out as an offline system, and later became more online editing capable.

If it is, he said, "it'll reinforce the studio perception" that PC-based systems for preventing the illegal copying of media "aren't ready for prime time."

The other emerging trend is to provide PC-based systems which can either contribute to or make actual use of the documents produced on the main system.

Today's PC-based system now averages slightly over $5,000 for the hardware and software.

PC-based systems which could accomplish these tasks based on standard networks began to be available at minimal or no cost.

For a period of time PC-based mainframe-compatible systems had a lower price and did not require as much electricity or floor space.

A PC-based system has been devised for the prediction of subsurface present-day and palaeotemperatures in sedimentary basins.

Also, a number of emulators for the TI-99 exist today for PC-based systems.

PC-based systems are not set up to provide the safety and redundancy achieved by mainframes.

But chances are the PC-based systems will get smarter.