The other day my wife settled in on the couch with a book¬a position she often takes. Phoebe enjoys reading. At the same time, I was reading the screen of my laptop computer. Phoebe's reading was for pleasure, and I take pleasure out of doing research on my computer¬which also requires reading. What a contrast in terms of reading material!

Before the computer, all of our reading had to flow from magazines, newspapers or books. With the computer, that has all changed and we are even in for greater change over the next 10 years. Personally, I have always liked the laptop. Keeping it under an end table in the den, I have easy and relaxed access. And I can move it elsewhere in the house¬if required. It is a great instrument for research. In seconds, tremendous volumes of facts are immediately available on my screen. By just entering a few key words, the computer researches Internet sites across the country or even the world. Maps and directions are available in a matter of minutes. I often turn on the computer just to explore the details of an item which may have come up during one of our evening walks. And I regularly go on-line to retrieve material for my columns.

In addition to research, most major newspapers are now available on-line. That means you can travel anywhere in the world and still have access to your New York Times over a cup of coffee. While you cannot turn a physical page, you are a mouse click away for the next page or story.

Beyond the availability of newspapers on the Internet, many radio broadcasts are also a mouse click away. Even some television cable stations can now be accessed on the Internet through your computer. The audio portion of CNN, for example, is a click away and the News Channel sound and video is also right there on your computer screen. Think about it. You can now keep up to date on news, your favorite columnists, editorials and talk TV while on vacation or away from home on business.

The one problem is the portability of computers. My laptop weighs almost eight pounds and that is quite a load to drag around on vacations or business trips. Recognizing the challenge, new computers are being produced. Weighing less than three pounds with complete access to email and the Internet, these new computers will be the mainstay of a traveling America. And where no phones are available¬not to worry¬satellite phone transmissions will provide Internet availability even on a mountain top camping trip.

All of this computer action will eventually change the way we read. Yes, we will soon see more books available on the Internet. Believe me, the next 10 years will revolutionize research, reading and how we get our news. If you are not now computer-literate, it is about time to take that adult education class at your local high school. The world is passing by.