In the future, so many of the public forms and communications we receive could easily be put in Braille by the use of computer software and the transcription equipment now readily available to public authorities.

BBC: Why Braille is brilliant

Note that our definition of the global tech market in this report includes business and government purchases of computer equipment, communications equipment, software, IT consulting services, and IT outsourcing and hardware maintenance services, but does not include purchases of telecommunications services.

FORBES: Global Tech Market To Grow By 5.4% In 2013, 6.7% In 2014

The one, very modestly encouraging sign is a small upturn in investment in computer equipment and software, though this comes after nearly two years of decline.

ECONOMIST: Wobbling

The NASA spokesman explained that equipment and computer software upgrades, among other factors, helped to make Thursday's historically fast flight possible.

CNN: SHARE THIS

The Treasury Department said on Thursday that it is lifting decades-old sanctions on a broad array of advanced communications equipment, from antivirus software and satellite phones to computer tablets and modems.

WSJ: U.S. Eases Tech Exports to Help Iranian Dissenters

Likewise Digital Equipment focused on its profit margin in computer-aided design and manufacturing software only to be destroyed by its lower margin but higher volume competitor AutoCad.

FORBES