Bridging the Digital Divide in 2026

 Bridging the Digital Divide in 2026


Microsoft just concluded their 2026 Build Developer Conference with CEO Satya Nadella delivering the opening keynote address. I am a Microsoft Certified Windows Programmer. My interests are in Personal Computers, the Windows operating system, the Office Suite of applications, and electronic video games for the PC. I am also very familiar with Microsoft's Enterprise Server technologies, but I have not done much with them in recent years. Collectively, these products and services account for more than $80 billion of Microsoft's annual revenues, or about 25% of Microsoft's total annual revenues.


After more than 50 years in the IT business, many people do not know today the corporate name "Microsoft" stands for "Micro-computer Software." Microsoft Windows currently powers 1.6 billion devices, worldwide, and is the operating system of choice for businesses, educators, farmers, and non-profit organizations. Today's $2,000 Windows PC has 50x(times) the computing capability of an $8 million super-computer of the late 1970's. If you live in the civilized world you need a digital strategy, of some kind, for your person, family, business, church or place of worship, and schooling education. You do not want to be found on the wrong-side of the Digital Divide in 2026.

 

NVIDIA's Jensen Huang announced their entry into the PC market by partnering with Microsoft and introducing the RTX Spark line of Windows laptops and desktop PC's. But not surprisingly, most of the discussion at the 2026 Microsoft Build Developer Conference was about Artificial Intelligence. Corporate capital expenditures in Artificial Intelligence technologies has been driving the entire U.S. economy for the past 18 months and has caused a lot of discussion and debate.


Advances in technology usually causes a productivity boom, followed by a dis-inflationary environment, resulting in a rise in the unemployment level as workers, business models, and entire industries are displaced by the new technology. Actual industrial revolutions can cause deep economic recessions as these displace workers need time to be re-educated and re-skilled. Online degree programs can help in situations as this. It is entirely conceivable that a worker displaced by artificial intelligence could then obtain his/her online degree in Computer Science and re-enter the workforce.


There are many topics and issues relating to communications services and information technology currently under heavy debate. E-commerce, social media, cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, and online education is to name only a few subjects of debate. I have here compiled a list of 20 books that I believe will help anyone to Bridge the Digital Divide in 2026. I am currently a Microsoft Certified Windows Programmer and I am trying to find adequate funding for my online graduate degree program. Except for that, I do not have any direct affiliation with these authors, publishers, book sellers or certification testing centers. These are books that have helped me these past 25 years and I personally recommend.


I have placed these 20 books into three different categories: 1. Logic and Introduction to Computers, 2. Computer Science and Programming, and 3. IT Certifications and Practical Applications. 


Section 1: Logic and Introduction to Computers 

Logic A Very Short Introduction by Graham Priest 2017

Greek Foundations of Traditional Logic by Ernst Kapp 1942

Introduction to Logic 14th ed by Copi Cohen McMahon 2016

How Computers Work 4ed by Ron White 1998

Introduction to Computers 6ed by Peter Norton 2008

Home Networking Do It Yourself For Dummies by Lawrence Miller 2011

Techgnosis by Erik Davis 2015

Future Ethics by Cennydd Bowles 2020


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Section 2: Computer Science and Programming

Programming Principles Practice Cpp 2ed by Bjarne Stroustrup 2014

Microsoft Visual Csharp Introduction 8ed by Cengage Joyce Farrell 2025

Mathematical Structures for Computer Science 7ed by Judith Gersting 2014

Windows 11 Discover From Beginner to Expert by Mike Wang 2021

HTML the complete reference by Powell 1999

SQL The Complete Reference by Groff 2010


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Section 3: IT Certifications and Practical Applications

 CompTIA Linux Cert All in One Exam Guide by Jordan Strohmayer 2020

CompTIA At Complete Study Guide 5ed by Sybex Doctor Buhagiar 2022

CompTIA Network Cert All in One Exam Guide 8ed by Meyers Jernigan 2022

CompTIA Security Guide to Network Security 8ed by Cengage Ciampa 2025

Introduction to Cryptography by Mollin 2007

Data Science for Dummies by Lillian Pierson 2015




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