BA Week 10 Course overview, conversations about this class and the IS field’s future Dave Sullivan

Remaining Schedule Tuesday: build Access reports Tuesday: build Access reports Thursday lab: Prepare for the final exam Thursday lab: Prepare for the final exam Final exam – basement computer lab: offered four times Final exam – basement computer lab: offered four times noon 6 p.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m.

Activities you should do: Complete Access #5 by noon Complete Access #5 by noon –Build a fairly simple report Work through both versions of the Practice Final Exam Work through both versions of the Practice Final Exam Practice Final Exam Practice Final Exam

Course Evaluations Please take the time to write two short answers: 1. What was done best in this class (things to continue doing) 2. What was done worst (things to stop doing or change markedly)

Course Overview We surveyed the hands-on use of business software in two parts: –Visual communications: websites, wikis, PowerPoint, movies, … –Structured data processing: using a relational database to move and shake large amounts of information

Next steps … This course allows us to start two conversations about dynamic topics: –First, what should the college teach about computing? –Second, how will computing likely affect your life?

Moore’s law Moore’s law

Kurtweil’s law: Accelerating Returns An analysis of the history of technology shows that technological change is exponential, contrary to the common- sense "intuitive linear" view. So we won't experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century -- it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at today's rate).

Magnetic Data Storage

Modem cost/performance

Decrease in size of mechanical devices

Fastest possible transmission speed

Internet use

What do these trends mean? Computers will be able to do new things … not just the old things faster Computers will be able to do new things … not just the old things faster We should not position ourselves to compete with computers … We should not position ourselves to compete with computers … Computers are like humans in that we both are constructed from binary codes Computers are like humans in that we both are constructed from binary codes

Where I would like to live in a year or two …

Possible human/computer trends Brain capacity is 100 billion neurons times an average 1,000 connections per neuron times 200 calculations per second. Thus, we will achieve Brain capacity is 100 billion neurons times an average 1,000 connections per neuron times 200 calculations per second. Thus, we will achieve One human brain capability for $1,000 around the year One human brain capability for $1,000 around the year One human brain capability for one cent around the year One human brain capability for one cent around the year We achieve one human race capability for $1,000 around the year We achieve one human race capability for $1,000 around the year We achieve one human race capability for one cent around the year We achieve one human race capability for one cent around the year 2059.