History of Computers Week 1

Definition of a Computer A computer is defined in the following ways By the work it does By the kind of information it handles By its size and price

Particulars are Moving Targets Technology advances at exponential rates Computer memory capacity quadruples every 3 years? Computer processor speed doubles every 3 years? Computer networks - number of hosts doubles every year

Computer Networks Network - two or more connected computers Purpose - sharing or exchange of information and/or resources Benefits improved efficiency reduces need for travel…

Computers and Networks Facilitate Concentration of knowledge and control Distribution of knowledge and control Have the power to Amass and interrogate enormous volumes of data Process data at enormous rates for real systems and simulations

Computers and Networks Challenge: Constitutional definitions Social structures Lifestyle options

What is a Society? A voluntary association of individuals for common ends An enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another A companionship with one’s fellows

What is a Society? A part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct The sum of human conditions and activity regarded as a whole functioning interdependently The customs and organization of an ordered community

How have Computers Affected Society? What are the parts of a society? What has been the affect of computers on these parts? What are the benefits? What are the problems? What will happen next?

What about the Internet? In recent years this one area has affected society more than any other How? What are the issues here?

The Parts of a Society Education Transportation Private Sector Business Government Entertainment Housing

The Parts of a Society Currency (banking) Jobs Space Medicine Anything else?

Technological Revolutions Agricultural Revolution Industrial Revolution Computational Revolution

Revolution Comparison Workforce distribution Productivity benefits Breadth of impact

Early Calculating Machines Abacus Slide rule Mechanical calculator Stepped reckoner Textile industry - Jacquard Loom Difference engine

Early Calculating Machines through those of today Analytical engine The 1890 Census machine ENIAC The transistor The Personal Computer (PC) The Internet

5 Generations of Modern Computers 1st Generation 1945 - 1956 Made to order operating instructions Different binary coded programs told it how to operate Difficult to program and limited versatility and speed Vacuum tubes Magnetic drum storage

2nd Generation 1955-1963 Transistors Memory - magnetic core Assembly language Printers and memory Programming languages Careers

3rd Generation 1964 - 1971 Quartz clock Integrated circuit Operating systems

4th Generation 1971 - now LSI - Large Scale Integration VLSI- Very Large Scale Integration (ULSI) Chip General consumer usage Networks

5th Generation This is the future What will it be like? What changes will be big enough to create this new generation?

Pioneers of Computing Charles Babbage Konrad Zuse John von Neumann Alan Turing Steve Jobs

Important Machines IBM 700 Series IBM 360/370 Series CDC star Cray 1 DEC VAX IBM PC Apple McIntosh

Taxonomy of Computers Mainframes Minis Micros Supercomputers Embedded

Don’t Forget the Chip Computers are used in many different technologies For example: bread machine, ATM, cars, TV, microwave, cash register, ….. How has this utilization affected society?

Wirth’s Law The software gets slower faster than the hardware gets faster What does this mean?

How Society Reacts to Revolutions Incorporate benefits Civilize change Compensate injured Regain balance

ATM Example Positive CONVENIENCE Negative Unemployment Alienation and customer service Crime Loss of privacy Errors

Reconsider the Problems Unemployment -> more computer jobs Alienation -> go during business hours Crime -> add lights, change angle,etc. Weigh the positive against the negative

Solutions to Problems Technical Managerial Legal Market mechanisms Education

Issues to be Studied Due to Computers in Society Privacy of communications Intellectual property Constitutional issues General social issues Professional ethics