I was pretty surprised to be reading Wikipedia articles for this class. Wikipedia has come a long way, but my inner old-school librarian was skeptical. Maybe this to drive home the point that good information can be found in non-standard places?
Personal Computer Hardware / Wikipedia
This article didn't really offer anything new for me to consider - I was already aware of basic computer parts. It did bring up bad memories of the dreaded Iomega Zip Drive. That was my first and last attempt at early tech adopting.
Moore's Law / Wikipedia
Moore's Law states that the number of transistors manufactured "at optimal minimal cost" doubles approximately every two years. There's been some conjecture over the years over exactly what time frame Moore really specified (18 months, one year, three years). People mistakenly think it refers to increased processing power - although it can be a nice side effect of smaller, more efficient chips that are developed. Although it's not actually a law, the technology industry seems driven to keep up with it, using it as a measurement of their progress. It also seems that every ten years or so, scientists or companies will say that the trend will expire ten years into the future. Some futurists believe Moore's Law will bring us to a technological singularity, a period of growth so great that it will usher in a new age of artificial intelligence & hybrid human/machines. I don't know if I completely believe that particular theory, but I do know that we've experienced exponential growth in technology Moore described over 40 years ago.
Computer History Museum
The first glance of that site was not that interesting to me - I wasn't sure what we were supposed to focus on. As I explored throughout the site, I found the exhibits page was surprised to find an exhibit dedicated to the Babbage (or Difference) Engine, which is considered to be one of the first computers. In 1821, mathematician Babbage had hoped to create an steam-powered calculating engine. While the Difference Engine proved to be a failure, Babbage salvaged some of it to work on the Analytical Engine - a true forerunner of computers. He was aided in expanding the purpose of his engine by Ada Lovelace, widely considered the first computer programmer. I was pleased to see her & her contribution mentioned, because women aren't represented very well on this site. Are contributions by women to computer history/technology so few, or are they just poorly represented in the field, or are they just given short shrift altogether?
I was pretty surprised to be reading Wikipedia articles, too! After I got over my initial reaction, I figured that if I use Wikipedia to get everything from batting averages to historical descriptions of geographic regions, maybe I could use it to read about computers, too. After all, it seems likely to me that given the computer based nature of Wikipedia itself, a Wikipedia article about computers is probably going to be a pretty good source of information...
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment on women in computers:
past notable women in computing
Maybe you've seen that site before, but if you haven't, it gives a little information about the important role various women have played in the history of computers.