History of Computers

• • • • • • • Chip’s transistor density doubles every 18 months at constant prices • What does this mean? • Network – two or more connected computers • Purpose - sharing or exchange of information and/or resources • Benefits – Improved efficency – Reduces need for travel… Course Objectives Computer Networks History of Computers Module 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 Categories of Computers Mainframes and PCs that run application software Embedded chips that control machines Internet or Cyberspace Particulars are Moving Targets Technology advances at exponetial rates – Computer memory capacity quadruples every 3 years – Computer processor speed doubles every 3 years – Computer networks – number of hosts double every year Principles are converging – What is good and moral? Moore’s Law • Gain increased awareness of impact of computer technology on society • Explore applications of computers in many areas • Benefits offered by computer technology • Problems posed by computer technology • Hardware and software systems that make it possible • Future of computers in society • Facilitate Computers and Networks – Concentration of knowledge and control – Distribution of knowledge and control Course Focus • Have the power to • Constitutional definitions • Social structures • Lifestyle options What is a Society? – Amass and interrogate enormous volumes of data – Process data at enormous rates for real systems and simulations Computers and Networks Challenge: • A voluntary association of individuals for common ends • An enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed • A companion with one’s fellows What is a Society? standards of living or conduct interdependently organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another • A part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or • The sum of human conditions and activity regarded as a whole functioning • 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 Computer Revolution Module 1 Early Calculating Machines • Abacus • Slide rule • Mechanical calculator • Stepped reckoner • Textile industry – Jacquard Loom • Difference engine • Analytical engine • The 1890 Census machine • ENIAC • The transistor • The Personal Computer (PC) • The Internet • Binary Early Calculating Machines through those of today 1st Generation 1940-1955 Reference material • Transistors • Memory – magnetic core • Assembly language • Printers and memory • Programming languages • Careers Reference Material 2nd Generation 1955-1963 • Quartz clock • Integrated circuit • Operating systems 3rd Generation 1964-1971 • LSI – Large Scale Integration • VLSI – Very Large Scale Integration • Chip • General consumer usage • Networks Reference Material 4th Generation 1971 – now • This is the future • What will it be like? • What changes will be big enough to create this new generation? • Charles Babbage • Konrad Zuse • John von Neumann • Alan Turing • IBM 700 Series • IBM 360/370 Series • CDC star • Cray 1 Pioneers of Computing 5th Generation Important Machines • DEC VAX • IBM PC • Apple McIntosh • Mainframes • Super computers • Microprocessors • Chips Taxonomy of Computers • Computers are used in many different technologies • How has this utilization affected society? Wirth’s Law Don’t Forget the Chip – For example; bread machine, ATM, cars, TV, microwave, cash register, ... • 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 • Negative – CONVIENIENCE – 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 Computers used in Restaurants • How? • What are the Advantages? • What are the Disadvantages? • What are the Problems? 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