Computer Genesis and Internet Evolution [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

Computer Genesis and Internet Evolution [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

Henry Dorsett Case is a low-level hustler in the dystopian underworld of Chiba City, Japan. Once a talented computer hacker, Case was caught stealing from his employer. As punishment for his theft, Case's central nervous system was damaged with a mycotoxin, leaving him unable to use his brain-computer interface to access the global computer network in cyberspace. Unemployable, addicted to drugs, and suicidal, Case desperately searches the Chiba "black clinics" for a miracle cure.

aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com Neuromancer - Episode 1 - Part 1

Every great song is a continuation of a previous great song, so be it with the computer. Primitive forms of the modern-day computer originated 5000 years ago. It all started with the development of the Abacus, which gave way to the pencil and paper. This rudimentary computing style continued for thousands of years. The post-World War II era saw the first generation of what is now known as the modern-day computer. The evolution of the computer has continued its steadfast development in an accelerated manner only restricted by technological wherewithal, and possibly, human imagination.

Pencil and paper, the computing method of choice for thousands of years after the introduction of the Abacus, continued to exist until the mid-1600s; then the Pascaline was developed. This basic computer relied on movable dials for its computation functionality; however, its abilities were limited to addition only.

It was not until the mid-1800s, when Thomas Colmar developed a machine that could perform the basic arithmetic functions; it could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. This computer, called the arithometer, was widely used until the start of the First World War. Colmar along with preceding inventors Pascal, and Leibniz, is responsible for defining mechanical computation, as we know it today.

England's own Charles Babbage, mathematics professor, designed the first multi- functional computer in 1830, which he named the Analytical Engine. Although this device never was constructed, the concept was considered a breakthrough.

To deal with the expanding United States population during the late 1800's, census takers determined they needed a faster, and more comprehensive computing system. The previous census was completed in seven years, and there were fears that it would take at least 10 years to complete the latest census. In 1890 Herman Hollerith, an American inventor, improved and further developed the punch card reader as a me thod for storing data and reducing computational errors. Using Hollerith's invention, census takers compiled the results in less than two months! In 1927, this new computational and storage system was soon introduced into the business world, eventually becoming known as International Business Machines (IBM). This method of using punch card readers for data processing continued until 1965.

The Second World War further initiated computer development. The potential strategic importance of a computer now hastened the technological development process. This new urgency prompted the invention of the transistor in 1948, transforming the computer so drastically it was now called a supercomputer. These meant computers were now able to store programs, and programming language, which enabled them to be cost-effective and useful for the business world: Thus, the entire software industry was born.

Transistors were clearly a crucial breakthrough, but there was a serious proble m; their operating temperatures were too high. As a result, the integrated circuit was developed, combining electronic components onto a small silicone disk manufactured from quartz. This small silicone disk became known as the semi- conductor. Taking it one-step further, by the 1980s thousands of components were being loaded onto a single chip, which by now is called a microprocessor. This microprocessor could be programmed to meet various requirements such as television sets, automobiles, and telephones.

IBM introduced the first personal computer (PC) in 1981. 10 years later 65 million PCs were being used. As computer usage became more widespread, linking them together or (networking) was developed to harness their potential. This enabled the computers to share memory space, software, information, and to communicate with each other. Using either cable or telephone lines, Local Area Network commonly known as (LAN), created networks of monumental proportions. Global co mputer circuitry, the Internet, now linked computers around the world into a single information network.

Artificial intelligence, spoken word instructions, and human reasoning are just a few of the latest modern engineering advances in computer technology. Easily understood user-friendly computer design is technologically complicated. In order to look into the "crystal ball" of the future one has to understand and appreciate how far we have come since the invention of the integrated circuit. Our imagination is our only limitation.

Written by: Raymond G. James

Related Computer Genesis and Internet Evolution Topics

Question by Tom S: Do you believe your computer is causing Global Warming? According to this link computers do cause global warming: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2007/12/04/your-computer-causing-global-warming According to environmentalists everything humans do cause global warming. So what do these environmentalist expect us to do? Go back to living in caves? To some of these whachos even having kids contributes to global warming. I wonder if these environmentalists have lights and flush toilets in their homes? Best answer for Do you believe your computer is causing Global Warming?:

Answer by Tee
I think i will jsut stay in bed tommorow, I wouldnt want to cause global warming. my microwave comes with global warming technology. its so cold right now in MA, i could use some global warming

Answer by Here_for_what
the environmentalists should work on environment-friendly technology, such as computers. they should spend their time inventing computers that do not contribute to global warming rather than writing articles and making movies about it.. i'm sure they used computers and several other harmful devices when creating the movie!! and typing the article!

Answer by Evil Carbon
My computer is not causing global warming. Is a Dell and Dell is green. Your computer causes global warming and its fat.

Answer by grayure
I leave this computer on 24 hours a day and i feel awful about it, but my rationalisation, which is not the same as a valid reason, is that turning it on and off regularly is likely to make it wear out more quickly, which in itself causes environmental damage. Coward and ostrich that i am, i have made no attempt to investigate whether thi s is true. Absolutely, having children does contribute to global warming and i have two children, which is a dubious decision, but my justification for that is that if there are no children who have been brought up to respect the environment, other people will continue to cause damage without opposition. To answer your question about lights and flush toilets, i use grey water to flush the toilet when possible and i try to avoid using electric light when i can. I went through a phase of using beeswax candles, but this became impractical when the Local Exchange Trading System (LETS) in my area collapsed. I think computers should be drastically redesigned to have no moving parts and possibly abandon the use of semiconductors, among other things. PCBs should be made of something like cork or recycled tetrapack containers, the cases of hardboard and so forth. Computers constitute a huge environmental problem, and i consider my use of them to be an unhealthy addiction like smoking, and i would like to cut down.

Answer by Nickel Johann
TO STOP STUPID POSTS UNTIL HERE: Computers use in their operation large quantities of electricity. In most countries, 0.6 t CO2 are emitted per GWh. The electricity consumed has an efficiency of only 30% compared to the primary energy tapped for its production. Computers also emitted high potential greenhouse gases in their manufacturing phase. These greenhouse gases are easy to recover and to destroy. PS: It F****** doesn´t matter if you feed a gas turbine with air from the outside or with the factory air loaded with HFC/PFC and nitrous greenhouse gases. The only difference is that in the latter case, these greenhouse gases are destroyed AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. MICROSOFT has evaluated that if it could optimize its operating system in order not to run the calculation loops when they are not needed and instead leave the computers automatically in stand-by, the EQUIVALENT OF THE GREENHOUSE GASES OF IRELAND COULD BE AVOIDED ALL AT ONCE. This would only require to install an update. Environmentalists DO NOT WANT TO SEND YOU BACK TO THE STONE AGE LIKE SOME PEOPLE PRETEND. We just want to help you to use the resources in a rational way in order to PRODUCE MORE ADDED VALUE AND WELL BEING WHILE EMITTING LESS GREENHOUSE GASES.

Answer by litscot
Wait. One more stupid post Mr.I'm the smartest guy in the room.God created us and this earth he gave us dominion over it and all living things.Now that being said it does not mean that we should just use up everything we have and be wasteful because we want to, but our resources should be conserved responsibly and used at the individuals discretion.People who say that we/I can't make the correct decision about how much of a given product I should use are the same ones who say that socialism is the only way to get a grip on this.I noted that you cited green house gases and the need to limit them but I have searched high and low for a credible study that "PROVES" that there is any correlation between "gr eenhouse gases" and global warming.The earth naturally cycles it's weather and as far as I can see we are having no effect on the weather nor anything else of that scale.Please note that I don't think your stupid but I do believe that you and many like you have been fooled by people with a financial agenda to believe something that at a simplistic level sounds plausible.

Answer by Ibk D
I dont know dude.

[global computer]