Second Half of "Computers"

In the second half of “Computers: The Life Story of a Technology,” it discussed more modern developments in the computer field, such as personal computers, computer connections, and the widespread use of computers everywhere. It also went into the development of the two computer titans, Apple and Microsoft, and their other endeavors into smaller spin off companies. This week’s reading I found to be a little more digestible, mostly because I was actually familiar with the technology they were talking about, so it was easier to keep up.

What I enjoyed most was reading about the development of video games. The company Atari was a huge influence on our modern day gaming systems, so it was interesting to see where the Xbox’s and Playstation’s of our generation sprang from. To think that a simple game like Pong, which is such a simple concept and uses simple graphics, influenced the games we play today shows just how far gaming has come. By the 1990s, “game console systems and games for personal computers became so popular that the revenue in the game market surpassed the revenue generated by movies in Hollywood.” (p.105) Compared to today there is still a sizable difference in the gaming vs. movie market. According to shacknews.com, “film box office sales were also up in 2006, with over 60 movies grossing $50+ million in theaters. Even with this strong performance, the overall yearly ticket take was a mere $9.49 billion--$4 billion shy of gaming's total.” So now almost two decades later, the gaming and movie battle continues at its highest yet. I think that this is because video games are as thematic and life-like as movies today,  and participants get to actually control the fate of the hero/heroine instead of being a mere spectator. With that, one could raise the question: Will movies become obsolete? My answer: Only time will tell…but it is very possible.

First Half of "Computers"

In the first half of the book, Computers – The Life Story of a Technology by Eric G. Swedin and David L. Ferro, it mostly discussed the early beginnings of technology. The first two chapters were about the primitive start of computers which included various things used for counting and computing, as well as some of the first electronic computers of the first half of the twentieth century. The proceeding two chapters were elaborations on the premiere computers and how they were advancing into the 1970s.

            One of the things that I found most interesting was how things like our modern number systems, something that we do not even think about, had to be developed! If you think about something as simple as counting, it does not usually occur to you that someone many years before had to develop this way of thinking. It was not just produced out of thin air and it took many different types of systems to get to what we are using today in modern society. I also found it interesting that the term “stock” originated from thousands of years ago due to a tally system with primitive banks. (p. 6) Also, the term “point blank” came to existence due to a device measuring gun trajectories, which measured an angle between 0 and 90 degrees for a gun’s elevation. Zero degrees was left blank on the device, giving us the term “point blank.” (p. 9)

            I will say that some of the mathematical aspects of this book lose me a little bit because I do not feel I have a very scientific mind. I understand what is being said for the most part and I am able to keep up, but I think when the computers are broken down in terms of their technical aspects it is a little confusing. I would say overall this book has been fairly easy reading and not too hard to digest.

My feelings of blogging...

         Well due to this course, blogging is a requirement. If it were up to me I would probably never have a blog, not because I dislike them necessarily, but because I just don't have the time to sit down and share my thoughts daily. Obviously I will make time for this blog because its part of my wreckless path towards graduation this spring (and I will pretty much do anything to graduate on time). I will admit that this is not my first experience with blogging. When I was in middle school I had a blog/online diary. It was one of those open diaries/live journal things. I kept up with it for a couple years, mostly because it was a hot fad and this was also pre-facebook/myspace. BUT I had time to spill my teenage angst onto the proverbial pages of my "diary" back then. Not so much the case anymore, where I work two jobs and commute back and forth from New Brunswick four days a week! And any sort of life I have after that usually consists of being away from computers and out with my friends. Any angst that needs spilling now is usually done through mediums of groaning and verbal complaining (sorry friends/family).
        I think the idea of blogging is pretty cool, however I don't think anyone really cares about my life that much to subscribe to reading about it. The personal aspect of it is refreshing, where you can rant and rave about anything on your mind. I am actually excited to blog again and I think this will be a pretty cool experience for those who haven't. I look forward to reading and commenting other people's blogs as well. So until my next blog people, peace&love<3 Ashley
        

Technology Log

I will pre-warn anyone who reads this, I am not a technology savvy person! So my technology log is VERY boring...but here it is.

Thursday 

• facebook.com
• sakai.rutgers.edu
• my.rutgers.edu

Friday

• barnesandnoble.com
• sakai.rutgers.edu
• facebook.com

Saturday

• facebook.com
• sakai.rutgers.edu
• blogger.com

As you can see I do not spend much time on the internet BUT in my defense I had work 2 out of those 3 days, so I wasn't exactly at the internet's disposal.