From Gigantic computers to Desktop computers

It is hard to imagine as said before that computers that were as large as entire rooms that kept tabs on men making their way the the moon are not as powerful as today's handheld cellphones is surreal. A long way the evolution has come indeed. Yet, this all started after vacuum tubes were replaced by microprocessors. When Ted Hoff of Intel created the 4004 microprocessor (the first complete microprocessor), not even he himself could have imagined the surge that was to follow (Computers: The Life Story of a Technology by Eric Swedin). His microprocessor would spur on a new technological revolution that would change the way the computer would be perceived. With this processor so small as it were it would create small computers called "desktops" that common people would be able to use. It wasn't just its size but eventually it was its price as well. The fact that this technology came about it is very interesting to point out that the major players of today came from such simple origins like Steve Jobs or Bill  gates all started out from building computers or writing software in their garages. The fact that their swimming in money today only shows how impressive this all was for them. In the end though as I even type this blog is the fact that this technology of the seventies multiplied tenfold and became what it is today. It is astonishing how people raved about a simple game called pong as kids today play MMORPG's were they can interact with other kids around the world hacking and dungeon crawling their way to fun. Between the beginning of the internet and the computer it was only a matter of time till these two forms of technology would coincide to take the world by storm. They have effectively changed the landscape of how people perceive their daily world and how they live. The way technology has been evolving as well we can only acknowledge the fact that society is now used to ever changing trends in technology and relishes them. I guess my assumption from all this is that as the wheel turns downhill it only gains momentum as surely technology has.

The evoulution of computers and humanity

      Its early April and Easter has arrived in the year 1900. A group of greek fisherman seek shelter on a small island in the Cyclades called Antikythera and stumble upon a great discovery. They find what is possibly a sunken Roman vessel that has a very old pre-modern mechanical computer amongst ivory statues that was used in calculating lunar, solar, and stellar calendars, according to Eric Swedin the author of Computers: The Life Story of Technology. As interesting as that is to uncover an artifact that gives precedence to the past, what is even more interesting is what we as a species, according to Swedin, have evolved so closely with technology. Mathematics have been around for so long that it only makes sense that it has been with us step by step to help us come up with innovation. Like Herman Hollerith's census machine that revolutionized task-oriented procedures like acquiring the data of millions of citizens (pg. 20). Or Charles Babbages difference machine that furthered mathematics to really expand the horizons of what we can accomplish in terms of numbers because it was a precursor to the modern calculator (pg 15). World War II really pushed technology as well. As battles were fought over land, air, and sea (and under), technology was developing many new ideas on how to wage it. like how a general would relay his tactics to others without giving away intelligence. The Germans were really good at this because they developed machines like the Enigma machine that would conceal missions or other information (pg 32). These machines were not small, in fact they were huge due to the fact they had vacuum tubes and other bulky parts to relay electric currents. It was not until the Cold war that things became more precise, less mechanical, and more automated (pg 52). Eventually with all this progress the concept of A.I (artificial Intelligence) came around and stopped being part of science fiction (pg 63). So what is the reason to ramble on about the history of computers so? Well, its simple, when you realize that we used to have computers that were the size of whole rooms where people had to crawl into them to fix them, we are now seeing cellphones and other hand-held devices that have more power then these old behemoths like the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer). It is amazing to realize that we have come so far in such a short span with technology. Two hundred years ago to even 30 years ago people got by with much in the sense of computers. You look at us today and everyone is hooked on them. They have become an all important tool in today's society. We use computers, we live off computers, we need computers in this day an age. Sixty years ago when the government was the only entity that found use for them, we today have built an entirely new infrastructure around them. The next time you pick up your cell phone just look at it and realize that this little device has more computing power then the computers that filled whole rooms that manned the Apollo Project for landing a man on the moon (pg. 67). That is not only technological evolution that is human evolution.

Starting a blog & logging tech. usage

  Starting up a blog seems to be a lot easier then it once was. Since I am a general hold out from Facebook and Myspace entities it still was a snap. I just never felt the need to tell people when I am about to go take a leak or let people know what I am doing. It does seem that letting the world know what you are thinking is as easy as never before. It did not take long to set up this blog and go through the motions to have it appear somewhat professional and worthy. One thing is for sure, technology never stops.
  except when you are vacation, as i was from 9/9/10 to 9/14/10. Other then the obvious technology of a plane, cars (taxi), trains, and a bit of television (to watch the jets on monday night football get their clocks cleared while in Costa Rica) I stayed away from portable technology. I basically logged zero hours. But if i were to give a rounded off amount during a general week, i probably use the internet, cellphone, etc for about ten hours a week, mostly for homework, research, or staying in touch (texting & calling no Facebook). definitely would say technology has not absorbed me completely.