its giving queen behavior

Question 1

what is a computer?

Answer 1

it is a computing system
& has internal hardware components (e.g., Hard Drive, Optical Drive, Processor, Motherboard)

Question 2

hardware

Answer 2

physical component of a computer

Question 3

software

Answer 3

the instructions that operate a computer and execute specific tasks

Question 4

interface

Answer 4

communication between user and computer

Question 5

data

Answer 5

information inputs, storage, and outputs

Question 6

mechanical calculators

Answer 6

computers were HUMAN BEINGS with mathematical expertise who operated increasingly complex calculation machines
example of mech calc: ancient abacus, pascaline (1640s)

Question 7

electro-mechanical calculators

Answer 7

examples: Hollerith Punch Card Tabulator & Military Ballistics Computers (1940s)

Mechanical Computer Video: Filmreal from the Navy talking about the new technology they’re using to train their weapons (fire control computers)

Question 8

digital mainframe computers

Answer 8

Military + University development
Mechanical > digital
Multi-purpose, but complex

example: ENIAC (1945): Electronic Numerical Integrator & Computer

Question 9

KEY AFFORDANCES of mainframe computers

Answer 9

Large scale and complex
One user, one function at a time

social context: Scarce, expensive, centralized
○ Institutional users, not personal devices

Question 10

An engineer (quoted in Friedman) compared using computers in the 1950s to consulting a Greek oracle. This is because you had to wait your turn, approach with reverence, and wait for a response (T/F)

Answer 10

true

Question 11

time sharing or batch processing

Answer 11

Access divided among users
“Like asking a Greek Oracle for guidance”

Question 12

gendered labor force regarding…

Answer 12

computers; women were the hidden, gendered labor (Punch Card operators, US Census)

example: Apollo Mission 1969
Margaret Hamilton, Software Engineering Pioneer

Question 13

KEY AFFORDANCES of tech innovations

Answer 13

processing power
flexibility (programmability)
miniaturization

Question 14

tech innovations (post-war privatization (1950s))

Answer 14

○ Vacuum tubes > transistors (elect. switches)
○ Integrated circuits (many switches together)
○ Microprocessor (CPU)

Question 15

Examples of early computer manufacturers searching to find a market for personal computers:

Answer 15

kitchen computers, hobby computers - “build it
yourself, smart home computers

NOT computer-assisted dating