COMMENT ⊗   VALID 00016 PAGES
C REC  PAGE   DESCRIPTION
C00001 00001
C00002 00002	\|\\M1CLAR40\M2XMAS40\M3FIXR16\M4NGR20\M5GRKB40\F1
C00003 00003
C00005 00004
C00006 00005
C00007 00006
C00008 00007
C00010 00008
C00011 00009
C00012 00010
C00013 00011
C00014 00012
C00016 00013
C00018 00014
C00019 00015
C00020 00016
C00021 ENDMK
C⊗;
\|\\M1CLAR40;\M2XMAS40;\M3FIXR16;\M4NGR20;\M5GRKB40;\F1




           "The Analytical Engine has no
        pretensions whatever to originate
        anything.  It can do whatever we
        know how to order it to perform."
            Lady Lovelace in 1844

        "Man has in a single generation
        found himself sharing the world
        with a strange new species: the
        computer and computer-like
        machines."   Minsky in 1967





This Strange New Species

1. The ideal servant
2. No will of its own
3. Unfailingly obedient
4. Very fast and accurate
5. Never sleeps, never tires
6. No imagination, no emotions
7. Does nothing unless ordered
8. Perfect memory, instant recall







                This Strange New Species

                1. The ideal servant
                2. No will of its own
                3. Unfailingly obedient
                4. Very fast and accurate
                5. Never sleeps, never tires
                6. Does only what is ordered
                7. No imagination, no emotions
                8. Perfect memory, instant recall




        What You should know about Computers

        1. \F2Early history
\F1        2. Computers vs. calculators
        3. The parts of any computer
        4. Why we need computers
        5. Their speed and accuracy
        6. Programming (writing orders)
        7. What computers are now doing
        8. What computers will be doing
        9. \F3THE LONG RANGE FUTURE




\F1        Computers vs Calculators

        1. Size and cost
        2. Permanent files
        3. The stored program
        4. Multiplicity of steps
        5. Alternate program paths




        The four parts of a computer

        1. The arithmetic unit
        2. Storage unit or units
        3. Input-output mechanisms
        4. Comparison and switching




           "The Computer has no ability
        whatever to originate anything.
        It can do only whatever we know
        how to order it to perform."
        paraphrased from Lady Lovelace

        As true today as it was in 1844!




        Why do we need Computers?

        1. People are too slow
        2. People make mistakes
        3. People are too expensive
        4. There are not enough people
        5. Computers create more jobs
        6. Many tasks impossible without




        Speed, Accuracy and Reliability

        1. One million times as fast
        2. One million times as accurate
        3. Less "down time" than people
        4. Automatic error checking
        5. Double-entry bookkeeping
        6. Computers blamed falsely






        Programming

        The programmer must
        1. Fully understand problem
        2. Use a programming language
        3. Anticipate all complications
        4. Write orders in minute detail
        5. Make no typographical errors
        6. Leave nothing to "common sense"
        7. Be completely "literal minded"




        What You know about Computers

        1. \F5Arcaiologia
\F1        2. Computers vs. calculators
        3. The parts of any computer
        4. Why we need computers
        5. Speed and accuracy
        6. Programming (writing orders)
        7. What computers are now doing
        8. What computers will be doing
        9. \F4Long range future of computers


\F1
        The near future

        1. Tele-type writing
        2. Personal computer
        3. Checkless economy
        4. Weather forcasting
        5. Automated factories
        6. Personal newspapers
        7. Direct-access library
        8. Better telephone system




        "Computer" mistakes

        1. Wrong input figures
        2. No manual checking
        3. Special situations
        4. Problem of changes
        5. Fraud protection




        The long range future of computers
            (Economics will dictate)

        1.  A mechanical house maid
        2.  Self steering automobiles
        3.  Completely automated factories
        4.  Automatic language translation
        5.  The Information Society




        "Apart from the question of its
        saving labour in operations now
        possible, we think that the
        existance of an instrument of
        this kind would place within
        reach much which, if not actually
        impossible, has been too close to
        the limits of human endurance to
        be practically available."  A
        committee of the British
        Association in 1872







Number systems

Binary
    Won-Sang 1182-1135 B.C.
    Many primitive peoples
    Modern computer usage
Base 5 (one hand only)
    Roman and Mayan usage
Base 20 (fingers and toes)
    French & English traces
Decimal (10 fingers)
    Hindus (circa 800 A.D.)