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\ctrline{Something about Computers}
\ctrline{by}
\ctrline{Arthur L. Samuel}

\vskip 12pt

This will be a short series of talks about computers for the typical
Rotterdam passenger who is not a computer expert and who never intends to
become one but who, never-the-less, feels that he or she should know
something about computers and that, heaven forbid, he or she might even
find it fun to own a personal computer someday.

The entire approach will be that of one passenger talking to a few
other passengers and sharing his own enthusiasm with them for
some of the interesting new ideas and new devices that are just now
becoming available to the general public.

The series will begin with a brief history of computing.  The last 40
years of this history will be enlivened by some personal recollections of
the people that contributed to this history and of some of the more
dramatic events that have occurred.  People usually like to hear about the
short-sightedness of some of the individuals most responsible for the
advances as contrasted with the public over-optimism that has colored
these years. I will plan to limit the time devoted to this history to a
single talk although I could easily return to it later in the series
should this aspect of the subject elicit a lot of interest.

The second session will be devoted to the logical workings of the modern
computer, hopefully without ``computereeze gobblegook'' and freed from the
``computers-are-magic'' mentality that colors much that appears in the
public press. It is here that I must tread lightly. The all too common
reaction is for many people to not even try to understand. Being an older
person, myself, does help psychologically, making it a bit hard for my
audience to hide behind the excuse that this is a young pepson's field.
For the women in the audience, I will point out that Lady Lovelace, the
daughter of Lord Byron, actually wrote the best available explanation of
Charles Babbage's Analytic engine.  I will then ask if
they are willing to admit that they are unable to understand as much
about the modern digital computer as this young Victorian woman could and
did understand.

I will not go into too much detail with respect to the hardware aspects of
the modern computer. It will be interesting, however, to compare the
modern personal computer with the first million-dollar computers of the
early 1950's. Many people use an automobile without
much of an understanding of how it really works and they should be
willing to use a computer in much the same way. They will need to know
the names of the major parts, the steering wheel and the brake pedal, as
it were, but little more.

The next subject will be that of programming.  My first task will be to
dispell the feeling that programming is a black art.  Actually, a person
does not need to be a programmer in order to make intelligent use of a
personal computer, but then programming is fun. Most people find it
interesting to know just a little bit about Programming so that they can
Decide if they want to know enough more to get in on the fun.

Finally some hands-o8AKqa∃eSK]
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APPLE II, the Radio Shack Computer, the Commodore, or the Osborne.

I favor the IBM for several reasons.  It is the most expensive of the lot
and would be apt to be the one chosen by most of the Rotterdam's
passengers were they to buy one.  To choose the cheapest would be a bit
demeaning for the Rotterdam while a choice between the several
intermediate priced models would imply too much of a commercial
indorsement for the particular one chosen.  Both IBM and APPLE have been
rather lavish in making their computers available to educators at little
or no cost. IBM has concentrated at the University level while Apple has
been dealing with the public schools.

2) Will the shipboard power supply be adequite in terms of the
nominal voltage, nominal frequency, overall stability, and the absence of bad
transients?  It might be necessary or desirable to install a surge arrestor.
Fortunately there are devices designed for this express purpose.

3) Will the computer emit any appreciable radiation that might interfere
with any of the ship's communication or navigation equipment?  This
interference could possibly be of two sorts, one transmitted vis the power
lines and the other by radiation.

The surge arrestor, mentioned above would take care of the first of these
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