Introduction to the Information Age

Introduction to the Information Age

• The Information Age began in the late 20th century, marked by readily accessible and manageable information through computer networks.
• Also known as the Digital Age and New Media age.
• Information is knowledge about facts and circumstances.

Theory of the Information Age (1982 - James R. Messenger)

• The Information Age is characterized by interconnected computers through telecommunications.
• Information systems operate in real-time and on demand.
• Convenience and user-friendliness are key factors leading to user dependence.

History of Information Technology

• 3000 BC: Sumerian writing system using pictographs.
• 2900 BC: Egyptian hieroglyphic writing.
• 1300 BC: Tortoise shell and oracle bone writing.
• 500 BC: Papyrus roll used.
• 220 BC: Chinese small seal writing.
• 100 AD: Book (parchment codex).
• 105 AD: Woodblock printing and paper invented in China.
• 1455: Johannes Gutenberg's printing press with movable metal type.
• 1755: Samuel Johnson's dictionary standardizes English spelling.
• 1830s: First variable design for a digital computer, Augusta Lady Byron writes the world's first computer program.
• 1837: Telegraph invented in Britain and the US.
• 1906: Lee DeForest invents the electronic amplifying tube (triode).
• 1940s: Information science emerges as a discipline.
• 1946: ENIAC computer developed.
• 1958: First integrated circuit.
• 1960s: LC MARC (Library of Congress machine-readable code) developed.
• 1969: UNIX operating system developed (multitasking).
• 1971: Intel introduces the first microprocessor chip.
• 1977: RadioShack introduces first personal computer.
• 1984: Apple Macintosh computer introduced.
• Mid 1980s: Artificial intelligence separates from information science.
• 1991: Four Hundred Fifty complete works of literature on one CD-ROM.
• January 1997: RSA internet security code cracked.

Information Anxiety (1980s - Richard Wurman)

• The rapid growth in information dissemination outpaced our ability to manage it.
• Abundance of information was challenging to collect and organize.

Devices in the Information Age

• Desktop Computer: Non-portable PCs, offering more storage, power and versatility.
• Laptops/Notebooks: Portable versions of desktop computers.
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): Integrated computers, touch screen input primarily.
• Server: Computer enhanced to provide network services to other computers.
• Mainframes: Large, expensive computer systems, used by large firms for processing massive transactions.
• Wearable Computers: Devices integrated into cell phones, watches, or other small objects.

World Wide Web (Internet)

• Claude E. Shannon: Father of Information Theory, influential in the Internet's origins.
• Internet: Worldwide interconnected network for data transmission among computers.
• 1970s: First used by US Department of Defense.
• 1984: Internet became publicly accessible.
• Early problems: Slow transmission speeds.
• 1998: Google launched; became the world's dominant search engine.
• Rise of online activities and "surfing the net."
• Notable figures: Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Steve Jobs (Apple), Bill Gates (Microsoft).
• Social and economic divides: Internet created a gap between social classes.
• Emerging criminal activity: Pornography and cyberbullying.

Application of Computers in Science and Technology

• Bioinformatics: Using information technology to manage biological data (e.g. protein sequences).
• SWISS-PROT: Protein sequence database (1986).
• Internet, CD-ROMs: Expanding information access to the public.
• BLAST, Annotation tools, Gene Finder: Software for searching and analyzing sequences.
• 1988: Human genome research produced a vast amount of sequence data.

Handling Huge Volumes of Data

• June 26, 2000: Entire human genome sequence announced.
• Bioinformatics: Crucial for rational drug discovery (reducing trial numbers).
• Pharmacogenomics: Using genome sequencing for drug development.
• Molecular modeling: Faster drug development.
• Plant Biotechnology: Using genomics to create disease-resistant and nutrition-rich plants.

Reliability of Web Sources

• Check Source Authenticity: Who wrote the article? Who published it?
• Understand Purpose: Why was it written or published? What's the target audience?
• Evaluate Information Quality: Assess the quality of the information on the website.

Explore the evolution of the Information Age, from its inception in the late 20th century to the development of key information technologies throughout history. This quiz covers major milestones like the invention of writing systems and printing methods that have shaped information accessibility. Test your knowledge on the characteristics and theories surrounding this pivotal era.