The Era of Personal and Network Computers

The Era of Personal Computers

• Computers transitioned from large, expensive machines to more affordable and accessible devices for everyday tasks
• Personal computers became widely adopted for writing letters, managing finances, communication, creating music, and entertainment
• An estimated 250 to 350 million personal computers are sold annually to meet this demand

The New Era of Network Computers and Internet

• Computers have revolutionized information exchange, with engineers developing technologies for communication between devices
• Initial networks connected computers within offices, enabling email and resource sharing like printers
• The "Mother of All Demos" in 1968 by Douglas Engelbart showcased key technologies like networking, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), hypertext, the mouse, video conferencing, and word processing, laying the foundation for modern computing

Network Effects

• The value of a network increases with the number of users
• More users lead to more connections and greater utility for each user
• This network effect drove the rapid growth of computer networks

The Internet and the World Wide Web

• The internet is a global network of computers sharing information
• The World Wide Web (WWW) is a web of information interconnected through links within the internet
• Internet access and its vast network are now as essential as basic utilities such as water and electricity

Networks and Development

• The US experienced significant economic development in the early 20th century due to investments in transportation and communication infrastructure
• The information network, including the internet, has become a key contributor to global prosperity

LANs vs WANs

• Local Area Networks (LANs) are small networks within buildings, connecting devices like computers, printers, and the internet
• Wide Area Networks (WANs) are large networks connecting LANs over geographically distributed areas, like states or countries
• WANs are typically operated by internet providers and require user subscriptions

The Mobile Technology Revolution

• Computing technologies have shrunk to fit into mobile phones and other portable devices
• The mobile revolution was fueled by advancements in storage, battery life, screens, materials, and networking technology
• Smartphones have replaced traditional phones, becoming powerful computers carried by users worldwide

Operating Systems

• Windows dominated the personal computer era, while iOS (Apple) and Android (Google) dominate the mobile era
• Both iOS and Android are descendants of the Unix operating system lineage
• Linux, a Unix-compatible operating system created by Linus Torvalds in 1991, is the foundation for Android

Moore's Law

• Moore's Law describes the exponential growth in the number of transistors on a microchip every two years
• Transistors are tiny electronic devices that store and process information, with their size measured in nanometers
• Advances in microchip technology have driven the development of increasingly powerful computers

Women in Technology

• Women are underrepresented in the technology industry, experiencing challenges like workplace conditions, undermining behavior, and career stagnation
• High turnover rates for women in tech suggest systemic issues inhibiting their advancement and success
• Studies highlight the need for addressing systemic bias and creating more inclusive work environments for women in tech