EGE 312: Living The IT Era - Lesson 1 PDF

**EGE 312: LIVING THE IT ERA** **Lesson 1: The Evolution and History of Information Technology: Past, Present, Future** Information technology has existed for a very long time. Essentially, as long as humans have been around, information technology has also been present because there have always b...

**EGE 312: LIVING THE IT ERA** **Lesson 1: The Evolution and History of Information Technology: Past, Present, Future** Information technology has existed for a very long time. Essentially, as long as humans have been around, information technology has also been present because there have always been ways to communicate through the available technology of the era. The revolution of information technology (IT) spans several centuries, marked by key innovations that have transformed how humans create, store, process, and communicate information. Information technology today is often associated with computers and the internet, which many people, especially children, can\'t imagine living without. We rely on IT for communication, research, work, entertainment, and education. Modern conveniences like internet access at home have replaced traditional methods, such as going to libraries. Similarly, businesses now use computers and the internet for data storage and management instead of relying on paperwork. However, there was a time when these technologies didn't exist, and people used other available tools for communication and information gathering. **Writing Systems in Early Beginnings (3000 B.C. -- 1400 A.D.)** - The first major leap in information technology came with the invention of **writing systems** like **cuneiform** in Mesopotamia and **hieroglyphs** in Egypt. This allowed for the recording of knowledge, laws, and trade, marking a significant shift from oral traditions to written records. - Materials like **clay tablets** and **papyrus** were used to store this information. **Cuneiform** Cuneiform is a writing system that originated with the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE. It stands out as one of the most important cultural contributions of the Sumerians, particularly from the city of Uruk. Around 3200 BCE, Uruk played a crucial role in advancing cuneiform writing, which paved the way for the development of literature. **Hieroglyphs** Developed in Egypt around 5,000 years ago. Second oldest writing system, emerging a few centuries after cuneiform, which the Sumerians created. Although it was once thought that the Egyptians borrowed the idea from the Sumerians, hieroglyphics is now believed to have developed independently. The exact origins remain uncertain. Uses pictorial symbols to represent whole words, syllables, or phonemes (basic units of sound). The Ancient Egyptians referred it as "the gods' words," which the Greeks translated as "sacred carvings," leading to the term "hieroglyphics." Originally specific to Ancient Egyptian monuments, the term \"hieroglyphics\" is now also used more broadly to describe other pictographic scripts, such as those of the Hittites, Minoans, and Maya **CLAY TABLEtS** Ancient Sumerians, Akkadians, and Babylonians used clay tablets for writing. It is commonly thin, four-sided tiles about five inches long. Inscribed with a stylus while the clay was wet, using cuneiform character then dried or baked, making them nearly indestructible and well-preserved over thousands of years. Almost 500,000 clay tablets have been discovered intact by modern archaeologists. Associated with cuneiform writing, named from the Latin word \"cuneus,\" meaning \"wedge,\" due to the stylus impressions. Usage declined with the rise of the Aramaic language and alphabet in the 6th century BCE. **Papyrus** Papyrus scrolls of ancient Egypt are considered the direct ancestors of modern books. Made from the Papyrus plant found in the Nile valley. Strips of papyrus pith were layered and pasted together to form cream-colored sheets. Sheets were rolled into long scrolls. Scribes copied text on one side and rolled the scroll with the text inside. Papyrus influenced writing styles, similar to clay tablets. Written with reed pens or brushes and colored inks. The Egyptians created two cursive hands, Hieratic: A cursive script used by priests. Demotic: A simplified version of hieratic, used for everyday purposes. Papyrus is more fragile than clay tablets but many examples have been well-preserved due to Egypt's dry climate and preservation techniques. Entombed papyrus scrolls included mortuary texts, scientific documents, and mythology. Papyrus had been used as a writing material in Egypt for thousands of years, and during the classical period papyrus rolls were exported throughout the ancient world. Any reader or writer, from the philosophers of ancient Greece to the emperors of Rome, would have been familiar with the papyrus roll as the normal form of the book. Typically about 12 inches tall and a hundred feet or more in length, papyrus rolls could be used to record long works of literature, or cut into smaller pieces to write letters or other short documents. **Abacus and Early Calculating Devices (2400 B.C.)** The abacus was one of the earliest information processing tools, used for basic calculations and essential for commerce and trade. It consist of a frame with rods or wires strung with beads or counters. The beads or counters are moved along the rods to represent different values. Counting Boards: Simple flat surfaces used for performing arithmetic calculations by placing counters or pebbles in specific arrangements. It functioned similarly to an abacus, helping in counting and arithmetic operations. Tally Sticks: Sticks or pieces of wood with notches carved into them. Used for recording quantities and transactions, with each notch representing a unit of measure. This method was particularly useful for keeping track of livestock and trade goods. Neolithic Stone Tools: Early stone artifacts that may have been used for simple counting and record-keeping. Some stone tools, like those with notched or marked surfaces, are thought to have been used for basic calculations and tallying.   **The Codex and Early Libraries (1st Century A.D.)** A codex is essentially an ancient book, consisting of one or more quires of sheets of papyrus or parchment folded together to form a group of leaves, or pages. This form of the book was not widely used in the ancient world until around the second century AD, when it slowly but steadily began to replace the traditional book form, the papyrus roll. P46 is an example of a relatively old and rare form of codex, the single-quire codex. Most codices, like modern books, are formed from multiple quires (groupings of typically 4, 8, or 16 leaves), bound together side-by-side. However, P46 is formed by simply taking a stack of papyrus sheets and folding them all in half. This method produces a codex in which the first leaf is physically joined to the last, with the remaining leaves sandwiched between. Because P46 used this unique form of construction (which eventually died out due to its impracticality), the precise size of the codex can be determined by simply knowing the page numbers of any *conjugate pair* of physically joined leaves. This is true because the number of leaves preceeding any given page is equal to the number of leaves following its conjugate pair. P46, one of the earliest forms of the New Testament, written on a papyrus codex. During the early development of the New Testament canon, various Christian writings, like this codex containing the Epistles of Paul, were copied and compiled. It wasn\'t until the 4th century, with Emperor Constantine\'s acceptance of Christianity, that the New Testament was formalized into a single volume. Over time, papyrus was replaced by parchment, then paper, as manuscripts became more decorative and eventually transitioned to printed books. A timeline shows the evolution of the Bible\'s form, particularly the New Testament, over two millennia.  P46 originally consisted of 104 leaves, with 86 surviving today, making it a remarkably well-preserved codex compared to other New Testament papyri, which often exist in fragmentary states. While individual pages are relatively well-preserved, typically 3 to 4 lines are lost at the bottom of each page. The top and side margins are intact, but the unbound corners show the most damage. The Michigan portion of P46 is stored separately between glass sheets to protect it and allow easy viewing without causing damage. This glass-mounting method preserves the fragile artifact for handling. P46 is not typically on public display, but exhibits featuring this manuscript run annually at the University of Michigan, while parts of the manuscript are on display at the Chester Beatty Library. The Michigan portion of P46 has been digitally scanned and made freely available online through the Advanced Papyrological Information System (APIS), allowing public access to this valuable manuscript. The Library of Alexandria (Egypt), founded in the 4th century B.C., flourished for six centuries and was a major cultural and intellectual hub of the Hellenistic world. It reportedly held half a million papyrus scrolls, including works by Plato, Aristotle, Homer, and other notable figures. - Julius Caesar was accused of starting the fire that destroyed the **Library of Alexandria** in 48 B.C., but most modern historians believe the library was largely unaffected by this fire. Some scrolls may have burned, but the library survived. - Historians like **Cassius Dio** claim that a warehouse near the docks was burned, not the library itself, and scholars like **Strabo** mention using the library after Caesar's time. - The destruction of the library was more of a **slow decline** over centuries, hastened by events such as: **Ptolemy VIII\'s expulsion** of scholars in the 2nd century B.C. - The destruction of the **Serapeum** in A.D. 391, ordered by **Theophilus** under Roman emperor **Theodosius I**. - The **siege by Diocletian** in A.D. 297. The decline of **Alexandria as an intellectual center** further contributed to the library\'s downfall as **Rome** and **Athens** became more prominent scholarly hubs. The final blow is often attributed to the **Arab conquest of Alexandria** in the 7th century, though the story of **Caliph Omar** ordering the burning of scrolls has been largely discredited. **Early Libraries (1st Century A.D.)** - Library of Asinius Pollio: One of the first public libraries in Rome, established in the late 1st century B.C., but remained important into the 1st century A.D. It contained both Greek and Latin books. - Libraries of Augustus: Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, founded several public libraries, including the Palatine and Octavian libraries, housing works of literature and scholarly research. - Library of Trajan: Emperor Trajan built a library in the 1st century A.D. as part of his forum. It had separate sections for Greek and Latin texts. - **Library of Pergamum (Asia Minor)** - Though founded in the 3rd century B.C., the Library of Pergamum was still significant into the 1st century A.D. It was said to be second only to the Library of Alexandria and was a major center for scholarship. **Private Libraries** - Wealthy individuals in Rome and other parts of the Empire often maintained private libraries, collecting works of philosophy, history, and literature. **Printing Revolution (1400 -- 1800)** - **Gutenberg's Printing Press (1440)** Invented by German goldsmith Johann Gutenberg in 1448, one of the most important inventions in the history of humankind. The device made it possible for the common man, woman, and child to have access to books. It made the mass production of books possible, spreading knowledge and literacy across Europe. Before the **printing press**, books were hand-copied or produced using **block printing**, where each page was carved into a block of wood, making books expensive and only affordable for the rich. **Gutenberg,** cast **290 letter and symbol blocks** using metals like **lead, antimony, and tin** and created **linseed- and soot-based ink** for printing on handmade paper. He adapted a **wine press** to print paper efficiently, testing his invention by printing a **Latin book on speech-making** in **1450**. Gutenberg Bibles, the first books printed in Europe and the first bibles printed in history. Only 200 copies of the Bible were made, featuring illustrations and vibrant colors, with only 22 original copies known to exist today. Gutenberg\'s innovation included creating blocks to imitate **calligraphy**, preserving the richness of the original manuscripts. **Newspapers and Mass Media (1600s):** The rise of newspapers in the 17th century allowed for the regular distribution of news and ideas to the public. This was one of the first forms of mass media, providing timely information to a growing readership. **Word of mouth** was the primary source of news before the invention of the **printing press**, with merchants, sailors, and travelers spreading information. In **1556**, the **Venetian government** published **Notizie scritte** (\"Written notices\"), a monthly newsletter, which was an early form of newspaper, but not for the general public. **Early publications** like **relations** (England and France) and **relaciones** (Spain) appeared in the **15th and 16th centuries**, often printed in broadsheet format and featuring **woodcut illustrations**. **Ancient scribes** sometimes wrote down this news, though it was often **unreliable**. The **printing press** led to the decline of oral news transmission. News was often read **aloud** due to low literacy rates. By **1600**, the idea of using the **printing press** for news spread in **Germany**, with precursors like **Messrelationen** (trade fair reports) starting in the **1580s**. The first true newspaper was **Relation aller Fuernemmen und gedenckwürdigen Historien**, launched in **Strasbourg in 1605**. By **1650**, **30 German cities** had active gazettes, and the **first English-language weekly magazine**, **\"A current of General News\"**, was published in **1622**. Antwerp became a major **news hub** in **17th-century Europe**, linking countries like **France, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Portugal**. Governments in **France** and **England** began printing **official newsletters** after **1600**. **19th-century newspapers** became more important due to **technical, business, political, and cultural changes**. **High-speed presses** and **cheap wood-based newsprint** allowed for larger circulations. The expansion of **elementary education** increased the number of potential readers. **Political parties** sponsored newspapers, both locally and nationally. By the end of the century, **advertising** became the main source of revenue, pushing newspapers to aim for larger circulations and **downplay partisanship**. The number of newspapers in **Europe** doubled from **6,000 in the 1860s and 1870s** to **12,000 by 1900**. Early newspapers featured **editorials**, **reprinted speeches**, **excerpts from novels**, and **poetry**, with few ads, and were often **read in cafés**. **Major national papers** like the **London Times** and **Paris Temps** targeted the political elite. The invention of **automatic typesetting** in the **1880s** enabled the printing of large morning papers. The use of **cheap wood pulp** replaced more expensive rag paper. The **professionalization of news gathering** emerged, with **specialist reporters**. **Liberalism** led to **freedom of the press**, ending newspaper taxes and reducing government censorship. **Entrepreneurs** replaced **politicians**, leading to more outreach and lower newspaper prices (down to a penny). In **New York**, **Yellow Journalism** emerged with **sensationalism**, **comics**, a focus on **crime**, **sports**, and **expanded advertising**. Newspapers began to **target women** with **advice columns** on family, household, and fashion, and ads increasingly aimed at them. **19th-century newspapers** became more important due to **technical, business, political, and cultural changes**. **High-speed presses** and **cheap wood-based newsprint** allowed for larger circulations. The expansion of **elementary education** increased the number of potential readers. **Political parties** sponsored newspapers, both locally and nationally. By the end of the century, **advertising** became the main source of revenue, pushing newspapers to aim for larger circulations and **downplay partisanship**. The number of newspapers in **Europe** doubled from **6,000 in the 1860s and 1870s** to **12,000 by 1900**. Early newspapers featured **editorials**, **reprinted speeches**, **excerpts from novels**, and **poetry**, with few ads, and were often **read in cafés**. **Major national papers** like the **London Times** and **Paris Temps** targeted the political elite. The invention of **automatic typesetting** in the **1880s** enabled the printing of large morning papers. The use of **cheap wood pulp** replaced more expensive rag paper. The **professionalization of news gathering** emerged, with **specialist reporters**. **Liberalism** led to **freedom of the press**, ending newspaper taxes and reducing government censorship. **Entrepreneurs** replaced **politicians**, leading to more outreach and lower newspaper prices (down to a penny). In **New York**, **Yellow Journalism** emerged with **sensationalism**, **comics**, a focus on **crime**, **sports**, and **expanded advertising**. Newspapers began to **target women** with **advice columns** on family, household, and fashion, and ads increasingly aimed at them. **The Scientific Revolution and Encyclopedias (1700s)** The creation of encyclopedias, like Diderot's Encyclopédie, helped organize knowledge systematically, laying the groundwork for future reference works and the scientific method. Diderot's Encyclopédie was the most popular and influential encyclopedia of the 18th century. Its impact extended far beyond France, influencing intellectual movements across Europe and serving as a symbol of Enlightenment thinking. **Denis Diderot** (born October 5, 1713, Langres, France---died July 31, 1784, Paris) was a French man of letters and philosopher who, from 1745 to 1772, served as chief editor of the Encyclopédie, one of the principal works of the Age of Enlightenment. **The Telegraph and Telephone Era (1800 -- 1900)** - **Telegraph (1830s):** - The invention of the telegraph by Samuel Morse enabled near-instantaneous long-distance communication. This was a major milestone in IT, shrinking the world by enabling real-time communication across continents. - **Telephone (1876):** - Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone further advanced real-time communication by allowing people to talk directly with each other over long distances. - **Typewriters and Early Machines (1800s):** - Typewriters made it easier to produce written documents quickly and accurately, while mechanical devices like punch card machines were used for early data processing in industries like textiles and government. **Early Computing (1900 -- 1950)** - **Analog Computers and Calculators (1900s):** - Early analog computers like ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) and mechanical calculators were developed, capable of performing complex calculations quickly. This marked the beginning of modern computing. - **World War II and Cryptography (1940s):** - During World War II, computers like Colossus were used for breaking codes and processing encrypted information, highlighting the strategic value of IT in warfare and intelligence. - **Stored-Program Concept (1940s):** - The concept of the stored-program computer, developed by John von Neumann, laid the foundation for modern computers by enabling programs and data to be stored in memory and executed as needed. - **Colossus**: - Developed during **World War II**. - Completed in **1943**. - It was used primarily for **code-breaking** tasks to decrypt messages. - **ENIAC**: - Completed later, in **February 1946**. - It was designed for **general-purpose calculations**, including tasks related to the hydrogen bomb. **Conclusion** - **Colossus** came first, being operational in **1943**, while **ENIAC** was completed in **1946**. **Definition**: **Early Computing (1900 -- 1950): ENIAC** - - ENIAC was the **first programmable general-purpose electronic digital computer** and the most powerful calculating device at its time. - **Features**: - It had **conditional branching**, allowing it to execute different instructions based on data values (e.g., IF X\>5 THEN GO TO LINE 23). - Although built for a specific purpose, it had the **flexibility** to solve a wider range of problems. - **Physical Characteristics**: - **Size**: Occupied a **50-by-30-foot** (15-by-9-meter) basement space. - **Structure**: Comprised **40 panels** arranged in a U-shape; each panel measured approximately **2 feet by 2 feet by 8 feet** (0.6 m x 0.6 m x 2.4 m). - **Complexity**: - Contained over **17,000 vacuum tubes**, **70,000 resistors**, **10,000 capacitors**, **6,000 switches**, and **1,500 relays**. - It was the most complex electronic system of its time, generating **174 kilowatts** of heat, necessitating an air conditioning system. - **Performance**: - Capable of executing up to **5,000 additions per second**, significantly faster than its electromechanical predecessors. - Classified as a **first-generation computer**, due to its use of vacuum tubes, while still incorporating mechanical relays. - **Cost and Completion**: - Completed in **February 1946** at a cost of **\$400,000**. - Its first task was to perform calculations for the construction of a **hydrogen bomb**, after the war it was designed to help win had ended. - **Colossus** - the world\'s first electronic computer, had a single purpose: to help decipher the Lorenz-encrypted (Tunny) messages between Hitler and his generals during World War II. - First **large-scale electronic computer**. - Became operational in **1944** at **Bletchley Park**, Britain\'s code-breaking headquarters. - During **World War II**, the British intercepted two types of **encrypted German military transmissions**: - **Enigma**: Broadcast in Morse code. - **Fish**: Based on electric teleprinter technology, started in **1941**. - **Tunny Cipher** - The most significant source of Fish messages was the **Tunny**, a German cipher machine. - Tunny sent messages using **binary code**---packets of zeroes and ones. - The **Tunny machine** worked with a teleprinter to encrypt German messages typed at the keyboard. - The teleprinter converted each character into **5-bit teleprinter code** (e.g., A = **11000**, B = **10011**). - The Tunny machine mixed the teleprinter-coded letters with other letters, creating seemingly random jumbles. - In **January 1942**, codebreaker **William Tutte** identified systematic patterns in the messages. - He deduced that masking letters, known as the **"key,"** were generated by **12 wheels** inside the Tunny machine. - The blending process produced a consistent scrambled pattern, enabling the encryption of the original message. - **Decryption Process**: - The key letters used for encryption were essential for decrypting the messages. - Mathematician **Alan Turing** developed a method for hand-breaking Tunny messages, which was the primary technique for months. - However, hand-breaking became too slow due to the increasing volume of encrypted messages and German security enhancements. - **Need for Machines**: - The demand for high-speed analytic machines led to the development of **Colossus I**, built at the **Post Office Research Station** in Dollis Hill. - Colossus I was delivered to **Bletchley Park** in **January 1944**, marking a significant moment in computing history. - Subsequent models, **Mark II Colossi**, were produced rapidly at the Post Office factory in Birmingham. - **Size**: - **Tunny**: Not a physical computer, but a cipher machine used in conjunction with teleprinters. - **Colossus**: Large electronic machine, specifically designed for code-breaking, occupying a dedicated space. - **ENIAC**: One of the largest early computers, occupying a significant area with multiple panels. - **Functionality**: - **Tunny**: Focused on encrypting messages, using a complex key system for encoding. - **Colossus**: Designed to decrypt messages, specifically for the Tunny cipher, contributing significantly to wartime intelligence. - **ENIAC**: General-purpose computer capable of executing various programs, not limited to code-breaking. - **Data Processing**: - **Tunny**: Processed data in binary, but did so manually before the advent of machines like Colossus. - **Colossus**: Allowed for rapid decryption of coded messages, significantly speeding up code-breaking efforts. - **ENIAC**: Known for its speed and flexibility in executing mathematical operations, far surpassing its electromechanical predecessors. **Size and Weight Comparison** - **Tunny**: - **Size**: Not a standalone computer; it was a cipher machine used with teleprinters. - **Weight**: Specific weight information is not readily available, as it is not typically categorized as a standalone device. - **Colossus**: - **Size**: Large-scale electronic machine, occupying a dedicated room at Bletchley Park. - **Weight**: Approximately **2 tons** (around **1,814 kg**). - **ENIAC**: - **Size**: Enormous, occupying an area of **50 by 30 feet** (approximately **15 by 9 meters**). - **Weight**: Estimated to weigh about **30 tons** (around **27,216 kg**). **Conclusion** - The **largest and heaviest** of the three is **ENIAC**, with an impressive **weight of about 30 tons** and covering a vast area. In comparison, **Colossus** weighs around **2 tons** and is significantly smaller in size. **Tunny**, being a cipher machine rather than a standalone computer, does not have a comparable size or weight. **Early Computing (1900 -- 1950): stored-program computer** Stored-program computer - a type of computer architecture that allows instructions and data to be stored in the computer\'s memory. This concept is fundamental to modern computing and distinguishes it from earlier computing devices. It was first conceptualized in 1947 by John von Neumann and is also known as a \"Neumann computer. on-Neumann  computer architecture design was proposed in 1945.It was later known as Von-Neumann architecture.  Historically there have been 2 types of Computers:  1. **Fixed Program Computers --** Their function is very specific and they couldn't be reprogrammed, e.g. Calculators.  2. **Stored Program Computers --** These can be programmed to carry out many different tasks, applications are stored on them, hence the name.  It is also known as **ISA **(Instruction set architecture) computer and is having three basic units:   1. The Central Processing Unit (CPU)  2. The Main Memory Unit  3. The Input/Output Device Let's consider them in detail. 4. It is also known as an **ISA **(Instruction set architecture) computer and has three basic units:   1. **The Central Processing Unit (CPU**) - an electric circuit used for executing the instruction of computer program. It has the following components namely: a.) **Control Unit(CU) -** handles all processor control signals. It directs all input and output flow, fetches code for instructions and controls how data moves around the system. b\) **Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)** - part of the CPU that handles all the calculations the CPU may need, e.g. Addition, Subtraction, and comparisons. It performs Logical Operations, Bit Shifting Operations, and Arithmetic operations. **c.) Registers --** Registers refer to high-speed storage areas in the CPU. The data processed by the CPU are fetched from the registers. **2. The Main Memory Unit** -  holds instructions and data when a program is executing. **3. The Input/Output Device -**Program or data is read into main memory from the input device or secondary storage under the control of CPU input instruction. Output devices are used to output information from a computer. **Digital Revolution (1950 -- 2000)** - **Mainframe Computers and Data Processing (1950s-1960s):** - Large mainframe computers like IBM's System/360 were used by governments, businesses, and research institutions to process vast amounts of data, marking the beginning of large-scale data management. - **Microprocessors and Personal Computers (1970s):** - The development of the microprocessor in the 1970s enabled the creation of personal computers (PCs), such as the Apple II (1977) and IBM PC (1981). This brought computing into homes and small businesses, democratizing access to technology. - **The Internet and World Wide Web (1990s):** - The Internet, which began as a military and academic network (ARPANET), expanded in the 1990s to become a global network. The invention of the World Wide Web by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 made the Internet more accessible by enabling easy navigation through websites. - Email, instant messaging, and early web browsers (e.g., Mosaic, Netscape) transformed communication and information sharing. **Key Takeaways** - The digital revolution definition refers to the advancement of technology from analog devices to the digital technologies available today. - It started during the 1980s and is ongoing, introducing us to the Internet, streaming, smartphones, digital ecosystems, and more. - The digital revolution has transformed the way we live, work and communicate. - Notable positive impacts include access to vast knowledge, instant global communications, convenience, innovation, and social empowerment. - Key applications shaping the digital revolution today include 5G networks, AI, blockchain technology, IoT, and others. The Positive Impact of the Digital Revolution - **Access to information**: Vast knowledge is readily available online. - **Connectivity**: Global communications are instant, from anywhere. - **Convenience**: Digital tools and services simplify daily tasks. - **Economic growth**: The digital economy spurred new industries and jobs. - **Education**: Online learning and digital resources make education more accessible. - **Social empowerment**: Digital platforms amplify voices and facilitate social movements Negative Consequences of Digital Revolution - **Cybersecurity**: Growing risks of hacking and cyberattacks. - **Digital divide**: Unequal access to technology and the Internet. - **Environmental impact**: Electronic waste (e-waste) and energy consumption. - **Information overload**: Difficulty managing vast amounts of data. - **Job displacement**: Automation leading to loss of traditional jobs. - **Privacy concerns**: Increased data collection and surveillance. - **Mobile and Networked World (2000 -- Present)** **1. Mobile Revolution (2000s):** The rise of mobile phones, and later smartphones like the iPhone (2007), allowed people to access information and communicate on the go. This mobility revolutionized the way information was consumed, making it always accessible. **2. Social Media (2000s-2010s):** Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram transformed how people share and interact with information. Social media has become a dominant force in the dissemination of news, ideas, and personal communication. **3. Cloud Computing (2010s):** Cloud technology enabled the storage and processing of massive amounts of data online, making information accessible anywhere with an internet connection. Companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud facilitated this shift, which revolutionized business operations, software development, and personal data management 4\. Big Data, AI, and Machine Learning (2010s-Present): The rise of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) enabled machines to analyze massive datasets, offering new insights and automating processes in industries like healthcare, finance, and marketing. Technologies like machine learning and natural language processing are used in everything from recommendation engines to autonomous vehicles. 5\. 5G and IoT (2020s): 5G networks are enabling faster, more reliable internet connections, powering the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT). This allows everyday devices---like appliances, cars, and wearables---to be connected and share information, facilitating smart cities and automation. 6\. Quantum Computing (Future): Quantum computing is emerging as the next frontier in IT. Once fully developed, it promises to revolutionize data processing by exponentially increasing computational power, which could have far-reaching impacts on fields like cryptography, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence. **These days, mobile phones do so much more than simply keep us connected. We can now carry out everyday tasks with ease, such as:** **Internet Banking**: Manage finances directly from the phone. **Payment Solutions**: Pay for goods and services conveniently. **Customer Connectivity**: Stay in touch with customers easily. **Social Media Sharing**: Share pictures and stories effortlessly. **Internet Browsing**: Access information from anywhere. **Navigation**: Find specific locations with ease. **Remote Work**: Facilitate working outside of traditional office settings. Mobile phone development began in the late 1960s and continued through the 1970s. Early mobile phones were too heavy and were primarily used in cars, requiring the engine to be running. Motorola DynaTAC 8000x: Created by Martin Cooper in April 1973. Launch in the year of 1984; marked the beginning of truly portable mobile phones. Specifications: Weight: Nearly 1 kg. Dimensions: 30 cm in length and 9 cm in thickness. Performance: Talk Time: 30 minutes. Standby Time: 8 hours. Cost: Priced at £2,480 (equivalent to £5,573 today). **Motorola MicroTAC 9800x** **Launch Year**: **1989**. **Design**: First phone with a **flip-open** design to prevent accidental button presses. **Dimensions**: About **22 cm** in length when flipped open. **Weight**: Less than **half** of its predecessor, the DynaTAC 8000x. **Features**: Stored **30 numbers**. **Standby Time**: **30 hours**. **Cost**: Priced at **£2,170** (equivalent to **£3,774** in 2018). **Nokia\'s Entry into Mobile Phones** - **Nokia 1011**: **Launch Year**: **1993**; first **GSM phone** using digital networks. Enabled **SMS text messaging**. **Features**: Dual line display. Stored **99 contacts**. **Cost**: Priced at **£1,049** (equivalent to **£2,181.66** today). **Notable Nokia Models** - **Nokia 8110**: - **Launch Year**: **1996**; known for its slide-down front case and appearance in **The Matrix**. - **Weight**: Only **145g**. - **Dimensions**: Just under **6 inches** long. **Popular Nokia Models (1998-2000)** - **Models Introduced**: - **5110** - **3210** - **3310** (one of the most iconic mobile phones). - **Features**: - Customizable appearances. - Ringtones. - Games like **Snake**. - **Cultural Impact**: Mobile phones became **fashion accessories**, particularly among teenagers, with features such as: - Unique ringtones. - Custom casings. - High scores on games as a measure of popularity. **Shift in Market Dynamics** - **Nokia\'s Decline** (Dominance began to slip in the early **2000s**.) - **Emergence of Competitors**: - **Sony Ericsson**, **LG**, and **Samsung** became major players in the mobile phone market. - **Popular Features** - **Flip Phones**: - Common designs, such as the **Samsung SGH-T100** with a dual-screen for notifications. - **Color Screens**: - Introduction of **color screens** and built-in cameras. - **WAP-Enabled Phones**: - Allowed access to a limited version of the internet. **Marketing Tactics: Celebrity Endorsements**: - Vodafone promoted **"Vodafone Live!"** with celebrities like **David Beckham** and **Robbie Williams**. - **Cultural Issues**: - The rise of **\"happy slapping,\"** a disturbing trend publicized by the media. **Innovations in Mobile Technology** - **Nokia N-Gage**: - Released in **2003**; a hybrid of a handheld gaming console and a phone. - **MP3 Player Functionality**: - Phone manufacturers began integrating **MP3 player** capabilities into new models. - **Motorola Razr**: - Released in **2004**; highly popular and stylish flip phone. - Sold over **135 million units**. - **Market Dominance**: - Early **2010s** phones included: - **HTC Droid Incredible** - **T-Mobile G2** - **BlackBerry Torch** (with slide-out keyboard) - **Apple iPhone 4**. **Rise of Major Players** - **Current Dominance**: - Companies like **Apple**, **Samsung**, and **Huawei** lead the market. - **Diverse Capabilities**: - Mobile phones are used for various tasks, including: - **Online banking** - **Paying bills** - **Restaurant selection**. - In summary, the revolution of information technology began with the development of writing and numerical systems, gradually evolving through the ages with major inventions like the printing press, telegraph, telephone, and early computers. It has accelerated in the past century with the rise of digital technology, the Internet, and AI, transforming nearly every aspect of human life and continuing to drive progress today. **Lesson 2: History of Computers: Basic Computing Periods** **Who invented the first computer?** - He is known as Charles Babbage - Lives in London, United Kingdom (British) - Mathematician, Mechanical Engineer, Philosopher - "Father of Computer" - Purpose of Invention? To mechanize the mathematical calculations instead of manually doing them. - Died at the age of 79 because of bladder infection in 1871. **Difference vs analytical engine** - Name derives from the "method of finite differences" a mathematical technique used to compute polynomial functions. - Can only do addition - Speed is faster than analytical engine - Designed in 1820's - Designed primarily to automate the production of mathematical tables (like logarithmic or trigonometric tables) by calculating values of polynomial functions. - Was specialized and limited - A general-purpose computer system - Can do addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and follow sequences of operations based on instructions - Faster than the analytical engine - Designed in 1837 - Designed to be programmable using punched cards, similar to how modern computers operate but slower in speed - considered the first design for a general-purpose mechanical computer. **The first computer programmer** - She is known as Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace - In 1843, Ada wrote an extensive note describing Babbage's analytical engine referred to as "Notes by the Translator" that outlined a step-by-step process (algorithm) that the engine would follow to calculate Bernoulli numbers. - Mathematician & Writer - Work together with Charles Babbage in the Difference Engine - Died at the age of 36 because of Cancer (1852) **First generation of computers (Vacuum tubes) -- 1904**  - A **vacuum tube** is a device that can control electric current flow in a high vacuum between electrodes. - Invented in **1904** by the British engineer **John Ambrose Fleming**, but **vacuum tube computers** were not developed until1940s. - These tubes were relatively large, fragile, and required a significant amount of power, generating a lot of heat. - They consumed enormous amounts of power leading to frequent breakdowns and maintenance issues due to overheating. - In 1906 **Lee De Forest**, an American inventor, improved Fleming\'s design of vacuum tubes by adding a third element (called a \"grid\") to create the **triode**, a device capable of amplification and switching. - **Colossus (1943)**: The British computer used during World War II to crack German codes - **ENIAC (1945)**: The first general-purpose electronic computer, built using **18,000 vacuum tubes**. It was designed for complex calculations, especially for use in World War II for artillery firing tables. - **UNIVAC I (1951)** -- The first commercially produced computer in the United States. **Second generation computers -- 1950 (transistor computers)** - Developed by **John Bardeen**, **Walter Brattain**, and **William Shockley** at Bell Labs in **1947**, but they weren't implemented in computers until the late 1950s and continued into the mid-1960s, replacing vacuum tubes with **transistors** for processing and memory. **Advantages of transistor computers** - **Size Reduction**: Transistors are tiny compared to vacuum tubes, which allowed computers to shrink significantly. - **Less Heat**: Transistors consumed far less power and generated much less heat than vacuum tubes, making computers more reliable and easier to maintain. - **Programming and Software Development**: capable of executing high-level programming languages like **FORTRAN (1957)** and **COBOL (1959)** making programmers write code easily without the need to deal with machine code or assembly language as much. - **Data Storage**: Magnetic storage, such as **magnetic tapes** and **magnetic drums**, was used to store data in second-generation computers. Later on, **magnetic disk storage** was introduced, allowing for faster data access. - **Speed and Performance**: A second-generation computer could perform millions of instructions per second, significantly increasing computing suitable for more complex tasks like business data processing and scientific research. - **Commercial and Scientific Use**: These computers were widely adopted in various industries, including business, government, and academia. - **IBM 1401 (1959):** This was one of the most widely used transistorized computers. It was mostly used for business applications like payroll, accounting, and data management. - **IBM 7094 (1962)**: A powerful scientific computer used for research and engineering. It was also used in early space missions and in universities for large-scale simulations. - **UNIVAC 1107 (1962)**: A transistor-based machine built for general-purpose scientific and commercial computing. The UNIVAC series became a symbol of the early computing industry.  **Third Generation Computers** - Invented by Jack Kilby in 1960's - Use of Integrated Circuits (IC's) in place of transistors - An IC consist of many transistors, resistors and capacitors - FORTRAN, COBOL & PASCAL was used as programming language **Fourth Generation of Computers -- 1971** - Invented in the 1970's - Uses microprocessors and VLSI or Very Large Scale Integration - Use C and C++ as programming languages - Can process large amounts of data in seconds - UNIX was the first operating system used in the 4^th^ gen computers - Was begun by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (1982) - VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components - All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java,.Net etc., are used in this generation - More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features - Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates