Blog 2: The PC and the Internet as a Communication Technology
Blog 2:
The PC and the Internet as a Communication Technology
by Alexandra Alvarez
The communication technology that I find most
important and interesting to discuss is the PC. According to class lecture the
PC itself does not have much to do with interpersonal communication between
humans. However, when many computers are networked together, they can help
convey communication between others and help us network with one another from
different parts of the world.
According to the book, a computer has 4
fundamental components - input, output, processing, and storage. The main
pieces are the central processing unit (CPU), power circuits, memory, storage,
input, and output. The CPU is a binary system of ones and zeroes and is
considered to be the brain of the computer. The text says, early processors use
to take entire rooms to accommodate a single computer because they were built
with bulky vacuum tubes. But, in 1947 scientists invented “point-contact”
transistors that were much smaller, lighter, and more durable than tubes. In
the 1960’s “integrated circuits” were created to contain multiple tiny
transistors on a single silicon “chip.” Because we have continued to
miniaturize transistors we have been able to have tiny complex processing
systems. Which has enabled us to have the mobile computers that fit in our
pockets, also known as cell phones.
The computer and the invention of the Internet
that later came along with it has impacted the daily life of society in a
powerful way. For one, people often go on the Internet to find sustainable life
satisfaction, for leisure, or support. (Leung & Lee, 2005). Online we look
for emotional support, instrumental support, information support, affectionate
support, or social companionship. For example, recent research has found that
newsgroups, message boards, listservs for specific medical conditions, and
other Internet-based support groups have even successfully improved patient
outcomes in clinical trials involving Alzheimer’s caregivers and in patients
with AIDS. (Leung & Lee, 2005).
Leung, L., & Lee, P. (2005). Multiple
determinants of life quality: the roles of Internet activities, use of new
media, social support, and leisure activities. Telematics And Informatics, 22(3),
161-180
Great use of the text and article information. I liked how you explained that the physical computer is not the source that creates the interpersonal communication of technology, it’s the inner-workings such as the CPU’s that are the brain of the computer, actually doing the work. Who were the scientists that created the smaller transistors?
ReplyDelete- Calasia Haynes
Hi Alexandra,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! Without the birth of PC and the internet, engineers wouldn't have the tools to invent all these advanced technology we have today. These inventions have tremendously simplified our lives! I cannot wait to see new technologies that are coming our way.
Keep up with the great work!
-Yi-Ting Chung
I like how you compared the PCs and communication by stating, “when many computers are networked together, they can help convey communication between others and help us network with one another from different parts of the world” Its true we definitely have the access to do this by just logging on the internet. Now a day we use these devices to keep in touch with friends and family wherever they may be. Don’t know what I would do without the internet. I enjoyed reading your post very well stated! –Clarissa Villanueva
ReplyDeleteInteresting take. The computer itself is a tool to use in many varieties. Computers can be networked together to create a medium for communication. This medium for communication is beneficial for humanity as it gives instant access to information and other users across the planet. - Jacob Striebeck
ReplyDeleteHey Alexandra,
ReplyDeleteThe level of detail that you included with your evidence of the topic was top notch. With a focusing on the PC, it is important to remember the inner parts of the computer and how they affect the processing power of the computer. I was also unaware of the impact that the bringing together of the PC and the internet has made breakthroughs in the medical field. Honestly, thank you for this insightful post detailing the communication technology that is the PC.
-Priscilla Simanungkalit
Love the visual of the older computers that take up rooms. In my childhood my father would take me to his job at IBM and these computer machines did take up rooms, it was like hallways or rows of big machines. I have not been there recently but now my dad can do his job with a few keystrokes at home because of the advancement of technology. Along with some old bulky phones I found in a storage area it is amazing to see the miniaturization of those dinosaurs to todays slim sleek and better working phones that connect us to the internet because of all this behind the scenes work.
ReplyDeleteSarah Dieringer