Computer Architecture - week 2

Learning about Linux is not something that turns me on, computers, yes, but not operating systems. I have yet to delve into the Linux program and discover what it's all about. I did like the fact that someone created it based on four principles, one of them being free, another being open to the public to modify and the upload the modifications for all to use. Without his openness and willingness to let us have his operating system for free, Bill Gates might not have made Windows as fast as he and his company did.
Riding the Bear was very interesting to watch. I had no idea that IBM was considered a bear at the time. The philosophies of each company were too different. IBM was the solid businessman, working nine to five, weekends off, suits, ties, and had a stereotypical type company. At one time, everyone wanted to be with them as they were the biggest industry around. Then came a company that allowed people to come and work as they please..brainstorming all sorts of ideas, not letting the company clock run them. They were willing to work whenever and do whatever it took to create their product because they had a passion for what they were doing. In some ways, the passion is what kept Bill Gates and his company going, and going, and going. He's right to surround himself with the brightest of students, as that is what keeps his ideas and innovations going strong. I do think there are other companies out there that will rival his in a different way. With what we all see, the Internet looks to be the way to go, even to store information. It's amazing what ideas people come up with. Now the new bear might be Google...

HIstory of the Computer

This week has been really interesting learning about the history of the computer. I grew up in that era. At the time the creators of Apple were tinkering in their garages, I was typing away on an old Royal typewriter, waiting to get my chance on the electric one. And when I first went to school and heard about computers, I never thought I'd be able to afford one, let alone see the use they had in society. At that time, Visicalc hadn't been invented. What a change they had made in our lives.
Now I'm looking under the hood and discovering the motherboard of circuitry and a whole new language. It's amazing that we have come so far in such a short time.
This wasn't the first time I'd been inside a computer. The first time was when I was going to school in Eau Claire. We had to look inside an Apple II. At the time I thought there wasn't much to it, yet didn't fully understand how the chip could do so much and hold so much information. It still boggles my mind. I like the convenience of having my work done somewhat faster, especially when fixing up papers, checking out materials, searching for answers on the Internet, communication, etc.
When I did the boot process, I was able to access some information from this website http://www.watchingthenet.com/how-to-find-your-computer-bios-version-in-windows.html
to find out how to get information for my home compaq computer. Then the following link, http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/ helped me with understanding how to find the information about the bios for my Macbook. It's no wonder I couldn't find it, as it's completely different from the IBM PC.
I know I'll be able to use this information when I talk about the history aspects of technology with the library classes. In some classes, I actually get to talk about historic events of the computer. This information will be very helpful. Another area it'll be useful is when I have to find out what's going on with my computer. I can find out how much memory is actually left, or if there's another problem. I never knew the start menu had those resources associated with it in the school setting.