Introduction to Humanities Computing

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Introduction to Humanities Computing

• Spring 1999

Lecture Two
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Introduction to Humanities Computing

• François Lachance
• 416 326-2524 (o)
• TSH 205 (drop off)
• lachanc_at_mcmaster.ca

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Types of Computers
Yes / No ?
One who computes a calculator, reckoner spec. a
person employed to make calculations in an
observatory, in surveying, etc. Oxford English
Dictionary
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Types of Computers
?
Yes !
One who computes a calculator, reckoner spec. a
person employed to make calculations in an
observatory, in surveying, etc. Oxford English
Dictionary
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A 20th century definition
A calculating-machine Especially an automatic
electronic device for performing mathematical or
logical operations
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Computer System
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Computer System
Central Processing Unit

• Peripherals
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Sensors
• Robots
• CPU

• Peripherals
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Sensors
• Robots
• CPU

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Components of a Definition

• General Purpose
• Stored-Program
• Electronic
• Binary Digits
• Calculating Machine

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General Purpose
Is it dedicated to one purpose if it can do any
type of calculation? Would a calculator be a
computer?
Is a PDA like this a computer?
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Stored-Program
How are programs and data loaded into the device?
ENIAC Programmed Manually EDVAC
Stored-Program
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Electronic
Does it have gears, vacuum tubes, or chips?
Babbages engines were mechanical
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Binary Digits
How is information stored and manipulated in the
computer?
Hi! My name is C3P0. 12 23 45 01 94 89
59 0111011010101000
Alphanumeric (Letters Numbers)
Decimal - 10 Possible Settings
Binary Digits - 2 Possible Settings
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Binary Digits
How is information stored and manipulated in the
computer?
Switch on/off
0 1 1 0 1 0
What is hexadecimal?
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From binary model...

to machine
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Types of Computer

• Mainframe
• Mini(computer)
• Workstation (UNIX)
• Microcomputer
• Personal Computer (PC)
• Laptops PDAs
• Game computers
• Terminals (NCs)

Other Types?
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Think of the uses of computers
Is the computer just a tool?
How is it a cultural artefact?
Remind me to tell you the story about the fan...
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Some computer uses

• As a fancy calculator
• As a fancy typewriter
• As a controller for other devices
• As an extension of your TV
• As type of toy
• As a fancy telephone

Use the OED online to look up the etymology
of machine -- how is a computer a machine?
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Perspectives on Computers

• Types
• Uses
• Components
• When a computer starts
• Input/Output

Computer as city of circuits
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Parts of the Computer

• System Unit
• Motherboard
• CPU (Central Processing Unit)
• RAM
• Hard Drive and Floppy Drive
• Power Supply
• Daughterboards
• Keyboard
• Monitor
• Peripherals

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Power Supply
Electricity Data
Floppy Drive
Socket
Power Supply
Hard Drive
Motherboard
Keyboard
Monitor
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Bus
the electric connection linking internal
components of the computer
Central Processing Unit
RAM/ROM
Hard Drive
Floppy Disk Drive
Data
Bus (PCI, SCSI, USB)
16 bit 32 bit
Daughter Boards
Modem
Monitor
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Starting-up
Mac Motorola (Power PC)
IBM Class Intel (X86,Pentium)
Document(s)
Running
Program
Opening
Windows (Program Manager)
Finder
Program/File Management
Mac OS
Operating System
MS DOS
Booting
Hardware (RAM)
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Input and Output

• How does information get into the computer?
• How does the computer return information?

Input Devices
Output Devices
Processor CPU
Storage Devices
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(Input Output) OR (Output Input)

• Output
• Screen
• Printer
• Speaker
• Computer
• Robot

• Input
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Scanner
• Microphone (Audio digitizer)
• Video digitizer

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Metaphors
Memory Consciousness (Hard Drive) (RAM)
The Mind - Processing Thinking
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More metaphors
Office - Processing Working
Running, Opening, Loading
Storage
Deleting
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Even more metaphors
was
What is your favorite metaphor for a computer ?
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End

• Just the beginning
• 101 5