Computers, Information Technology, the Internet, Ethics, Society and Human Values

Philip Pecorino, Ph.D.

Queensborough Community College,  CUNY

Chapter 1. Introduction

Presentation of  Issues

To set out where we are and how we got here and to gain some sense of what are considered to be some of the big issues please read:

READ about the past and the progression to the present:The Modern History of Computing and

A Timeline of How Computers Changed History

Check out computers in this museum: Computer History Museum    "'This is the web site of the Computer History Museum, whose home page contains the following invitation: “It’s not just a museum. It’s one of the largest collections of computer-related artifacts, documents, film, and photographs in the world. Here [on our web site], you can explore our online archives, browse the exhibits, or learn more about preserving this living history of the information age.”

Visit these other sites as you care to but consider that what is presented here for your consideration is all done with computers.  No automobiles to get into or buses or trains or planes or horses to ride or walks to take to visit:

Virtual Museum of Computing    http://vmoc.museophile.com    This virtual museum includes an eclectic collection of World Wide Web (WWW) hyperlinks connected with the history of computing and on-line computer-based exhibits available both locally and around the world.

Charles Babbage Institute: Center for the History of Information Technology
"The Charles Babbage Institute is an historical archives and research center of the University of Minnesota. CBI is dedicated to promoting the study of the history of information technology and information processing and their impacts on society. CBI preserves relevant historical documentation in all media, conducts and fosters research in history and archival methods, offers graduate fellowships, and sponsors symposia, conferences, and publications."

Brief History of Charles Babbage by Ana Karely Perez : https://www.nominus.com/en/dm/blog/hosting/all-about-the-father-of-the-computer-charles-babbage-en

A History of Computers  http://www.computercertificationcenters.com/it-information/brief-history-of-computers.html This is a computer-history site with much information and many links to other resources.

Virginia Tech History of Computing Web Site  "This collection of materials relating to the history of computing is provided courtesy of the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech and is sponsored in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation (CDA-9312611) – a rich and rewarding resource!"

“Triumph of the Nerds”   a web site associated with the PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) TV series on the history of computing entitled “The Triumph of the Nerds.”

Elsop History of Computing Links  http://www.elsop.com/wrc/h_comput.htm
This is the Electronic Software Publishing Corporation’s (Elsop) links page for the History of Computing.

Elsop History of Computer Companies Links  http://www.elsop.com/wrc/h_compan.htm
This is the Electronic Software Publishing Corporation’s (Elsop) links page for the History of Computer Companies.

A History of Computers     http://www.onlinecomputersciencedegree.com/resources/development-of-the-computer/   This is a computer-history site

A History of Information Technology and Systems
http://www.tcf.ua.edu/AZ/ITHistoryOutline.htm
 

Always Adapting: The History of Computers  sewelldirect.com/articles/History-of-Computers.aspx

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Web Surfer's Caveat: These are class notes, intended to comment on readings and amplify class discussion. They should be read as such. They are not intended for publication or general distribution. ppecorino@qcc.cuny.edu                @copyright 2006 Philip A. Pecorino                       

Last updated 8-2006                                                              Return to Table of Contents