Why is Computer Innovation Good for Society - Essay Example

? Proposal on computers Introduction Nothing exemplifies modern life than computers do. Computers have permeated every part of the society. In the modern day advancement in technology, computers do much more than what they were originally made to do; compute. To fully comprehend and appreciate the impact of computers in the current day and age, it is essential to understand their evolution. Several inventions machines for counting were made before computers were developed. These included the Chinese abacus (200BC), Egyptian abacus (500BC), Napier’s bone of 1620, Pascaline of 1653 and Leibniz’s invention of 1673. Weaving looms for executing mechanical calculations. First generation computers (1940-1956) were extremely large, unreliable and costly. They used vacuum tubes; the size of light bulbs, which generated a lot of heat. This made heat regulation and climate control difficult. The second generation computers (1956-1963) used transistors that were smaller than vacuum tubes. They were more reliable and consumed less heat (Cosper, 2013; Morley& Parker, 2009,) Third generation computers (1964-1971) referred to as the IBM 370 series, which came in different sizes. They were mostly used for scientific and business purposes. The third generation computers used integrated circuit technology and microchips were used as memory. Fourth generation computers (1971-present) saw the rise of personal computers (PC). Apple introduced apple I (1976) and II (1977) marshalling the wide use of computers at home. Software industry started growing, with apple and Microsoft being the main companies. 1990s saw a rise in multimedia culture with the discovery of World Wide Web that created interest in computers. Professions embraced software to improve products and services. In the early 2000s, computers began to become integrated with TV. Literature review Why is computer innovation good for society? The innovation of the digital edge has reshaped the way society operates on a daily basis. It is worth noting that computers have technology has unfolded a change of time. Implications of computer use on society are so diverse. Computers have helped in the creation of information. Computer innovation has made it easy and quick to create information. In order for society to grow, information is an essential factor in the advancement of political, social, economic, environmental and health asseveration. Computers have made it possible for society to generate information that is useful in economic decisions. For instance, business software development makes it easy for professionals to carry out their duties precisely and in a sustainable manner. On a higher note, computer innovation has also helped in transmission of information. Timely and up to date information is possible through computing. Initially, information was transmitted through signals like fire, using word of mouth and letters. In some instances, information never reached the intended recipients. However, computer innovations along with other internet technological advancements have made it effortless for people to communicate in a fraction of a second. People are able to communicate with friends and relatives who are worlds apart through emails and video chatting. Other social media platform communication like Facebook and Twitter has improved the way populace network (Wright, 2012). Computers have also played a chief role in entertainment provision through computer games and animations. Other features like e-learning provide an opportunity for learners to access education at the comfort of their homes. This saves on cost as a person does not essentially have to be physically in attendance to the learning institution. Bank holders can access information on their financial status at any time through internet banking. Computer innovation has resulted in job creation for millions of people around the globe. New careers have resulted from computer innovations such as information technology experts and software developers. Every organization, whether private, governmental and nongovernmental depend on systems for day to day operations. The systems have to be maintained by IT experts, cleaning and maintenance of computer rooms requires the service of non-skilled or semi skilled. As such, computer innovations have been important in the creation of jobs for society members. Computers have also aided in education and medical research and development endeavors. In defense, computers have aided in tracking crime through computer operated security systems and CCTV cameras (Shelly & Vermaat, 2012; Webb, et al., 2008). Although computer innovation has resulted in immense benefits, there are several risks associated with it in the society. One, prolonged computer usage results in health complications mainly in the wrists, neck and back. It also results in computer addiction, as well as technology overload (Shelly, Vermaat, 2012). Additionally, computer results in personal security and privacy issues that may result in ethical and legal impasses. This results from the verity that most personal business happens online and ends up in a computer database, posing the threat of information misuse. Computer innovations have also resulted in an increase in crimes like child pornography, which is unhealthy for the society. Computer innovations have greatly improved communications in the society, especially through cellular phones. In addition, with computers, one is able to obtain all information they desire just by using the internet. Social interactions through social media have even changed the traditional issues like dating and courtship. People are now finding their partners through computer technology, and the old associations that preceding generations have is slowly fading away. Proposal What parts of innovation has a lot of prior research In the past decades, computer software has had a lot of research by scientists and corporations, which have seen the development of software for use in the hardware that were made a long time ago. Computer software is a program that guides the hardware on what to do. Computer software has been greatly studied resulting in various classifications of software. These are; system software that comprises of infrastructure software like operating systems, drivers, compilers and editors. System software offer service to other programs. Embedded software deals with hardware elements and is placed on read only memory of computer hardware. Web application software that is linked to web applications tasks like HTML, DHTML, CGI, and java. There have also been deep researches in artificial intelligence software, which uses non-arithmetical algorithms to solve intricate problems that are not acquiescent to computation (Quasney, Sebok, & Webb 2008, p 46). Examples include artificial neural network, expert systems and signal processing systems. Other software includes the business software that has large applications. The software is designed to execute business applications. These include employee management, account management, data warehousing tool, enterprise resource planning and management information systems. Other categories of software that have been greatly studied include the malicious computer virus software (Wheeler, 2012; Shelly, G.B & Vermaat, 2012). What part of innovation has little research (research gap?) Although computers innovation is one of the greatest innovations by mankind, several gaps exist, especially in computer hardware. Computer software has had immense research and development, yet the computer hardware does not have as intense research as computer software does. It is for that reason that the fifth generation computers are still in the infancy stage, in spite of the rapid change in technology. The most popular fifth generation is the HAL9000 by Arthur, which could reason adequately to hold conversations with human operators. In order to explore the research gap that exists in computer software, I would like to study computer science deeply and work with other scientists and participants to come up with a fully working fifth generation computer. The new computer should have a battery life that is about ten times the current battery life. This hardware capability will help in energy cost reduction, as well as cater for power failures and inconsistencies (Bush, S. 2009; Munger, et al, 2002). Research question I wonder why there have been no fifth generation computers that have a long battery life in spite of the fast development in computer technology. Hypothesis I envisage that in the subsequent five to ten years, there will be computers that imitate human reasoning even on unstructured programs. References: Bush, S. (2009) Intel makes its top ten technology predictions for next decade. Accessed on 11 February 2013 from: http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/23/04/2009/45950/intel-makes-its-top-ten- technology-predictions-for-next-decade.htm. Cosper, A. (2013) history & evolution of computers. Accessed on 11 February 2013 from: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5339228_history-evolution-computers.html Morley, D. & Parker C.S. (2009) Understanding Computers 2009: Today and Tomorrow. Connecticut: Cengage Learning. 43 Munger, P et al (2002) High Performance Computing Development for the Next Decade, and its Implications for Molecular Modeling Applications. Accessed on 11 February 2013 from: http://www.nsc.liu.se/rd/enacts/report.pdf. Quasney, J.J., Sebok, L.S & Webb J.J. (2008) Discovering Computers: Fundamentals. Connecticut: Cengage Learning. Shelly, G.B & Vermaat M.E. (2012) Enhanced Discovering Computers, Complete: Your Interactive Guide to the Digital World, 2013 Edition. Connecticut: Cengage Learning. Storey, M.A (2006) theories, tools and research methods in program comprehension: past present and future. Software quality journal. 14(1), 187-208. Webb J.J., et al. (2008) Discovering Computers 2009: Complete. Connecticut: Cengage Learning. 10 Wheeler, D.A (2012) the most important software innovations. Accessed on 11 February 2013 from: http://www.dwheeler.com/innovation/innovation.html. Wright B. (2012) the role of computers in society. Accessed on 11 February 2013 from: http://digitizeme.ca/2012/03/30/the-role-of-computers-in-society/. Read More