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- The history of the computers
- by Trophy
- --------------------------------- -- --- -- -
-
- I've found a book from 1974 that is different than any other about computers.
- It's a historical trip from the ancient times to the XX century with strong
- philosophical background written by Hans Kaufmann.
-
- It's all about great human thoughts in data processing, computing and theory
- of information. Everybody interested in computers should read it for
- inspiration. What is the most incredible thing is the book ? The feeling that
- every break in human evolution was connected with many previous and next
- steps.
-
- The book isn't new but is still actual because of unique historical type of
- writing. The technology that is so fast, even faster than cultural evolution
- is the less important thing in the book. Author is talking about ideas and
- thoughts so his words should be actual for next 30 years. It's nice to take
- some inspiration from history, especially if you're a kind of man dealing
- with computers.
-
- It's not a book for programmers only, but for everyone. We can learn a lot
- from this, as it's a quite good source of historical and philosophical
- knowledge.
-
- You can find the original in German:
-
- Hans Kaufmann, 'Die Ahnen des Computers. Von der phonizichen Schrift zur
- Datenverarbeitung', Econ Verlag, Dusseldorf - Wien 1974
-
- or translation in Polish:
-
- Hans Kaufman, 'Dzieje komputerow', Warszawa 1980 - seria Biblioteka Problemow
-
- Why we should read such a book in 2001. Because we have to realize that
- computer is the child of many ideas comming from the past of civilization.
- It's not only a tool - like PC supporters think. We were dreaming about
- computing machines for thousands of years and maybe it's time for reflection.
- How they change our way of thinking ? What is the society like demoscene, are
- we the unknown artists of our times ? There is a lot of questions to answer
- yourself during the reading.
-
- If you feel you're tired doing something and you have enough Atari try make a
- journey through the history of human thoughts and science to have some
- inspiration for further work.
-
- - - -- --- -------------------------------------------------------------------
- CHOSNECK team contact us:
- people faithful 2 da roots! atarimsb@wp.pl
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