Available:*
Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... | 30000010160402 | HM851 H64 2006 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
On Order
Summary
Summary
Thought-provoking perspectives on how computers and people interact
This intriguing collection of essays and overviews presents new insights and perspectives into the roles that computers and digital technology have played and could play in society. The thirty-four essays were originally published in the IEEE Computer Society's flagship magazine Computer. The essays are grouped, each with a substantial overview and extensive discussion points, and all written by Neville Holmes, one of the foremost authorities in the field.
Computers and People has six main chapters:
* The Basis of Computing considers what technology is, and why digital technology is particularly significant in today's world.
* Computers So Far details how computers have been used and misused, questioning many common beliefs and practices.
* Computers and Education argues that the greatest potential benefit of digital technology is in education, and examines reasons why this potential is ignored in so many areas.
* Computing and Professions takes a close look at the nature and role of the computing profession, but brings out issues that are important to all professions.
* The Potential of Computing suggests several ways in which digital technology might be used to greatly benefit different areas of society.
* Facing the Future looks at the major problems facing the world and at how digital technology and computing professionals could help mitigate these problems.
The book is intended for anyone interested in learning more about the true nature and significance of digital technology. Not only will it instill a greater appreciation of the possible dangers and benefits of digital technology in our society, but it will also promote understanding of how much more digital technology could benefit society and what kind of professionals are needed to fully realize its potential.
Author Notes
W. NEVILLE HOLMES , B.E.E., M.Cog.Sci., Mr. Holmes is an Honorary Research Associate in the School of Computing at the University of Tasmania, Australia. After graduating from Melbourne University, he spent two years as a patent examiner before working as a systems engineer at IBM Australia for thirty years. Taking early retirement, he took up teaching about computing at the tertiary level in Tasmania. Mr. Holmes was a foundation member of the Victorian Computer Society and was awarded the 1974 ANCAAC Medal for his paper "The Social Implications of the Australian Computer Society." Since 2000, he has been editing and writing the feature column "The Profession" for the IEEE Computer Society's flagship magazine Computer.
Reviews 1
Choice Review
It has been a long time since this reviewer has enjoyed a book as much as Holmes's. This collection of timeless, thought-provoking essays will appeal to computer users of all levels and ages. Holmes (Univ. of Tasmania) divides the book into six chapters. "The Basis of Computing" explores the significance of digital technology and what computers do, and takes a fascinating look at the myth of the intelligent computer. "Computing So Far" consists of six brilliant essays on the danger of modern society's dependence on digital technology. "Computers and Education" makes the important point that computers alone cannot educate anyone; the family and educators should be the principal providers and take the most responsibility. "Computing and Professions" is a startling, almost cynical look at an aloof and isolated commercial world dominated by digital technology with little regard for the community at large. "The Potential of Computing" and "Facing the Future" provide an uneasy look into a dark future in which governments unsuccessfully attempt to solve the problems of their constituencies by using digital technology. For those in higher education. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates through professionals. M. Connell SUNY College at Cortland
Table of Contents
| Preface | p. xi |
| The Context | p. xv |
| The Background | p. xv |
| The Chapters | p. xvi |
| 1 The Basis of Computing | p. 1 |
| 1.1 What Can Computers Do? | p. 8 |
| 1.2 Revising the Principles of Technorealism | p. 10 |
| 1.3 The Great Term Robbery | p. 16 |
| 1.4 The Myth of the Intelligent Computer | p. 21 |
| 1.5 Having a Mind to Computing | p. 23 |
| 1.6 Data and Information as Property | p. 28 |
| 1.7 Notions | p. 33 |
| 1.8 Bibliography | p. 36 |
| 2 Computing So Far | p. 39 |
| 2.1 The Myth of the Computer Revolution | p. 50 |
| 2.2 The Profession's Future Lies in its Past | p. 54 |
| 2.3 Seven Great Blunders of the Computing World | p. 59 |
| 2.4 Truth and Clarity in Arithmetic | p. 64 |
| 2.5 Computers, Programming, and People | p. 69 |
| 2.6 The Usefulness of Hindsight | p. 75 |
| 2.7 Notions | p. 80 |
| 2.8 Bibliography | p. 83 |
| 3 Computers and Education | p. 87 |
| 3.1 The Myth of the Educational Computer | p. 99 |
| Appendix Drill and Practice | p. 109 |
| Appendix Academic Gaming | p. 111 |
| 3.2 Digital Technology, Age, and Gaming | p. 112 |
| 3.3 Rationality and Digital Technology | p. 117 |
| 3.4 Why Johnny Can't Program | p. 122 |
| 3.5 Jobs/Trades, Skills, and the Profession | p. 128 |
| 3.6 The Internet, the Web, and the Chaos | p. 133 |
| 3.7 Notions | p. 138 |
| 3.8 Bibliography | p. 142 |
| 4 Computing and Professions | p. 147 |
| 4.1 Fashioning a Foundation for the Computing Profession | p. 152 |
| 4.2 Vanity and Guilt, Humility and Pride | p. 156 |
| 4.3 To See Ourselves As Others See Us | p. 160 |
| 4.4 Should Professionals Be Political? | p. 166 |
| 4.5 Artificial Intelligence: Arrogance or Ignorance? | p. 171 |
| 4.6 In Defense of PowerPoint | p. 176 |
| 4.7 Notions | p. 181 |
| 4.8 Bibliography | p. 184 |
| 5 The Potential of Computing | p. 187 |
| 5.1 Languages and the Computing Profession | p. 197 |
| 5.2 Toward Decent Text Encoding | p. 202 |
| 5.3 The Kwic and the Dead: A Lesson in Computing History | p. 206 |
| 5.4 The Case for Perspicuous Programming | p. 212 |
| 5.5 Representative Democracy | p. 218 |
| 5.6 Olympic Games Reform: A Study in System Engineering | p. 223 |
| 5.7 Notions | p. 230 |
| 5.8 Bibliography | p. 233 |
| 6 Facing the Future | p. 237 |
| 6.1 The Profession and the World | p. 245 |
| 6.2 The Digital Divide, the UN, and the Computing Profession | p. 250 |
| 6.3 Terrorism, Technology, and the Profession | p. 255 |
| 6.4 The Profession and the Big Picture | p. 261 |
| 6.5 Notions | p. 266 |
| 6.6 Bibliography | p. 269 |
| Technical Details | p. 275 |
| Program Code | p. 275 |
| Sortemic Text Encoding | p. 278 |
| Inverted Files | p. 282 |
| Some Comments on the Coding of Programs | p. 285 |
| Notions | p. 290 |
| Bibliography | p. 291 |
| Index | p. 294 |
| Guide to the Index | p. 294 |
| Index Start | p. 295 |
