Machine that Changed the World

Here's an excellent video series on the history of computing, "The Machine that Changed the World" (http://waxy.org/2008/06/the_machine_that_changed_the_world/). Part I: "Giant Brains", begins this history of the universal, programmable machine now known as the computer.



Notes (from Machine that Changed the World):

The first part begins with a brief introduction to the series, summarizing the impact of computers on every aspect of our lives, attributed to their versatile nature. The history of computing begins with the original definition of "computers," human beings like William Shanks that calculated numbers by hand. Frustration with human error led Charles Babbage to develop his difference engine, the first mechanical computer. He later designed the analytical engine, the first general-purpose programmable computer, but it was never finished. Ada Lovelace assisted Babbage with the design and working out programs for the unbuilt machine, making her the first programmer.

100 years later, German engineer Konrad Zuse built the Z1, the first functional general-purpose computer, using binary counting with mechanical telephone relays. During World War II, Zuse wanted to switch to vacuum tubes, but Hitler killed the project because it would take too long. At the University of Pennsylvania, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert built ENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, to aid in military calculations. They didn't finish in time to be useful for the war, but soon after, Eckert and Mauchly started the first commercial computer company. It took years before they brought a computer to market, so a British radar engineer named Freddie Williams beat them to building the first computer with stored programs. In Cambridge, Maurice Wilkes built EDSAC, the first practical computer with stored programs. Alan Turing imagined greater things for computers beyond calculations, after seeing the Colossus computer break German codes at Bletchley Park. Actor Derek Jacobi, performing as Alan Turing in "Breaking the Code," elaborates on Turing's insights into artificial intelligence. Computers can learn, but will they be intelligent?

The entire 5-part-series is downloadable as MP4 videos
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Datuit Debut

Datuit has launched their SafeIX Platform for public inspection, and I'd say it's an idea whose time has come! The name, which stands for "Safe Information Exchange for Healthcare", says it all. The company goal is to provide an easy and safe way for patients and providers to coordinate, collaborate, and communicate their needs and concerns, using the tools of technology. The "Care Plan Manager" gives all participants in the medical arena an equal opportunity to do just that. Datuit joins other companies in the Blue Button Co-Design Challenge competition, and offers its platform to Beta Testers. SO, read the instructions, give it a try, and then VOTE for DATUIT at this site: http://vote.healthtechhatch.com/forums/217623-blue-button-crowdvote


See video on YouTube
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Privacy Policies

LinkedIn has updated their privary and use policies. As notice to their members, they created the following video:

In addition to the user-friendly video, the actual policies have a "Summary of Changes" so you can tell what's different. I like that!
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Learn to Code!

Here's a refreshing video - a Bloomberg interview with Code.org Director Ali Partovi about the importance of teaching coding in our public schools. He and brother Hadi have the support of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and a growing number of Silicon Valley executives, to teach code to kids. Learning to code, as Partovi describes it, is the new test of literacy. It adds to one's ability to think, one's ability to be creative, and one's ability to survive in this technological world.



If the above video doesn't display on your device, try the Businessweek link: http://www.businessweek.com/videos/2013-02-26/learning-to-code-is-the-new-american-dream-partovi
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Peek Ad

Here's a fun idea: Evernote's PEEK. Maybe it's just the music, but this short 33-second video clip is about as inviting as they get. Try it!

View online at: http://youtu.be/Zd3PsL5G_1c
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The Future of Learning

Here's an interesting but not-so-short video on "The Future of Learning". What it shows quite clearly is that we are on the cusp of a new age in education: the networked classroom, and the always-learning individual. The only person I recognized in this video is Seth Golden, the versatile entrepreneur. However, the film introduces us to many others, and to several new technologies, that make one aware that, at least in education, "the best is yet to come".



Where did I find this video? I checked out this blog's "Blogs I Follow" link for Elaine Haight. See, there's so much to learn from everyone...
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Website Technology

We're in the process of changing web hosts - I think! Anyway, I'm exploring Bluehost, which has been recommended by a friend. Here's a short video about their technology, which shows "what makes us better".


View on YouTube: Technology at Bluehost.
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