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Computer History
This category includes questions and answers about the history of the computer. Ask questions about the first computer and major developments in computing.
5,564 Questions
How much did the first commercially used computer weigh?
Before you can get an answer to this you need to determine what machine you identify as the "first computer".
- Charles Babbage's mechanical Analytical Engine (1830s) was the first machine conceived with the abilities of what would now be called a digital computer. But as it was never built it weighed nothing! Had it been built it would have completely filled a very large factory building of the time and probably have weighed hundreds of thousands of tons!
- Many analog computers were built, probably the best known was Vannevar Bush's mechanical differential analyzer (1929) built at MIT. These analog computers (both mechanical and electronic) varied in weight from several hundred pounds to several tons.
- The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1942) was the first electronic digital computer. It was the size of a desk and weighed about 700 pounds.
- The British code breaking machine Colossus (1944) was the first programmable electronic digital computer. Ten of these machines were built during WW2 and as some included additional features not present in all of them, the exact weight varied.
- The ENIAC (1945) was the first general purpose programmable electronic digital computer. It weighed more than 27 tons.
- The Manchester Baby (1948) was the first working prototype of all modern electronic digital computers. It weighed almost 1 ton.
There are many other computers that could be considered "firsts" for various different reasons. Finding weights for many early computers is difficult as there is frequently little or no remaining documentation and these machines frequently went through revisions and improvements that expanded them as the developers thought of better ways to do things, thus usually increasing their weight over time.
The 3 main points are:
- Unauthorised access to computer material: it is unlawful without proper authority to: use anthoer person's ID and password to access a computer, use data or run a program, alter, delete, copy or move a program or data or simplay to output a program data, lay a trap to obtain a password.
- Unauthorised access to a computer with intent to commit or facilitate the commission or a further offence: this covers the situation where unauthorised access is gained with intent to commit a further offence, eg a person may gain unauthorised access to computer material to commit theft by re-directing funds from someone else's bank account
- Unauthoried modification of computer material: this offence includes the deliberate deletion or corruption of programs or data includes the creation of viruses where these results in the modfication or destruction of data.
Most general purpose computers support multiple users simultaneously. Pretty much anything that runs Linux, Windows, or Mac OS have this capability.
Find a bios, BUT it is illegal to download one, unless you extract it from your own ps2. However, with the BIOS, you can emulate your PS2 game using PCSX2.
How did people light their homes in olden times?
By cracking two pieces of Flint causing sparks against dry tinder or Fleece
AnswerEither by getting fire from a naturally occurring fire (eg lightning strike causes grass/bush fire) and keeping coals from it to start another; or by creating their own using the heat from friction (rubbing sticks together)When did Charles Babbage invent the difference engine and analytical engine?
The Difference Machine was started in 1821 but failed its test in 1833. In 1842 Charles Babbage created the Analytical Engine; he completely abandoned the Difference Machine. It was never completed but it helped improve Britain's machine-tool industry. In 1991, the National Museum of Science and Technology built a replica of the Difference Machine; it was a real working one. In 1879, Charles Babbage's son reassembled a section of the Difference Machine, which was auctioned for auction in London auctioned in Sydney for $282,000.
Difference between desktop computer and personal computer?
The difference between desktop computer and personal computer is that desktop computer is for everyone and personal computer is for your own self!
Who is Tim Berners-Lee and what contribution did he make?
Sir Tim Berners Lee is widely recognised ad the man that created the internet as we know it today. He is the director of the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) which sets the standards and regulations on how the internet works.
When does the world celebrate Computer Day?
Since the year 2000, each December 2nd we celebrate the International Computer Literacy Day. This celebration was created with the intention of raising awareness about the large amount of people that still don't have access to the digital and as an intent to make computer technology accessible to disadvantaged communities.
Can you still the history on your computer after you deleted on your web browser?
yes-- hit "start" then "programs" then "accessories" then "system tools" then "system restore" then click "next" & choose date you want it to restore back to so it will check history again. click "next again" & then "restart" so after that you can do "control/H" for history and it will be restored back to the date you chose to see the browsing history deleted.
Where are computer used today?
they are used for "personal" use. you can use them to do what you want. talk on msn messenger things, download games, save music, whatever you feel like doing
The personal computer is used for everything from business to mmorpg games.
It is used in homes and offices.
Charles Babbage is the originator of what technology?
In 1834 Charles Babbage (1791-1871) designed the forerunner of the computer, the mechanical Analytical Engine. It was designed to perform complicated calculations such as multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the fifth generation computers?
The disadvantages of fifth generation computers have yet to be agreed upon, but many feel that they are two of its advantages: AI and the overall advanced technology. The addition of AI worries many due to the computers possibly becoming smart enough to replace humans altogether, and many people are becoming reliant on the advanced technology for tasks that they can do without computers.
How does modern operating system architecture work?
The collection of software that directs a computer's operations, controlling and scheduling the execution of other programs, and managing storage, input/output, and communication resources. -Umpalumpa
Ada Lovelace is typically considered the first programmer. She corresponded with Charles Babbage, who is credited with the first attempt at a serious, general-purpose computer. Lovelace and Babbage lived in the 19th century. The programming language Ada, developed by the US Department of Defense but commonly used in many different contexts, is named in honor of Ada Lovelace.
Grace Hopper is commonly considered the founder of computer programming. Her language was called, "Autocode." She was the first to use the term compile to refer to translating a program into code that the computer can directly understand. She was actually predated by Konrad Zuse, a German who developed a language he called "Plankalkul". This language never impacted computer science to any degree, however, because Zuse was a German living in the time of World War II, and of course there was a huge divide between Germany and the rest of the world in that time.
What are the three basic components of every computer?
This is a simple and quite pointless question, but ohwell...
Choose any three from below:
* Graphics card - GPU * Processor - CPU * Random Access Memory - RAM * Motherboard/Mainboard * Sound card * Optical Drive - CD-ROM/DVD-ROM * CPU Cooler/CPU Fan * Hard Drive * Floppy Drive * and many more...
Send tips (with links to source of data) or corrections to MoboCop ; 1924 : The Tabulating Machine Company is renamed to IBM. ; 1939 : Hewlett Packard is founded. ; 1947 : The first transistor is invented. ; 1957 : DEC is founded. ; 1966 : MoboCop was born. ; 1967 : IBM creates the first floppy disk. ; 1968 : Intel Corp is founded. ; 1969 : AMD is founded. : AT&T Bell Laboratories develop Unix. : Compuserve is founded. ; 1970 : Intel releases the first microprocessor - the 4004. : Intel announces the 1103, the first random-access memory (RAM). ; 1972 : The compact disc is invented. ; 1974 : Intel releases the 8080 microprocessor. ; 1975 : MITS ships one of the first PCs, the Altair 8800 with one kilobyte (KB) of memory: A mail-order kit for $397.00 : Paul Allen and Bill Gates and found Microsoft. : Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs found Apple Computer. ; 1976 : Intel introduces the 8086 microprocessor. : Xerox develops the widely used networking protocol Ethernet. ; 1977 : Star Wars debuts. : ARCNET the first commercially network is developed. : The Apple II, the first personal computer with color graphics is demonstrated. ; 1978 : The 5.25-inch floppy disk becomes an industry standard. : Epson introduces the TX-80 ; 1979 : The Motorola 6800 is released. : The Intel 8088 is released. : Phoenix is founded. : Texas Instruments releases the TI 99/4 personal computer. : Hayes markets its first modem. : Atari introduces coin-operated version of Asteroids. : 3COM is founded. ; 1980 : IBM hires Paul Allen and Bill Gates to create DOS. : Microsoft licenses Unix and starts to develop a PC version, XENIX. : The first Tandy Color computer is introduced. : AST is founded. ; 1981 : Hewlett-Packard Superchip, the first 32-bit chip is introduced. : Intel ships the 8087 math coprocessor. : MS-DOS 1.0 was released. : IBM releases its IBM PC, which runs on DOS. : Commodore ships the VIC-20, which later becomes the world's most popular computer costing only $299.95. : Logitech is founded. : Adaptec is founded. ; 1982 : The Intel 80286 processor is announced. : Peter Norton creates Norton Utilities. : Sony releases its first Trinitron monitor. : Sun is incorporated. : Compaq Computer Corp. is founded. : MS-DOS version 1.25 is released. : Adobe is founded. ; 1983 : The IBM XT is first introduced. : The Apple IIe is introduced. : MS-DOS 2.0 was released. : Microsoft Windows was announced November, 1983 ; 1984 : ISA is expanded to 16-bit : The 3.5-inch floppy diskette is introduced. : Dell Computer is founded : IBM develops EGA. : Microsoft introduces MS-DOS 3.0 for the IBM PC AT and MS-DOS 3.1 for networks. : The Tandy 1000 personal computer is introduced. : University of Southern California professor Fred Cohen creates alarm when he warns the public about computer viruses. : Kings Quest 1: Quest for the crown is released to the public. : MoboCop graduates from High School : Cirrus is founded. ; 1985 : Intel introduces the 80386. : Microsoft and IBM begin collaboration on the next-generation operating system (OS/2). : Gateway 2000 is founded. : Microsoft Windows 1.0 is shipped. : ATI is founded. ; 1986 : MS-DOS 3.2 was released. ; 1987 : Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) is established. : The SPARC processor is introduced by Sun. : IBM introduces VGA. : IBM introduces MCA. : MS-DOS 3.3 was released. : Microsoft and IBM release OS/2 1.0. : IBM introduces the PS / 2 personal computer. : IBM sends clone manufactures letters demanding retroactive licensing fees. ; 1988 : EISA is developed as an alternative to MCA. : Intel introduces the 16 MHz 80386SX microprocessor. : Creative Labs introduces the SoundBlaster : MS-DOS 4.0 was released. : MS-DOS 4.01 was released. ; 1989 : Intel releases the 486DX processor. : Asus is founded. ; 1990 : Intel releases the 80386SL processor. : Microsoft releases Windows 3.0 : The World, the first commercial Internet dial-up access provider comes online. : Creative Labs introduces the SoundBlaster Pro. : Microsoft and IBM stop working together to develop operating systems. : IBM introduces XGA. ; 1991 : Intel introduces the Intel 486SX : Advanced Micro Devices introduces the Am386DX. : The Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) is developed by Intel, Xircom and Zenith Data Systems. : Linux is introduced. : World Wide Web is launched. : Microsoft changes the name of OS/2 to Windows NT. : MS-DOS 5.0 was released. ; 1992 : Intel releases the 486DX2. : Intel introduces the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI). : VESA local bus is introduced. : Microsoft and Hewlett Packard develops ECP. ; 1993 : Intel develops PPGA. : Intel releases the Pentium Processor. : IrDA is founded. : The EPA establishes Energy Star. : PowerPC processor for the Apple Power Mac is introduced. : DOOM by IdSoftware was released. : Myst is released. ; 1994 : A mathematical flaw in the Intel Pentium is discovered. : Intel releases the IntelDX4 processor. : YAHOO is created : Netscape is founded. : Commodore computers files Bankruptcy. : Microsoft releases its beta for Windows 95. : Rasmus Lerdorf creates PHP. : MS-DOS 6.22 was released. : Microsoft releases Windows 3.11. ; 1995 : Intel releases the new motherboard form factor ATX. : USB standard is released.: Microsoft Releases Windows 95. : Amazon.com is officially opened. ; 1996 : Intel releases the 200 MHz Pentium. : Cyrix ships the 133 MHz Media GX processor. : NEC merges with Packard Bell. : Creative Labs introduces the 3D Blaster card. ; 1997 : Intel introduces the MMX chip. : The Intel Pentium II 233 MHz processor is released. : AMD introduces the K6 processor. : Advanced Graphics Port or AGP design is released. : Cyrix is established. : DVDs go on sale. : Microsoft announces Windows 98. ; 1998 : Intel releases the 266 MHzCeleron processor. : Intel releases the 333, 350, and 400 MHz Pentium II. : AMR is released : Award becomes part of Phoenix : Compaq purchases Digital Equipment Corporation : Hearings open between Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Justice. : Microsoft Windows 98 is officially released. : Apple introduces the iMac. ; 1999 : Intel releases the Pentium III 500 MHz. : AMD releases the Athlon processor. : Cyrix releases the MII processor. : Intel announces the Pentium III processor. : VIA Technologies announces it will acquire Cyrix from National Semiconductor. : NVIDIA introduces the GPU. ; 2000 : CNR is introduced. : AMD introduces the 850 MHz Athlon processor. : Intel begins shipping a 1 GHz processor. : Intel introduces the 400, 450, and 500 MHz mobile Celeron processors. : Intel announces the processor code-named "Willamette" will formally be called Pentium 4. : AMD releases the 1.1 GHz Athlon processor. : Microsoft Windows 2000 is released. ; 2001 : Intel recalls its 1.13 GHz Pentium III processors. : Bill Gates unveils the Xbox. : Microsoft Windows XP home and professional editions are released. ; 2002 : ???; 2003 : ??? ; 2004 : ???
It wasn't a virus. For a really long time computer memory cost big money, so you used it very carefully. One way they saved memory was by using the last two digits of the year--"89" instead of "1989." On big computers, to save disk space they'll often dump data older than they need to use right now onto tape, then erase it. Mainframes are usually set up to do this. If dates had stayed two digits long, when the year became 2000 the computer would think new data was really, really old and just get rid of it for you instantly. Not good. To fix the problem, someone had to go into all those programs, change the date field length to four characters, then re-edit all the current data to read "1999" instead of "99." You've probably seen the "Macs have always been Y2K compliant" boast. It's true, and the reason it is, is Macs have always had a lot of memory. They could afford to use four-digit years because they always had the space to do it.
What is the deffirent between old computer and modern computer?
Newer computers are similar to older computers. This is a very general question. Typically, newer computers have more memory, data storage, calculation power, and video rendering capabilities.
Who is the inventor of super computer?
Seymour Cray, is credited with creating the first super computer. Seymour Cray's companies made the initial and only super computers for many years. Supercomputers now have tens of thousands of processors and are capable of solving problems extremely quickly.
Where did the term computer get orgin?
The word "computer" means something or someone who computes. The first computers were, in fact, people - "computer" was a job description for the people who performed calculations by hand and paper. Later, when the first mechanical and electronic computing machines were built, they were called "computers" since their primary function was seen as computation of numbers ("number crunching"). Later, they assumed other roles as well, such as storage and retrieval of data, but the word "computer" stuck.
The laptop was designed to make a personal computer easily portable.
The first portable computer was the GriD Compass (weighing about 5 kilograms). It was invented by Bill Moggridge in 1979 and cost several thousand dollars when it was first sold in 1982. It was widely used by the military and aboard the Space Shuttle.
The first true laptop was invented by Adam Osborne in 1981. It was called 'Osborne 1' and cost $1,795. It came bundled with $1,500 worth of programmes and had a tiny monitor screen built into it. This first portable computer was a success, with sales reaching 10,000 units a month.
IBM launched the IBM 5155 Portable Personal Computer in 1984. In 1988, Compaq Computer launched the first laptop PC with VGA graphics, the Compaq SLT/286. In 1989, NEC released UltraLite, which was the first lightweight 'laptop' computer. Weighing under 5 lbs, it was the precursor of today's models.
Average time for a person to spend on a computer per day?
== == * The true stats will never be known simply because it's divided into children from the ages of 5 - 12, teens and adults, plus work hours on a computer and laptops. * The average adult (for personal use only) spends 1 hour per day on the computer 2 - 3 hours of TV and 2 hours listening to the radio. This translates into one third of our waking hours. * AVERAGE TEENS: 4 hours 48 minutes per day not including schoolwork. Female teens spend as much time on the computer as male teens.
Why the first-generation of computer use vacuum tubes?
- The first digital computer that used vacuum tubes was the ABC, completed in 1942 by Dr. John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry in Ames, IA.
- An early analog computer that used vacuum tubes was the Differential Analyzer, completed in 1929 by Vannevar Bush and a large team at MIT. (there probably were other smaller analog computers of this type that used vacuum tubes before this, so it probably isn't the first but its the earliest where I can find it clearly documented).
