Question2_T1

Team1_Ex1

Question2: Create a time line of the history of computers using the handout information and Robert Noyce documentary (no dates necesary)


 * First Generation of computers:** They worked on //Electron Vacuum Tubes//, that conducted energy but heated a lot. They were the size of a football pitch; too slow and were too expensive because they needed a lot of mantainance, they heated up too quickly and wasted a lot of energy. The lifespan was very short. They were only used by governments and universities. The term 'bug' comes from this time, when bugs actually ate the computer cables.


 * Second Generation of computers:** The electron tubes were replaced by transistors, devices consisting in conductive materials blended with other materials. These computers were smaller, approximately the size of a room, they were used by banks and big organizations and used magnetic tape storage. They were faster and not so expensive and complex. One of the first organization that had a computer like this one was the US Census Bureau.


 * Third generation of computers:** They were the size of a fridge, much smaller and simpler: still, they werent meant for personal use. They were used by scientists, unviersities, companies and businesses to carry out specific tasks. The greatest leap in this generation was the invention and development of integrated circuits (by Robert Noyce), which was a great advantage because integrated circuits could include everything that separate circuits had in previous computers in a small circuit. An integrated circuit was a circuit but unlike previous one, its size was dramatically smaller since they were printed in silicon with conductive materials, less wires are needed and they use a lot less space. They also used semi conductors, also developed by Bob Noyce (Fairchild) Size of computers was reduced and their quality increased. Then, the prices were also accessible. One of the most remarkable improvements with integrated circuits was that computers were able to perform parallel operations. The integrated circuit not only reduced the size, but it also reduced the price, because the integrated circuits where cheaper to make.


 * Fourth generation of computers** included now the microprocessor, which could carry out several tasks. The fourth generation were personal computers (PCs). The prices had lowered and they were accessible and more commercial now, (still for specific users, though). The microporcessor was a great advantage and reduced significantly the size of computers because the "brain" of the computer could fit into a single chip. This was all thanks to Noyce, who was co-founder of Intel, a company which keeps developing microporcessors. Noyce was also referred to as "Major of Sillicon Valley" because of his contribution to technology with the integrated circuit, which he developed in the area of Silicon Valley, in California.

Every time there are cheaper and smaller computers in the marker, for personal use. Now not only big companies, banks, universities or scientists are the ones that can use a computer, or that have the oportunity to have one, now almost everyone is able to buy one, and almost everyone know how to use them.
 * Fifth generation of computers:** They speak about a 5th generation of computers as the time in which computers became totally commercial and accessible to the public, for example: Mac II and Windows; they included GUI (Graphics Data Interface), programs like Word and operating system. These computers were way cheaper and not so exclusive. There was a lot of more interaction between the user and the computer, this advances lead to faster and greater developments which compose the computers we use now. Also, computers in this generation have an increased ability to work on a network.