Friday, 13 September 2013
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Timeline of Computer History
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Monday, 2 September 2013
What is Computer Science?
Computer science is a discipline that spans theory and practice. It requires thinking both in abstract terms and in concrete terms. The practical side of computing can be seen everywhere. Nowadays, practically everyone is a computer user, and many people are even computer programmers. Getting computers to do what you want them to do requires intensive hands-on experience. But computer science can be seen on a higher level, as a science of problem solving. Computer scientists must be adept at modeling and analyzing problems. They must also be able to design solutions and verify that they are correct. Problem solving requires precision, creativity, and careful reasoning.
Computer science also has strong connections to other disciplines. Many problems in science, engineering, health care, business, and other areas can be solved effectively with computers, but finding a solution requires both computer science expertise and knowledge of the particular application domain. Thus, computer scientists often become proficient in other subjects.
Finally, computer science has a wide range of specialties. These include computer architecture, software systems, graphics, artifical intelligence, computational science, and software engineering. Drawing from a common core of computer science knowledge, each specialty area focuses on particular challenges.
Computer Science is practiced by mathematicians, scientists and engineers. Mathematics, the origins of Computer Science, provides reason and logic. Science provides the methodology for learning and refinement. Engineering provides the techniques for building hardware and software.
Finally, and most importantly, computer scientists are computer scientists because it is fun. (Not to mention lucrative career opportunities!)
Another definition from http://www.csab.org/comp_sci_profession.html
Computer Science: The Profession
Computer science is a discipline that involves the understanding and design of computers and computational processes. In its most general form it is concerned with the understanding of information transfer and transformation. Particular interest is placed on making processes efficient and endowing them with some form of intelligence. The discipline ranges from theoretical studies of algorithms to practical problems of implementation in terms of computational hardware and software.
A central focus is on processes for handling and manipulating information. Thus, the discipline spans both advancing the fundamental understanding of algorithms and information processes in general as well as the practical design of efficient reliable software and hardware to meet given specifications. Computer science is a young discipline that is evolving rapidly from its beginnings in the 1940's. As such it includes theoretical studies, experimental methods, and engineering design all in one discipline. This differs radically from most physical sciences that separate the understanding and advancement of the science from the applications of the science in fields of engineering design and implementation. In computer science there is an inherent intermingling of the theoretical concepts of computability and algorithmic efficiency with the modern practical advancements in electronics that continue to stimulate advances in the discipline. It is this close interaction of the theoretical and design aspects of the field that binds them together into a single discipline.
Because of the rapid evolution it is difficult to provide a complete list of computer science areas. Yet it is clear that some of the crucial areas are theory, algorithms and data structures, programming methodology and languages, and computer elements and architecture. Other areas include software engineering, artificial intelligence, computer networking and communication, database systems, parallel computation, distributed computation, computer-human interaction, computer graphics, operating systems, and numerical and symbolic computation.
A professional computer scientist must have a firm foundation in the crucial areas of the field and will most likely have an in-depth knowledge in one or more of the other areas of the discipline, depending upon the person's particular area of practice. Thus, a well educated computer scientist should be able to apply the fundamental concepts and techniques of computation, algorithms, and computer design to a specific design problem. The work includes detailing of specifications, analysis of the problem, and provides a design that functions as desired, has satisfactory performance, is reliable and maintainable, and meets desired cost criteria. Clearly, the computer scientist must not only have sufficient training in the computer science areas to be able to accomplish such tasks, but must also have a firm understanding in areas of mathematics and science, as well as a broad education in liberal studies to provide a basis for understanding the societal implications of the work being performed.
From Mississippi State University
Computer Science is the study of principles, applications, and technologies of computing and computers. It involves the study of data and data structures and the algorithms to process these structures; of principles of computer architecture-both hardware and software; of problem-solving and design methodologies; of computer-related topics such as numerical analysis, operations research, and artificial intelligence; and of language design, structure, and translation technique. Computer Science provides a foundation of knowledge for students with career objectives in a wide range of computing and computer-related professions.
From http://www2.cs.unb.ca/ Problem solving.
The study of efficient and effective software development techniques.
Team work and communication skills.
An interest in applying technology to problems in a wide variety of disciplines.
From the University of Missouri - Rolla http://www.cs.umr.edu/csdept/career/what_is_cs.html
Computer Science is concerned with information in much the same sense that physics is concerned with energy; it is devoted to the representation, storage, manipulation and presentation of information.
Computer Science is concerned with "the study of symbol-manipulating machines, with communication between man and machine and with the application of these machines".
Major areas of Computer Science include:
1. Operating Systems--concerned with the development and structure of complex programs which facilitate man-machine communications.
2. Computational Science--the analysis of numerical methods for solving mathematical problems with a computer.
3. Programming Languages--the study of the design and properties of languages by which humans communicate with computers.
4. Architecture--the study and use of mathematical logic to design electronic circuits.
5. Intelligent Systems--concerned with means by which computers may perform tasks which might be characterized as "intelligent" if performed by humans.
6. Automata Theory--an abstract study of computers and their capabilities.
7. Information Storage and Retrieval--the study of methods for storing a vast amount of data in a computer and methods for searching and retrieving this data.
8. Software Engineering--the study of tools and techniques for software design, development, testing and maintenance.
Another way to view any science is to look at the methods used within that science. In some sense these methods are similar in many (most?) sciences, but they can take on different characteristics in each discipline. Four important methods used in the study of computer science are:
invention --- formulation of new algorithmic and new architectural paradigms
design --- software engineering uses design principles to build complex systems to solve computational problems
analysis --- certainly a major focus within computer science is the analysis and evaluation of software, algorithms and architecture.
experimentation --- use of experiments to reveal computing principles is an important method of scientific investigation within computer science.
A recent article by Peter Denning, CACM, April 2005/Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 27 - 31, "Is Computer Science Science?"
Friday, 30 August 2013
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
The Best Free Software 2013
For five years, PCMag has brought you an ever-bigger, ever-better list of desktop software that will cost you absolutely nothing. But this year, we're shaking things up a bit. Instead of an annual look at the best free software, we're going monthly.
Since software can cost thousands, you might wonder why and how you can score immensely useful programs for free. This happens for the very good business reason that developers often try to gain traction with the public by giving away their product, or at least a "lite" version of it, in the hope that you'll upgrade to a paid version. It's called the freemium model. Sometimes all they want is a donation. In other cases the programs display ads to keep the money flowing. In the end, by giving it away the developers gain recognition at the very least, if not money straight away. More importantly, it serves you, the user, because you've got access to tools for your computer that rival anything you'd pay for.
We're throwing in all the worthy apps that run on Windows 7 and 8, the latest MacOS, and of course, the cloud-based Web apps that run in a browser like Chrome, Firefox, or IE to use anywhere. We'll let you know which OS each title runs on, and if it has a mobile version you should nab for your smartphone.
Look for a new category of free software titles every month. Be sure to let us know what freebies you'd like to see next, and as always, tell us in the comments section if we missed your favorite.
Home Product Guides Software The Best Free Software 2013 The Best Free Software 2013
For five years, PCMag has brought you an ever-bigger, ever-better list of desktop software that will cost you absolutely nothing. But this year, we're shaking things up a bit. Instead of an annual look at the best free software, we're going monthly.
Since software can cost thousands, you might wonder why and how you can score immensely useful programs for free. This happens for the very good business reason that developers often try to gain traction with the public by giving away their product, or at least a "lite" version of it, in the hope that you'll upgrade to a paid version. It's called the freemium model. Sometimes all they want is a donation. In other cases the programs display ads to keep the money flowing. In the end, by giving it away the developers gain recognition at the very least, if not money straight away. More importantly, it serves you, the user, because you've got access to tools for your computer that rival anything you'd pay for.
We're throwing in all the worthy apps that run on Windows 7 and 8, the latest MacOS, and of course, the cloud-based Web apps that run in a browser like Chrome, Firefox, or IE to use anywhere. We'll let you know which OS each title runs on, and if it has a mobile version you should nab for your smartphone.
Look for a new category of free software titles every month. Be sure to let us know what freebies you'd like to see next, and as always, tell us in the comments section if we missed your favorite.
Monday, 26 August 2013
Buying a used computer CPU
A CPU is one of the most important parts of your computer system.
It’s like the brain of a computer system and is responsible for most of
the data processing. As a result it plays a major part i
n a computer
system’s performance.
Buying a used CPU can lead to significant savings at minimal risk.
New CPUs are released all the time so older models can be had at a good
discount. A second-hand CPU is the most risk free purchase of
used computer hardware you can make. This is because a CPU either works
perfectly or not at all so it’s easy to tell what condition it is in. If
it works at all then it’ll continue to work happily for decades. If it
doesn’t work then it’s dead and worthless. There is no room for doubt.
However, there are certain steps you can take to ensure that you
purchase a fully functioning CPU:
- First take the CPU out of its socket and examine it closely. Look at the top of the CPU where heatsink is. It should be free of any burn marks or other obvious signs of damage. The top of the CPU will likely have thermal paste on it so removing that thermal paste maybe required. You can use rubbing alcohol to do that. Obviously don’t use water.
- Take a good look at the underside of the CPU. If it’s a pinless chip make sure that all the contacts are in good condition. There should not be any foreign matter covering them. Foreign matter covering the contacts can cause short circuits and even cause the CPU to burn. If the CPU has pins then make sure that all the pins are present and fully upright. Bent pins can cause short circuits. Broken pins can cause a CPU to malfunction.
- See the CPU in action. The seller must have a motherboard, RAM, PSU etc. so that you can install the CPU and see it functioning in a working system. When booting up the system be sure to go into the BIOS menu to verify that the CPU is the correct model. Also make sure the system boots the operating system successfully.
- If possible run a CPU stress test like prime95 for a few minutes. Using a CPU temperature monitoring software like real temp you can see whether the CPU runs within the manufacturer’s prescribed temperature limits when under load. If it doesn’t you may have to reapply the thermal paste and reseat the heatsink fan.
The rule of thumb is that you have to reapply thermal paste every
time you remove the Heatsink Fan or HSF assembly from top of the CPU. So
once you’ve bought a used CPU you will need to reapply thermal paste.
You can buy cheap thermal paste in large computer shops locally. Small
shopkeepers will not know anything about thermal paste so avoid
asking them. Before applying the new paste you will have to remove the
old paste from the bottom of the HSF and the top of the CPU using
alcohol swabs purchased from a pharmacy. Then you install the CPU in its
socket on the motherboard, apply a tiny amount of the new paste onto
the top of the CPU and install the HSF.
Buying a used CPU can save you quite a bit of money and following the steps above ensures that you get a working chip.
Friday, 23 August 2013
computer science
Is That Quantum Computer for Real? There May Finally Be a Test
Wired News,
8/23/2013 1:36:08 PM
How do you know if a quantum computer is real? Quanta Magazine investigates a new protocol that offers a possible solution. Read More
New Report Finds Significant Problem in the Computer Science Teacher Certification System
PRWeb,
8/21/2013 1:20:16 PM
A new report released today by the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) finds that Computer Science teacher certification/licensure in the United States is deeply flawed. (PRWeb August 21, 2013) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb11046748.htm Read More
Why Instagram is more depressing than Facebook
The Wichita Eagle,
8/21/2013 7:14:10 PM
Facebook is the many-headed frenemy, the great underminer. We know this because science tells us so. The Human-Computer Institute at Carnegie Mellon has found that “passive consumption” of friends’ feeds and your own “broadcasts to wider audiences” on Facebook correlate with feelings of loneliness and even depression. Read More
Is That Quantum Computer for Real? There May Finally Be a Test
Wired News,
8/23/2013 1:36:08 PM
How do you know if a quantum
computer is real? Quanta Magazine investigates a new protocol that
offers a possible solution.
Read More
New Report Finds Significant Problem in the Computer Science Teacher Certification System
PRWeb,
8/21/2013 1:20:16 PM
A new report released today by
the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) finds that Computer
Science teacher certification/licensure in the United States is deeply
flawed. (PRWeb August 21, 2013) Read the full story at
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb11046748.htm
Read More
Why Instagram is more depressing than Facebook
The Wichita Eagle,
8/21/2013 7:14:10 PM
Facebook is the many-headed
frenemy, the great underminer. We know this because science tells us so.
The Human-Computer Institute at Carnegie Mellon has found that “passive
consumption” of friends’ feeds and your own “broadcasts to wider
audiences” on Facebook correlate with feelings of loneliness and even
depression.
Read More
what is computer science news
Is That Quantum Computer for Real? There May Finally Be a Test
Wired News,
8/23/2013 1:36:08 PM
How do you know if a quantum
computer is real? Quanta Magazine investigates a new protocol that
offers a possible solution.
Read More
New Report Finds Significant Problem in the Computer Science Teacher Certification System
PRWeb,
8/21/2013 1:20:16 PM
A new report released today by
the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) finds that Computer
Science teacher certification/licensure in the United States is deeply
flawed. (PRWeb August 21, 2013) Read the full story at
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb11046748.htm
Read More
Why Instagram is more depressing than Facebook
The Wichita Eagle,
8/21/2013 7:14:10 PM
Facebook is the many-headed
frenemy, the great underminer. We know this because science tells us so.
The Human-Computer Institute at Carnegie Mellon has found that “passive
consumption” of friends’ feeds and your own “broadcasts to wider
audiences” on Facebook correlate with feelings of loneliness and even
depression.
Read More
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
computerstudy
- Item 1 of 3
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Cintiq 12WX 12.1" Interactive Pen Display
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