The Creation of Computers
The earliest known tool for use in computation was the abacus, and it was thought to have been invented in Babylon circa 2400 BCE. Its original style of usage was by lines drawn in sand with pebbles. This was the first known computer and most advanced system of calculation known to date – preceding Greek methods by 2,000 years. Abaci of a more modern design are still used as calculation tools today.
In 1115 BCE, the South Pointing Chariot was invented in ancient China. It was the first known geared mechanism to use a differential gear, which was later used in analog computers. The Chinese also invented a more sophisticated abacus from around the 2nd century BCE, known as the Chinese abacus.
In the 5th century BCE in ancient India, the grammarian Pāṇini formulated the grammar of Sanskrit in 3959 rules known as the Ashtadhyayi which was highly systematized and technical. Panini used metarules, transformationsrecursions. and
The Antikythera mechanism is believed to be the earliest known mechanical analog computer.[2] It was designed to calculate astronomical positions. It was discovered in 1901 in the Antikythera wreck off the Greek island of Antikythera, between Kythera and Crete, and has been dated to circa 100 BC. Technological artifacts of similar complexity did not reappear until the 14th century, when mechanical astronomical clocks appeared in Europe.[3]
Mechanical analog computer devices appeared again a thousand years later in the medieval Islamic world and were developed by Muslim astronomers, such as the equatorium by Arzachel,[4] the mechanical geared astrolabe by Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī,[5] and the torquetum by Jabir ibn Aflah.[6] The first programmable machines were also invented by Muslim engineers, such as the automatic flute player by the Banū Mūsā brothers[7] and the humanoid robots by Al-Jazari.[8] Muslim mathematicians also made important advances in cryptography, such as the development of cryptanalysis and frequency analysis by Alkindus.[9][10]
When John Napier discovered logarithms for computational purposes in the early 17th century, there followed a period of considerable progress by inventors and scientists in making calculating tools. Around 1640, Blaise Pascal, a leading French mathematician, constructed the first mechanical adding device[11] based on a design described by Greek mathematician Hero of Alexandria.[12]
None of the early computational devices were really computers in the modern sense, and it took considerable advancement in mathematics and theory before the first modern computers could be designed.
Add a comment March 12, 2010
The Cyberspace
Cyberspace (from Greek Κυβερνήτης [kybernētēs] meaning “steersman”, “governor”, “pilot”, or “rudder”) is the global domain of electromagnetics as accessed and exploited through electronic technology and the modulation of electromagnetic energy to achieve a wide range of communication and control system capabilities. The term is rooted in the science of cybernetics and Norbert Wiener’s pioneering work in electronic communication and control science, a forerunner to current information theory and computer science. Cyberspace integrates a number of capabilities (sensors, signals, connections, transmissions, processors, controllers) and generates a virtualcyberpunk science fiction author William Gibson.[1] Now ubiquitous, the term has become a conventional means to describe anything associated with computers, information technology, the internet and the diverse internet culture. Cyberspace is recognized as part of the US National Critical Infrastructure [2].
Add a comment March 12, 2010
Philippine Election 2010
Maging Simula ng Pagbabago
Kaya Mo Pinoy!
Poll automation contract, awarded to winning bidder
After a long process of bidding, the Commission on Elections finally awarded the poll automation contract to Smartmatic and Total Information Management – the only bidder to pass the evaluation.
This will ensure that the 2010 national and local elections will be computerized.
“Everything is now on line for the 2010 elections. We are all set and there will be no hindrance for the 2010 polls, let us hope and pray we will have peaceful elections then,” Comelec chairman Jose said.
Melo quoted an en banc resolution that “after due deliberation, the Comelec resolves to approve report of Special Bids and Awards Committee confirming Total Information Management-Smartmatic as bidder with lowest calculated bid and award contract to them for the automation of elections on May 10, 2010.”
To ensure that the consortium will perform according to the contract terms and provisions, Smartmatic-TIM consortium must submit to Comelec a bond in the form of a manager’s check worth at least 5% of the total winning bid.
Melo noted that aside from Commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Rene Sarmiento, and Armando Velasco who signed the resolution, Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer who was on business trip, issued a sworn statement that he fully approved SBAC’s recommendation to award the automation project to Smartmatic-TIM. Even bypassed Commissioners Leonardo Leonida and Elias Yusoph concurred with resolution.
Melo added that only temporary restraining orders (TROs) from third parties can prevent the promulgation of the contract. However, they are confident that the Comelec’s transparency throughout the whole procurement process will be their defense against legal challenges.
Add a comment March 12, 2010
Araw ng Dabaw 2010
Theme: Katatagan ay Kapangyarihan
Pagpapatibay at Pagdiriwang
Who should control Davao, the Japanese or Filipinos?
This may sound a silly question today, but this was the hottest issue that raged in Davao in the 1930′s that eventually led to the creation of Davao City.
During this period, the then undivided province of Davao, which had a capital town with the same name, was the biggest producer of abaca in the world. Abaca as well as coconut plantations sprawled all over Davao Gulf, with the Japanese practically controlling the entire industry.
Despite laws restricting foreign ownership of land, the Japanese managed to become the largest plantation owners in Davao. They were able to achieve this by using dummies to buy land for them, by marrying local women, particularly with datu lineage, and by renting land from local landowners.
By the 1930′s, Davao was completely under the control of the Japanese. Their economic clout made them politically influential. They had their own schools, hospitals and road networks. The biggest concentration of the Japanese was in Guianga Municipal District, centered around Mintal. Their population continued to grow, reaching 17, 900 by 1939.
As Japan was a growing world power, having defeated Russia in 1904 and annexed Korea in 1910 and Manchuria in 1931, fears were raised as to the real intentions of the Japanese in the country. During the 1934 Constitutional Convention, Davao delegate Pantaleon Pelayo Sr. denounced the control of Davao by the Japanese and their unlimited acquisition of land. The presence of the Japanese in Davao had now become a national problem.
On March 16, 1936 Davao Assemblyman Romualdo C. Quimpo filed Bill No. 609 or Commonwealth Act No. 51, An Act Creating the City of Davao. The City of Davao was to be formed by combining the capital town of Davao and the municipal district of Guianga. This made Davao City the largest city in the world with a territory of 2,244 square kilometers or 244,400 hectares.
As the creation of Davao City was intended to break the control of the Japanese, the Act stipulated that its officials would be appointed by the President of the Philippines, instead of being elected. It was believed that in elections, Japanese-supported candidates would win, thus entrenching Japanese power in Davao.
Add a comment March 12, 2010
How’s Student’s Life?
Student’s life is not easy.No words can ever express how much difficult to be a student.We cannot escape the reality that we,students will pass many obstacles before we achieve our dreams or whatever our inclination is.Difficulties are only challenges that will test our patience,true personalities and initiatives.
In a field of choices and decisions,only few can make it right but if there is dedication,nothing is impossible.
Although the lives of students are full of hardworks and all the years are surrounded by sacrifices,we can experience on how to deal with other people,to have friends,the companionship with the classmates and most of all,the feeling of being in love.But we must bare in mind that love before you fall and don’t give everything.To become successful,strong determination and self confidence are needed.By means of these,we can possibly solve more complicated emotional,spiritual,intellectual and social aspects.
The most important thing that we should remember is to ask God’s grace,blessings and tender loving care to see light of life and how beautiful it is.We couldn’t have everything without him.
For all the students,make life easy and achieve more!!!
Add a comment March 9, 2010
