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"The Computer: A Very Short Introduction" by Darrel Ince
Perfect introductory book for those who want better knowledge about living in our computational world, ones are computer illiterate, and/or teachers/professors!
There exists a great punk rock song titled "I Love My Computer" by Bad Religion, which lyrically sings about how human connection(s) will be defined in the comfort of a computer—smart devices by modern standards. Whether you've heard the song or not, perhaps it's best to (re)visit all things that make what a computer is, where it stands in our world, or relatively, its history, development and its role everywhere. That's where author Darrel Ince comes in with this great introductory book talking all about computers.
A book like this may be turned away given that the average person already knows what a computer is, its functionality and more. Often times, such knowledge is taken for granted, and author Ince did a great job introducing readers about how computers came to be. Ince starts with its development, parts that make up a computer and how large they were back then. Readers also get a feel for terms used in relation to computers such as "bug," along with the many techniques involved in getting this device doing what we want/need it to (one of them known as "computer programming"). The reader then learns about computer storage, known as a "hard disk drive," and how data is stored—using bits. Once again, this may all seem very obvious given that we're at the age where computer literacy is required, but that doesn't mean that this book isn't worth your time.
While there are plenty to be said about computers, how this amazing piece of equipment integrated into our daily lives is the part that should garner interest. Discussions about how the internet came to be, and its features, such as websites, are some topics covered by author Ince. A chapter titled, "The insecure computer" talks about cybersecurity and cybercrimes involved with computers, especially online. Given all the viruses that circulated through email, mysterious hyperlinks, plus including the recent one with CrowdStrike[1] is a story that proves all what Ince reports about. If you ever need a stable job—right now, as a matter of fact—enter in the world of cybersecurity, as demand for workers continues to rise. Anyway, as much as we all love our computers, proving points made by punk rock band Bad Religion, the average user also needs to be wary of safety measures when using it. It's very much the modern-day "watch your surroundings" and "don't talk to strangers" when going outside, but with computers and internet. On the other hand, as mentioned earlier, if you do want to work as a cybersecurity professional, some of the reports and stories Ince has provided should interest you. Otherwise, it's easy to forget that we must be wary of where we search, click and install in our computer(s).
Since we've been reading and reviewing books since 2012, Ince's chapter about "the disruptive computer" hit close to home. We love the convenience of physically showing up at a bookstore, or even a video game store or a movie rental, and shopping how we did back then (circa 1990s). The computer has 'disrupted' plenty of specific stores; as with theft and criminal activities being commonplace, along with rude employees, other customers, and just poor service in general, it's things like those that make the computer a Godsend. However, all that isn't the case with small business owners despite that it's easier to order a book online, with prices costing less than half, than buying it at a local bookstore. Worse, the convenience of reading and storing your books in an e-reader, or tablet, is much better than carrying pounds and pounds of physical books. (Of course, we could say that too much screen time on tablets could harm the eyes, but that's besides the point.) Though there has been a bit of push-back from consumers, especially among younger generations in wanting physical stores back, it just shows how the computer has greatly 'disrupted' small businesses (in reference to law, increase in minimum wages are also another reason small businesses suffer). We still love and support local businesses, but along with these new minimum wage laws, the computer has shown how much "damage" it has done to certain "mom and pop" stores.
Last chapter talks about "the next computer." Our personal interests in all things quantum mechanics means the quantum computer may well be our next computer. In addition, Ince made a startling point to close out this book: owning a computer you can't modify. In reference to books, such as The Future of the Internet, this will stand as something to think about moving forward. Imagine having and owning a computer you can't change, install software of your own, nor in any way that suits your needs. We feel this won't sit well with the global populace, and if nasty, low-brow behaviors continue online, especially on social media, governing and regulating Internet will be our biggest topic of discussion putting each one of us, you and I, at risk. While that's more of a topic on digital governance, Ince brought this "quiet" issue up eloquently, leaving readers to stop and think before, nowadays, posting pictures of your Thanksgiving vacation, or posting about wishing death on someone you dislike (just a reminder: sending death threats to anyone, be it a celebrity or an everyday person, is illegal, yet it's becoming rampant after what happened to conservative influencer Charlie Kirk). Not sure what's going to happen from here, but we hope online companies collaborate with law enforcement in tracking these users getting away with breaking the law. Computers are devices to get work done, and should not be abused as such (something we wished to have spoken out on sooner, but thanks to author Ince, our for computers has increased and will treasure this beautiful invention forever).
Much of this book may not sound like much, given many are common knowledge, but you do come away with things that will be of concern moving forward. This book was published and released in 2011, and could use an update at this time; that's our only critique. Otherwise, the book was well presented that even those who are computer illiterate would learn plenty from this short book (younger generations born into the digital age also will love this book). For teachers and professors, this is also a great companion if you teach clasess related to computer literacy or any introductory course about computers. For those well-versed in computers won't find too much with this title, unless you want a good refresher on all things computers. This is one of the friendliest introduction on computers, as teachers/professors, students, self-learners and those wanting to increase their knowledge about computers will not be disappointed.
Not sure if an updated version will be in place, but for now, we highly recommend it! (If there will be a new edition to be released, we'd rather you purchase that instead.)
- One of the most gentle introductions about computers.
- Readers learn about both the history, its parts and impacts the computer has made in our society.
- Perfect for students, teachers/professors, self-learners and those wanting to be more computer literate.
- Author Ince's writing isn't too technical and can be read by anyone.
- Key takeaway from this book: don't take computers for granted, but never abuse its use (in response to the vile posts, threats and videos shared online currently).
- Needs a huge update, if a new edition will be in place, as this was released in 2011.
PROFILE |
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|---|---|
| Title | The Computer: A Very Short Introduction |
| Author(s) | Darrel Ince |
| Description | [FRONT FLAP] Computers form a vital part of most people's lives. But what is the nature of the computer? How does it work? How has it been possible to squeeze so much power into increasingly small machines? In this Very Short Introduction, Darrel Ince looks at the basic concepts behind all computers: the changes that allowed them to become so small and commonplace; the challenges produced by the computer revolution—especially the issues surrounding cybercrime and security; the Internet and the advent of 'cloud' computing'; and the promise of whole new horizons opening up with quantum computing, and even computing using DNA. [BACK FLAP] Darrel Ince is Professor of Computing at the Open University and the author of 23 books, including The Oxford Dictionary of the Internet (OUP, 2003). |
| Dedication | -- |
| ISBN / Bar code number | 978-0-19-958659-2 / 9 780199 586592 |
| Book Dimensions | Width: 4.44″ (4 7/16″) |
| Height: 6.75″ (6 ¾″) | |
| Depth: 0.31″ (5/16″) | |
| Page Count | 152 |
| Contents | List of Illustrations xi, 1 The naked computer 1, 2 The small computer 24, 3 The ubiquitous computer 38, 4 The global computer 50, 5 The insecure computer 63, 6 The disruptive computer 79, 7 The cloud computer 100, 8 The next computer 117, Futher reading 131, Index 135 |
| Cover painting | Based on a concept by Philip Atkins |
| Author Photograph | -- |
| First Published | 2011 |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press Inc., New York |
| Copyright | © Darrel Ince 2011 |
| Printed in | Great Britain on acid-free paper by Asdford Colour Press Ltd, Gosport, Hampshire |
| Book Format | Paperback |
| Quoted Reviews |
"a thoroughly good idea. Snappy, small-format . . . stylish design . . . perfect to pop into your pocket for spare moments" —Lisa Jardine, The Times "Expert, concise but far from bland, Oxford's Very Short Introductions series must rank by now as a thinking reader's Wikipedia" — Boyd Tonkin, The Independent |
| Best Seller's List | -- |
| Other | Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Cape Town Dar es Salaam Hong Kong Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Nairobi New Delhi Shanghai Taipei Toronto With offices in Argentina Austria Brazil Chile Czech Republic France Greece Guatemala Hungary Italy Japan Poland Portugal Singapore South Korea Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine Vietnam Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries The moral rights of the author have been asserted Database right Oxford University Press (maker) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly premitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics right organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above You must not circulate this book in any other binding or cover and you must impose the same condition on any acquirer British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Data available Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Data available Typeset by SPI Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India Printed in Great Britain on acid-free paper by Ashford Colour Press Ltd, Gosport, Hampshire 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 |
