Transmission Systems

Several transmission systems have been prevalent in the digital world, since it started to boom, but even before this great digital expansion these systems were in use and ever important. Prior to everyone being addicted and living on their smartphones, there was a more simple time, a time in which you would have to call an operator and they personally would have to change the circuit for you. Today this seems as if it would be completely useless and maybe thought of as a waste of time, but in reality it plays a larger part in society today this circuit idea it even plays a relevant role in how we get our internet today.

Above shows one of these systems from what seems forever ago, this is what life was like. This created many jobs, and played an important role in society. (Picture courtesy of Wikipedia)

The link provided above is in general a break down of the internet and how it works, personally I have gained knowledge from class that I didn’t have prior so I know this video would have helped me out with no experience.

This is an internet transmission system, showing all the intricate connections made.

 

E-waste Write-up

The first thing that came to my mind while watching this video was how had I not have previously heard about this issue. I think this isn’t even a thought in our culture, and this is scary because it could become an even bigger problem. Jim Puckett and his team had a very interesting job to take care of. I did not think that his life as a technology investigator would be as interesting as it was.  His findings were very eye opening in how in everyday life we could be doing the wrong thing without even realizing it. The distance alone these recycled electronics were going was amazing, flying them across the world just to be dismantled. The United States produces more e-waste annually than any other country. The amount of electronics that Americans throw away every year? 9.4 million tons.

  • The United States produces more e-waste annually than any other country. The amount of electronics that Americans throw away every year? 9.4 million tons.

  • Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by 3,657 U.S. homes in a year, according to the EPA.

  • For every one million cell phones that are recycled, the EPA states that 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. For those not familiar with palladium, it’s a precious metal using for making electrical contacts, as well as surgical instruments and parts for watches.

    https://earth911.com/eco-tech/20-e-waste-facts/

    These facts come from, the article provided above, these along with other staggering facts about e-waste and, also what could be done with it if it was correctly recycled. These facts are big and it seems as if a change is in order for the future because it seems as if we cannot go on without thinking about this problem.

Bold Tech Takes

“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.”

Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977

Image result for "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977

Today in 2018 Ken Olsen would be the first to tell you that this prediction in 1977 is now considered a bold take today. But, back in 1977 this idea may not have actually been that far fetched, back then computers were supersized compared to what they are today. If it was not for the digital revolution that has taken place the size of there computers may not have downsized to the level today in which our phones themselves are computers. Maybe if in 2018 our computers had not taken the size they have today the idea of a computer in a home would be something more than an outrageous idea.

Internet Pioneer

The internet is used constantly and to the masses, but how it runs and who created it by aren’t even thought about by these users.  Who was one of creators of Mosaic (The first widely used Web browsers)? Marc Andreessen was one of these creators, while this is part of his fame he also has founded several other things: Netscape, Opsware, and Andreessen Horowitz. After graduating from University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign he created the code for Mosaic then moved to California to start working on what would eventually become Netscape. At 47 there is more than enough time for Andreessen to make an even larger impact on a field he has already impacted immensely.

Below is a link of the early days of Mosaic and Netscape:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L3Y2_YiT-A

 

Intro to the Digital World

The world is ever changing and this is seen throughout the technological advances by humankind over time.

Something that we learned that was interesting was, the parts of a basic communication system comprised of several parts. This is fascinating because while our technologies change over time the process and parts of the system have not changed since the phonograph. 

This shows the parts of the cycle, and this works for many things in everyday life like how we receive tv signals as seen in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFypCugyFoM

This video is interesting because it makes sense of something that most people take for granted, and seeing of it works can allow for more appreciation.