Ghost in the machine

The question came up as what is an abuse of technology and who decides. I have an opinion, but only my perception to substantiate my claims and ravings.

I would say that Technology and communications technology particularly should serve the common good. Meaning that if it can enrich human relationships and save lives than it should be brought to light. My point in meantioning mr. K. Federline is that no one should be told that you are breaking up in a text message. That is a a very unfeeling way to end a very personal relationship. I will say that this kind of thing is only going to get worse as more and more people are socialized in the Web.

Use technology productively and enrich your life and the lives of those around you. There are plenty of carnivals out there, have some dignity and respect. For people and for Technology. It is a very big world.

Pierre

Questions Answered

I am making one post out two questions in part because they are interwoven, parts of the same question as I see it.

What did it do for accountants and engineers and why didn't it print. ( How does it work and what does it do?) So here is my answer after some research.

The Difference Engine did not print anything because like our modern microcomputers it needed a printer. The printer was to be part of another redesign. His designs for the Anaylitical Engine opened up more possibilities for engineers and statisticians.

"This is interesting, but even more interesting is the fact that if you form a polynomial that approximates (or interpolates) a function (say the sine function), the Difference Engine will evaluate the (sine) function to arbitrary accuracy (such as 15 digits). This is useful in making those boring trig tables so necessary before hand held calculators. The British needed accurate trig and other tables for navigation of their sea going merchant and naval vessels. They were very interested in such developments and machines in the 1600s through the 1800s.

Babbage had investigated errors in navigational and astronomical tables, and realized that both correct computation and printing were needed. So the second part of his Difference Engine was a type-setting machine, which reduced the probability of human error to a minimum."

http://www.sff.net/people/gunn/dd/index.htp

http://www.ftldesign.com/Babbage/index.htm

http://ed-thelen.org/bab/bab-intro.html

Please let me know if you have any other info.

Pierre