Standards
If modern computing was born with the first electronic computer, incompatibility was born with the second. Computing was conceived of as a better way to process information, and distributed computing was conceived of as a better way to share information. But the vision of distributed computing depends on the unspoken assumption that computers can operate efficiently together to share information.
Unfortunately, the assumption of interoperatability hasn’t been supported by the realities of today’s computing. Computing is still a world made up of many technical directions, product implementations, and competing vendors. This diversity is causing growing problems as computers and networks proliferate. It is ironic that the real effect of computing is too often to prevent the sharing of data.
[John W. Donovan, Senior Editor, Byte Magazine, November 1991, Special Issue on Interoperability]
So aren’t you glad that, 17 years later, we’ve put this problem behind us.
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The Programmer
The computer programmer is a creator of universes for which he alone is the lawgiver. No playwright, no stage director, no emperor, however powerful has exercised such absolute authority to arrange a stage or field of battle and to command such unswervingly dutiful actors or troops.
[ Joseph Weizenbaum]
Neither has any playwright so frequently lost the plot.
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The Home PC
Home computers are being called upon to perform many new functions, including the consumption of homework formerly eaten by the dog.
[Doug Larson]
It’s yet another extraordinary advance conferred on humanity by the IT industry – a truly plausible excuse for our school children: Microsoft ate my homework.
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Ahead of its Time
“Wanted: Expert Java programmers, 5+ years experience.”
[Advert Posted in 1998]
Very forward looking. Java was born in 1994.
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BSOD
We build our computer systems the way we build our cities: over time, without a plan, on top of ruins.
[Ellen Ullman, Programmer turned novelist]
And our cities and computer systems thrive nevertheless.
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See also:
10 IT Quotes From The Wise
10 More IT Quotes from the Wise
Yet Another 10 IT Quotes From The Wise
10 IT Quotes – The Delicious Irony of Bill Gates
The full list of IT Quotes postings
~ Thomas Jefferson
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