reading notes on Unit 2: Computer Hardware (9/8)

Required Readings:

1) Computer Hardware: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware
2) Moore’s Law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore's_law
also the video http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=what-is-moores-law
3) Computer History Museum. http://www.computerhistory.org/

I got to know multiple physical components of computer software and wiki give us concise definitions of each typical pc hardware. Frankly speaking, I am a little surprised that we use Wiki to read about the basic computer knowledge as a future librarian. However, wiki is indeed a powerful tool for definitions, though I believe we could find many materials better than wiki's definitions.

Moore's Law says that" transistor density in integrated circuits doubles about every two years". Wiki talks many aspects about this law, I am a little confused about other formulations and similar laws, especially per unit cost, why some cost increase and some decrease? In a word. the explanation of Moore's law on wiki is very comprehensive. To know every details about the law, I need to go over it several times.

I feel that the website of ”Computer History Museum" is a precious resource for us to learn every aspects of computer. And Moore's law is also embraced by the website. The picture about changing transistors on microprocessor is a good example to demonstrate the law. This is great to me to understand the law. I saw some videos on youtube played by computer history museum, which is wonderful for us the learn the history of computers. And I will often log on the website from now on.