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Triumph of the Nerds Part I


Technology today is something with which we can't live or stand being without. Many people do not know that is that everything regarding high order management, basic services, and complex control is brought to all of us towards computer systems.
Computer clubs of “nerds” in the 70’s and 80’s were a key factor in the revolution of modern computer science given by the fact that it was where the mathematical principles of logic and advanced operations made match with the tech in order to seek a personal approach to the dream of “do more” and do interesting things. Their enthusiasm and their desire of personal, portable and simpler versions of big mainframe computers, prevented computing from remain in the corporate closet.
This video documentary was an interesting insight into the beginning and the path of the computer-(science) industry in the last decades. It is very attractive to think that something that began as the “nerd’s pastime” became one of the biggest technological advancements of the 21’st century. Starting from the big and massive tube-based computers to smartphones and laptop-tablet hybrids and quantum computing, computing is still based on Alan Turing’s original idea.
I had not ever thought about the importance of spreadsheets. This kind of software which was one of a kind, and that we take for granted today that we have it. It is in fact not exciting in terms of design, but if we get deeper in its functionality, there’s where we have something, back then, having a tool that could make loads of tedious calculations in a matter of seconds was a game changer, especially for businesses. In my opinion VisiCalc and its successors still have a strong role in the adoption of desktop computers in the office and in consequence, at home and even in our pockets.

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