CSE 120: Computer Science Principles

Living Computers Museum Report

Due: Must be submitted on Canvas by the end of March 2.

Goals

  • Explore and interact with computing in various forms.
  • Experience some history of computers, and think about how computing has evolved over time.

FYI...

This information is also available in a printable format (PDF) if you would like to bring a copy with you to the museum and in an editable format (Word) if you would like to type up your responses later.

Living Computers Museum Report

Please read through this document carefully before you visit the museum so that you have a good idea of what to do and look out for while you are there. This assignment is mostly meant to be done as a reflection of your visit, so just enjoy yourself while you are there and try to soak in the experience!

Museum Info

Website: http://www.livingcomputers.org/
Hours: Mondays & Tuesdays : Closed
Wednesday - Sundays : 10am - 5pm
FIRST THURSDAYS : 10am - 8pm (FREE 5pm - 8pm)
Cost: Your admission has already been paid for you!
We'll hand out admission tickets in lecture.
Travel: https://goo.gl/maps/McUM1ZWMqVn
There is a small, free parking lot for visitors if you have access to a vehicle.
15 min walk from SODO Link station.
The primary bus routes nearby are 21, 594, 132, 106, 50, 102, 590, and 116.

Part 1: Favorite Exhibit

  1. Take a photo of yourself (can be in a group of students) with your favorite exhibit.
  2. What was interesting about that particular exhibit and what about it appealed to you?

Part 2: Computer History

Pick a vintage computer on the upper floor and take a photo of it while you are at the museum. Try using the computer while you are there! Feel free to ask a staff member to help you out.

Look up the hardware specs for both the vintage computer and your current phone (use your personal computer or a lab computer if you do not own a smartphone) and fill out the comparison chart below:

  Vintage Computer My Device
Product Name    
Year Released    
Processor Speed    
Maximum Graphics Resolution    
Cost (when initially released)    
Dimensions (roughly)    
  • Does your vintage computer have a graphical user interface (GUI) or text-based interface?
  • How would you get external data onto the vintage computer?
    • What type of disks does it accept?
    • Can it connect to the Internet? If so, how?
  • What surprised you about using the vintage computer? What was most frustrating?
  • If you had to use the vintage computer for a day instead of your device, what do you think you would miss the most and why?

Part 3: Modern Tech Exhibit Reflection

The following questions are based on the Modern Tech exhibits found on the first floor. CHOOSE ONE of the prompts below and respond to it and its follow-up question(s) in about two paragraphs (content quality matters more than quantity).

  • Robotics:  The museum exhibits showcased different robots for different purposes (e.g. telepresence robots for accessibility). Of existing robots that you've heard of (e.g. drones, delivery bots, Roombas), which would be most useful to you on a daily basis and why?
    • How much would you realistically be willing to pay for such a service?
  • Augmented Reality:  Virtual reality devices have been imagined since the 1950s and yet only now seems to be (maybe) commercially-viable. Based on your experience at the museum, what technological or cultural reasons do you think have prevented VR headsets from becoming more popular?
    • Do you think virtual reality (VR) speed-dating will ever become popular? Why or why not?
  • Artificial Intelligence:  What objects and orientations did you try on the Deep Visualization Toolbox? Numerically, how accurate was it at identifying the objects?
    • Would you be willing to let a robot using this computer vision to do your shopping for you? Why or why not?
  • Big Data:  Name one piece or type of data that you regularly generate on your cell phone. What conclusions (or graphs/charts) might someone be able to generate if they had access to that data from millions of people’s cell phones across the world?
    • What obligation do you think companies should have regarding the release of statistics generated from their user bases?
  • Self-Driving Cars:  How did you feel about the lack of control during the self-driving car simulation? How might your feelings have changed if the car was instead driving you around UW campus or the Ave around 12:25 pm (in-between class periods)?
    • What safety or performance guarantees would you need before using one regularly?
  • Digital Studio:  As seen in the exhibits, digital art allows the artist to incorporate user interaction. What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of digital art versus a more traditional, "fixed format" like paintings?
    • Where/how would you draw the line between digital art and video games?

Submission

  • Read through the rubric carefully on the Assignment Page so you know what we will be checking for.
  • Use a rich text editor to include your photos and responses to the different parts of this assignment, then submit your report (in PDF).
    • Make sure to include your name and time and date of your museum visit.
    • Make sure to copy the questions prompts into your report.