Babbage, A Look Back 261
A reader writes "System Toolbox just started a new computer history section in an effort to get us geeks in touch with our "roots." The current article in the monthly column focuses on Charles Babbage. The editor and author hope to raise awareness of our past so that scenes like this won't continue to take place. A big hill to climb, but worth the effort."
Good Historical Overview (Score:3, Informative)
Quote by Ken Thompson: (Score:5, Informative)
The quote by Ken Thompson at the bottom of the article referenced in the Slashdot story is from a very interesting speech, Reflections on Trusting Trust [acm.org].
Here is the quote:
"I have watched kids testifying before Congress. It is clear that they are completely unaware of the seriousness of their acts. There is obviously a cultural gap. The act of breaking into a computer system has to have the same social stigma as breaking into a neighbor's house. It should not matter that the neighbor's door is unlocked. The press must learn that misguided use of a computer is no more amazing than drunk driving of an automobile."
What should be the Response to Violence? [hevanet.com]
Re:wasn't it because of babbage... (Score:2, Informative)
Don't think so... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Isaac Newton or Cave Man (Score:3, Informative)
Reading List (Score:2, Informative)
For some nice hacker (i.e. cracker and phreaker) history, I'd suggest Approaching Zero by Brian Clough and Paul Mungo.
Re:Isaac Newton or Cave Man (Score:3, Informative)
Nope - this is (probably) a fallacy. See this [newton.org.uk] for the details.
Re:Isaac Newton or Cave Man (Score:3, Informative)
So the real message is more of a flame of Hooke, yet most people consider it some great admission of humility.
In case you missed it, I must refer you to another post [slashdot.org] by pmc in this thread that points to an very interesting article [newton.org.uk] that refutes your conclusion fairly decisively.
Re:It's a matter of size. (Score:1, Informative)