Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Terminal & Visual Studio Code
Both Terminal and Visual Studio Code were foreign to me before this class. Terminal is automatically installed and yet I never thought to look at it, albeit if I had I would have had no clue where to start. It turns out it is really less scary and complicated than it looks as you learn the commands and the language to use it properly. We learned simple commands to begin navigating our Graphical User Interface and file system easier and faster. Terminal allows you to quickly create, organize, and view folders and files. In combination with Visual Studio Code, this allows for a cohesive and organized way to keep notes in class and to keep up with the computer science of it all. Terminal commands are all about memorization or having good command notes. Here is a list of commands we have learned thus far:
- cd
- pwd → to get into the home directory
- cd ~/Folder/ to change directories
- ls to get the contents
- ls -l to get a list view of contents
- cd ~ to get back home
- up arrow to go back to commands → goes through in reverse order
- mkdir – to create a folder
- name file press enter
- cd ~/folder name?
- touch file name → add file to folder
Women in Computer Science/ Broadband
Reading from Broadband also brought some really interesting, and important information about the history of technology and computer science. Broadband focuses heavily on women’s involvement in technology and the technological benefits we reap today. The origin of computers in general lies almost exclusively in the hands of women. Originally “computers” were just people who computed complex math equations using these machines. Early computers were incredibly different from the sleek and efficient models we see today. Then, they were large bulky machines that these women had to individually plug equations into. This was time-consuming and precise work. I felt it was unsurprising and yet fascinating to learn about the role of women in technology and the importance of women in the field. It is disappointing that this is not more mainstream history as we use technology in many aspects of our lives today. Due to gender disparity women’s contributions in the field were often overshadowed by men with more power and influence. Even despite their great work on computers and technology, women were pushed out of the way as men returned home from war. A field originally thought to be for women because of its attention to detail and intricate workings, became a job prioritized for men.
Computers & the Humanities
The humanities and computers intersect in a variety of ways. Computers are an essential tool in compiling and organizing collections of literature or pieces of history. Digital archives place tons of primary sources, research, analyses, and whatever other scholarly works you wish to read. The internet and computers make it possible for far more people to access history and literature through sources associated with libraries, schools, and colleges. This is important because it preserves history on a grander scale. It allows everyone to be able to research topics of their choice, read history they take an interest in, and seek outside points of view on a piece of literature they love. I think this is important to bolster curiosity and encourage people to understand and seek out information relating to the humanities.