Assignemnt: Personal Computer Primary Sources
You should begin by skimming each of these three documents. In doing so, keep in mind the following questions:
- Who seems to be the intended audience of this material?
- What are the compelling features of the computing devices described in these documents? In other words, why would you buy one? What would you use it for?
- What would you have needed to know in order to appreciate or operate one? These could be technical skills, but could be other kinds of skill or knowledge.
After you have taken a closer look at the three documents, answer the following questions. Reference specific documents, and note the source (SGG=Silicon Gulch Gazette, APPLE = Apple II reference manual, PET = Commodore PET brochure) and page number. So, for example: (SGG, p. 9)
1) Identify four potential uses of or audiences for the personal computer as suggested in the Silicon Gulch Gazette that you find interesting or surprising. What is it that you find interesting/surprising?
2) Pick two advertisements from the Silicon Gulch Gazette. What are they selling? Who is the intended audience for the advertisements? Do not simply copy text. Think not only about the specific product that is being sold, but the larger vision/purpose of that product.
3) In the two-page advertisement for the Apple II, what strike you as the most compelling features of this new technology? In other words, why would anyone want one of these devices? Identify at least four and again, do not simply list the specific purpose. Try to step outside the specifics and ask the bigger question: what kind of technology is this new personal computer?
4) Skim through the reference manual for the Apple II. What skills might a potential user of the Apple II need to possess? Does the actual setup and use of the Apple II match the claims made in the advertisement? Why or why not? Simply from reading the manual, what do you think the average users thought their new personal computer was good for?
5) The scan of the Commodore PET brochure is not very high quality, but can you determine what PET stands for? If not, Google it and provide the answer.
6) What does Commodore seem to think are the compelling reasons to buy their personal computer. (Note that technical features, like having 8K of BASIC in Rom, are no by themselves compelling features. That is just a specification). Who does Commodore think will be the primary users (or groups) interested in their technology?
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.