CPSC 110-08: Computing on Mobile Phones
Spring 2012
Reading: Blown to Bits, Chapter 4
Due: Friday, 4/6 (before class)

CS Principles

This activity addresses the concept that programming is a creative process. It focuses, in part, on the following learning objective:

Reading Assignment

Read Chapter 4 of Blown to Bits (50 pages). This chapter talks about Google and Search and how the Google phenomenon has changed our lives.

Reading Questions

Post answers to the following questions on a Portfolio page. We will discuss these in class.

  1. p. 117: "The architecture of human knowledge has changed as a result of search." What does this claim mean? Do you agree?

  2. When you type a word or phrase into the Google search engine, does it search the web? Explain.

  3. Think of a number between 1 and 100. If you tell me "too high" or "too low" I can guess the number in 7 guesses. How come?

  4. p. 144: "Google emerged -- from this dilemma at least -- with its pocketbooks overflowing and its principles intact." Do you agree?

  5. What do you think about the differences between Figure 4.10 and Figure 4.11?

Portfolio

Your answers to the above questions should be recorded on a new portfolio page. Name it "Blown to Bits, Ch4" or something similar.