00:00:00 - 00:45:00 In the first part of the YouTube video "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (1982)", Captain Grace Hopper reflects on the history of computing, particularly the importance of managing information flow and evaluating the value and cost of data. She shares anecdotes about her experiences in the Navy and her early career, emphasizing the importance of embracing new technologies and ideas, correct data, and problem-solving. Hopper also discusses the potential of computers to address societal challenges, such as agriculture and water management, and the need for small computers for administrative tasks. She shares a personal story about her determination to understand the fundamental concepts of computing technology and her innovative approach to learning. Throughout the video, Hopper encourages listeners to think critically, challenge the status quo, and prioritize the importance of data and information in designing future systems.
00:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)", Captain Grace Hopper reminisces about the history of computing, specifically the first large-scale digital computer in the United States, which was a Navy computer. She recalls how she has had to remind people that it was a Navy computer due to attempts by a certain junior service to claim credit for it. Hopkins also discusses the importance of identifiers in computer systems and shares anecdotes about being mistaken for an older person due to her white hair. She then reflects on the past and the impact of Henry Ford's invention of the Model T Ford, which led to the mass production of cars and subsequent developments such as roads, gas stations, and shopping centers. Hopkins expresses her concern that the computer industry is now at a similar turning point and could lead to even greater advancements. 00:05:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)", Captain Grace Hopper discusses the importance of managing information flow as a whole, rather than focusing solely on individual pieces of hardware or software. She uses the example of transportation infrastructure to illustrate the consequences of neglecting the bigger picture. In the context of microcomputers, Hopper warns that we risk repeating the same mistake by continuing to buy hardware and software without considering the underlying information flow. She also emphasizes the need to understand the value of information and how it is prioritized in decision-making processes. Hopper laments that no research has been done on the value of information and that the demand for instant access to it will only increase as the amount of data grows. She concludes by sharing anecdotes about the importance of reevaluating data management and prioritizing access to the most valuable information. 00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)", Captain Grace Hopper discusses the importance of evaluating the value and cost of information in designing future systems. She explains how records are being managed, with only the immediate past history being kept online while the rest is stored in batch. However, she notes that there is no research on the value of information within an organization and the need to determine the value and cost to design effective systems. Hopper proposes the idea of value and cost curves for information, suggesting that the value goes up sharply after an event and levels off, while the cost starts low and increases over time. She also mentions the potential cost of incorrect information, citing an example from Lieutenant Colonel Randleman at Maxwell Air Force Base, who discovered that incorrect information in a personnel file could result in legal action against the federal government. 00:15:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)", Captain Grace Hopper discusses the importance of correct data and the potential costs of incorrect information. She uses an example of a personnel file with 5% incorrect information, which could lead to negative decisions being made based on that incorrect data. The potential cost of these errors is significant, with damages and legal fees potentially totaling half a million dollars. Hopper argues that data and information should be the primary focus, as they are the raw material and output of data processing, rather than the hardware and software that process it. She laments that this has not been a priority in the past and expresses her determination to change that. The conversation then shifts to Hopper's early career and her experience with the first computer bug. 00:20:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)", Captain Grace Hopper shares an anecdote about her experience with problem-solving during her naval career. Despite being an ordinance officer, she found herself facing a problem related to fueling a task force at sea with minimum time. Having no prior knowledge about fueling ships, she approached the problem by thinking outside the box. She tried pumping oil from an oiler to a carrier, but it wasn't enough. She then extended the solution by pumping oil from the carrier to a destroyer and from the destroyer to a Corvette, eventually managing to fuel half a task force. However, she realized that this wasn't an efficient way to fuel ships at sea. The next problem involved scouting the Caribbean with a squadron of submarines using a random walk program. Although it was an interesting solution, it resulted in submarines cutting across each other and making U-turns. The third problem was to make a plan to take an island and review it in the light of all possible enemy actions and future events, as well as the cost of not carrying out the plan. Hopper emphasized the importance of reviewing plans critically and not basing them on outdated equipment and practices. She used the phrase "we've always done it that way" as a forbidden phrase in her office and encouraged her team to think creatively and challenge the status quo. 00:25:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)", Captain Grace Hopper emphasizes the importance of embracing new technologies and ideas, particularly in the context of computer installations. She shares her experience of persuading senior military officials to accept new technologies and encourages young people to persist in the face of initial rejection. Hopper recounts instances where young officers and enlisted personnel successfully implemented new technologies on their ships, leading to significant improvements in record-keeping and reporting. She encourages listeners to never take the first "no" as a definitive answer and to keep pushing for their ideas. Hopper also shares her own experience of subverting bureaucratic procedures to get things done and emphasizes the importance of listening to young people and embracing new technologies. 00:30:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)", Captain Grace Hopper recounts an instance where young enlisted men in the Navy identified issues with the computers in the Pacific fleet and built a new computer system in just four months using off-the-shelf components. The new system, which included a database management system, was set up as a micro-evaluation group and became a valuable resource for the Navy in determining which micro-computers to acquire. Hopper was impressed by the young men's technical knowledge and emphasized the importance of listening to them, as many older individuals had become too busy managing things to keep up with the latest technological developments. Hopper also reflected on the advancements in computing technology over the years, from the massive Mark 1 computer in 1944 to the CDC 6400s in 1964, and wondered what the next technological breakthrough might be. 00:35:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)", Captain Grace Hopper discusses the importance of computers in addressing various societal challenges, particularly in the areas of agriculture and water management. She highlights the need for advanced computing capabilities to improve long-term weather forecasting and increase food production by enabling farmers to make informed decisions based on accurate data. Hopper also mentions the growing concern over water management and the need for computers to help manage water supplies efficiently and fairly among different regions. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of small computers for administrative tasks, such as managing government reports for small towns and businesses. 00:40:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)," Captain Grace Hopper shares an anecdote about her early struggles with understanding the concept of small units of time in computing, such as milliseconds, microseconds, and nanoseconds. Hopper, known for her meticulous nature, questioned the definitions of these units and sought to understand their physical manifestations. Despite her inquiries, she was unable to obtain a tangible representation of these time units, leading her to call the engineering building and ask for a nanosecond. After receiving a nanosecond demonstration, she continued her quest for knowledge, requesting a microsecond and later a picosecond. Hopper's story illustrates her determination to understand the fundamental concepts of computing technology and her innovative approach to learning. 00:45:00 In this section of the 1982 YouTube video titled "Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One)", Hopper discusses the need for building systems of computers instead of relying on one large and expensive computer for greater power. Using history as an example, she explains that when heavy objects needed to be moved in the early days of the country, they didn't try to grow a bigger ox but instead used two oxen. Hopper argues that the same principle applies to computers, and when more power is needed, the solution is to get another computer. She also emphasizes the importance of common sense in problem-solving and mentions that mathematician George Polya wrote about using common sense in his problem-solving text. Hopper also shares her experience of trying to create three-dimensional flow charts for systems of computers using tinker toys but ran out of pieces and suggests ordering a chemistry set as a better solution to build models of systems of computers in three dimensions.