CommuniCrossings Software for Mobile Learning and Communication

Course Description

Future?? see Course Topics discussion below
2010 Fall; Ashland; Course#16
2011 Winter; Medford; Course#77
Course URL: http://communicrossings.com/olli-course-evolution-internet

When and why did the Internet and World Wide Web arise? How do web sites work? What’s next? The course will highlight milestones in the 40+ year history of the Internet (20 years for the Web), examine underlying technologies & applications, and discuss emerging trends and issues. The course will include lectures, web videos, live web sites and Q&A. For more details about course prerequisites and topics, see next sections.

About the Instructor

Steve Weyer first discovered his computer obsession at Seattle's 1962 World's Fair. Steve has 40+ years experience with computer software. He first used the Internet (then, Arpanet) at Stanford University in 1972. During the 1970s and 1980s, he did Research&Development in Silicon Valley at Stanford, Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center), Atari, Hewlett-Packard and Apple on programming languages, education environments, electronic books and artificial intelligence. During the 1990s, Steve consulted on enabling technologies for pharmaceutical research; in 1996, he developed a web browser -- “Newt’s Cape” -- (which is still used) for the Newton MessagePad (Apple’s iPad precursor), and other applications for handhelds and early smartphones. After Steve moved to Ashland in 2006 (after first visiting in mid-70s), he’s been developing web sites for non-profits, participating in Ashland Macintosh Users Group (AshMUG), and enjoying non-technical activities such as hiking, rock climbing, reading, theater, improv comedy, volunteering, and OLLI classes; Steve has taught CROSSWORDS and YOU and e-books at OLLI (and may offer other courses).

Course Topics

After offering this course twice, I will probably not offer it again in its current format (see Introduction and other sections for its past organization and scope) -- too all-encompassing, overwhelming and difficult to update. Instead, I will likely offer more focused courses (which may reuse some of these topics and materials): e.g., electronic books (e-books); internet issues (community lecture); computer security/backup (maybe, if there were a co-instructor); Internet History (maybe; first section only from this course (~2 sessions), with a few additions: list of major new tech developments/social issues -- but how useful without details and discussion?); other specific technology or issues? Let me know what you think.

[updated: 14-Mar-2011] [.pdf]