CS 10 -- Computers, Society, and Thought                     Midterm test 
October 18, 1996         

Closed book and notes.  Turn in your answers by 10:15am, either on paper
or by e-mail to allen@polar.  Answer any four (4) of the first five questions,
and optionally question 6 (which may be handed in anytime before noon).  

(Remember that the quality of your writing, in addition to your mastery of the
issues, is an important part of this test.)  In each case, assume the reader
is a classmate, and somewhat of a troglodyte (but surely not a luddite!).

1.  What is the meaning of the following hypothesis.  ³RSI is symptomatic of a
larger problem.²  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

2.  Computers and network technology have changed the workplace and the nature
of work in many ways.  Identify three specific changes of this sort, and
discuss whether each change has been positive or negative.

3.  Telephony, Datacom, and TV/Cable are the three major industries
participating in the effort to globalize the Internet.  What are these three,
what does each one contribute, and what specific limitation prevents each one
from dominating the other two in this effort?

4.  ³Computers have had little or no significant impact on K-12 education.² 
Do you agree?  Why or why not?

5.  The structure of the computer industry changed dramatically in the mid-to-
late 1980s.  Briefly identify that structure, both before and after this
change.  How does the new structure directly affect the way you use computers
today?



6.  (optional, take-home until noon today)  How has this course met, or failed
to meet, your expectations so far this semester?  What changes would make it
better?