Blog #5

Manovich recognizes the progress in hardware helped shift computers to become a “new engine” of culture. But the more important thing is software made for non-technical users. Software became easier for anyone to use.

The inventors of computational media are Liicklider, Sutherland, Nelson, Engelbart, Kay, Negroponte. We don’t hear about these inventors because it was a gradually change. We also do not hear about them because as Manovich says “history of cultural software does not yet exist.” This is a history that has not been recorded.

The invention of software from the 1960’s to 1980’s has spawned an experimental, unfixed and democratic visual culture. We are continuously coming up with new ideas to make software better. Jacky brings up the point that she disagrees with Manovich statement saying users tend to forget older versions of software. I think this is partly true. I have yet to forget about CS3 because is is the current software I use, but I cannot remember the last changes Facebook has made. Once the user has officially upgraded to the new software, they forget about the older versions.