BIT: From Chapter one: Data Processing and the IBM Mainframe

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The function, then the how.

A discussion beginning: State population totals were derived from individual census tract results by... would create a context. As a narrative strategy, reaching a goal is more organized, satisfying, than describing a process and giving the reason for doing the process along the way or at the end.

Another suggestion. The overarching purpose is - I think - to describe how the results of data processing became more and more useful for accounting tabulations. That use is identified along the way, but the emphasis on process marginalizes the purpose.

I remember a TV documentary on how something devised for one purpose is used for another, unanticipated purpose. Thus showing that no one can predict the impact of any given invention. It included the jacard loom's connection to the computer punch card.

You can see how that creates narratives within narratives, with the emphasis in the how description being placed on those aspects which could be applied to the later purpose.


I suggest that communicating technical information, especially to non-technical audiences who cannot be expected to love it, requires planning the presentation's entertainment value as much as the content.

Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 05/30/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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