Category: Digital Transformation

From Mainframe to AI

While watching the Google Next 2023 Keynote Live streaming, which featured numerous impressive AI product announcements, I was reminded of my early experiences with computing. The Timehop app popped up an image of the IBM 360, the first computer I ever used to run programs decades ago.

The evolution from mainframe computers to advanced AI systems operating on cloud platforms has been remarkable. I can’t wait to see the future developments in this ever-evolving field.

(I captured this photograph during a visit to the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. It is my conviction that every IT professional should experience this museum at least once in their career.)

AI 2041

Instead of believing in the marketing hype of generative AI, it’s important to understand what AI is, what AI can do, and what likely we will see by year 2041. Mr. Kai-Fu Lee’s AI 2041 is really a good read with all sorts of different AI use case scenarios. Highly recommended.

It’s also a dream came true to have Mr. Kai-Fu Lee’s “digital” signature with my Kindle Scribe in an AI event !

Favourite PC database software

About 35 years ago, when everyone got their “copies” of dBase and Clipper in Hong Kong’s Golden Arcade, I purchased the Foxbase. The package came with foam can coolers to thank the supporters.

That’s the path I went thru to earn some extra cash in the good old days. What about yours ?

dBase II > dBase III > Clipper > dBase IV > FoxBase > FoxPro > Visual FoxPro > FileMaker > FileMaker Pro

“Nothing runs like the fox.”

New Technologies for New Problems

People told me before Personal Computer could not do something like their mini-computers.

People told me before Internet could not transport information like their Client / Server network.

People told me before Cloud Computing could not be as secure as their own data centers.

People told me before NoSQL or DLT could not manage data like their own RDBMS.

They didn’t tell me though, they actually needed new technologies to solve new problems.