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[Dutch computer domestication, 1975-1990].
1Technische Universiteit Eindhoven. f.c.a.veraart@tue.nl
Studium (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
|May 17, 2012
Summary
The domestication of computers in Dutch households evolved through intermediary actors, from hobbyists to
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- History of Technology
- Cultural Studies
Context:
- Examines the gradual integration of computers into Dutch households.
- Highlights the role of various intermediary actors in this process.
- Traces the evolution from early technophile hobbyists to broader adoption.
Purpose:
- To analyze the historical development of computer appropriation in households.
- To understand the influence of intermediary actors on user behavior and preferences.
- To explain contemporary Dutch computer use patterns through historical analysis.
Summary:
- Early computer adoption was driven by hobbyists who imported technology and fostered a culture of sharing and gaming.
- National 'Information Society' policies and 'private-PC' projects accelerated household computerization, shifting focus to office interoperability.
- The standardization on IBM compatible PCs, combined with existing software-copying habits, facilitated the spread of computer viruses, necessitating new intermediary roles in user education.
Impact:
- Intermediary activities profoundly shaped contemporary computer use and user preferences in Dutch households.
- Historical technical choices and user behaviors continue to influence current digital practices.
- Understanding these historical dynamics is crucial for explaining current Dutch household computer usage.
