Quotes from Ellen Ullman

Closed environments dominated the computing world of the 1970s and early '80s. An operating system written for a Hewlett-Packard computer ran only on H.P. computers; I.B.M. controlled its software from chips up to the user interfaces.

Introduced in the 1960s, multitasking is an engineering strategy for making computers more efficient. Human beings are the slowest elements in a system.

Staring prejudice in the face imposes a cruel discipline: to structure your anger, to achieve a certain dignity, an angry dignity.

'I am not adopted; I have mysterious origins.' I have said that sentence many times in the course of my life as an adopted person.

I think technical people now should learn literature, because literature teaches you a great deal about how - the depths and variety of human imagination.

The computer's there to serve the human being, not vice versa.

We build our computer (systems) the way we build our cities: over time, without a plan, on top of ruins

Abhorring error is not necessarily positive.

I feel the best villains are the ones you have feelings for.

When you lose your Visa card, you get a new card with a new number, and any new charges with the old number are blocked. Why can't we do the same with Social Security numbers?

All things change, but we always have to think: what are we leaving behind?