New Book Helps People Understand Algorithms and AI

Seven Brief Lessons on Computing drops today in the US and UK. A radio appearance, a blog post, and lots of press releases the last 24 hours. Here’s one version of what went out. It might help any one who needs help writing news releases.

For Immediate Release

Springdale, MD, February 27, 2026 – William Mapp, Chief Technology Officer of Qlarant, an Easton healthcare technology company, announced the release of Seven Brief Lessons on Computing his latest title helping readers understand computers in a technology driven world.

Mapp announced the book’s release on First News 570, an Asheville, North Carolina radio news program. “If you or someone you know is confused about technology or want to know more about how it’s used, this book is for you,” said Mark Starling, First News’ host and writer of the book’s foreword.

Meant to be enjoyed by new and power users alike, Seven Brief Lessons guides readers from the dawn of computing to today’s most advanced algorithms and AI technologies. William engages readers with wit and doesn’t use jargon explaining how computers, algorithms, and AI works.

“We have always needed to count and compare things,” said Mapp, “I start a technologythe book with a story featuring an abacus.” During the First News segment Mapp shared his inspiration for writing the book and how he wants to help people find success by understanding technology. “I like helping people win, and I’m often asked to explain how technology works.” 

Seven Brief Lessons on Computing breaks down computer technology into its smallest pieces in seven easy to read chapters. Each chapter is dedicated to one aspect of computers. He uses associations to make topics easy to understand like comparing a computer’s main chip to the human brain. Later chapters in the book explain how algorithms work, helping to explain why social networks mysteriously show your web searches in their feed. Mapp serves as a guide and closes with explaining how AI works. “I wrote this book so people can feel empowered and make technology work for them,” Mapp says to First News on 570 listeners.

Seven Brief Lessons on Computing is available today at Barnes and Noble and many other booksellers. Readers can purchase the book online at Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com. UK readers can purchase the book at Waterstones.com and in Waterstones bookshops. Other press related inquiries can be directed to Kagiso Dipale-Amani (email) at Austin Macauley Publishers, Inc.

About the Author

William Mapp, a native son of Painter, Virginia and 1999 graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore,is eager to spread knowledge and help people learn. He seeks to inspire with wit, humor, and humility, by sharing his experiences running businesses that build advanced technology. He’s a dynamic speaker who has inspired and entertained for SAP Insider, Minority Innovation Weekend, EYECON, the National Retail Federation, RFID Journal, Blerdcon, and non-profits and universities. William isHe’s an award-winning technologist with trademarks, copyrights, and patents attributed to him. Over 1 billion people have used or been impacted by products he’s created. Over the years he has served as radio host, technology analyst, podcast guest, and has written three books.

Seven Brief Lessons Available for Pre-Order!

It’s been a long time coming, but Seven Brief Lessons on Computing is available for Pre-Order!

The release date is February 27th, and available everywhere books are sold!

If you’ve ever felt confused by technology, this is the book for you! I’ll guide you through 7 entertaining and easy reading lessons about computer technology from beads to binary.

You’ll put the book down ready to take on a world filled with algorithms and AI bots!

Order it today!

Ticketmaster Wants to Know If You’re Sick, Apple Tells Intel: ‘It’s not You, It’s Me’, SEGA Sells Arcade Operating Business

Apple Debuts M1, Tells Intel It’s not You, It’s Me

It’s Thursday! It’s been a wild and rough work week and I need a drink. Here’s another week of tech talk with Mark Starling and the First News 570 crew. This week, Ticketmaster wants to use apps to figure out if you’ve gotten your COVID shot, SEGA sells a big chunk of arcade operating business signaling the end of an era, after years of building processors for its phones Apple announces its first processor for Mac, and Wal-Mart announces pilot robo-delivery service in Scottsdale using autonomous driving vehicles. You can listen to Mark and I point and laugh while talking about the wild and crazy technology world every Thursday morning, LIVE at 6:43am Eastern.

TICKETMASTER PLANS TO USE HEALTH PASSES SO SHOW CAN GO ON

Excited to get performers back onstage after Pfizer’s COVID-19 announcement, Ticketmaster, the company that charges 100% fee for tickets, announced plans to use third party health information applications to provide information on whether or not a ticket purchaser has been vaccinated against COVID-19. Fans wanting to see a live show will have to verify that they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 after purchasing their ticket. (I read that a few times, with Ticketmaster, it’s always after the ticket has been purchased) The purchaser will have to provide some information to Ticketmaster that will allow them to retrieve data from CLEAR Health Pass, IBM Digital Health Pass, or information provided by LabCorp or CVS Minute Clinic. Ticketmaster will be using digital ticketing (there goes souvenirs) and its SmartEvent technology to lower the chance of spreading the virus. Ticketmaster plans to roll out these plans in 2021 provided we’re in a better place with the pandemic.

IN SIGNAL OF DEPARTURE, APPLE ANNOUNCES NEW CHIP FOR MACS

This week, Apple announced a new microprocessor named the M1 for Macs. The new microprocessor is a system on a chip (SoC) which includes an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and a 16-core neural engine microprocessor to be used for artificial intelligence processing. Combining all of these discrete components results in more performance while consuming less power according to Apple. Apple is using a new 5-nanometer manufacturing process which results in 16 billion transistors on the chip. Apple’s new chip is a signal for parting with Intel as it reduces their dependency on the processor supplier. Oh, and they brought back the PC guy.

HIT BY COVID-19 HARD, SEGA SELLS OFF ARCADE OPERATING BUSINESS

In August, we reported how SEGA had closed the Akihabara, an iconic arcade which had served as a nerd mecca in Tokyo. SEGA had closed the Akihabara because COVID-19 forced players to stay home. SEGA has announced that it will be selling an 85.1% stake in its arcade operating business to Genda, a Tokyo company specializing in arcade rentals. Genda will take control of the arcades and operate them, but they will still have the SEGA name and branding. SEGA had over 200 arcades operating in Japan before the sale.

WAL-MART CRUISES IN SCOTSSDALE WITH ROBO DELIVERY SERVICE

Wal-Mart is partnering with General Motors owned Cruise in offering robo-delivery services in Scottsdale, Arizona. Wal-Mart will be offering the services as a pilot and hasn’t specified how many cars will be in the robo-delivery fleet. Wal-Mart has partnered with Ford, Nuro, Udelv, and Waymo autonomous driving companies in a bid to get ahead of the anticipated $100 billion food-at-home delivery market by 2025.

Microsoft Defeats Zombies, El Goog Stands Against #datRONA, and Prayer via e-Rosary

Google’s Doing It’s Best Keeping #datRONA News Relevant

I promise I’m going to get better at this. It’s been three weeks in a row, and a third blog post. If it’s Thursday, it’s tech time with Mark Starling, so grab your cup o’ Uncle Joe, fold up the newspaper, and let’s talk about what’s happening in the tech world. This week features Microsoft and El Goog doing their thing, and the Catholic Church releases a tech device.

You can listen live to our segment on Thursday mornings at 6:43 Eastern by tuning into First News 570, by downloading the iHeartRadio app, or listening online.

Black Twitter never disappoints, and #datRONA has been added to my lexicon. 🙂

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