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New Clues for Antikythera Mechanism

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the there-is-a-season-turn-turn-turn dept.

fuzzybunny writes "The Register reports that British and Dutch scientists located a previously undetected word on the Antikythera Mechanism which seems to confirm its nature as a tool for astronomical prediction. This device is one of the world's first known geared devices; while its purpose is still not 100% clear, according to the article, 'Athens university researcher Xenophon Moussas is reported as saying the "newly discovered text seems to confirm that the mechanism was used to track planetary bodies."'"

15 of 183 comments (clear)

  1. Its an analog computer... by voss · · Score: 1, Funny

    but does it run linux? ;-)

    1. Re:Its an analog computer... by joeyspqr · · Score: 2, Funny

      ... and then build a Beowulf cluster?

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      +1 fashionably cynical
    2. Re:Its an analog computer... by gbobeck · · Score: 3, Funny
      but does it run linux? ;-)


      Most likely, it runs NetBSD. The 2006.1 release of Gentoo Linux will support it too.
      --
      Navicula hydraulica plena anguilarum est. Omnes castelli tuus nostri sunt. Ed elli avea del cul fatto trombetta.
    3. Re:Its an analog computer... by siberian · · Score: 2, Funny

      I hear that compile times are a real bitch on this old hardware.

    4. Re:Its an analog computer... by gbobeck · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yeah... but the wait is worth it. Do all of the necessary optimizations and use the proper ricer gcc flags, and it will make that old hardware screaming fast.

      --
      Navicula hydraulica plena anguilarum est. Omnes castelli tuus nostri sunt. Ed elli avea del cul fatto trombetta.
  2. Art by Umbral+Blot · · Score: 4, Funny
    I've always been of the opinion that it was some sort of Greek modern art piece.
    Heraclitus: Don't you see the way the gears symbolize man's oppression by the machine?
    --

    Philosophy.
  3. 80 B.C. by Joebert · · Score: 3, Funny

    Wow.
    For somthing so old, it looks remarkably similar to my grandpops 1900s pocket watch.

    --
    Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
  4. The Word by StikyPad · · Score: 4, Funny

    For those wondering, the text they discovered was "...etarium Pat. Pending (1)"

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    https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  5. Obligatory by MrNougat · · Score: 2, Funny

    Best. Mechanism. Evar.

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    Web 2.0 == Giant Blogspam Circle Jerk
  6. English grammar by caitsith01 · · Score: 4, Funny

    The Register reports that British and Dutch scientists located a previously undetected word

    May I recommend the present perfect simple tense? I think you'll find that nuanced grammar adds a delightful twist to the English language.

    For instance:

    Slashdot contributors and editors have discovered that applying simple grammatical principles can significantly enhance their audience's comprehension of stories posted on the site

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    Read Pynchon.
  7. Re:I'm amazed by Nefarious+Wheel · · Score: 2, Funny
    Nobody who studies history today would use the term "Dark Ages" for instance. human progress never stopped, it may have slowed at times...

    Reminds me, I have to go finish my documentation...

    --
    Do not mock my vision of impractical footwear
  8. Re:What's new? by DrKyle · · Score: 2, Funny

    The thing they don't want leaked out is that the insciption actually says " (c)80 B.C. Piltar the gearmaker, all rights reserved". How he KNEW it was 80B.C. is anyones guess, what did they think they were counting down to?

  9. My God! by multimediavt · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's full of stars!

    Sorry, had to.

  10. Re:Not just the first known geared device by indifferent+children · · Score: 2, Funny
    This makes me wonder what future civilizations will think about all of these silicon squares (semiconductors) once we're gone. Jewelry?

    Obviously pieces of some elaborate boardgame. One player would be 'Intel', the other would be 'AMD'. The rules are not known to us, but we presume that they bear some resemblance to checkers. This theory is supported by the Pacific-Northwest legends of a tribe called 'G4m3ers'.

    --
    Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it. --Mark Twain
  11. Re:First Name by Lars+T. · · Score: 2, Funny

    Xenophon - sounds strange to me. No, really.

    --

    Lars T.

    To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck