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Microsoft's "Immortal Computing" Project

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the beyond-the-grave dept.

SeenOnSlash writes "Microsoft is working on a project they call 'immortal computing' which would let people store digital information in durable physical artifacts and other forms to be preserved and revealed to future generations, and maybe even to future civilizations. The artifacts would be designed to make the process of accessing the information clear with instructions in multiple languages or hieroglyphics. In one possible use, messages for descendants or interactive holograms might be stored on tombstones. The project was revealed when their patent application recently became public."

8 of 316 comments (clear)

  1. misread title by pimpimpim · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did anyone else also read 'immoral computing'? :)

    --
    molmod.com - computing tips from a molecular modeling
    1. Re:misread title by blowdart · · Score: 5, Funny

      I believe the internet has enough prior art to make immoral computing unpatentable.

      (But dear it's "art". Honestly. Pass the tissues)

  2. yeah, I went there by macadamia_harold · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft is working on a project they call 'immortal computing'

    As far as projects like this are concerned, there can be only one.

    --
    Push Button, Receive Bacon
  3. Re:A bit rich by MichaelSmith · · Score: 5, Funny

    They can sell upgrades to the dead.

    --
    http://michaelsmith.id.au
  4. Hubris? by kubrick · · Score: 5, Funny
    "My name is Ray Ozziemandias, king of kings:
    Look on my document formats, ye mighty, and despair!"
    Nothing beside remains: round the decay
    Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
    The lone and level sands stretch far away.
    (with abject apologies to P.B. Shelley.)
    --
    deus does not exist but if he does
  5. I can see it now... by maadlucas · · Score: 5, Funny

    2000 years later...

    Archaeologist A: Wow! A graveyard from the early 21st century, and it's perfectly preserved!

    Archaeologist B: An awesom find!

    A: I can't begin to imagine how much we can learn from this...

    B: Yeah... oh look! This one has a kind of primitive digital inscription!

    A: Can you activate it?

    B: Reconfiguring my power source now... ah yes...

    A: What is it?

    B: A strange message..

    A: What?

    B: "This gravestone has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. Would you like to tell Microsoft about this problem?"

    A: Who is Microsoft?

    1. Re:I can see it now... by chord.wav · · Score: 5, Funny

      Or:
      - "Hi there, I'm a Nigerian prince and I have something important to tell you: Buy V14GRA at the lowest rates and enlarge your pennis. 100% guaranteed!"

  6. Re:Yuh huh... by grand_it · · Score: 5, Funny
    More importantly, what we find interesting today, might be totally worthless to people in the future, while stuff we consider useless and boring could be immensely valuable.

    John?
    John Titor?
    Is it you?