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Ten Weirdest Types of Computers

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the fringe-computing dept.

An anonymous reader writes to mention that New Scientist has a quick round-up of what they consider to be the ten weirdest types of computers. The list includes everything from quantum computers, to slime molds, to pails of water. "Perhaps the most unlikely place to see computing power is in the ripples in a tank of water. Using a ripple tank and an overhead camera, Chrisantha Fernando and Sampsa Sojakka at the University of Sussex, used wave patterns to make a type of logic gate called an "exclusive OR gate", or XOR gate."

10 of 163 comments (clear)

  1. It ain't ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    a computer if I can't get pr0n.

  2. The one at Unseen University by TheWoozle · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hex

    --
    Insisting on "correct" English is like saying that there is only one, definitive recipe for chili.
    1. Re:The one at Unseen University by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      +++ Divide By Cucumber Error. Please Reinstall Universe And Reboot +++

  3. Re:What about the weirdest computer of all? by ppc_digger · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm pretty sure Pinky is weirder.

    --
    Of all major operating systems, UNIX is the only one originally meant for gaming.
  4. Re:Why are these weird? by value_added · · Score: 3, Funny

    weird |wÉÉ(TM)d|

    Weird is trademarked?

    I'm in trouble.

  5. Re:What about the weirdest computer of all? by c6gunner · · Score: 4, Funny

    In his early Known Space stories collected in Tales of Known Space [amazon.com] Larry Niven forsaw a future 1975 (ha) where the brains of people managled in car accidents are integrated into spacecraft for guidance, allowing them to continue contributing to society even if their bodies are gone.
    Some idiot who can't even handle a car ends up causing a massive accident, and Niven wants to let him drive a spaceship? Great idea! What could possibly go wrong?

    On the bright side, I hear collisions at relativistic velocities are rather painless....
  6. Slime mold? by ibbie · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now I feel bad for eating all of those poor things in Nethack.

    --
    The wise follow a damned path, for to know is to be forsaken.
  7. Re:What about the weirdest computer of all? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    On the bright side, I hear collisions at relativistic velocities are rather painless....

    Are you sure? Thanks to time dilation, the moment of impact would take darn near forever!

  8. Re:Random chance cannot create complex systems by jd · · Score: 5, Funny
    Give me just one example of a complex system that was created by chance.

    Earth. Jupiter. Saturn. Alpha Geminorum. The Andromeda galaxy. The United States tax system.

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  9. Re:Random chance cannot create complex systems by tsjaikdus · · Score: 2, Funny

    >> You're saying things like a watch can be created by accident?

    No, making a watch involves a designer.

    However, the designer can be created by accident.