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Sacrificing Accuracy For Speed and Efficiency In Processors
Skudd writes "Modern computing has always been reliant on accuracy and correct answers. Now, a professor at Rice University in Houston posits that some future applications could be revolutionized by 'probabilistic computing.' Quoting: 'This afternoon, Krishna Palem, speaking at a computer science meeting in San Francisco, will announce results of the first real-world test of his probabilistic computer chip: The chip, which thrives on random errors, ran seven times faster than today's best technology while using just 1/30th the electricity. ... The high density of transistors on existing chips also leads to a lot of background "noise." To compensate, engineers increase the voltage applied to computer circuits to overpower the noise and ensure precise calculations. Palem began wondering how much a slight reduction in the quality of calculations might improve speed and save energy. He soon realized that some information was more valuable than other information. For example, in calculating a bank balance of $13,000.81, getting the "13" correct is much more important than the "81." Producing an answer of $13,000.57 is much closer to being correct than $57,000.81. While Palem's technology may not have a future in calculating missions to Mars, it probably has one in such applications as streaming music and video on mobile devices, he said.'
while i agree with you about the audible difference between lossy and lossless formats on a portable music player, the palatable difference between tap water, well water, and spring water (from the source, not bottled supposed-spring water) is huge.
i work in designated wilderness areas, and there is nothing like the taste of water that you can see coming out of the ground. even from spring to spring the taste varies greatly.
the best water in the world comes from the spring at tom taylor cabin, in the marble mountain wilderness, klamath national forest.
the united states is a nation of laws; badly written and randomly enforced -- frank zappa
Clearly you have only been exposed to some *very* nice tap water ;)
"linux is just DOS with a UNIX like syntax" -- Galactic Dominator (944134)
While you're correct about the portable media device, you can test people on tap water versus non-tap water and find some that clearly know when they're drinking tap water. (Chicago, for instance, has enough chlorine in the water that I'd be stunned if you couldn't tell.) Now, bottled water that was from a tap but has the chlorine filtered out, versus some heavily mineral-laden water? That's tougher. But claiming bullshit because you don't (or maybe can! but haven't tried) taste any difference between tap and well water is assuming more about other people than is justified.