The machine can theoretically have an infinite tape, it is just the creation of the infinite tape which is impossible. However it might be possible to build a pattern which generates tape faster that it is used. In fact I'm confident that such a pattern will be possible but I don't think the necessary bits have been found yet.
One slightly underhand way round this is to ask the observer to add the tape as needed. This means stopping time and adding a bit to the pattern then starting time. The machine will act the same if this bit was there before it started or added later and the procedure can be repeated until the observer gets bored.
Paul Rendell
P.S. The website HAS been \.ed out of existence. The server administration are trying to sort something out but that probability means waiting until this discussion has finished.
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The machine can theoretically have an infinite tape, it is just the creation of the infinite tape which is impossible. However it might be possible to build a pattern which generates tape faster that it is used. In fact I'm confident that such a pattern will be possible but I don't think the necessary bits have been found yet. One slightly underhand way round this is to ask the observer to add the tape as needed. This means stopping time and adding a bit to the pattern then starting time. The machine will act the same if this bit was there before it started or added later and the procedure can be repeated until the observer gets bored. Paul Rendell P.S. The website HAS been \.ed out of existence. The server administration are trying to sort something out but that probability means waiting until this discussion has finished.