I like what was written, and it is interesting, but I don't think that this will change much in terms of how computation is performed or perceived.
One of the earlier posters had something mentioned about it all being two dimensional... actually, a good way to look at computation is using what Turing devised - a one dimensional model of computation based upon a single tape.
In studying Turing Machines, the mathematical model based upon (potentially infinitely long) tapes is used extensively. Move the tape right, left, and modify what is under the head, for example, are the primitive operations. A set of functions defines how symbols are changed, and when computation halts, as well as the resulting halt state.
A basic examination of binary versus ternary systems, based on Turing Machines, and some (basic) complexity Theory...
In binary systems, computation trees build at the rate of 2^n, where n is the number of computational steps...
In a trinary system, we are looking at 3^n.
So, performance could be considered in terms of - I believe 3^n - 2^ n, i.e., polynomial, not exponential) differences in processing power.
But, any binary system could by used to -simulate- a 3^n system through the use of a (at worst polynomially larger) set of functions and / or chunkings of data (to represent the 3 states in binary, repeatedly). Also, necessary encodings could be performed by 'chuncking' the ternary data into blocks.
Polynomial gains are nice, but at best, we don't have an earth-shattering enhancement.
P.S. Some of this may be a bit rusty, so if anyone has a more concrete analysis or corrections, feel free...
I took a bunch of cs classes (CS undergrad, Masters in Software Engineering, Completed all CS Ph.D. coursework).
What I really saw was that - besides the odd course here and there, e.g. a networking class, where groups within the class might design a network (each using different requirements/models), group projects were pretty much limited (by definition) to being held within the Software Engineering courses or curriculum, where the focus is on methods and techniques for completing technical work in a group environment with limited resources. Unfortunately, if someone doesn't hold their own, it can also damage (F*ck up) the group.
Another issue is that unless the problems are original (they usually aren't), there is a limited number of ranges of possible solutions and implementations that are truly viable. Hmmmm how many different programs are there to do a quicksort of n integers with a given partitioning algorithm? Not that many that are really very different... The biggest problem for submitted projects that the University likely faces is probably people just submitting solutions that are letter-identical to previous submissions. Some professors have developed programs to identify how similiarly programs reflect previous submissions.
-- Sam Nitzberg
sam@iamsam.com
http//www.iamsam.com
Re:Some real reasons to be concerned about census.
on
Jedi == Religion In NZ
·
· Score: 1
IBM did ship to Holland IBM punch cards after Holland fell to the Germans. IBM New York was aware that its machines were used extensively for military and economic purposes by Germany, and that the authorities there had a great interest in IBM technology.
What seemed most vital to IBM NY was ensuring that IBM's European subsidiaries were in place and able to maintain a strong presence following the war, regardless of their application.
Well before the fall of Berlin, there were numerous sources and indications (e.g. New York Times) indicating that very bad things were happening.
My point (with respect to the original question) is that harm can come from census data
I also consider this book to be a very important, well-documented work.
Some real reasons to be concerned about census...
on
Jedi == Religion In NZ
·
· Score: 2
I have been reading a book that I will be reviewing : "IBM and the Holocaust : The Strategic Alliance Between Nazi Germany and
America's Most Powerful Corporation."
In Germany and Nazi-occupied countries, census data and Hollerith technology was used to very efficiently produce sorts on the populations; obviously, sorts based on "race" / religion were among the most common
Also, in the USA during WW II, census data and Hollerith technology were used to identify Japanese Americans who were to be interred.
I don't believe that there is a true need for religion to be listed among census data, and that only truly essential items should be incorporated into any census.
Sam Nitzberg
sam@iamsam.com
http://www.iamsam.com
Re:Isn't it illegal to deface US currency?
on
Making Small Change
·
· Score: 1
If you look at the http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/ch17.html it states "fraudulently".....
On the Disk II drives, a few copy protection methods were used, including writing at tracks at the end of the disk, and also writing in the "1/2 tracks." If you moved the head (I believe 1 track up), you had a sufficient gap that you could start using data offset by 1/2 track.
These and any other existing copy-protection features could have also been used to protect data from being read.
I will say however, that any of the methods that were used on these machines were broken within a "reasonably short" period of time."
Sam Nitzberg
sam@iamsam.com
http://www.iamsam.com
P.S. Any direct-replies to me : please send to : sam@iamsam.com
Slashdot Mirror
I like what was written, and it is interesting, but I don't think that this will change much in terms of how computation is performed or perceived.
One of the earlier posters had something mentioned about it all being two dimensional... actually, a good way to look at computation is using what Turing devised - a one dimensional model of computation based upon a single tape.
In studying Turing Machines, the mathematical model based upon (potentially infinitely long) tapes is used extensively. Move the tape right, left, and modify what is under the head, for example, are the primitive operations. A set of functions defines how symbols are changed, and when computation halts, as well as the resulting halt state.
A basic examination of binary versus ternary systems, based on Turing Machines, and some (basic) complexity Theory...
In binary systems, computation trees build at the rate of 2^n, where n is the number of computational steps...
In a trinary system, we are looking at 3^n.
So, performance could be considered in terms of - I believe 3^n - 2^ n, i.e., polynomial, not exponential) differences in processing power.
But, any binary system could by used to -simulate- a 3^n system through the use of a (at worst polynomially larger) set of functions and / or chunkings of data (to represent the 3 states in binary, repeatedly). Also, necessary encodings could be performed by 'chuncking' the ternary data into blocks.
Polynomial gains are nice, but at best, we don't have an earth-shattering enhancement.
P.S. Some of this may be a bit rusty, so if anyone has a more concrete analysis or corrections, feel free...
Sam Nitzberg
sam@iamsam.com
http://www.iamsam.com
I took a bunch of cs classes (CS undergrad, Masters in Software Engineering, Completed all CS Ph.D. coursework).
What I really saw was that - besides the odd course here and there, e.g. a networking class, where groups within the class might design a network (each using different requirements/models), group projects were pretty much limited (by definition) to being held within the Software Engineering courses or curriculum, where the focus is on methods and techniques for completing technical work in a group environment with limited resources. Unfortunately, if someone doesn't hold their own, it can also damage (F*ck up) the group.
Another issue is that unless the problems are original (they usually aren't), there is a limited number of ranges of possible solutions and implementations that are truly viable. Hmmmm how many different programs are there to do a quicksort of n integers with a given partitioning algorithm? Not that many that are really very different... The biggest problem for submitted projects that the University likely faces is probably people just submitting solutions that are letter-identical to previous submissions. Some professors have developed programs to identify how similiarly programs reflect previous submissions.
-- Sam Nitzberg
sam@iamsam.com
http//www.iamsam.com
What seemed most vital to IBM NY was ensuring that IBM's European subsidiaries were in place and able to maintain a strong presence following the war, regardless of their application.
Well before the fall of Berlin, there were numerous sources and indications (e.g. New York Times) indicating that very bad things were happening.
My point (with respect to the original question) is that harm can come from census data
I also consider this book to be a very important, well-documented work.
In Germany and Nazi-occupied countries, census data and Hollerith technology was used to very efficiently produce sorts on the populations; obviously, sorts based on "race" / religion were among the most common
Also, in the USA during WW II, census data and Hollerith technology were used to identify Japanese Americans who were to be interred.
I don't believe that there is a true need for religion to be listed among census data, and that only truly essential items should be incorporated into any census.
Sam Nitzberg sam@iamsam.com http://www.iamsam.com
Without fraudulent purpose, there is no offense.
Sam Nitzberg
http://www.iamsam.com
sam@iamsam.com
On the Disk II drives, a few copy protection methods were used, including writing at tracks at the end of the disk, and also writing in the "1/2 tracks." If you moved the head (I believe 1 track up), you had a sufficient gap that you could start using data offset by 1/2 track.
These and any other existing copy-protection features could have also been used to protect data from being read.
I will say however, that any of the methods that were used on these machines were broken within a "reasonably short" period of time." Sam Nitzberg
sam@iamsam.com
http://www.iamsam.com
P.S. Any direct-replies to me : please send to : sam@iamsam.com