22 Feb
2009
22 Feb
'09
8:03 a.m.
Evan Koblentz wrote:
Otehr than how much its operator turns the crank, the
A.D. does not have any variable input. So I say it's not actually
"computing" anything because no matter what you do, its output is fixed.
It's important to put it into perspective--you can debate for hours if
you don't first use the proper context related to computing design.
Each time a gear turns, it _is_ 'calculating.'
The amount of turns is your 'variable input'
You, the person, are the 'computer'
Remember the room full of ladies slaving over the adding machines
<http://tinyurl.com/cmwnfk>--they were the 'computers'--not the adding
machines.
e.g. step.1:Enter data, step.2:Calculate Data, step.4:Store Data,
step.5:Repeat,
Although, building a replica is a good challenge.
You need very good detailed plans of the design--which should be "open
source"
=Dan
--
[ = http://www2.applegate.org/~ragooman/ ]