The Design Fort DTP wrote: Most computer applications are simulations of one kind or another, word processors, spreadsheets, drawing programs, even a desktop GUI. Analog computers are the masters of the art of simulation, but they are not used for mundane simulations like these. Analog Computers run mathematical simulation of physical systems. Everything from the decay of subatomic particles to the interaction of two colliding galaxies. Do you want to: * See the results of a chemical reaction? * Test the design of an automobile tire? * Study the effects of pollution on a fish population? * Model blood flow through an organ? * Understand the effects of lowering the interest rate? * Fine tune the design of the Space Shuttle main engine? * Control flooding on a major river? * Explore new types of music? All of these are physical systems governed by mathematical equations. Analog computers are PURELY parallel and can run programs slower than real time, real time or faster than real time. Simulations can be halted at any point and all aspects of the simulation can be examined. Changes can then be made and the simulation can then be continued from the point it was halted or restart from the beginning. So, analog computers can not only simulate a fixed systems, but can also test 'what if' cases very easily. Analog computers can be a hardwired special purpose type or flexible general purpose type. The EC-1 with only nine amplifiers can be limiting in the size of simulations it will handle. But analog computers don't have the compatibility and the connectivity problem of digital computers. Ten EC-1s could be connected together to form an EC-1 with 90 amplifiers. The only problem would be if more than 9 integrators were used then a slight modification would have to be made to each EC-1 using an integrator to allow one EC-1 to control the mode. An EC-1 can also be directly connected to another brand of analog computer. No problem other than the mode control of integrators. The lure of the EC-1 is that it a inexpensive and compact example of vacuum tube computing. The world is analog. The human mind is analog. Digital computers make a nice hobby, and work just fine for tasks composed of sequential steps, but they are just an over hyped fad. --Doug ========================================= Doug Coward @ home in Poulsbo, WA Analog Computer Online Museum and History Center http://dcoward.best.vwh.net/analog =========================================