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by francis_2004

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i want to know about computers

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by maxwell edison

"Quantum Physics" is pure theory - at least at this point in humanoid development.

However, "Quantum Theory" is the theoretical basis of modern physics that explains the nature and behavior of matter and energy on the atomic and subatomic level.In 1900, physicist Max Planck presented his quantum theory to the German Physical Society. Planck had sought to discover the reason that radiation from a glowing body changes in color from red, to orange, and, finally, to blue as its temperature rises. He found that by making the assumption that energy existed in individual units in the same way that matter does, rather than just as a constant electromagnetic wave - as had been formerly assumed - and was therefore quantifiable, he could find the answer to his question. The existence of these units became the first assumption of quantum theory.

Planck wrote a mathematical equation involving a figure to represent these individual units of energy, which he called quanta. The equation explained the phenomenon very well; Planck found that at certain discrete temperature levels (exact multiples of a basic minimum value), energy from a glowing body will occupy different areas of the color spectrum. Planck assumed there was a theory yet to emerge from the discovery of quanta, but, in fact, their very existence implied a completely new and fundamental understanding of the laws of nature.

Planck won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his theory in 1918, but developments by various scientists over a thirty-year period all contributed to the modern understanding of quantum theory.

I hope this helps.

by lordinfidel

Particle/Wave Duality?

Quantum Physics is here and now.

Just believe in a test that can't be tested.

by maxwell edison

A computer is a device that accepts information in the form of digital data and manipulates it for a result based on a program or sequence of instructions on how data is to be processed. Complex computers also include the means for storing data (including the program, which is also a form of data) for some duration. A program may be invariable and built into the computer (and called logic circuitry as it is on microprocessors) or different programs may be provided to the computer (loaded into its storage and started by a user). Today's computers have both kinds of programming.

Most histories of the computer begin with the Analytical Engine envisioned by Charles Babbage following the mathematical ideas of George Boole, the mathematicianwho first stated the principles of logic inherent in today's digital computer. Babbage's collaborator, Ada Lovelace, is said to have introduced the ideas of program loops and subroutines and is considered the first programmer. Apart from mechanical calculators, the first really useable computers began with the vacuum tube, accelerated with the invention of the transistor, which became embedded in large numbers in integrated circuits, ultimately making possible the personal computer.

Modern computers inherently follow the ideas of the stored program laid out by John von Neumann in 1945. The program is read by the computer one instruction at a time, an operation is performed, and the computer then reads in the next instruction, and so on. Recently, computers and programs have been devised that allow multiple programs (and computers) to work on the same problem at the same time. With the advent of the Internet and higher bandwidth data transmission, programs and data that are part ofthe same overall project can be distributed over a network and embody the Sun Microsystems slogan: "The network is the computer."

There 'ya go. Now you know all about computers

by lordinfidel

Someone has an encyclopedia.

I always thought computers are those things in those boxes with those lights that go blinkity blink.

by maxwell edison

(Don't tell anybody, but to cut and paste from whatis.com is a wonderful thing.)

P.S. There are a few people around here with WAY too much spare time on their hands.

by maxwell edison

Atomic models began to resemble the still-popular image of electrons orbiting a nucleus at the beginning of this century. The electron was, of course, considered a real physical chunk. The first sign of trouble came in 1905 with Albert Einstein's work on the photoelectric effect. At that time it was easy to demonstrate and widely accepted that light traveled in waves, but the production of electricity from light striking metal led Einstein to hypothesize that a light wave also has the nature ofa particle, now called the photon. The success of this theory inspired Louis de Broglie to turn the tables and describe the electron as a wave, which helped explain many features of the atomic model of that time.To make a long history of research and theorizing short, physicists developed a way to describe the behavior of sub-atomic phenomena in terms of both waves and particles by means of mathematics, specifically through the use of Max Planck's constant.

(Continued....)

by maxwell edison

The mechanical worldview, from which these theories of waves and particles sprang, had a pronounced streak of determinism. It had long been felt that it was possible, in theory, to know the future of the universe, if only all the collisions of particles could be charted at once. The human observer was merely a passive chronicler of events which were occurring absolutely, that is, independent of the observer's frame of reference or method of investigation. The dual wave-particle nature of electrons flew in the face of such beliefs. While Erwin Schrodinger came up with a mathematical equation which nicely described de Broglie's waves, others saw definite evidence of particulate behavior, which made the cloudlike wave pattern of the electron distasteful in terms of actual existence. The picture became clearer after Max Born hypothesized that the cloud was in fact a probability wave. If one finds an electron, plots its position, then repeats the process many times, eventually a pattern shows up. However, the wave pattern does not say where the particle is at any given moment, merely where it is likely to be. The rule established is that the square of the wave amplitude at any point in space gives the probability of finding the electron at that point. Conversely, knowing where the particle is does not tell us anything about its wave function. It turns out that there is no way to simultaneously know both the position and path of the particle, not because of unsophisticated technology but because of the very act of observation.

by thechas

Boy, I'll bet your glad you started this discussion.

In order to get this far, you already know something about computers.

To expand your knowledge, subscribe to the "Tech-Mails" that are on subjects that you are interested in.

If you wish to get to know the hardware side of things, the best way is to assemble a few systems.
Start by going to thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, and swap meets. Buy several cheap systems, disassemble them, and rebuild them.

If nothing else, it's a new way to waste a rainy afternoon.

Chas

by fluxit

Computers will bitch at you at inopportune times and humiliate you in front of everyone. Look at what happened to Bill Gates - he was demonstrating Windows 95 when he got the blue screen of death. The crowd went wild.

What is worse is they get stubborn and won't let you fix the problem, won't take any input or let you help them. Sort of the don't touch me syndrome.

Then when you have been completely beaten down and are submissive, they perk up and begin working with you. Sort of the 'you really do love thing'.

Are you sure you are in for this kind of roller coaster ride.

by road-dog

I have had computer problems disappear just by walking into a customer site with my Sniffer. Conversely, I cannot seem to influence women in a similar way.

Also,
Running a defective computer through a wood chipper = an expensive smile of satisfaction.

Running a defective significant other through a wood chipper = 20 to life.

A bad computer is a pain most the time. A "bad girl" is fun most of the time.

by lordinfidel

Of course you need to be into that sort of thing.

While wood chippers can get you 20 to life, a well thought out vacation in a remote part of the world will set you free....

(maybe I have too much time on my hands)

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