The Babbage "Difference engine" returns

[AnitaPeterson]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6912023.stm

Despite the explanations, I still don't understand why this is considered more robust than a solid-state silicon chip...?!

They mention two aspects: heat build-up and energy consumption, but isn't "wear and tear" inherent to the nature of mechanical computers?

 

[AnitaPeterson]

LOL, the lack of response makes me think this should've gone to General Hardware...

I can imagine a conversation 10 years from now:
"so, Tom, how's Duke Nukem Forever running on your HP Babbage Mk3?"
"pretty good, but man, it needs a lube job every three months, or else I start losing frames!"

 

[Safeway]

What do you think DLP is?

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: Safeway
What do you think DLP is?

double lizard pie?

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22

Originally posted by: Safeway
What do you think DLP is?

double lizard pie?

:brokenheart: DLP chips have over a million tiny mechanical mirrors. They work.

 

[DrPizza]

As far as wear and tear... on tiny tiny little things, because there are fewer defects, they don't wear nearly as rapidly as larger things. i.e. sand on a beach doesn't wear out rapidly. Rocks on a beach wear out relatively rapidly (compared to the sand; we're talking about a long time though)

I read that article and was left somewhat perplexed. What's the point of packing more transistors into a smaller and smaller space? The purpose isn't to make it smaller - the purpose is... SPEED! Why would you admit that what you're creating is slower, but you'll be able to make more of them?

The other argument seemed to be that the nano technology would create chips that could be used in more environments. Sure, that part might be true. But a lot of the article seemed to focus on "hey, give us attention and continue to fund our research because we're going to make it sound really important."

 

[zerocool1]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
But a lot of the article seemed to focus on "hey, give us attention and continue to fund our research because we're going to make it sound really important."

nanotech it seems to me has a lot of this going on.