# \#computing **URL:** https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/tag/computing/11.md [Latest](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/latest.md) · [Categories](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/categories.md) · [Tags](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/tags.md) --- ## [Algorithmic Information of the Human Genome](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/algorithmic-information-of-the-human-genome/2392)
**Author:** [@jabowery](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/jabowery)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [1 April 2025 13:21 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/algorithmic-information-of-the-human-genome/2392 "2025-04-01T13:21:02Z")
What if there were a prize, like the Hutter Prize for Lossless Compression of Human Knowledge, replacing the Wikpedia corpus with a database of human genomes? The idea would be to approximate the Algorithmic Information… --- ## [Reverse Engineering the Antikythera Mechanism](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/reverse-engineering-the-antikythera-mechanism/3261)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [2 July 2024 22:51 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/reverse-engineering-the-antikythera-mechanism/3261 "2024-07-02T22:51:52Z")
The Antikythera mechanism was discovered in 1901 in an ancient Greek Mediterranean shipwreck dating from around 70–60 B.C. From the start, it was clear this was something exceptional. Although heavily cor… --- ## [Is Static Random-Access Memory Reaching the Limit of Scaling?](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/is-static-random-access-memory-reaching-the-limit-of-scaling/4267)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [10 February 2024 00:17 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/is-static-random-access-memory-reaching-the-limit-of-scaling/4267 "2024-02-10T00:17:27Z")
The main memory of most present-day computers is dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), called “dynamic” because each bit is stored simply as the charge on a capacitor connected to the gate of a single transi… --- ## [RIP: Software design pioneer and Pascal creator Niklaus Wirth](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/rip-software-design-pioneer-and-pascal-creator-niklaus-wirth/4179)
**Author:** [@caddzooks](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/caddzooks)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [26 January 2024 17:56 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/rip-software-design-pioneer-and-pascal-creator-niklaus-wirth/4179 "2024-01-26T17:56:20Z")
begin Probably more than any other, for myself, it was the works of this pioneer and their derivatives that served as a vehicle for learning. end: --- ## [John Romero—Programming Principles from id Software's Early Days](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/john-romero-programming-principles-from-id-softwares-early-days/2265)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [9 January 2024 14:42 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/john-romero-programming-principles-from-id-softwares-early-days/2265 "2024-01-09T14:42:17Z")
John Romero is a co-founder of computer game pioneer id Software and designer of many of its games, including Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, and Quake. The development tools he created were central in the emergence … --- ## [Powering Up a 1950s Bendix G-15 Vacuum Tube Computer](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/powering-up-a-1950s-bendix-g-15-vacuum-tube-computer/4146)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [28 December 2023 14:09 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/powering-up-a-1950s-bendix-g-15-vacuum-tube-computer/4146 "2023-12-28T14:09:41Z")
When you have a half tonne computer containing 450 vacuum tubes and a magnetic drum memory spun at 1800 RPM by a big AC induction motor, just turning on the power is an exciting event. The Bendix G-15, int… --- ## [Vacuum Tube Computer Part 35: Output Register—a One-Byte Write-Only Memory](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-part-35-output-register-a-one-byte-write-only-memory/4090)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [11 December 2023 13:12 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-part-35-output-register-a-one-byte-write-only-memory/4090 "2023-12-11T13:12:13Z")
Output from the one-bit vacuum tube computer is sent to an 8-bit addressable output register, where it is stored and can be sent to external devices. Since the output register cannot be read by the compute… --- ## [Inside an IBM z16 Mainframe](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/inside-an-ibm-z16-mainframe/3927)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [7 November 2023 01:20 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/inside-an-ibm-z16-mainframe/3927 "2023-11-07T01:20:58Z")
Here is more on the IBM z Systems mainframes. The z16 is the first to use IBM’s Telum processor, which includes on-chip support for artificial intelligence inferencing, 8 cores per chip, each with 32 megab… --- ## [Brazil's Domestic Computer Industry—Destruction by Protection](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/brazils-domestic-computer-industry-destruction-by-protection/3849)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [10 October 2023 13:17 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/brazils-domestic-computer-industry-destruction-by-protection/3849 "2023-10-10T13:17:11Z")
--- ## [Inside the Bendix G-15's Magnetic Drum Memory](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/inside-the-bendix-g-15s-magnetic-drum-memory/3793)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [26 September 2023 13:24 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/inside-the-bendix-g-15s-magnetic-drum-memory/3793 "2023-09-26T13:24:01Z")
The Bendix G-15 vacuum tube computer used a rotating magnetic drum for its main memory. Except for a few registers internal to the processor, all system memory was kept on the drum, as described in the 202… --- ## [Vacuum Tube Computer Part 34: Paper Tape Interface and Clock Generation](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-part-34-paper-tape-interface-and-clock-generation/3758)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [18 September 2023 14:31 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-part-34-paper-tape-interface-and-clock-generation/3758 "2023-09-18T14:31:03Z")
With the decision to supply instructions (operation codes and address fields) to the one-bit vacuum tube computer from paper tape (making it run similarly to the original IBM Card-Programmed Electronic Calc… --- ## [From 1951—“Piercing the Unknown”, IBM Mainframe Scientific Computers](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/from-1951-piercing-the-unknown-ibm-mainframe-scientific-computers/3708)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 September 2023 13:07 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/from-1951-piercing-the-unknown-ibm-mainframe-scientific-computers/3708 "2023-09-06T13:07:19Z")
The computer shown in this vintage film, whose model number is never given, was announced to the public on 1952-05-21 as the IBM 701 Electronic Data Processing Machine. This was IBM’s first production elec… --- ## [Olivetti and the Rise and Fall of Computer Manufacturing in Italy](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/olivetti-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-computer-manufacturing-in-italy/3678)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [5 September 2023 12:09 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/olivetti-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-computer-manufacturing-in-italy/3678 "2023-09-05T12:09:41Z")
Hey, we’re a pioneer in computing, building machines comparable in technology to those of the U.S. and Britain. Let’s go and buy a U.S. typewriter company (Underwood) for US$ 92 million in 1959 (around US$… --- ## [Xerox Sigma Computers at the San Antonio, Texas Gas & Electric Service](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/xerox-sigma-computers-at-the-san-antonio-texas-gas-electric-service/3653)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [26 August 2023 18:11 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/xerox-sigma-computers-at-the-san-antonio-texas-gas-electric-service/3653 "2023-08-26T18:11:35Z")
During the height of the 1960s go-go era, when conglomerate companies were believed to the the wave of the future, Xerox Corporation decided to jump into the mainframe computing business by acquiring Scient… --- ## [Magnetic Drum Memory from a 1950s Bendix G-15 Vacuum Tube Computer](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/magnetic-drum-memory-from-a-1950s-bendix-g-15-vacuum-tube-computer/3637)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [21 August 2023 12:33 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/magnetic-drum-memory-from-a-1950s-bendix-g-15-vacuum-tube-computer/3637 "2023-08-21T12:33:16Z")
Even in the era of vacuum tube computers, where every flip-flop required two vacuum tube components (sometimes in the same envelope), memory was tough. Providing sufficient high-speed (by the standards of … --- ## [Restoring a 1970s Lear Siegler ADM-3A Display Terminal](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/restoring-a-1970s-lear-siegler-adm-3a-display-terminal/3605)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [18 August 2023 16:50 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/restoring-a-1970s-lear-siegler-adm-3a-display-terminal/3605 "2023-08-18T16:50:28Z")
The Lear Siegler ADM-3A video display terminal was a breakthrough product when introduced in 1976. Most minicomputers and the emerging single-chip microcomputers used mechanical teletype machines, in parti… --- ## [From 1959—RCA 501 Computer at the U.S. Air Force Air Reserve Records Center](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/from-1959-rca-501-computer-at-the-u-s-air-force-air-reserve-records-center/3619)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [17 August 2023 14:50 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/from-1959-rca-501-computer-at-the-u-s-air-force-air-reserve-records-center/3619 "2023-08-17T14:50:09Z")
This is one of those 1950s and early 1960s “I am the computer” films, which endeavoured to show how introducing a computer into the world of record-keeping and paper shuffling could work wonders in improvin… --- ## [Vacuum Tube Computer Part 33: Input/Output Address Decoding](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-part-33-input-output-address-decoding/3541)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [31 July 2023 13:10 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-part-33-input-output-address-decoding/3541 "2023-07-31T13:10:12Z")
Data input and output for the vacuum tube computer uses three registers, each with individually addressable bits accessible from the processor: input, output, and scratch. Each register contains eight bits… --- ## [Inside a 1950s Vacuum Tube Computer: Bendix G-15](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/inside-a-1950s-vacuum-tube-computer-bendix-g-15/3499)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [24 July 2023 12:11 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/inside-a-1950s-vacuum-tube-computer-bendix-g-15/3499 "2023-07-24T12:11:21Z")
Restoration of the Bendix G-15 vacuum tube computer with magnetic drum memory begins by removing all of the circuit boards, removing the dust and grime of the ages, inspecting each for the usual problems of… --- ## [Undocumented Instructions on the Intel 8086](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/undocumented-instructions-on-the-intel-8086/3482)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [21 July 2023 13:45 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/undocumented-instructions-on-the-intel-8086/3482 "2023-07-21T13:45:30Z")
The Intel 8086 microprocessor, introduced in June, 1978, was Intel’s first 16-bit microprocessor, seen as the logical upgrade to their widely-used 8080 8-bit processor. A year later, Intel introduced the 8088, which was… --- ## [Vacuum Tube Computer: Calamity and Reconstruction](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-calamity-and-reconstruction/3404)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [4 July 2023 13:14 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-calamity-and-reconstruction/3404 "2023-07-04T13:14:01Z")
There are many mishaps one can imagine befalling a vacuum tube computer: catching fire from all the heat emitted, catastrophic cascading electrical failures, intermittent errors due to power supply and grou… --- ## [Vacuum Tube Computer Part 31: Rethinking the Design, Enter Paper Tape](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-part-31-rethinking-the-design-enter-paper-tape/3363)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [25 June 2023 16:05 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/vacuum-tube-computer-part-31-rethinking-the-design-enter-paper-tape/3363 "2023-06-25T16:05:11Z")
When you’re building a computer from vacuum tubes, thinking as one has become accustomed to in the era of cheap and abundant semiconductor memory can end up with massive banks of tubes doubling as a space h… --- ## [“Elements of Programming” Now Available for Free](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/elements-of-programming-now-available-for-free/3362)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [25 June 2023 15:20 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/elements-of-programming-now-available-for-free/3362 "2023-06-25T15:20:32Z")
The 2009 book, Elements of Programming, by Alexander Stepanov and Paul McJones, is an introduction to programming grounded in the mathematics that underlie the algorithms from which programs are built. Unlike many progr… --- ## [Unboxing a 1956-Vintage Bendix G-15 Vacuum Tube Computer](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/unboxing-a-1956-vintage-bendix-g-15-vacuum-tube-computer/3334)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [23 June 2023 15:49 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/unboxing-a-1956-vintage-bendix-g-15-vacuum-tube-computer/3334 "2023-06-23T15:49:33Z")
The Bendix G-15 has been called the first personal computer. Despite weighing around half a tonne, using 450 vacuum tubes, consuming around five kilowatts of electricity, and costing about half a million 2… --- ## [Computing before Computers: Hydraulic Analogue Computers, Torpedos, Falling Domino Logic, Scanimate](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/computing-before-computers-hydraulic-analogue-computers-torpedos-falling-domino-logic-scanimate/3269)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [4 June 2023 13:23 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/computing-before-computers-hydraulic-analogue-computers-torpedos-falling-domino-logic-scanimate/3269 "2023-06-04T13:23:19Z")
Yes, MONIAC, a hydraulic analogue model of the United Kingdom economy, was not only a real thing, but at least a dozen of the machines were built. It served as the model for the Glooper in Terry Pratchett’… --- ## [Gemini Spacecraft Computer](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/gemini-spacecraft-computer/3224)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [26 May 2023 12:42 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/gemini-spacecraft-computer/3224 "2023-05-26T12:42:56Z")
The Gemini Spacecraft Computer (also called On-Board Computer) was the first general-purpose computer to fly in space. Designed and built by the IBM Federal Systems Division, it had a mass of 27.2 kg and … --- ## [The Rise and Fall of Wang Laboratories](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/the-rise-and-fall-of-wang-laboratories/3160)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [12 May 2023 13:20 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/the-rise-and-fall-of-wang-laboratories/3160 "2023-05-12T13:20:30Z")
An Wang immigrated to the United States from China in 1945 to attend graduate school at Harvard University, receiving a Ph.D. in applied physics in 1948. He worked with Howard Aiken on the Harvard Mark IV, … --- ## [Cursors, Foiled Again! The Curious and Confusing History of Cursor Keys](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/cursors-foiled-again-the-curious-and-confusing-history-of-cursor-keys/3132)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 May 2023 11:07 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/cursors-foiled-again-the-curious-and-confusing-history-of-cursor-keys/3132 "2023-05-06T11:07:03Z")
Is there any arrangement of cursor keys that hasn’t been used? Remember when the Apple Lisa and original Macintosh came with no cursor keys—“make 'em use the mouse!”? Remember the WASD/HJKL wars? And the… --- ## [RCA BIZMAC Computer](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/rca-bizmac-computer/3047)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [15 April 2023 15:38 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/rca-bizmac-computer/3047 "2023-04-15T15:38:02Z")
The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) BIZMAC computer was developed under a US$ 4.5 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense Military Assistance Program awarded in 1951 to provide logistic supp… --- ## [Autodesk Fortieth Anniversary Events in 2022](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/autodesk-fortieth-anniversary-events-in-2022/750)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [21 February 2023 16:59 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/autodesk-fortieth-anniversary-events-in-2022/750 "2023-02-21T16:59:38Z")
This year marks the fortieth anniversary of several key events in the history of Autodesk, Inc.: January 12, 1982: Working Paper proposing a new company January 30, 1982: Original organisation meeting at my house in Mi… [Next page](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/tag/computing/11.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=computing)