Once upon a time there was an artist/engineer who made a system he called the Narsci-system, after Narcissus, the greek legend of a man in love with himself, and system, as it was made of multiple sensors that communicated with a single point for concatenation and analysis. Also, because it was "Narcissistic" to pay so much attention to the goings on of his own body.
So I'm imagining a medical version of this. It would continuously scan and record the goings on of the user's body, and communicate back to a sophisticated computer for analysis. The computer, using the best advice medical doctors could give, would give advice about certain situations. If one hadn't gone to bed for 20 hours straight, it would suggest doing so. It would suggest morning jogs, and even tell you to speed up or slow down. (There is an ideal heart rate to achieve in aerobic exercise.) It would complain if you moved too little, as measured by the accelerometer, as this suggests laziness, or a lack of exercise, or too much, as this suggests the need for a day off. If it found a problem it didn't know about, it would suggest a medical checkup.
And in extreme situations, maybe it could even actively intervene. Heart rate dangerously low? Stimulant injection! EEG showing abnormality? Cortical stimulation! Dangerous level of vibration? Deploy airbag!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
In which I attempt to design a CPU, part 2
At this point, we'd lay out the electronics, grouping similar parts together. All the math circuits are near the logic circuits, combining to form an ALU, Arithmetic and Logic Unit. The Control circuits are nearby, and with our leftover space, we have little chunks of super-fast, super-expensive, memory, called Registers.
This is typically so complex that developers turn to software tools, like Verilog, which takes a list of the requirements, laid out like a C program, and passes them onto a program that lays out a circuit design that accomplishes what was specified. Then that can be given to your fabricator, who cranks out the chips.
But before you crank them out, first you get one, and you test it. No sense in paying for defective chips, right? In fact, that's part of the reason for all the computer support. They can simulate your chips before you even make them, so you know your design is good before you've made even one. Then you make one and test that to prove that the simulation was accurate.
This is typically so complex that developers turn to software tools, like Verilog, which takes a list of the requirements, laid out like a C program, and passes them onto a program that lays out a circuit design that accomplishes what was specified. Then that can be given to your fabricator, who cranks out the chips.
But before you crank them out, first you get one, and you test it. No sense in paying for defective chips, right? In fact, that's part of the reason for all the computer support. They can simulate your chips before you even make them, so you know your design is good before you've made even one. Then you make one and test that to prove that the simulation was accurate.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
In which I attempt to design a CPU, part 1
The CPU is a chip at the core of your computer. It does all the "work" that lets you do useful stuff: all the math, all the logical processing, to create an environment in which you can work. It receives your input. It sends your output to a graphics chip for processing, or if none is available, makes the picture itself. It does all your calculations. And it's very very complicated.
So if I'm going to make one, first I'll need an instruction set, that controls what it can do. First I have to decide what it needs to do: Math, logic, control, and manipulation. Also, a little bit of storage, so the calculations we do last until we can put them in memory.
* Math
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Modulo (Divide, throw away the result, and provide the remainder.)
* Control
- Unconditional jump ("Goto")
- Branch if ("If X then Y")
- Store (in memory)
- Load (from memory)
- Interrupts (little microcode programs that do everything from print to quit)
- Rotate left (Shift every bit left by one, carry over the leftmost to a flag, and the flag to the rightmost. Encryption uses this.)
- Rotate Right (Like rotate left, but in the opposite direction)
* Logic
- AND (Both conditions required)
- OR (Either condition required)
- NOT (Switch to the other)
- XOR (One, or the other, but not both)
- Compare (Is X the same as Y?)
* Redundant (things that are covered by the above, but I want a special code for because the special code can do whatever FASTER.)
- Increment (Add 1)
- Decrement (Subtract 1)
- Shift left (Effectively, multiply this by 2)
- Shift Right (effectively, divide this by 2)
Each of these will need to be assigned a number, which tells the CPU to use that operation. And then either we'll have to have circuits that perform that action fabricated, or microcode to perform that operation written. Most CPUs these days use microcode, because it's faster and cheaper. I think, though, that I'd rather implement with hardwired logic, on the grounds that a more power-efficient design can be made that way. Besides, this is supposed to be simple.
Now arguably, multiplication and division are redundant operations too, because multiplication can be implemented as a loop of additions, and divison as a loop of subtractions, but they're so common in computer operations that I think they do deserve their own opcode. Besides, I do expect to be able to do floating point stuff.
So if I'm going to make one, first I'll need an instruction set, that controls what it can do. First I have to decide what it needs to do: Math, logic, control, and manipulation. Also, a little bit of storage, so the calculations we do last until we can put them in memory.
* Math
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Modulo (Divide, throw away the result, and provide the remainder.)
* Control
- Unconditional jump ("Goto")
- Branch if ("If X then Y")
- Store (in memory)
- Load (from memory)
- Interrupts (little microcode programs that do everything from print to quit)
- Rotate left (Shift every bit left by one, carry over the leftmost to a flag, and the flag to the rightmost. Encryption uses this.)
- Rotate Right (Like rotate left, but in the opposite direction)
* Logic
- AND (Both conditions required)
- OR (Either condition required)
- NOT (Switch to the other)
- XOR (One, or the other, but not both)
- Compare (Is X the same as Y?)
* Redundant (things that are covered by the above, but I want a special code for because the special code can do whatever FASTER.)
- Increment (Add 1)
- Decrement (Subtract 1)
- Shift left (Effectively, multiply this by 2)
- Shift Right (effectively, divide this by 2)
Each of these will need to be assigned a number, which tells the CPU to use that operation. And then either we'll have to have circuits that perform that action fabricated, or microcode to perform that operation written. Most CPUs these days use microcode, because it's faster and cheaper. I think, though, that I'd rather implement with hardwired logic, on the grounds that a more power-efficient design can be made that way. Besides, this is supposed to be simple.
Now arguably, multiplication and division are redundant operations too, because multiplication can be implemented as a loop of additions, and divison as a loop of subtractions, but they're so common in computer operations that I think they do deserve their own opcode. Besides, I do expect to be able to do floating point stuff.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Diet Donut
You know what everyone wants? To eat sugary fatty donuts and not exercise and still somehow lose weight. And while we're dreaming, I'd like a trillion dollars and an elaborate laboratory on Mars. Under a glass dome, filled with trees.
Back in reality, most "junk food" that people eat could be made way healthier. I'm imagining a donut made with vitamin enriched flour, with a blend of sugar-alcohols for sweetener, so it's actively good for your teeth, plus won't give you the runs. (Such a combination technically exists, but is hard to manage.) The jelly inside in made of a rich apple pectin, giving it a gooey consistency that still cleans your insides like an apple. Several important minerals are also provided (in trace amounts so it doesn't affect the flavor.) Eating this donut is surprisingly good for you.
If you replace half the food in each of your meals with one of these donuts, maybe you could lose weight.
Back in reality, most "junk food" that people eat could be made way healthier. I'm imagining a donut made with vitamin enriched flour, with a blend of sugar-alcohols for sweetener, so it's actively good for your teeth, plus won't give you the runs. (Such a combination technically exists, but is hard to manage.) The jelly inside in made of a rich apple pectin, giving it a gooey consistency that still cleans your insides like an apple. Several important minerals are also provided (in trace amounts so it doesn't affect the flavor.) Eating this donut is surprisingly good for you.
If you replace half the food in each of your meals with one of these donuts, maybe you could lose weight.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Why Space
I'm a big advocate of space travel. Partially because the entire earth is small as an atom compared to the vastness of space, but partially because the engineering required to live well in space often has implications for earthly living. Space is infinitely big (or nearly so), but travelers must live in tiny spaces with few resources, lest their air supply be sucked away by the vacuum.
Our little journey to the moon in the sixties gave us improved computers, TANG, improved radios, memory foam mattresses, and improved thrusters. We also got some technology that doesn't quite help as much on earth, like space suits. (People living on earth are highly unlikely to encounter high vacuum.) Though space suit technology may prove useful for improving, say, dialysis. (The space suit has to provide quite a lot of life support systems.)
So if we go forward with the proposal to visit Mars? We'll need to develop cramped quarters that still keep everyone alive for 3 straight months, up to six, we'll need medical support so that the astronauts' bones don't turn to mush along the way, we'll need to develop space farming, because otherwise the cargo burden is unbearable, We'll need to pack all this into a very tiny, low weight space. We'll also need all the instrumentation to do the experiments that make this financially worth while.
Medicine, materials science, and construction engineering would all gain a direct and major boost. And who knows what else might be discovered?
Our little journey to the moon in the sixties gave us improved computers, TANG, improved radios, memory foam mattresses, and improved thrusters. We also got some technology that doesn't quite help as much on earth, like space suits. (People living on earth are highly unlikely to encounter high vacuum.) Though space suit technology may prove useful for improving, say, dialysis. (The space suit has to provide quite a lot of life support systems.)
So if we go forward with the proposal to visit Mars? We'll need to develop cramped quarters that still keep everyone alive for 3 straight months, up to six, we'll need medical support so that the astronauts' bones don't turn to mush along the way, we'll need to develop space farming, because otherwise the cargo burden is unbearable, We'll need to pack all this into a very tiny, low weight space. We'll also need all the instrumentation to do the experiments that make this financially worth while.
Medicine, materials science, and construction engineering would all gain a direct and major boost. And who knows what else might be discovered?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Antimatter Garbage Disposal
Even if we couldn't capture the output, there'd be one big advantage to disposing of toxic waste with antimatter. Namely, both would be permanently destroyed. It can't leak from containment, it can't be dug up for sinister or stupid purposes, and it can't be stolen. It literally no longer exists any more.
The whole powering the entire earth thing is only a beneficial side effect.
The whole powering the entire earth thing is only a beneficial side effect.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Cleaning Electronics
You know what I hate? When dust or dirt gets into my computers. It's such a pain in the ass to clean.
Electronics such as computers generates heat from electrical resistance, and state-transition, while operating. This heat must be removed, for the continuing health of the computer. Usually, this is done with a small fan, which blows cool air over the hot electronics. The air takes the heat with it as it blows away.
However, this air brings with it dust. Meteor debris, fibers from my clothing, bits of my discarded skin and hair, and small bits of debris combine to form dust, an annoying and quasi-sticky grey substance. It smells. It has excellent thermal insulation, and it loves to stick to electronics. The more dust it has, the harder it is to keep cool. Damn it. So, periodically, the dust has to be removed. From small tight places that cannot be washed, because water plus electronics equals extremely bad short circuit.
I've typically been using a damp (not wet, damp) cotton swab, and a damp paper towel on larger areas, to take out the dust, then leave it off for an extra hour just to be sure it's dry. Most computer professionals prefer compressed air, which makes short work of all the dust in the computer in one fell swoop. (Though it's really bad for the fans, which get accelerated to ludicrous speeds.)
The strangest available solution is to make a fishtank computer, which is sealed and cannot possibly get dirty. Wait, what? One takes a fish tank, those little fishtank rocks, the computer parts, and several gallons of mineral oil. Arrange the computer parts in the tank, with the hard drive outside. The hard drive must be in air, because it has a pressure equalization mechanism that gets ruined if exposed to mineral oil, breaking down the entire drive. Unless it's an SSD, then it's okay. Make sure all the wires are connected, and turn it on to prove that it works. Then add the mineral oil. Your computer now appears to operate "underwater." The mineral oil works because it's as clear as water, but unlike water, it is chemically nonpolar, so it will not interfere with the operation of the computer.
For best results, an electronics expert should build "port repeaters" on the lid, so you can plug everything into the lid, which plugs into the computer below. And lo, it runs, and it cannot attract dust, and it vents all heat into the mineral oil, which the fans swirl around, and use the glass as one big heat sink. Also, it muffles all sound produced by the computer, eliminating that annnoying fan whirr.
One downside is that if the electronics ever have to come out of the mineral oil...they're covered in mineral oil, and rather icky to the touch.
Readers: How would you clean electronics? Mind you, wet electronics will insantly short circuit if switched on, so water (and other polar chemicals) should be avoided at all costs.
Electronics such as computers generates heat from electrical resistance, and state-transition, while operating. This heat must be removed, for the continuing health of the computer. Usually, this is done with a small fan, which blows cool air over the hot electronics. The air takes the heat with it as it blows away.
However, this air brings with it dust. Meteor debris, fibers from my clothing, bits of my discarded skin and hair, and small bits of debris combine to form dust, an annoying and quasi-sticky grey substance. It smells. It has excellent thermal insulation, and it loves to stick to electronics. The more dust it has, the harder it is to keep cool. Damn it. So, periodically, the dust has to be removed. From small tight places that cannot be washed, because water plus electronics equals extremely bad short circuit.
I've typically been using a damp (not wet, damp) cotton swab, and a damp paper towel on larger areas, to take out the dust, then leave it off for an extra hour just to be sure it's dry. Most computer professionals prefer compressed air, which makes short work of all the dust in the computer in one fell swoop. (Though it's really bad for the fans, which get accelerated to ludicrous speeds.)
The strangest available solution is to make a fishtank computer, which is sealed and cannot possibly get dirty. Wait, what? One takes a fish tank, those little fishtank rocks, the computer parts, and several gallons of mineral oil. Arrange the computer parts in the tank, with the hard drive outside. The hard drive must be in air, because it has a pressure equalization mechanism that gets ruined if exposed to mineral oil, breaking down the entire drive. Unless it's an SSD, then it's okay. Make sure all the wires are connected, and turn it on to prove that it works. Then add the mineral oil. Your computer now appears to operate "underwater." The mineral oil works because it's as clear as water, but unlike water, it is chemically nonpolar, so it will not interfere with the operation of the computer.
For best results, an electronics expert should build "port repeaters" on the lid, so you can plug everything into the lid, which plugs into the computer below. And lo, it runs, and it cannot attract dust, and it vents all heat into the mineral oil, which the fans swirl around, and use the glass as one big heat sink. Also, it muffles all sound produced by the computer, eliminating that annnoying fan whirr.
One downside is that if the electronics ever have to come out of the mineral oil...they're covered in mineral oil, and rather icky to the touch.
Readers: How would you clean electronics? Mind you, wet electronics will insantly short circuit if switched on, so water (and other polar chemicals) should be avoided at all costs.
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