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Researchers propose a 'day zero' for the oldest computer ever discovered
PC Gamer ^
| By Katie Wickens
Posted on 04/15/2022 1:47:35 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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1
posted on
04/15/2022 1:47:35 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
To: SunkenCiv
2
posted on
04/15/2022 1:47:51 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
((The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire. Or both.))
To: BenLurkin
A mechanical clock is not a computer.
3
posted on
04/15/2022 1:53:13 PM PDT
by
BitWielder1
(I'd rather have Unequal Wealth than Equal Poverty.)
To: BenLurkin; Daffynition
But, despite the rust, researchers may have finally revealed a possible date it was first set ticking—also known as "Day Zero." And:
Aristeidis Voulgaris of the Thessaloniki Directorate of Culture and Tourism in Greece now supposes the calibration date was around 23 December 178 BC, backing it up with the fact that a bunch of other culturally important astronomical events happened simultaneously right just then.
"Say you wanna... witness the birth of Christ..."
4
posted on
04/15/2022 2:05:18 PM PDT
by
Ezekiel
("Come fly with US". Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with Mars ♂️.)
To: BitWielder1
5
posted on
04/15/2022 2:24:55 PM PDT
by
Mr. Lucky
To: Mr. Lucky
Because a computer runs a stored program.
The device in question is, at best, a calculator. A slide rule computes in the sense of a calculator; but, it does not run a program. The Antikythera mechanism is like a multi-tiered circular slide rule.
6
posted on
04/15/2022 2:32:35 PM PDT
by
GingisK
To: BitWielder1
It is an analog computer. It does calculations so it computes.
7
posted on
04/15/2022 2:33:27 PM PDT
by
WMarshal
(Neocons and leftists are the same species of vicious rat.)
To: BitWielder1
Personally, I have doubts about it being a clock at all. But, it’s hard to find clear images or diagrams, and the ones I have seen are pretty heavily influenced by the researcher’s assumptions, so it’s hard to say for sure.
And my opinion may be influenced by the number of times archeologists have labeled something as a “religious object” or “used to chart the course of stars” when it was actually a common crafting tool. The drop-spindles that were labelled as “Prayer Sticks” were especially amusing.
I suspect that this mechanism will eventually be identified as being essentially a complex, high-capacity spinning wheel.
8
posted on
04/15/2022 2:38:11 PM PDT
by
Ellendra
(A single lie on our side does more damage than a thousand lies on their side.)
To: BitWielder1
“A mechanical clock is not a computer.”
Correct.
To: GingisK
I don’t suppse you’ve ever heard of a mechanical computer.
To: BitWielder1
Whatever it was, it was a pretty intricate device for 100 BC
11
posted on
04/15/2022 2:42:33 PM PDT
by
PapaBear3625
(We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so stupid people won’t be offended)
To: WMarshal
The mechanism is not “Turing Complete”.
12
posted on
04/15/2022 2:42:34 PM PDT
by
GingisK
To: Mr. Lucky
The Babbage Machine is "Turing Complete". It was designed in the 1820s, but wasn't actually built until the 2000s.
There is an important difference between calculator and computer.
13
posted on
04/15/2022 2:44:52 PM PDT
by
GingisK
To: Mr. Lucky
Can you program a mechanical calculator to solve a Taylor Series, and then solve a Rubics Cube? No. A calculator performs arithmetic, it does not follow preprogrammed algorithms.
14
posted on
04/15/2022 2:47:28 PM PDT
by
GingisK
To: WMarshal
No sir, it calculates. It performs arithmetic. There must be a stored algorithm for a machine to be classified as a computer.
15
posted on
04/15/2022 2:49:13 PM PDT
by
GingisK
To: GingisK
That would be a great limitation, if only you were entitled to serve as gate keeper for the English language. But the fact is that the term mechanical computer has been a part of the language for quite a long while.
To: Ezekiel
Tell you what... you really, really, really do not want to see this guy on your train, plane, or ship...
17
posted on
04/15/2022 3:07:18 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
((The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire. Or both.))
To: BenLurkin
Tell you what... you really, really, really do not want to see this guy on your train, plane, or ship... I am not familiar with this one. Looks rather unsavory. Could you tell me the name?
Because,
When you posted, I was over writing this post about a dream of a guy on a plane, so I didn't see yours til just now.
(Re the 358 reference.)
18
posted on
04/15/2022 3:49:37 PM PDT
by
Ezekiel
("Come fly with US". Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with Mars ♂️.)
To: BenLurkin
Watch some fantastic machining user “clickspring” builds one on youtube. He talks about the math and gearing of it all.
19
posted on
04/15/2022 3:50:07 PM PDT
by
stickandrudder
(Another Bitter-Clinger! God-Family-Tribe - LGBFJB brotherhood)
To: Ezekiel
20
posted on
04/15/2022 3:54:53 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
((The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire. Or both.))
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