Comments on: How Computers Work http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 16:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1304116 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1304116 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! We don't accept URL shorteners. Disqus only shows the first 33 characters, anyway. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! We don’t accept URL shorteners. Disqus only shows the first 33 characters, anyway.

]]> By: Roopam Poddar http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1304113 Roopam Poddar Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1304113 whats the hold up!? If too long:  http://goo.gl/  whats the hold up!? If too long: 
http://goo.gl/ 

]]> By: bearchild http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1303845 bearchild Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1303845 I'm 18 and I have loads of these old books from my parents when they were kids. I used to read them when I was really young. Must be in a loft somewhere around here... I’m 18 and I have loads of these old books from my parents when they were kids. I used to read them when I was really young. Must be in a loft somewhere around here…

]]> By: highjumpman http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1303335 highjumpman Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1303335 I still have this book! I still have this book!

]]> By: Evan Schoepke http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1303170 Evan Schoepke Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1303170 I want to see a thousand more of these and buy some physical ones too (kickerstarter project anyone?) I want to see a thousand more of these and buy some physical ones too (kickerstarter project anyone?)

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302792 Guest Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302792 What the f... Ow, my brain! Overall, I was disappointed. From the cover, I expected computers to be powered by ladybugs turning gears. What the f…

Ow, my brain!

Overall, I was disappointed. From the cover, I expected computers to be powered by ladybugs turning gears.

]]> By: HahTse http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302776 HahTse Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302776 "Da' red unz go fasta" “Da’ red unz go fasta”

]]> By: Joshua Bardwell http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302611 Joshua Bardwell Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302611 On the first page, I thought it was a badly-written instructional manual from 1979. On the third page, I realized that it must be supremely dry comedy from 1979, such as National Lampoon might have made. I immediately ran out and ordered a copy for my dad. 50 pages of this would be comedy gold! By the time it mentioned Wikipedia, I realized that it must be a modern phenomenon, but still! Comedy gold! But wait! There actually is a Ladybird Press and this book actually existed in 1979. Is it a reissue? You can imagine my disappointment to find that it's a mash-up, and this is all of it that exists. I insist that an entire book be created in this vein. On the first page, I thought it was a badly-written instructional manual from 1979.

On the third page, I realized that it must be supremely dry comedy from 1979, such as National Lampoon might have made. I immediately ran out and ordered a copy for my dad. 50 pages of this would be comedy gold!

By the time it mentioned Wikipedia, I realized that it must be a modern phenomenon, but still! Comedy gold! But wait! There actually is a Ladybird Press and this book actually existed in 1979. Is it a reissue?

You can imagine my disappointment to find that it’s a mash-up, and this is all of it that exists. I insist that an entire book be created in this vein.

]]> By: Ripcord2 http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302606 Ripcord2 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302606 At first I thought it was just the "real" authors trying to add tongue-in-cheek humor to their "beginner" book to make it more accessible...then suspected something was up on the 4th page.  When I skimmed ahead and saw "meat" I knew it was a farce, and "scientology" I knew it was modern. Nicely done, though =) At first I thought it was just the “real” authors trying to add tongue-in-cheek humor to their “beginner” book to make it more accessible…then suspected something was up on the 4th page.  When I skimmed ahead and saw “meat” I knew it was a farce, and “scientology” I knew it was modern.

Nicely done, though =)

]]> By: Michael Mercer http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302601 Michael Mercer Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302601 This URL can't be shared on Facebook?  what a pain in the ass This URL can’t be shared on Facebook?  what a pain in the ass

]]> By: Listener43 http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302598 Listener43 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302598 My first thought was that this book was a mega flop, but now I realise you were just floating my point.   Well played, sir, well played indeed. My first thought was that this book was a mega flop, but now I realise you were just floating my point.
 
Well played, sir, well played indeed.

]]> By: MarcVader http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302597 MarcVader Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302597 No, I don't think so. If you paint it red the others will go slower. No, I don’t think so. If you paint it red the others will go slower.

]]> By: regeya http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302593 regeya Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302593 I was going to buy an SSD to speed up my workstation; I'm going to get a can of red Krylon instead.  To the hardware store! Anyone know how glossy my computer needs to be?  I could take it to a body shop and have it professionally painted, and a couple of layers of clearcoat added.  Is waxing necessary? I was going to buy an SSD to speed up my workstation; I’m going to get a can of red Krylon instead.  To the hardware store!

Anyone know how glossy my computer needs to be?  I could take it to a body shop and have it professionally painted, and a couple of layers of clearcoat added.  Is waxing necessary?

]]> By: Ben Chatterton http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302562 Ben Chatterton Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302562 "Office romance displeases computers." Brilliant, good sir. “Office romance displeases computers.” Brilliant, good sir.

]]> By: SamSam http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302549 SamSam Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302549 I love this, but I really wish there wasn't one glaring anachronism on page 40 (the Puppy Control Unit page). Until then I honestly thought that this was the original text of a brilliant book from the 70s. (Then again, I also thought that Life of Pi was actually "based on a true story" up until about half-way through the book, so maybe I'm just slow....) I love this, but I really wish there wasn’t one glaring anachronism on page 40 (the Puppy Control Unit page). Until then I honestly thought that this was the original text of a brilliant book from the 70s.

(Then again, I also thought that Life of Pi was actually “based on a true story” up until about half-way through the book, so maybe I’m just slow….)

]]> By: Andrew Pierce http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302547 Andrew Pierce Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302547 > If I could touch, I would touch God Obviously this was before the Internet. > If I could touch, I would touch God

Obviously this was before the Internet.

]]> By: Robert Baruch http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302523 Robert Baruch Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302523 So that's why my computer is so slow. I need more bees. So that’s why my computer is so slow. I need more bees.

]]> By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302519 IronEdithKidd Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302519 I don't know whether to thank Rob or turn myself over to the hydrocarbon reclamation unit.  I'm off to the market for some fresh kittens.  Got some numbers to crunch and the bees are getting bored.  Wouldn't want to see what happens if the computer is left alone long enough to start dreaming, now would we? I don’t know whether to thank Rob or turn myself over to the hydrocarbon reclamation unit. 

I’m off to the market for some fresh kittens.  Got some numbers to crunch and the bees are getting bored.  Wouldn’t want to see what happens if the computer is left alone long enough to start dreaming, now would we?

]]> By: Christopher D'Arcy-Thompson http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302507 Christopher D'Arcy-Thompson Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302507 The computer featured on p4 and again, as an artist's impression on p40 is a Burroughs B-80 (You can just make out the model number on the keyboard/printer on page 4 - My Dad had one of those!! Its dot-matrix printer could print The Mona Lisa as its test routine, using different characters to generate the image in mono... That machine is what got me interested in computers and here I am, 30 years later, running a web company. Genius! The computer featured on p4 and again, as an artist’s impression on p40 is a Burroughs B-80 (You can just make out the model number on the keyboard/printer on page 4 – My Dad had one of those!! Its dot-matrix printer could print The Mona Lisa as its test routine, using different characters to generate the image in mono… That machine is what got me interested in computers and here I am, 30 years later, running a web company. Genius!

]]> By: Beanolini http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302505 Beanolini Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302505 Apparently the Ministry of Defence had <a href="http://www.theweeweb.co.uk/public/news_ladybird.php?id=157" rel="nofollow">their own edition</a> of the original book for training their staff in the 1970s. Apparently the Ministry of Defence had their own edition of the original book for training their staff in the 1970s.

]]> By: Lemoutan http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302497 Lemoutan Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302497 As yet another, why're we talking about this? It isn't even an issue. As yet another, why’re we talking about this? It isn’t even an issue.

]]> By: Steve Guy http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302495 Steve Guy Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302495 The original is actually my copy of the book, scanned by my brother. I feel very proud whenever this crops up online. The original is actually my copy of the book, scanned by my brother. I feel very proud whenever this crops up online.

]]> By: morkl http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302489 morkl Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302489 Blue is another popular color. Blue is another popular color.

]]> By: Imran Ali http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302473 Imran Ali Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302473 I had this! I think it was the first book on computing I owned, probably 1981/1982! I had this! I think it was the first book on computing I owned, probably 1981/1982!

]]> By: fight4paece http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302464 fight4paece Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302464 Scientology! So this explains the inaccuracies of floating point calculations? Scientology! So this explains the inaccuracies of floating point calculations?

]]> By: fight4paece http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302462 fight4paece Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302462 CPU = silicon semicunductor Cheap heat sink = aluminum Quality heat sink = copper 1337 heat sink = Mahogany No one is using maple or pine anymore. CPU = silicon semicunductor
Cheap heat sink = aluminum
Quality heat sink = copper
1337 heat sink = Mahogany

No one is using maple or pine anymore.

]]> By: Joe ST http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302449 Joe ST Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302449 I have this book :D I have this book :D

]]> By: Nadreck http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302448 Nadreck Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302448 Ah, those pictures take me back to the good'ol days of Mainframes in Remote Data Centres!  Of course, now we have Servers in the Cloud so things are completely different. Ah, those pictures take me back to the good’ol days of Mainframes in Remote Data Centres!  Of course, now we have Servers in the Cloud so things are completely different.

]]> By: Just_Ok http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302423 Just_Ok Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302423 and mauve works better for databases. and mauve works better for databases.

]]> By: scruss http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/how-computers-work.html#comment-1302417 scruss Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135520#comment-1302417 Yerd. Yerd.

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