PS3 Grid – Amazing computing power
Ariticle on MSNBC.com:PlayStation 3 tackles black hole vibrations
Consoles capable of running simulations that rival supercomputer
“Rather than renting computer time on a supercomputer that could cost $5,000 per simulation, Burko and his colleagues used the PS3 Gravity Grid built by Gaurav Khanna, a physics professor at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
The cluster can be built for around $6,000, and allows simulations to be repeated at no extra cost. The system is tailored to simulations that require massive amounts of computations, but relatively little RAM memory.”
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Techy Vs. Non-Techy
Experimentation. I think that is the most significant difference between a “techy” and a “non-techy”.
When confronted with new technology, often we techies haven’t a clue what to do before we dig in. So, we go slow, poke around, and generally try to get a feel for what is going on. Then, we start trying things that seem innocous and keep moving up until it starts to make sense or we run out of options. Luckily, 9 times out of 10, it starts making sense. Technology is at its heart, always logical. The trick is to figure out the logic of that system.
Non-techies are reluctant to log in and poke around until they feel that they understand it. Often, they are afraid that they will break something, look stupid, or generally be “wrong”. I understand these feelings. In my past I have certainly done them all with aplomb. But, this foibles were rarely permanent, costly or scarring so I haven’t let it stop me.
Experimentation is important because without it, understanding is hard. You need to see the interface, read the lingo, watch the interactions to make sense out of a system’s logic. Once you begin, then it starts to become clear bit by bit and piece by piece.
Of course, once you understand a little, then the earnest questions begin. But, then training will be most effective. Now, you have a “place” for the data, a paradigm to fit the instructions into, and more specific questions. It becomes less “I don’t get it” and more “What happens if I click ‘edit’?”
What is the best way to experiment? Start with files that you can destroy (samples, copies, etc…). Then, click around and see how far you get. Try to follow the paths that make sense and find familiar paths (like file -> save). I bet many non-techies would find out they have a little bit of techy in them after all.
Filed under General | Comment (0)3D movies
A blog post about the new 3D movies. Cool 
http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2008/04/09/disney_3d/index.html
Filed under Articles I Like, Entertainment | Comment (0)Phone Book Zombies
Fun article on the history and slow demise of the phone book. We never use phone books, the web is so much faster. Do you use a phone book? Let me know…
The Book of the Undead – Why won’t phone books die?
Slate.com – Posted Friday, March 21, 2008, at 12:53 PM ET