Ten Weirdest Types of Computers

An anonymous reader writes to mention that New Scientist has a quick round-up of what they consider to be the ten weirdest types of computers. The list includes everything from quantum computers, to slime molds, to pails of water. "Perhaps the most unlikely place to see computing power is in the ripples in a tank of water. Using a ripple tank and an overhead camera, Chrisantha Fernando and Sampsa Sojakka at the University of Sussex, used wave patterns to make a type of logic gate called an "exclusive OR gate", or XOR gate."

Wetware

[Rassleholic]

The one I find most facinating is MONIAC [wikipedia.org]. A cookie to whoever gets it to run linux.

Re:What about the weirdest computer of all?

[Anonymous Coward]

except, of course, for "Krang" in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the historical characters in Futurama, etc...

Re:What about the weirdest computer of all?

[syukton]

An analog asymmetric multiprocessing system complete with random-access memory and a variable-speed bus. Truly, quite weird.

Re:What about the weirdest computer of all?

[knarfling]

Actually, check out Anne McCaffrey's Brainships series. Although the first one, "The Ship Who Sang" was written in 1969, several others like "The Ship Who Searched", and "The City Who Fought" were written in the early 1990's. The last one that I know of, "The City and the Ship" came out in 2004.

I realize that the only one written only by Anne McCaffrey was the original, "The Ship Who Sang", and the others were co-written by other authors. (Usually that means written by other authors using McCaffrey's universe and published with her name and by her permission so as to get better sales.) However, that means that there are several other authors that like to write using the "brain in a [jar|box|ship]" theme.

Re:K'nex Computing.

[Anonymous Coward]

Given that you can make any of the basic logic gates (NAND, NOR, NOT, XOR, XNOR, AND, OR) out of just NAND and/or NOR gates, there's definitely a way to do it. Whether it's "neat" or not is irrelevant. I think most stuff today uses NAND gates for everything because it's cheaper to make.

Re:What about the weirdest computer of all?

[c6gunner]

Wait, there are 90 Megapixel sensors for computers now? Why did no one tell me about this?

Not for your home PC, no. Check the resolution on spy-sats, though, or on the Hubble (230+ megapixels).

Re:What about the weirdest computer of all?

[c6gunner]

Your sig says, "I don't respond to Anonymous Cowards." Yet you just responded to one.

Funny - every time I respond to an AC, someone feels the need to point this out.

My sig is just a warning: if you WANT a response from me, don't post anonymously. It's not a promise, a moto, or a written contract, it's a simple suggestion. On the other hand, if I feel that a certain AC post deserves a response I will respond to it, but such cases are so rare that I can still count them on the fingers of one hand.

You seem to assume all ACs are up to no good.

I assume nothing of the sort, I simply don't usualy have any desire to converse with people who hide their identities.

I once posted something ... told I was a total moron ... decided to grief me about it for weeks ... received death threats against myself and my family.

I find all of that rather difficult to believe. I know that I can be a rather abrasive individual at times, and I've certainly never gone out of my way to hold back my opinions, or placate other commenters, yet I've never had anyone (on slashdot) "grief me", or make any sort of threats. I've certainly been insulted before by people who were painfully gormless, but so what? Such individuals are easily ignored.

The people here, while being a very diverse bunch, generally behave themselves in a civilized manner. For the odd exceptions...well, that's why the moderation process is there, and that's why you can file complaints with the mods about real abuse. Deciding to regularly hide your identity, instead of using the process to help improve slashdot, is just plain cowardice.

You don't like ACs. I understand why, but we're not all evil.

I don't hold any animosity toward any of you, I just find you to be largely irrelevant.