Instant Hard Drive Upgrade?
#1
Posted 02 September 2006 - 06:41 AM
#2
Posted 02 September 2006 - 07:05 AM
#3
Posted 02 September 2006 - 07:07 AM
#4
Posted 02 September 2006 - 07:47 AM
You'd have to make sure you have a really fast USB connection though, and "A couple gigabyte pendrive" Would probably be quite expensive. I have a 256 MB flash drive, and it was about 35 bucks. To get a gig out of a pendrive might run you up into the price range of a real hard drive upgrade.
#5
Posted 02 September 2006 - 07:54 AM
#6
Posted 02 September 2006 - 08:34 AM
#7
Posted 02 September 2006 - 08:37 AM
#8
Posted 02 September 2006 - 08:38 AM
#9
Posted 02 September 2006 - 08:45 AM
#10
Posted 04 September 2006 - 06:22 PM
#11
Posted 09 September 2006 - 03:14 PM
#12
Posted 09 September 2006 - 08:05 PM
#13
Posted 09 September 2006 - 08:21 PM
Anyway, I always wondered about that since I always wanted to run programs on my school computer but never really tried it since I hate breaking rules, I let the other students do it for me ;).
~ This post contributed nothing - Eugine ~
#14
Posted 09 September 2006 - 09:37 PM
Platinum Sun, on Sep 9 2006, 07:05 PM, said:
I said I wasn't sure if it was a proton or not, but it was something of similar size or whatnot (i.e. electrons, nuetrons, etc.) Basically, they put information in binary code on something like that, and it travels instantly to it's designated target. The problem is, the molecule or whatever, disintigrates on contact with any surface they've tried so far. They can transport data, but unfortunately for us lazy people, there's no possibility of teleporting people.
And how do the know if there is even "parallel universes"?
#15
Posted 09 September 2006 - 10:29 PM
Mr.T, on Sep 9 2006, 11:37 PM, said:
OK, I'll buy that. There are some elementary antiparticles (Like positrons) that would be able to do that, and would dissipate into energy on contact with normal matter. A computer of that nature is a long way off, and could become dangerous if scaled-up too far, but is quite possible.
Mr.T, on Sep 9 2006, 11:37 PM, said:
Google "string theory."
It's the closest thing we have to Einstein's dream of a Unified Field Theory. A quick synopsis of the theory:
Elementary particles are not indivisible, but are actually composed of vibrating strands of energy (strings.) This explains both why matter and energy can be converted into one another with relatively little effort, and why the rules governing large objects are so radically different from those governing sub-atomic particles. It's a simple and elegant theory, but it comes at a big price. It states that there are around 11 dimensions and a theoretically unlimited number of parallel universes.
If any of you are still awake:
I blame Split for mentioning quantum computers!
#16
Posted 10 September 2006 - 01:00 PM
Now back on topic, no, I didn't fall asleep, and I cary around a 64Mb flash drive that has just about everything I need from my computer, except games and the internet.
#17
Posted 11 September 2006 - 06:03 PM
I just want to add something that might interest some of you reading this topic: Windows Vista (the next version of Windows, coming out in January) has a new feature called "ReadyBoost," which allows a user to insert a usb flash drive/memory stick, and it will be used as additional memory/RAM. Initially benchmarks do show a noticeable performance improvement, especially on computers with relatively low RAM (512-1GB). Seeing as most people don't use all the space on their thumbdrives, this could be something for people to look in to when Vista comes out.
#18
Posted 11 September 2006 - 07:39 PM
#19
Posted 21 September 2006 - 07:13 AM
#20
Posted 21 September 2006 - 02:36 PM
You may be thinking of DNA computers, where a single "bit" could actually be of 4 types instead of just 2. Do you have a source for that information?
#21
Posted 21 September 2006 - 03:18 PM
The future of computing and the wierd world of quantum physics
All of today's computers deal with information in the same way. Information you put in is translated into a computer code as a series of 1's and 0's, called 'bits' of information. A 'bit' can be thought of as a box containing a one or a zero.
Quantum theory, though strange, applies to computing in the following way. Each box contains not just one bit of information (a zero or a one), but a more complex quantum bit, called a 'qubit' of information.This means that more information could be handled daster and more efficiently. If each box could contan a zero and a one at the same time, which is called a superposition, many more combinations could be made using the same number of boxes. This seems bizarre - how can a one and a zero exist at the same time?
In nature, many things exist in this strange quantum twilight world of superpositions. A single atom or a single particle that can exist in two forms at the same time will be the most likely qubit of the future. Scientists have already built small quantum computers involving only a few qubits, and progress is continuing.
What could a quantum computer be used for?
A tiny qunatum computer could be used to make and break complex codes used in computing and in the military. Instead of years of calculations, a quantum computer could take a few hours. It would be extremely efficient at accessing information in a database, and could also be used to model extremely complex and bizarre quantum physics effects, which would be of great benefit to physicists.
Is it possible to build a quantum computer that can calculate?
The 0, 1 superposition is extremely fragile - it may not be possible to sustain this for long enough for a quantum computer to solve a problem. Qubits also become more unstable when they are linked together - the more qubits, the greater the disturbance in a shorter time. The quantum system also has to be isolated from outside influence as much as possible. Pysicists are now experimenting with a variety of quantum systems, including atoms, ions, and photons, to find one that is stable enough to be used efficiently.
- The Helix, Issue No. 99