New Binary Code

My new binary code consists of filled in and blank stars. A filled in star represents a 1 and a blank star represents a 0. So.... the following code is....

★☆★★☆= 22

Why do Computers use Binary?

After watching the video Why do Computers use Binary? I formed a better understanding of how computers use the binary system.
Three new things I learned are...
1. A system of two is used because it is the smallest number that allows a difference between two things.
2. Computers use voltage to transmit information.
3. Mistakes in reading the amount of voltage can occur
Two things I don't understand well are...
1. How are computers able to perform task so fast?
2. How was the binary system created?
One thing I want to learn more about...
1. What happens when there is too high of a voltage

The Binary Game

In class we learned about the binary system and then played a game to practice this concept. I got up to level 4 in the game. Level 4 doesn't seem like much but it was harder than you'd think! The hardest part of this game was trying to add huge numbers in my head. Once, I had to add up to somewhere around 258 and it was very challenging to try to find the exact combination of numbers. At first I thought that I would hate the binary system because I am not a big fan of math but once I understood the concept it was actually very interesting. Binary counting is very useful and doesn't just have to be used for computers, you can count on your fingers as well. Each finger would represent a value, just like each card we used in class represented a value. Your pinkie finger is 1, ring 2, middle 4, pointer 8, and thumb 16. The binary system is used with computers because every letter in the alphabet can be represented by a number. A is 1, B is 2, Z is 26. You use the binary system to code for the letter you need. When a value is used it is represented by a 1 and when it is not used it is a 0. Therefore if you were going to say "Hi" it would be coded as 01000 (H is represented by 8) and 01001 (I is represented by 9. The computer uses only 0's and 1's to create a message.

The Google Boys

In class today we watched a video about the creation of Google. Google started with two college students and one idea. As more and more people began to use Google, employees were hired to account for the demand of Google. Google soon became the massive company it is today. Some of the challenges Google faced were copyright and competition. Google works by sending "spiders" out onto the world wide web which download any possible information. The problem is some people do not want their work on the internet. One artist got mad and tried to sue Google because he did not want his work available to everyone on the internet. As well, there are many competing companies, such as Yahoo and Microsoft, that are fighting for popularity. There key in being ahead is speed. Google is obsessed with speed and is always working to increase the speed of their programs.

Exploring the World of Thecnological Intelligence

Today in class we were assigned to try out Eliza, an online therapist. The only problem is she isn't very intelligent. Eliza isn't very human like because she doesn't follow conversation in a rational order. To make her seem more human I would program more responses because she kept repeating the same things as if she was only programmed to say a couple of responses. Although, I can admit, a computer is not really capable of having emotions, but, by adding sympathetic words into her program Eliza may seem to have more emotions. I can imagine that computers could become more human like. For example Siri on apple devices is more intelligent than Eliza. She is able to carry out commands, answer questions, and respond rationally to what you say. The technology is likely to become more and more advanced.

Choose Your Own Culture

Today in computer applications we were assigned to research a culture of our choice. I researched Pre-Colombian pyramids. Here is a little of what I learned...

• these pyramids show a complex understanding of principles of mathematics and astronomy
• The Mayans lived in Mesoamerica. Their history is divided into three periods: The pre-Classic, Classic, and Post-Classic.
• Most of their greatest achievements in astronomy, architecture, and mathematics occurred during the Classic period
• The Mayans pyramids are called pyramid temples because unlike the Egyptians whose pyramids were essentially huge grave stone the Mayan pyramids were religious temples.
• The Mayans believed these sacred places should be located at places of power
• The Mayans sometimes built a new pyramid right over the top of an old one in order to "regenerate the power".