The clever understand your words. The wise understand your
silence.
It is both clever and wise to have a Happy Friday. . . and
scripturient to write about it!
Jun 21, 2013
Quantum Computing Explained
Today's computers rely on
electrons to deliver information in binary bits, or yes/no, 1/0,
on/off.
Laws of quantum physics allow bits to be in multiple states simultaneously so it has the potential to be millions of times more powerful than today's most powerful supercomputers.
Quantum bits, or Qubits are more versatile than standard bits because they can exist in three states instead of two. Current computers represent things as a one or zero, but a quantum computer can render a qubit as representing a one, a zero, or every fraction between one and zero at the same time.
An interesting thing about qubits is that by just looking at one, it changes its state, so scientists had to devise a way to look without the qubit knowing it was being looked at. (Long story, but fascinating)
A 30-qubit quantum computer is approximately as powerful as a 10 teraflop computer. It can solve 10 trillion floating point operations every second vs. an average computer, which performs about seven gigaflops (seven billion) per second. Quantum computers process multiple calculations at once vs. current computers, which process one at a time.
Google and NASA have a 512-qubit quantum computer housed in a 10 foot black cabinet, but do not expect to buy one for your home in the near future. The NASA Ames machine may be upgraded to a 2,048 qubit chip in the next year or two. There are 25.4 million nanometers in one inch and fingernails grow one nanometer every second.
Laws of quantum physics allow bits to be in multiple states simultaneously so it has the potential to be millions of times more powerful than today's most powerful supercomputers.
Quantum bits, or Qubits are more versatile than standard bits because they can exist in three states instead of two. Current computers represent things as a one or zero, but a quantum computer can render a qubit as representing a one, a zero, or every fraction between one and zero at the same time.
An interesting thing about qubits is that by just looking at one, it changes its state, so scientists had to devise a way to look without the qubit knowing it was being looked at. (Long story, but fascinating)
A 30-qubit quantum computer is approximately as powerful as a 10 teraflop computer. It can solve 10 trillion floating point operations every second vs. an average computer, which performs about seven gigaflops (seven billion) per second. Quantum computers process multiple calculations at once vs. current computers, which process one at a time.
Google and NASA have a 512-qubit quantum computer housed in a 10 foot black cabinet, but do not expect to buy one for your home in the near future. The NASA Ames machine may be upgraded to a 2,048 qubit chip in the next year or two. There are 25.4 million nanometers in one inch and fingernails grow one nanometer every second.
Gorilla Glass
Most of us know that Gorilla Glass is
used as part of a touch-screen for hand-held phones and tablet
computers. It was chosen because it is lightweight, durable,
resistant to scratches, and tends to crack, rather than shatter
when stressed, as Annie, a friend of mine recently found out.
Gorilla Glass, which is made by Corning is currently estimated to be in use by over a billion and a half devices and still growing. Corning makes the glass using a propriety chemical process that causes more than the normal number of ions to be introduced into the glass.
Now Corning has a deal with at least one car manufacturer to begin using the glass for windshields, likely as early as next year. The beauty of this glass is that it would cut down on the weight of the vehicle. It would also promote better gas mileage and better noise suppression.
Corning is working on another glass with unique properties, microbiological glass, which can kill bacteria on contact. Another exciting glass it is also working on is called Willow Glass, which is a bendable type of glass that is about as thin as a dollar bill. Bendable screens have been touted for use in foldable tablets for the past few years. Samsung has one in the lab now, but I do not know if the screen is glass or plastic.
Gorilla Glass, which is made by Corning is currently estimated to be in use by over a billion and a half devices and still growing. Corning makes the glass using a propriety chemical process that causes more than the normal number of ions to be introduced into the glass.
Now Corning has a deal with at least one car manufacturer to begin using the glass for windshields, likely as early as next year. The beauty of this glass is that it would cut down on the weight of the vehicle. It would also promote better gas mileage and better noise suppression.
Corning is working on another glass with unique properties, microbiological glass, which can kill bacteria on contact. Another exciting glass it is also working on is called Willow Glass, which is a bendable type of glass that is about as thin as a dollar bill. Bendable screens have been touted for use in foldable tablets for the past few years. Samsung has one in the lab now, but I do not know if the screen is glass or plastic.
What's in a Name, Crayola
Crayola means “oily chalk.” The
name combines “craie” (French for “chalk”) and “ola” (short for
“oleaginous,” or “oily”).
Exploding Phone Myth Debunked
As long as we are
discussing cell phones, might as well dispel another myth. A
popular myth hanging around since at least 1999 is that explosions
in gas stations have been caused by cellphone use. Emails were
purported to have been sent by Shell Oil and others, but this was
proved false.
There never has been a documented case of a cellphone causing an explosion at a gas station, no one has been able to prove that it is even possible in scientific testing. The American Petroleum Institute said, "We can find no evidence of someone using a cellphone causing any kind of accident, no matter how small, at a gas station anywhere in the world." Mythbusters TV program tried and could not find a way to make it happen.
Police and firefighters often assume a connection between the two to be valid, but have never followed up with proof. The city of Cicero, Illinois (with no evidence to back it up) has made the use of cellphones at gas stations illegal. So, is it possible, yes it is possible, but it has not happened yet with over five billion phones in use.
There never has been a documented case of a cellphone causing an explosion at a gas station, no one has been able to prove that it is even possible in scientific testing. The American Petroleum Institute said, "We can find no evidence of someone using a cellphone causing any kind of accident, no matter how small, at a gas station anywhere in the world." Mythbusters TV program tried and could not find a way to make it happen.
Police and firefighters often assume a connection between the two to be valid, but have never followed up with proof. The city of Cicero, Illinois (with no evidence to back it up) has made the use of cellphones at gas stations illegal. So, is it possible, yes it is possible, but it has not happened yet with over five billion phones in use.
Get Free Directions
Many people do not know that most
email programs and contact lists on PCs and smart phones what the
symbol next to the address is used for.
The purpose of this icon is to give you a map and/or directions. Simply click on the icon and your device will ask if you wish to see a map and/or to get directions. Very informative and great help if you need quick directions. Also, on your smart phone, you can save the map for offline use, in case you are in an area without GPS coverage.
The purpose of this icon is to give you a map and/or directions. Simply click on the icon and your device will ask if you wish to see a map and/or to get directions. Very informative and great help if you need quick directions. Also, on your smart phone, you can save the map for offline use, in case you are in an area without GPS coverage.
Sugarloaf
Sugar used to be refined into what was called a
sugarloaf, a tall cone shape with a rounded top. People have been
making sugarloaves since at least the 12th Century. Raw sugar was
refined by a series of boiling and filtering processes. When, at
the final boiling it was considered ready for granulation it was
poured into a large number of inverted conical molds. The
popularity of sugarloaves declined as new processes were invented
making it easier to refine and be sold as the small cubes and
granulated sugar we are familiar with.
Pieces were cut from it by hand using sugar nips, pliers-like cutters. Typically, the bigger the sugarloaf, the lower the grade of sugar.
Portuguese explorers who discovered Rio de Janeiro in 1502 named Sugarloaf Mountain, due to its resemblance to a sugarloaf cone.
Pieces were cut from it by hand using sugar nips, pliers-like cutters. Typically, the bigger the sugarloaf, the lower the grade of sugar.
Portuguese explorers who discovered Rio de Janeiro in 1502 named Sugarloaf Mountain, due to its resemblance to a sugarloaf cone.
Ten Oreo Cookie Facts
More sweet stuff. Oreos are the
world’s best-selling cookie. The first Oreo cookie was made in
1912 in two flavors, original and lemon meringue at the original
Nabisco bakery in New York City
The origin of the name Oreo is unknown, but a leading theory is that the name was derived from the French word “Or”, meaning gold (the early packaging was gold tin).
The cookie-to-creme ratio of an original Oreo cookie is 71% to 29%.
Double Stuf Oreos were introduced in 1974.
Big Stuff Oreos were introduced in 1987, and were about 10 times larger than a regular Oreo. They were discontinued in 1991.
Oreos became kosher in 1998.
50% of all Oreo eaters pull apart their cookies before eating them. Also, women twist them open more often than men.
In 1998, they introduced Oreo’Os cereal. The cereal was discontinued because Post and Kraft are no longer co-branding. Post owns the recipe to the cereal and Kraft owns the rights to Oreo
The origin of the name Oreo is unknown, but a leading theory is that the name was derived from the French word “Or”, meaning gold (the early packaging was gold tin).
The cookie-to-creme ratio of an original Oreo cookie is 71% to 29%.
Double Stuf Oreos were introduced in 1974.
Big Stuff Oreos were introduced in 1987, and were about 10 times larger than a regular Oreo. They were discontinued in 1991.
Oreos became kosher in 1998.
50% of all Oreo eaters pull apart their cookies before eating them. Also, women twist them open more often than men.
In 1998, they introduced Oreo’Os cereal. The cereal was discontinued because Post and Kraft are no longer co-branding. Post owns the recipe to the cereal and Kraft owns the rights to Oreo
Wordology, Scripturient
I have been afflicted with
scripturience for a long time. These Friday Thoughts and my many
books are symptoms of my affliction. Scripturient means having a
desire or passion, and sometimes violent or overwhelming urge to
write.
Jun 14, 2013
Happy Friday
A smile is a sign of joy and a laugh is a sign of happiness.
I have both a smile and laugh while having a Happy Friday!
I have both a smile and laugh while having a Happy Friday!
Father's Day
Father's day is coming up this Sunday. In
Germany along the River Elbe, a special Father’s Day tradition is
upheld. It is the tradition of Christi Himmelfahrt. The fathers
pull wagons full of alcohol through the streets to celebrate their
day. They fill a hand wagon, large enough for a few coolers and
maybe small keg with locally crafted hefeweizen, Gewürztraminer, and
schnapps, then pass through the city into the forest, walking slowly
until the sun has set and the wagon’s contents have been drained.
For luck, they also carry bratwurst, mustard, pretzels, Ritter
chocolate, and a small hookah.
It is an important tradition to specific places within Germany and will often get out of control with drunken mayhem. Father's day always coincides with Ascension Thursday, a holiday whens all the stores are closed. The men get their beer and later use their wagons to be dragged home after getting drunk. Happy Father’s Day to all the Germans and everyone else who knows how to party.
It is an important tradition to specific places within Germany and will often get out of control with drunken mayhem. Father's day always coincides with Ascension Thursday, a holiday whens all the stores are closed. The men get their beer and later use their wagons to be dragged home after getting drunk. Happy Father’s Day to all the Germans and everyone else who knows how to party.
What's in a Name, Couch
Father's Day for some is spent
reclining on a couch. How many ways can you say couch? I can think
of Couch, Canape, Chesterfield, Divan, Davenport, Loveseat, Sofa,
Sectional, and Settee. Variations include sofa bed and futon.
A couch or sofa is a piece of furniture for seating two or more persons in the form of a bench, with or without armrests, that is partly or wholly upholstered, and often fitted with springs and tailored cushions.
The term 'couch' is used in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The term 'sofa' is generally used in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The most common types of couches are the loveseat, designed for seating two persons, and the sofa, with two or more cushion seats. A sectional sofa, often just referred to as a sectional, is formed from multiple sections and usually includes at least two pieces that join at an angle of 90 degrees or slightly greater, used to wrap around walls or other furniture.
Other couch variants include the divan, the fainting couch (backless or partial-backed), the canapé is an ornamental 3-seater. To conserve space, some sofas double as beds in the form of sofa-beds, daybeds, or futons.
In the United Kingdom, a Chesterfield is a deep buttoned sofa, with arms and back of the same height. It is usually made from leather and the term Chesterfield in British English is only applied to this type of sofa, but others use the term more generically. The first leather chesterfield sofa, with its distinctive deep buttoned, quilted leather upholstery and lower seat base, was commissioned by Phillip Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield.
In Canada, the term chesterfield is equivalent to a couch or sofa. The use of the term has been found to be widespread among older Canadians, but is vanishing from Canadian English. Northern California is the only place in the US where chesterfield is a synonym for couch or sofa.
A couch or sofa is a piece of furniture for seating two or more persons in the form of a bench, with or without armrests, that is partly or wholly upholstered, and often fitted with springs and tailored cushions.
The term 'couch' is used in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The term 'sofa' is generally used in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The most common types of couches are the loveseat, designed for seating two persons, and the sofa, with two or more cushion seats. A sectional sofa, often just referred to as a sectional, is formed from multiple sections and usually includes at least two pieces that join at an angle of 90 degrees or slightly greater, used to wrap around walls or other furniture.
Other couch variants include the divan, the fainting couch (backless or partial-backed), the canapé is an ornamental 3-seater. To conserve space, some sofas double as beds in the form of sofa-beds, daybeds, or futons.
In the United Kingdom, a Chesterfield is a deep buttoned sofa, with arms and back of the same height. It is usually made from leather and the term Chesterfield in British English is only applied to this type of sofa, but others use the term more generically. The first leather chesterfield sofa, with its distinctive deep buttoned, quilted leather upholstery and lower seat base, was commissioned by Phillip Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield.
In Canada, the term chesterfield is equivalent to a couch or sofa. The use of the term has been found to be widespread among older Canadians, but is vanishing from Canadian English. Northern California is the only place in the US where chesterfield is a synonym for couch or sofa.
Making Cotton Candy
This guy takes it to a whole new level.
Fascinating to watch. I love to watch an artist at his craft.
http://www.wimp.com/likeflower/
George Washington's Teeth
Here is something for fathers day
from the father of our country, his teeth.
George Washington suffered from poor dental health and spent his life in frequent mouth pain. He used a variety of tooth cleaners, dental medicines, and dentures. Dr. John Baker fabricated a partial denture with ivory that was wired to Washington’s remaining real teeth. When Washington was inaugurated President in 1789, only one real tooth remained in his mouth.
Dr. Greenwood fashioned a set of dentures of hippopotamus ivory and gold wire springs and brass screws holding human teeth. Greenwood left a hole to accommodate Washington’s single tooth. When Washington finally lost this final tooth, he gave it to Greenwood who saved it in a special case.
George Washington suffered from poor dental health and spent his life in frequent mouth pain. He used a variety of tooth cleaners, dental medicines, and dentures. Dr. John Baker fabricated a partial denture with ivory that was wired to Washington’s remaining real teeth. When Washington was inaugurated President in 1789, only one real tooth remained in his mouth.
Dr. Greenwood fashioned a set of dentures of hippopotamus ivory and gold wire springs and brass screws holding human teeth. Greenwood left a hole to accommodate Washington’s single tooth. When Washington finally lost this final tooth, he gave it to Greenwood who saved it in a special case.
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