Phillips Machine (image from NYTimes)

We will be discussing the nature of computation in class on Friday 9/17.  You are expected to be familiar with the two articles listed below and to have answered brief comprehension questions.

Read about the Phillips Machine, pictured at left.

Skim the 1989 Scientific American article on a Tinkertoy computer that plays tic-tac-toe.

BRIEFLY answer the following questions on a piece of paper you’ll bring to class:

1 – Write a definition for ‘computer.’  Are the two machines you read about included or excluded by your definition?

2 – What does digital mean?  Analog? (look them up if you don’t know but write it in words that make sense to you)

3 – What are some of the advantages of a digital computer over analog computers like the two you just read about?

4 – What are some of the advantages of an analog computer over digital computers?  If you’re drawing a blank, read the end of the Phillips Machine article carefully.

5 – What were two major challenges in building the Tinkertoy computer?

Be prepared for an exciting discussion on Friday 9/17!

Feel free to share some reactions to what you read in the comments below.

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