Stumbled on this through a Google.com landing page link... almost missed it.
This is FUN... and a very coolbeans idea!
The Home Page Video is a really good one to see too. Check it out and see who is talking about it.
When you are done with the introduction experience, try some of the links to the many other similar tutorials. These are fun, and educational.
Promote Computer Science
Enjoy!
:-)
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Know Your UOM - (Unit of Measure)
While reading the Wikipedia bit about the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, I was reminded of an event I frequently think of and cite as an example of why it is important to know (and display) your unit of measure.
Google: Mars Climate Orbiter Mission Fails Due To Unit of Measure Error
Distance is a good example. Say you are telling someone how to get somewhere and you say: "Go 3 and turn Left." Ummm, OK... 3 what? Blocks? Miles? Light-years? There is a difference. Liquid is a good example too. "It takes 10 to get that done." 10 ounces? 10 gallons? 10 Acre Feet? ... Again, big differences.
Just a quick thought.
Have Fun!
:-)
Google: Mars Climate Orbiter Mission Fails Due To Unit of Measure Error
Distance is a good example. Say you are telling someone how to get somewhere and you say: "Go 3 and turn Left." Ummm, OK... 3 what? Blocks? Miles? Light-years? There is a difference. Liquid is a good example too. "It takes 10 to get that done." 10 ounces? 10 gallons? 10 Acre Feet? ... Again, big differences.
Just a quick thought.
Have Fun!
:-)
Apollo 11 Computer vs IBM XT PC
Be sure to check out the following article...
... Published on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing
I've often wondered about how the computers of today, especially "Smart Phones" and "Tablet PC's", would compare to the equipment used by the early US Astronauts of the Gemini and Apollo programs. According to the above article, there is no comparison really... to get a useful comparison you need to go back to the IBM XT PC, which was released in March of 1983, which by today's tech standards is a whopping 14 years after Neil Armstrong's July-1969 Moonwalk.
So even a simple cell phone that a lot of folks (like me) still use today has a LOT more computing power than the early astronauts used for their missions. Think about that a bit... especially the next time your cell / smart phone acts up, or fails completely. Would you want to fly to the moon and back dependent on a computer as advanced as your phone?
:-)
How powerful was the Apollo 11 computer?
by Grant Robertson on July 20, 2009... Published on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing
I've often wondered about how the computers of today, especially "Smart Phones" and "Tablet PC's", would compare to the equipment used by the early US Astronauts of the Gemini and Apollo programs. According to the above article, there is no comparison really... to get a useful comparison you need to go back to the IBM XT PC, which was released in March of 1983, which by today's tech standards is a whopping 14 years after Neil Armstrong's July-1969 Moonwalk.
So even a simple cell phone that a lot of folks (like me) still use today has a LOT more computing power than the early astronauts used for their missions. Think about that a bit... especially the next time your cell / smart phone acts up, or fails completely. Would you want to fly to the moon and back dependent on a computer as advanced as your phone?
:-)
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