Category Archives: 1. Computer Systems

1. Computer Systems, 3. Multimedia, Computing Higher

Microsoft Mirage Table

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The kinect is basically a depth sensitive web cam. Researchers at Microsoft have created a 3D video conferencing tool that includes aspects of augmented reality as well as 3D scanning.

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More details here. Now the thing is that this looks a lot like a scene from Minority Report (the 2002 movie). However, while the film has 3D holographic projectors, running from a 2D source. Microsoft has 3D capture and uses a 3D projector to convince the user that they are seeing in 3D.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/OSDqZeI2WlA" width="425" height="344" allowfullscreen="true" fvars="fs=1" /]

In ten years we have went from a science fiction film based in 2054 to a working prototype.

1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher

How the Internet works in 5 minutes

I liked this video but I did not like or agree with their definition of server, it was a simplification too far.

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Compare it with the video below and you will see the similarities

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1. Computer Systems

Memory Calculations – in your head

Right then, after digging out my calculator and going back over everything, I have it again 🙂

I did miss out a step, here is the worked example

32 bit Address Bus – 64 bit Data Bus

  • 2Address Bus * Data Bus
  • 232 * 64 bits is equivalent to
  • 232 * 8 Bytes
  • 8 * 232 is equivalent to
  • 8 * 22 * 230
  • 8 * 4 * 230
  • 32 * 230 Bytes

230 is a GigaByte so the answer is 32GB

Remember

1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher, FAQ

FAQ – Functions of a single user Operating System

Description and exemplification of the main functions of a single user operating system :

  • interpreting users commands
  • file management
  • memory  management
  • input/output management
  • resource allocation
  • managing processes

Continue reading FAQ – Functions of a single user Operating System →