Low-cost microcomputing: The personal computer and single-board computer revolutions

Personal computing is one of the most revolutionary applications of microprocessors; single-board computing is another. The origins of both applications are traced and current products and services described in a tutorial fashion. Trends are forecasted and conclusions drawn about these two low-cost computing revolutions.     

World's coolest personal computer

By dunking the guts of its computers in liquid, Hardcore Computer, in Rochester, Minn., says it can dampen (yes, that's the word it uses) temperature spikes, raising both reliability and performance through "the fastest sustainable overclocking available." Overclocked video cards and other components run at roughly half their normal temperatures.     

A new direction in personal computer software

The "personalization" of computers is made possible by three major factors--advances in microelectronics, the availability of inexpensive software for a spectrum of applications, and the increased user-friendliness of computer systems. This paper examines the trends in software development, and presents estimates of the escalating costs involved in such development. Major studies by AT & T and by others stress that the true need is for more sophisticated and effective communication tools rather than for more computing power. Effective communication often pivots around the impact of diverse types of information--numeric, textual, and pictorial. Current endeavors are towards refining and integrating several existing technologies to implement software that enables programmers and non-programmers alike to readily manipulate images comprised of different types of information. This paper examines the emerging field of presentation graphics software and presents details of a new product in this nascent field. The conclusion emphasizes the impact of graphic computing in enlarging the spectrum of personal computer applications.     

Digital filter analysis with personal computer

This paper presents programs for analysis of digital filters in the time and frequency domain. They are written in BASIC language particularly suited to personal computers. These programs have been developed for general digital filters and their uses are illustrated on several particular cases.     

Micro earth stations as personal computer accessories

Equatorial Communications Company has shipped more than 15000 micro earth stations, typically 24 in (60 cm) in diameter and costing under $3000 for reception of satellite data transmission. Many are used as data input devices for personal computers in distributed database applications. Equatorial is also developing low-cost interactive micro earth stations appropriate for connecting personal computers or terminals to remote host computers. Equatorial is also a satellite transponder owner and provider of packet-switched satellite network services to the installed base of micro earth stations. Spread-spectrum modulation techniques implemented in microprocessor technology are used in Equatorial networks and earth stations to provide high performance, including interference rejection, at very low cost.     

Image processing on the IBM personal computer

The Palo Alto Scientific Center has developed an experimental image processing system based upon the IBM Personal Computer. It provides a variety of commonly used image processing functions in an environment that connects the programs through a menu convenient for both casual and experienced users. The System is implemented using a compiled BASIC program coupled with assembly language subroutines. Its performance is impressive, providing interactive multispectral image processing and image analysis capability for small images.     

高清晰度数字电视(HDTV)与个人电脑技术的融合

论述了个人电脑系统及计算机网络在HDTV技术发展中的地位和作用，从设计水平上分析了个人电脑处理播放HDTV节目的技术基础，提出了未来数字电视网络与计算机网络融合为一、个人电脑与电视合二为一的观点。     

The complex propagation constant of multilayer waveguides: analgorithm for a personal computer

An algorithm for the calculation of the propagation constant of integrated-optics waveguides is developed. The waveguide may consist of any number of layers with complex refractive indexes due to gain and loss. It allows the additional determination of the field distribution. Thus, all parameters necessary for heterostructure laser development can be calculated. The resulting program was run on a personal computer; numerical results are presented     

基于微机的摄像头监控系统设计

基于微型计算机和摄像头,设计一种智能监控系统,采用图像识别技术,在有入侵者时能自动启动记录程序,对入侵活动进行记录,入侵结束后记录也停止,这样可以节约大量的存贮空间,并方便后期的查找,实现了现场监控的实时化、智能化。在低成本投入的情况下,以简单的配置和简便的操作达到了高性能监控系统的功能。     

Future personal "e-payment": IrFM

There is widespread distribution of millions of mobile devices such as mobile phones and PDAs with infrared data association (IrDA) ports to consumers worldwide. Rapid advancements in both device technology and users' capabilities are the foundations for a new digital payment system, which promises to change the traditional method of payments. By utilizing standard IrDA indoor infrared technology, infrared financial messaging (IrFM) is a financial messaging specification with great prospects for future digital payment systems. In this article, we carry out a comprehensive analysis of IrFM, clarify the benefits of using such a system, and develop a model which allows us to identify the significance of major performance factors of digital payment systems. Issues concerning connection speed, security, reliability, simplicity, and interoperability of IrFM are investigated.     

基于Linux的单机全数字控制的扫描探针显微镜

扫描探针显微镜的全数字控制通常采用数字信号处理器来进行,而PC机只辅助进行数据处理和显示。本文给出一种新的全数字控制方案,即在普通PC机上使用修改了内核的Linux操作系统实现对扫描探针显微镜进行多线程、高精度的实时控制。这种方法省掉了数字信号处理器的硬件开销及其与PC机通信部分的技术投入,而充分利用PC机自身强大的运算和编程功能,实现了对扫描探针进行任意方式的操控。此方法已成功应用于一套实验室自制的超高真空扫描隧道显微镜中,得到了清洁Si(111)表面7×7重构的原子分辨像。     

Android平板电脑的电子菜单优化设计

研究一种行之有效的android平板电脑的电子菜单优化设计方案。选择离散年龄段的900个受试志愿者,使用高速摄像机捕捉其使用平板电脑时的动作参数,同时考察受试者对优化前后平板电脑方案的感性量化评价。试验结果表明,菜单优化前后受试者操作速度、停顿时间、操作步数均有优化,受试者感性量化评价更倾向于优化后菜单,证明了优化方案的可行性。     

Getting small: a short history of the personal computer

Traces the development of the personal computer (PC). The article first considers the technological underpinnings; how integrated circuits and microprocessors replaced vacuum tubes etc. The computer had been developed mainly by and for large organisations, but it was the amateurs that caused the emergence of the PC, beginning with the Altair 8800, which the user assembled himself. The interface consisted of switches and flashing lights. The hardware and interfaces then developed and new manufacturers entered the market. Finally, the emergence of graphical user interfaces and user-friendly applications software made the PC of interest to users without the skill or inclination to be programmers     

The computer in education—Some examples

Educational institutions are now beginning to develop projects and programs, and to find the people to carry out both administrative and instructional activities which involve computer technology. The examples in this paper cover a broad spectrum of activity in handling information which is important to educational decision makers--the teacher, the guidance counsellor, the principal, the administrator--relating to the allocation of resources, to the effectiveness of educational programming, and to learning more about the process of education itself. Included in the paper are a discussion of the Palo Alto School District Educational Data Services operation and an explanation of the developing regional data processing concept in California. Later, the notion of the Computer Utility Data Bank is explored in terms of the present and future state-of-the-art as they are related to educational applications. Finally, the relationship of information to the user outside of the formal instructional situation (in the school) is considered in the light of new styles of urban planning and the total communications requirements which may be suggested for the user's home. The focus here is on Columbia City, Md. This sampling, and it can only be that, should suggest that a major revolution is in the offing. It will change our notions of how people learn, of what information is required for the meaningful life and for the contributing and participating citizen. As with other disciplines, the dialog between the educator and the computer scientist has barely begun.     

全国计算机等级考试C语言上机考试分析

主要介绍了全国计算机等级考试C语言上机考试,详细阐述了改错题和编程题的主要特点和注意事项.     

How PC is your PC? [personal computer lifespan]

This paper discusses the report by Eric Williams on the fact that the personal computer is not energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The analysis was based on a PC with a Pentium III processor and a 17-inch cathode ray tube screen. Detailed assessment was made to calculate the total energy and materials that go into manufacturing a PC and have shown that it is actually a highly energy-intensive process. Taking into account the PC's rather short average lifespan of about three years, the computer's average annual energy cost is greater than that of household appliances such as refrigerators which last at about 15 years.