Daily Bits

DIY Turing Machine

by

Now why would anyone want to build a working Turing Machine with scrap metal? I wouldn’t know the creator’s real reason, but if I think “Just because I can” is a darned good answer.

Let’s go back a bit in time and refresh our memories about the Turing Machine, which was created by English mathematician Alan Turing. Wikipedia tells us that the machine is “a theoretical device that manipulates symbols on a strip of tape according to a table of rules. Despite its simplicity, a Turing machine can be adapted to simulate the logic of any computer algorithm, and is particularly useful in explaining the functions of a CPU inside a computer.”

The name Turing may also ring a bell because of the Turing Test, which is the basis of measuring artificial intelligence. Think robot movies!

Anyhow, a guy named Jim MacArthur has showcased his hardcore DIY skills when he created his own Turing Machine from scrap metal, and he uploaded a video on YouTube earlier this month. His short description of his creation:

This is a mechanical universal Turing machine (given an infinite track). It uses ball bearings as its memory and has no electrical components, other than a small motor used to drive it. This is a quick overview video filmed at Maker Faire UK 2011.

What’s the use of this machine? Not much, especially if you are not into computer science, but MacArthur still deserves kudos for drumming this up! Think you can one up him?

Last Night Never Happened: An App to Delete Your Boo-boos

by

Last Night Never Happened

Upon waking up today, I saw a friend’s status on Facebook: “To the 2 strangers I called last night, and have no recollection of what we talked about, I am very sorry.” Now I don’t know what that was about, but it reminded me of so many incidents wherein people got so wasted that they had no recollection of the events of the previous night. I am sure that you are no stranger to such events as well, and that, in the morning, you wished that there was a way to undo things.

But wait – there is an app for that! At least for deleting written evidence. Developed by So Soho Holdings Limited and 22seeds, the iPhone app is being dubbed as “the world’s first morning-after app” and seems to hold some potential. The idea is rather simple: once you wake up from your drunken stupor and realize that you have posted some things on Facebook and Twitter that you would rather not have posted, you can launch the app and delete those posts. Oh, and you can delete photos as well.

The graphical interface is simple – specially designed for people still suffering from a pounding head and blurry vision. There are also idiot-proof measures so that you don’t end up deleting more than you actually want to. (You never know – in your earnest desire to get rid of humiliating evidence, you might accidentally delete “legitimate” data.)

If you are ALWAYS in control when it comes to your social network accounts, then forget the app. Then again, I have a strong feeling that you will find this app very handy. Get it from the iTunes store for $1.99.

Books2Barcodes: Books in QR Codes

by

Have you ever heard of QR codes? They’re barcodes in two-dimensional form, and they are fast gaining popularity. They have been around for a while, and some people have even resorted to using QR codes for their tombstones!

I just discovered a more “intelligent” use for QR codes, though. A group of archivists, engineers, and library scientists have put their heads together to start a project called Books2Barcodes. Basically, their goal is to convert classic works to QR code form. People can then easily access the books via their web site.

The thing is, you will need a barcode-scanning app to read the QR codes and re-convert them to text that you can actually read. Practically any mobile phone with a camera and the app installed can do this for you. Here’s an example – parts of Lewis Carroll’s The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland.
Alice in Wonderland QR Codes

Obviously, no human can make sense of those images, but with the tools mentioned above, it is no issue. I know what you might be thinking – what is the advantage of converting books to QR codes, only to have to re-convert them to readable format? The brains behind the project state:

“…to make the classics of yesterday accessible to today’s technology. Although the task of converting books to barcodes is difficult, time-consuming, and impossible to automate, we believe this cultural contribution is necessary, regardless of the logistical difficulties.”

One possible advantage I can see is regarding storage – this format may take less space, but I am not sure. In any case, if you are interested in reading some classics in QR code form, check out the other titles at Books2Barcodes.

Elemental Love: We Love the Periodic Table

by

periodic-coffee-table
I was never good in Chemistry, but I did more than pass my courses. Still, I cannot explain the attraction I have for everything related to the Periodic Table. Who doesn’t find it fascinating? Hate it or love it, the Periodic Table has something about it that you just can’t ignore.

“Part professional nerd” Eric Curts got my undivided attention – and more – today when I discovered a poem that he wrote and posted in his blog recently. Professional nerd he may be, but Eric seems to be a man who is in touch with his sensitive side – something that one can’t say about a lot of men these days, eh? 😉

Dubbed Elemental Love, the poem integrates some elements in their symbol form. Now it is up to you to dig up those memories of the Periodic Table and remember what the two-letter symbols stand for. It’s not that hard – especially if you have been fixating on the Periodic Table in the past several years.

Elemental Love
In the light of the Ag moon
With the stars and Hg above
I Pb you to a quiet place
And told you of my love

I drew a breath of O
And smiled brave and bold
With my Ne the ground below
I offered a ring of Au

With just a Ni to my name
You said “Yes” thereupon
I kissed you on your Cu lips
Now my lonely days Ar

In case you need some help (shame!), here are the elements used in the poem (in random order): copper, lead, silver, nickel, argon, oxygen, gold, neon, and lead.

Source: Holy Geeks!

A Sea of Tweets: Another Way to Show Japan Your Support

by

It has been over a week since the first earthquake hit Japan and tsunamis wreaked havoc. Some of us may have already moved on with our lives, reading the occasional news report of what’s going on in Japan. Others may be getting their act together with regard to disaster preparedness. Have you showed your support for the victims of the quakes and the tsunamis in one way or another?

Last week, we published an entry about a fundraising drive for Japan. It is not too late to chip in. You can also check with the Red Cross to see what you can do to help. While not everyone may have a lot to spare, there are other ways by which you can express support.

Here is one interesting initiative that I discovered: A Sea of Tweets. This movement is spearheaded by artists Mark Skwarek, Tamiko Thiel, and John Craig Freeman, who are converting tweets into paper cranes and placing them in front of Mt. Fuji and along Japan’s coastline. The act is purely symbolic, but the message is strong and clear: there are people who care and want to show their support.

How do you participate? It is rather simple: just use the hashtag #seaoftweets to your tweet, and it will be counted and converted to a paper crane.

To learn more about this movement, visit A Sea of Tweets. More than using the hashtag, please remember to look at other practical ways you can send some help. Even the tiniest bit of help will be appreciated!

The Dating Game Goes Social

by

The Dating GameRemember that TV show which helped singles meet the person of their dreams? Quirky and funny, The Dating Game was one of the most popular TV shows in the old days. If I remember correctly, The Dating Game was even franchised in different countries. Not much has changed in the face of dating in that people are still on their own quests to find their perfect match. If anything, dating has merged with technological developments, creating new options.

Everyone knows about online dating and how it has become a viable alternative for many people. 3G Studios, a Reno, Nevada-based developer, has introduced a new element into the equation: a dating game that can be played with real people via social networks. Surprising? Not really. Silly? Probably.

The format of The Dating Game is not totally different from the TV show. A game will have a bachelor, or a bachelorette, seeking a date. There will be three potential dates who remain anonymous until the bachelor/bachelorette makes a decision. He or she will be asking personal questions which each of the contestants must answer. After several rounds, the person seeking a date will make his or her choice and gets to go on a date with the winner. Of course, the date may either be virtual or for real, depending on the people involved. The game is available for Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster – among others. (So people still do use Friendster???)

This new game raises a lot of questions, one of which is with regard to security. The developers deals with this issue by allowing avatars instead of photos. Personally, I think that if someone wants to play a dating game using his or her social networking account, then security would probably not be an issue for that person. Then again, if you take a look at that screenshot above, you might have second thoughts about playing the game.

In any case, if you are single and you find yourself having nothing to do this weekend, grab The Dating Game for free. Or you can read a book. That’s probably more productive.