Captured: The Pacific and Adjacent Theaters in WWII – Plog Photo Blog

Some interesting revelations I came across ...

"Would I Lie To You?"

A BBC report (available to listen)

About the science of lie detection.

Source: BBC World Service Programmes.

One of those rarities I have seen only in Russia...

Hi friends!
Finally I am putting those much awaited pictures of the biggest computing machine I have see so far. Yes, once again this is a rarity I have seen in Russia only.
Below, are those snaps I took when I saw that blue giant. Though the pictures are not of high quality they give an idea of the machine's 'size'. I was lucky to be allowed to see, or rather I was helped to 'sneak into' the 'prohibited premises' of the soviet times. Yes, Russia is still under those soviet era effects of keeping things 'hidden'. But I have been able to 'see' many such wonders. Will talk about other wonders later. Right now, enjoy reading and watching this 'super' computer.

Well, I would begin with the heart of a computer - its Processor. Above is the process of the computer, model codenamed EC 1036. Yes, this is that same predecessor of the 1' x 1' CPU chip that we get on our PC's motherboard. The human size high cupboard, which is more than two times broader than me can perform computations far lesser than the modern intel chips. But there's a story behind this wonder in the blue, the story of dirty but interesting politics. Will talk about it sometimes later. Keep checking this blog. Right now, quickly publishing some images.

Well, here comes another important part, the Random Access Memory, 'standing' besides or rather behind the processor unit. The half-opened cupboard, next to me, has all the RAM that this computer needs. Guess how much was that! Put your comments with your guessings. It would be fun. I could not keep the cupboard fully open because that's the way it was designed and 'we' did not want to shake it at all. After all, it was functioning at that time! Another surprise. Yes, the computer was working when this picture was taken. Infact, it was serving its daily services. it was supposed to be retired, soon after my visit.

There are many other interesting parts, like the Input/Output and storage devices. Guess how they may look like! So keep watching this space. It's real fun watching this monstrous computer.

What is there beyond the Universe?

Hey guys!
All those aspiring scientists, and all those who like to talk/read/think about science and anything scientific, even those who just wonder what life is and all that stuff, I am throwing a question to you.

Have you ever thought where the Universe is situated? I mean, our earth is in the solar system, and the solar system is on some edge of the galaxy and these galaxies are in the universe, but where is this universe?
It must be "somewhere". So where's it? Don't answer like "It's endless". Com'on, there must be some place where it is. Where's that "room" or "space" where universe is? It must be standing on some plate, where is that "base"? It must be hanging somewhere, and where is that "string" on which it's hanging?

Try to visualize the galaxies in front of u, as if you are watching them from a space ship. And this way, you can visualize the whole universe in front of you. Now think about the walls of this big universe and try to imagine what is beyond those walls. There must be "something" beyond them. So what's that? And if there's nothing beyond universe, i.e. it's so big, then where the hell, is this "whole thing" situated?

Have you ever thought about this? Just try to think over it, and you'll be feeling dangerously eager.

Regards,
Vaibhav.

My diary pages

Hi, friends!

I'm a very thoughful person, I have always been like that. I can keep on thinking about various topics for hours. But to give words to my thoughts, so that others can understand it, is a different story.

Recently, thanks to orkut and other social networking sites, I have started putting my thoughts onto (digital) paper.

In my diary I'll share my thoughts on various topics with you. You may give me your comments, which will help me present my ideas in a better way, or it may sharpen my thoughts and together we can share the knowledge.

I read on some site, that "Knowledge Shared is Knowledge Squared". I think it's true.

All in all, it'll be interesting to both of us. I guarantee.

Regards,

Vaibhav Shah.