PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations) is an early computer-based education system developed at the University of Illinois in the 1960s. It was originally designed for use in computer-assisted instruction and became one of the first systems to facilitate online education. PLATO featured a graphical user interface, the ability to support thousands of users simultaneously, and various interactive features that allowed for the creation of educational content, including lessons, quizzes, and simulations.
The Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) was a research facility and part of the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence (MoD), primarily focused on developing technologies related to signals processing, radar systems, and electronic warfare. Founded in the early 20th century, RSRE played a significant role in military research, particularly during and after World War II, contributing to advancements in radar technology and communication systems used by the British Armed Forces.
Gobuntu was an official Ubuntu variant that was aimed at providing a completely free and open-source software experience. It was essentially a version of Ubuntu that excluded all proprietary software, drivers, and firmware, thus aligning closely with the ideals of free software advocates. The name "Gobuntu" itself is a play on the words "GNU" and "Ubuntu," emphasizing the distribution's commitment to providing a system composed solely of free software.
Consumer brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are technologies that enable direct communication between a human brain and external devices, primarily for consumer applications. Unlike clinical BCIs, which are often used in medical settings for rehabilitation or assistive technology, consumer BCIs are designed for everyday use and aim to enhance or augment personal experiences.
"In the Beginning... Was the Command Line" is a well-known essay written by Neal Stephenson, published in 1999. The piece explores the evolution of computer interfaces, particularly contrasting command-line interfaces (CLI) with graphical user interfaces (GUI). Stephenson discusses the fundamental differences between these two types of interfaces, emphasizing the power and flexibility that command-line environments offer to users who are willing to learn and adapt.
The history of automated adaptive instruction in computer applications can be traced through several key developments and phases, spanning several decades. Here's an overview: ### Early Beginnings (1950s-1960s) 1. **Computers in Education**: The use of computers in education began in the 1950s. Early computer-based training programs focused on drills and practice, often using simple decision trees to tailor instruction based on a user's answers.
IBM 3270 is a family of display and printer terminal products that were introduced by IBM in the early 1970s. The 3270 terminals were primarily designed for use with IBM mainframe computers and became an essential part of the IBM mainframe architecture. ### Key Features of IBM 3270: 1. **Display Type**: The 3270 terminals featured a screen display, allowing users to interact with mainframe applications in a more visual manner compared to earlier punched card systems.
Memex, short for "memory extension," is a conceptual information storage and retrieval system proposed by engineer and inventor Vannevar Bush in his 1945 essay "As We May Think." The idea behind Memex was to create a device that would allow individuals to store and retrieve vast amounts of information in a way that mimics the associative nature of human memory.
Windows 10, version 1703, also known as the Creators Update, was a major update for Windows 10 released by Microsoft on April 5, 2017. This update was part of the ongoing development and enhancement of the Windows 10 operating system and included various new features, improvements, and fixes.
A point-and-shoot interface typically refers to a user-friendly camera design that allows users to take photographs with minimal setup and technical knowledge. This kind of interface emphasizes simplicity and convenience, making it accessible for casual users who may not be familiar with the intricacies of photography.
Sketchpad, created by Ivan Sutherland in 1963, is an early computer graphics program that allowed users to draw on a computer screen using a light pen. It is considered one of the first graphical user interfaces and a pioneering work in the field of interactive computer graphics. Sketchpad introduced concepts such as object manipulation, constraint satisfaction, and layers, which have influenced modern computer-aided design (CAD) software and graphical applications.
The Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks are a program established by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to recognize and preserve significant historical sites, structures, and artifacts that have made important contributions to the field of mechanical engineering. These landmarks represent noteworthy achievements in mechanical design, engineering innovation, and advancements in technology throughout history. Each landmark is selected based on specific criteria, such as its historical significance, engineering importance, and its impact on society.
ILoo was a proposed portable toilet concept that aimed to provide a more innovative and high-tech solution for public restrooms. The concept was introduced around 2007 and was marketed as a "public restroom experience" that included features such as internet access, music, and other amenities, making it a more inviting space. The idea gained some attention, but it ultimately did not become widely implemented.
The history of the diesel engine is a fascinating journey that spans over a century. It begins with the vision of an efficient, high-compression engine and includes various technological advancements and significant contributions from several inventors.
Windows 10 Mobile is an operating system developed by Microsoft for smartphones and other mobile devices. It was part of the broader Windows 10 family and aimed to provide a consistent experience across devices. Below is the version history of Windows 10 Mobile, including major updates and releases: ### Initial Release 1. **Windows 10 Mobile (version 1507)**: Released in November 2015 as the first version of Windows 10 Mobile.
Windows 10 has undergone numerous updates and version changes since its initial release. Here's a summary of its version history, including major updates and features: ### Initial Release - **Version 1507 (Threshold 1)**: Released on July 29, 2015, this was the original version of Windows 10. ### Major Updates 1.
Bill Gates is an American business magnate, software developer, philanthropist, and author. He co-founded Microsoft Corporation in 1975, which became the world's largest personal-computer software company. Gates was instrumental in the development of the company's software products, particularly the Windows operating system, which became widely used in personal computers. He was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington.
Tony Bove is a professional involved in various ventures, mainly recognized as an author and a speaker in the fields of technology and digital media. He has a background in music and has written books related to music production, recording, and technology, particularly focusing on Apple products and software like GarageBand and Logic Pro. In addition to his books, he has been known for providing insights and tutorials about music creation and software on different platforms.
Prancercise is a form of exercise created by Joanna Rohrback that combines elements of dance, walking, and visible movement to promote fitness in a fun and engaging way. It is characterized by a rhythmic, flowing style of movement that mimics the gait of a horse, hence the name "Prancercise." The practice is often done in open spaces and encourages participants to enjoy the sensations of movement and the outdoors, making it both a workout and a playful experience.
Caloric theory is a historical scientific theory that was proposed in the 18th century to explain the nature of heat. According to this theory, heat was thought to be a fluid called "caloric" that flowed from hotter objects to colder ones. Caloric was considered a substance that was conserved in thermodynamic processes, meaning that it could not be created or destroyed but could only move from one body to another.

Pinned article: Introduction to the OurBigBook Project

Welcome to the OurBigBook Project! Our goal is to create the perfect publishing platform for STEM subjects, and get university-level students to write the best free STEM tutorials ever.
Everyone is welcome to create an account and play with the site: ourbigbook.com/go/register. We belive that students themselves can write amazing tutorials, but teachers are welcome too. You can write about anything you want, it doesn't have to be STEM or even educational. Silly test content is very welcome and you won't be penalized in any way. Just keep it legal!
We have two killer features:
  1. topics: topics group articles by different users with the same title, e.g. here is the topic for the "Fundamental Theorem of Calculus" ourbigbook.com/go/topic/fundamental-theorem-of-calculus
    Articles of different users are sorted by upvote within each article page. This feature is a bit like:
    • a Wikipedia where each user can have their own version of each article
    • a Q&A website like Stack Overflow, where multiple people can give their views on a given topic, and the best ones are sorted by upvote. Except you don't need to wait for someone to ask first, and any topic goes, no matter how narrow or broad
    This feature makes it possible for readers to find better explanations of any topic created by other writers. And it allows writers to create an explanation in a place that readers might actually find it.
    Figure 1.
    Screenshot of the "Derivative" topic page
    . View it live at: ourbigbook.com/go/topic/derivative
  2. local editing: you can store all your personal knowledge base content locally in a plaintext markup format that can be edited locally and published either:
    This way you can be sure that even if OurBigBook.com were to go down one day (which we have no plans to do as it is quite cheap to host!), your content will still be perfectly readable as a static site.
    Figure 2.
    You can publish local OurBigBook lightweight markup files to either https://OurBigBook.com or as a static website
    .
    Figure 3.
    Visual Studio Code extension installation
    .
    Figure 4.
    Visual Studio Code extension tree navigation
    .
    Figure 5.
    Web editor
    . You can also edit articles on the Web editor without installing anything locally.
    Video 3.
    Edit locally and publish demo
    . Source. This shows editing OurBigBook Markup and publishing it using the Visual Studio Code extension.
    Video 4.
    OurBigBook Visual Studio Code extension editing and navigation demo
    . Source.
  3. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook-media/master/feature/x/hilbert-space-arrow.png
  4. Infinitely deep tables of contents:
    Figure 6.
    Dynamic article tree with infinitely deep table of contents
    .
    Descendant pages can also show up as toplevel e.g.: ourbigbook.com/cirosantilli/chordate-subclade
All our software is open source and hosted at: github.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook
Further documentation can be found at: docs.ourbigbook.com
Feel free to reach our to us for any help or suggestions: docs.ourbigbook.com/#contact