As of my last knowledge update in October 2023, the list of the fastest supercomputers is maintained primarily by the TOP500 project, which ranks supercomputers based on their performance on the LINPACK benchmark. The rankings are updated twice a year, usually in June and November.
Magnetic-core memory is a type of non-volatile computer memory that was widely used from the 1950s to the 1980s before being largely replaced by semiconductor memory technologies. It utilizes tiny magnetic ferrite rings, known as cores, to store bits of information. Each core represents one bit of data, with the core being magnetized in one direction to represent a "0" and the opposite direction for a "1". **Key Features of Magnetic-Core Memory:** 1.
The Moore School Lectures refer to a series of lectures in mathematics and related fields that were established in honor of the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. The series is named after the Moore School's association with John von Neumann, who was a prominent figure in the development of computer science and mathematics. The lectures typically feature prominent mathematicians and scientists who present their work and insights into various aspects of mathematics, including its applications, theory, and intersections with other disciplines.
Near letter-quality printing refers to a level of print quality that approaches that of a traditional typewriter or a high-quality printed document, but may not achieve the full fidelity of letter-quality printing. This term is often associated with certain types of impact and dot matrix printers, where the output is sufficiently clear and legible for tasks like business correspondence, invoices, and forms, but it might not have the polished appearance of laser or inkjet prints.
Optical storage refers to a type of data storage that uses laser technology to read and write data on discs. The most common forms of optical storage include CDs (Compact Discs), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and Blu-ray Discs. Here are some key characteristics of optical storage: 1. **Data Encoding**: Information is encoded onto the disc in the form of tiny pits and lands that represent binary data (0s and 1s).
A SUN workstation refers to a type of computer workstation that was developed and marketed by Sun Microsystems, a company known for its high-performance computing products. SUN workstations were primarily based on the SPARC (Scalable Processor Architecture) architecture and ran the Solaris operating system, which is a version of Unix optimized for Sun hardware. SUN workstations were widely used in scientific, engineering, and enterprise environments due to their advanced hardware capabilities and robust software support.
Soviet computing technology smuggling generally refers to the clandestine transfer of advanced computing technology and related materials from the Soviet Union during the Cold War era to other countries, especially Western nations. This activity was primarily motivated by the desire to acquire foreign technology that could enhance the Soviet Union's computing capabilities, which were lagging behind those of the West.
The Swedish Board for Computing Machinery, known as "Svenska datorkommittén" in Swedish, is an organization that focuses on advancing the field of computing in Sweden. It is often associated with promoting research, education, and best practices in computer science and technology. The board typically engages with academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and government bodies to enhance collaboration and innovation within the computing sector.
The "Traitorous Eight" refers to a group of eight engineers and scientists who were instrumental in founding the technology company, Fairchild Semiconductor, in the late 1950s. They are notably known for leaving Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory, which was established by William Shockley, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and co-inventor of the transistor. The departure was driven by dissatisfaction with Shockley's management style and his focus on the business side rather than technical innovation.