Living in the (LLM) Past
In the early days of AI, a common example program was the hexapawn game. This extremely simplified version of a chess program learned to play with your help. When the …read more Continue reading Living in the (LLM) Past
Author Archives: Al Williams
Ask Hackaday: How Do You Detect Hidden Cameras?
The BBC recently published an exposé revealing that some Chinese subscription sites charge for access to their network of hundreds of hidden cameras in hotel rooms. Of course, this is …read more Continue reading Ask Hackaday: How Do You Detect Hidden Cameras?
He’s a Wrapper (Wire Wrapper, That Is)
Before PCBs, wiring electronic circuits was a major challenge in electronics production. A skilled person could make beautiful wire connections between terminal strips and components with a soldering iron, but …read more Continue reading He’s a Wrapper (Wire Wrapper, That Is)
CIA’s World Factbook is Gone
Before the Internet, there was a certain value to knowing how to find out about things. Reference librarians could help you locate specialized data like the Thomas Register, the EE …read more Continue reading CIA’s World Factbook is Gone
Thomas Edison May Have Discovered Graphene
Thomas Edison is well known for his inventions (even if you don’t agree he invented all of them). However, he also occasionally invented things he didn’t understand, so they had …read more Continue reading Thomas Edison May Have Discovered Graphene
The Amazing Maser
While it has become a word, laser used to be an acronym: “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation”. But there is an even older technology called a maser, which …read more Continue reading The Amazing Maser
Computer History Museum Opens Virtually
If your travels take you near Mountain View, California, you can have the pleasure of visiting the Computer History Museum. You can see everything from a PDP-1 to an Altair …read more Continue reading Computer History Museum Opens Virtually
The History of Tandem Computers
If you are interested in historical big computers, you probably think of IBM, with maybe a little thought of Sperry Rand or, if you go smaller, HP, DEC, and companies …read more Continue reading The History of Tandem Computers
Ancient Egyptian Flatness
Making a truly flat surface is a modern engineering feat, and not a small one. Even making something straight without reference tools that are already straight is a challenge. However, …read more Continue reading Ancient Egyptian Flatness
Environmental Monitoring on the Cheap
If there is one thing we took from [azwankhairul345’s] environmental monitor project, it is this: sensors and computing power for such a project are a solved problem. What’s left is …read more Continue reading Environmental Monitoring on the Cheap