1. Barbara Alvear #1 9B THE CPU INSIDE PART 2

2. Parallel processing (sometimes called symmetric multiprocessing or just multiprocessing in the PC world) has been used in high-end serves and workstations for some time. The threaded processing in multicore CPUs is like a microscopic version of parallel processing sued in some of the world’s biggest computing networks. Google uses a cluster of thousands of PCs to handle hundred of millions of search queries a day. Server clusters are also used for reliability reasons: If one machine in a clusters shuts down because of errors, or to be serviced, the other serves can pick up the slack. This way of processing resources of multiples serves can be grouped in a cluster to improve rendering speeds in lifelike computer graphics or calculate the sums of complex financial trading computations more quickly. MULTICORE TO CLUSTER P 72-73

3. The CPU’s main job is to follow the instructions encoded in programs. The CPU can handle only one instruction and a few pieces of data at a time. The computer need a place to store the rest of the program and data until the processor is ready for them. That's what RAM is for. Random access memory (RAM) is the most common type of primary storage, or computer memory. RAM chips contain circuits that store program instructions and data temporarily. The computer dives each RAM chip into many equal- sized memory locations. Memory locations have uniqe addresses to the computer can tell them apart when it is instructed to save or retireve infromation. COMPUTER’S MEMORY P 73-75

4. POPULAR CPU´S Intel Xscale Mobile and embedded devices ARM (variations manufactured by many companies; for example, Apple's A4) Embedded devices, MP3 players, many smart phones and mobile handheld devices, gaming devices Intel Atom Netbooks, mobile phones, PDA’s, handheld game consoles, computer peripherals Cell processor Game machines, HDTVs, gaming servers, mainframes, supercomputers Tilera TILEGX lines Vdieo conferencing, wireless base stations, high-end network controllers

5. Memory is the work are for the CPU to execute instructions or manipulate data, these instructions or data must be loaded into memory. Bytes of memory have unique addresses that identify them and help the CPU keep track of where things are stored. PCs contain a large amounts of RAM and ROM The CPU can store information into RAM and retrieve information from RAM. The information in RAM may include program instructions, numbers for arithmetic, codes representing text characters, digital codes representing pictures, and other kinds of data. HOW MEMORY WORKS P 77-78

6. In a desktop computer, the CPU, memory chips and other key components are attached to the motherboard. Information travels between components on the motherboard throught groups of wire called internal buses, or just beses. Buses typically have 32 or 64 wires, or data paths. Buses connect to storage devices in bays-open areas in the system box for disk drives and other devices.Buses alfo connnect to espansion slotos inside the computer’s housing. Users can customize their computers by inserting special- purpose circuti board called expansion cards Buses also connect to ports-sockets on the outside of the computer chassis. These ports are generally sued to attach peripherals- external devices that enable the CPU to communicate with the outside world and store information. The peripherals are connected to the ports through external buses-cables designed to transmit data back and forth between computers and peripherals BUSES, PARTS AND PERRIPHERALS P 78- 79

7. Researchers are working on a variety of fronts to produce future generations of computers that are smaller, faster, more powerful, and more energy efficient that today´s Today’s cutting edge chips employ nanotechnology- technology that approaches the molecular or atomic level. Many researchers believe carbon- based nanoscale processor could be much smaller and consume far less electricity that conventional silicon-based microprocessors. A one-atom- think sheet of carbon known as graphene shows promise as a material for making future processors Nanontechnology breakthroughs may be steppingstone on the road to quantum computers- computers based on properties of atoms and their nuclei and the laws of quantum mechanics. Another possibility for future CPUs is the optical computer-which transmits information in light waves rather than in electrical pulses TOMORROW´S COMPUTER P80

8. The Clock’s work consist of a binary digital-mechanical system which is so accurate and revolutionary that we have patented several of its elements. The Long Now Foundations uses five- digits dates, the extra zero is to solve the deca-millennium bug. In the meantime Hillis and Rose continue to experiment with ever- larger prototype Clocks. Long Now added a Library dimension with the realization of the need for content to go along with the long- term context provided by the Clock-a library of the deep future, for the deep future. The point is to explore whatever may be helpful for thinking, understanding and acting responsibly over lone periods of time. THE CLOCK OF THE LONG NOW

9. Do you think the Long Now Lock is a good idea? Why or why not? Yes because it helps people to do things easier Can you think of other ways to encourage long-term thinking? Yes, computers ANSWER QUESTIONS P 81