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dmitrygr 11 minutes ago [-]
Buried important detail: this is an art project, no actual electronics were built, none of it can or does work as a computer.
ofrzeta 11 hours ago [-]
Not to detract from the amazing feat the teacher and students achieved but what are "simulated vacuum tubes"?
EDIT: oh, it's really just "visual simulation" if you want to put it like that.
"Vacuum tubes were recreated using paper printed elements that match the size, spacing, and density of the originals... Cabling paths and plugboard interfaces were recreated visually and spatially so students could understand how dense, repetitive, and precise the machine was." https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/21/eniac_model_build/
broswell 4 hours ago [-]
The replica is currently being put on display at the Computer Museum @ System Source in Hunt Valley, MD https://museum.syssrc.com
Animats 14 hours ago [-]
The idea for the company came when Burick was building a “white box” PC from standard, off-the-shelf components, and realized there was no comparable product for robotics. ... They sold about 200 robots in 17 countries, Burick says.
Yup. There's no volume in hobbyist robot kits.
pkphilip 14 hours ago [-]
Wow! I am sure the kids are totally kicked and will remember this for the rest of their lives!
We need many more of these sorts of projects - for kids as well as adults
ginkgotree 14 hours ago [-]
This is a pretty great flex. Because it's awesome.
ModernMech 6 hours ago [-]
As a roboticist / educator with dyscalculia/neurodivergence from Pennsylvania I really identify with this piece lol. Maybe there's something in the water out here, I dunno.
To this day I still have to do basic arithmetic on my hands, and I'm very self conscious about being in a field where there are people who can just do these calculations in their head. "How do have trouble with this, aren't you a computer genius?" is something I've heard many times. I like computers because they do the calculations for me! To a large degree, most of my life I've felt like an imposter for this reason, believing that I'm not smart but I just try hard. It wasn't until I got older that I realized there's not much of a difference between the two.
I didn't get the dyscalculia diagnosis until I went for ADHD testing at 36. I don't know if / how these things are linked. I don't think my dyscalculia or ADHD or my autism or neurodivergence are superpowers at all -- I view them as limitations. It's great that Tom feels empowered and that makes me happy for him, but at the same time if you have these disabilities you shouldn't feel bad if in fact you find them limiting and not a "superpower". Being ND is very difficult at times, so if you're having a hard time with it that's not something to feel bad about.
Matterless 15 hours ago [-]
Their Eniac clone is cool and all, but this guy himself is just amazing.
9 hours ago [-]
leadgenman 11 hours ago [-]
I think I can easily see this coming where Apple is beating Nvidia.
EDIT: oh, it's really just "visual simulation" if you want to put it like that.
"Vacuum tubes were recreated using paper printed elements that match the size, spacing, and density of the originals... Cabling paths and plugboard interfaces were recreated visually and spatially so students could understand how dense, repetitive, and precise the machine was." https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/21/eniac_model_build/
Yup. There's no volume in hobbyist robot kits.
We need many more of these sorts of projects - for kids as well as adults
To this day I still have to do basic arithmetic on my hands, and I'm very self conscious about being in a field where there are people who can just do these calculations in their head. "How do have trouble with this, aren't you a computer genius?" is something I've heard many times. I like computers because they do the calculations for me! To a large degree, most of my life I've felt like an imposter for this reason, believing that I'm not smart but I just try hard. It wasn't until I got older that I realized there's not much of a difference between the two.
I didn't get the dyscalculia diagnosis until I went for ADHD testing at 36. I don't know if / how these things are linked. I don't think my dyscalculia or ADHD or my autism or neurodivergence are superpowers at all -- I view them as limitations. It's great that Tom feels empowered and that makes me happy for him, but at the same time if you have these disabilities you shouldn't feel bad if in fact you find them limiting and not a "superpower". Being ND is very difficult at times, so if you're having a hard time with it that's not something to feel bad about.
Awesome project, regardless.