Star The Edge Computing System
Linked by Joshua Boyles on Mon 9th Jun 2003 16:45 UTC
Editorial This entire article is written as a proposal to a coprporation for a new, very unique computing system. Please offer criticism and suggestions to improve the system, and tell me whether you think it could work. What exactly is the "Edge Computing System" And more importantly, why would I want to go to the trouble of developing it? The Edge Computing System is just that, an entire system, not just a new type of computer or new software suite. The Edge is the means by which you can have your personal computer with you at all times.
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On being a sadder but wiser wet blanket
by Joe Nelson on Thu 12th Jun 2003 19:14 UTC

While I am happy to see such enthusiasm on your part, Josh, I think it's misplaced. Most of what I'm about to say is hypocritical because when I was 18 I channeled my energy in just the same type of direction; but hypocrits' advice can still be correct.

I'd suggest focusing all that energy and creativity to learning. Of course, embarking on a project such as the Edge Computing System will certainly teach you things, but the lesson would probably be something like, "Wow, when I'm trying to create a system that does so many good things for so many people in so many situations.....it's hard and full of accidental complexity!"

I, too, wanted to make a modular swiss army knife that would be useful to everyone. I called mine Negatron. Maybe these grandiose projects are a fact of life for us young people who really love the power of programming. All I know is that, as months passed, I became more and more aware of my ignorance. I began searching to see what others have thought and written about computer science.

My Dijkstra-like conclusion, so far, is that strict mathematical thinking needs to be applied to this novelty of computing. So I've been focusing my energy on learning Predicate Calculus and Lambda Calculus. In the process, I'm discovering just how smart other people are! Initially, the enormity of what has already been created depressed me. Now it just makes me glad! I don't have to work to rediscover what giants like Church, Turing, and Goedel have already pioneered. After learning this stuff I'll be free to more powerfully accomplish my own dreams.

Not to say that my particular area of interest -- logic and proof theory -- will be what you pick, but just pick something! Become educated, become strong.