tangent

[Sam Liddicott]

Alfred M. Szmidt wrote:

>
>Programming an analogue computer is like programming a digital
>computer by using TTL circutes.  There is nothing `soft' about it.  So
>unless you are going to state that a bunch of TTL chips connected in
>some form to make LEDs flash is a `program', and by direct consequene
>claim that hardware are programs, I suggest that you refrain from
>writting anymore about this topic that you obviously have no clue
>about, but if you'd like to learn more, feel free to send me a email.
>  
>

push tangent

On a tangent, does that mean the audio track on cine film is software 
for an analogue computer? Or at least has a similar form.

I'm reminded of an old television effects system that worked by analogue 
processing of the CRT deflection coils, and had another camera taking 
the new (carefully distorted image) from the CRT.

It could do various sweeps, page-turn effects and other fantastic stuff.

I guess it _could_ have had software on tape to control some operations, 
but perhaps that would count as parameters to the hard wired analogue 
computer controlling the coils.

I'm just trying to think what form analogue computer software would 
take, I think I'm getting stuck because I'm not aware of any analogue 
computers that have a clearly defined execution and control unit to act 
on any "program input" (for obvious reasons!)

So I guess that tape input to the crt controller might count as software....

pop tangent