Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/04/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]just to add a bit more to this - I understand that it was a version of the Turing machine which was used to decode messages from the 'Enigma' coding machine during WWII. The centre for receiving these messages was at Bletchley Park . FWIW Bletchley is now part of Milton Keynes - where Leica UK are based - phew had to work that in ;-)) I understand that the decoding centre is now open to the public and may have a Turing M/c on display - anyone have any more details please? Regards, Clive Sanbrook - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Johnny Deadman" <john@pinkheadedbug.com> To: "LUG" <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: 05 April 2001 01:59 Subject: Re: [Leica] Photoshop! The Leica of... > on 4/4/01 7:39 PM, Simon Stevens at simon@camera-craftsman.com wrote: > > > What is a "Turing Machine"? I know who Alan Turing was and Ive heard of > > the Turing test (and sometimes I'm convinced that's what the LUG is), > > but I haven't heard this term before. > > A Turing machine is a kind of theoretical computer that reads digital data, > performs a particular set of operations on them, and outputs digital data. > > The point about a Turing machine is that given a certain minimum set of > operations the machine is capable of performing, a Turing machine is capable > of carrying out any intellectual task we know an algorithm for. This is > important because it shows we don't need more and more powerful computers to > solve more and more difficult problems. The most basic Turing machine > imaginable is quite capable of solving the most difficult problem imaginable > *given enough time*. EG a sinclair spectrum could have passed the Turing > test, given that we knew how to program *any* computer to pass the test. > > There is a lot about Turing machines in Hofstadter and Bennet's GODEL, > ESCHER, BACH, which is one of those books everyone should read at least > twice... > > My analogy was that Photoshop is capable of carrying out any graphical > manipulation task you throw at it, *given that you know how to do it!* > -- > Johnny Deadman > > http://www.pinkheadedbug.com > > >