5 ms·
How that problem can be solved by an IBM 5100, a computer that has never ran any flavor of unix is a mystery though. I guess we'll find out when we have to sen
by n0rbwah 7y ago
How that problem can be solved by an IBM 5100, a computer that has never ran any flavor of unix is a mystery though.
I guess we'll find out when we have to send someone into the past to retrieve one so we can fix the bug.
- 29athrowaway 7y agoYou may not be able to open the files to be fixed in such ancient computer.
- iNate2000 7y agoBringing an artifact forward in time would skip over the times where degradation occurred. Wouldn't it?
- Nextgrid 7y agoMy understanding is the opposite. To me it seems that in the future they for some reason need to access files that can only be opened on that computer. If time travel is indeed possible and relatively common, it might be a better business decision to just send someone back in time to fetch a working version of that computer than try to recreate one from archived documentation (if any of it survived).
- 3fe9a03ccd14ca5 7y agoWhy not send them forward in time, to a point where it’s been fixed, and bring back the solution?
- 29athrowaway 7y agoIf there is something special about that computer it can surely just be executed in an emulator running on any future computer that is more powerful and uses less power, like a Raspberry Pi or its future equivalent.
- Nextgrid 7y agoThis would still require having the original documentation on how the computer operated. Not to mention, some software (notably some retro console games) rely on quirks or flaws in the silicon itself, and don't actually run on a "perfect" emulator. If time travel is common and either of these issues is raised then sending someone back to bring the real computer might be the easiest option.
- mekster 7y agoBugs are fixed by human brains, not some files. Those plots only work in movies.