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Man builds giant computer at home | Man builds giant computer at home |
(about 17 hours later) | |
For many tech companies the race is on to build ever smaller computer processors, but one British man has gone in the opposite direction. | For many tech companies the race is on to build ever smaller computer processors, but one British man has gone in the opposite direction. |
James Newman is building a 14m (45ft) computer processor in the lounge of his bungalow in Cambridge. | James Newman is building a 14m (45ft) computer processor in the lounge of his bungalow in Cambridge. |
Mr Newman's 16-bit "mega processor" will contain 14,000 individual transistors and 3,500 LED Lights. | Mr Newman's 16-bit "mega processor" will contain 14,000 individual transistors and 3,500 LED Lights. |
So far the project had taken him three years and cost about £20,000, he told the BBC. | So far the project had taken him three years and cost about £20,000, he told the BBC. |
Mr Newman said he hoped it would have educational value but it would be hard to transport as it was likely to weigh about half a tonne once finished. | |
Bits of the processor light up as they operate, but other than that the entire machine operates just the same as a standard chip-sized microprocessor found in all computers. | Bits of the processor light up as they operate, but other than that the entire machine operates just the same as a standard chip-sized microprocessor found in all computers. |
"I was taken with the idea of being able to see how the thing works," Mr Newman, a digital electronics engineer, said. | "I was taken with the idea of being able to see how the thing works," Mr Newman, a digital electronics engineer, said. |
"I have a visual way of thinking about things, I wanted to be able to see how a computer works and how things flow around within it. | "I have a visual way of thinking about things, I wanted to be able to see how a computer works and how things flow around within it. |
"I intended it as a learning exercise, and I have learned a lot." | "I intended it as a learning exercise, and I have learned a lot." |
He said his enthusiasm for the project had ebbed and flowed over the years but he hoped to complete it by the end of 2015. | He said his enthusiasm for the project had ebbed and flowed over the years but he hoped to complete it by the end of 2015. |
Mr Newman is now relying on "determinedness" to finish his creation, but he is concerned about the space the processor, which is 2m high, will take up. | Mr Newman is now relying on "determinedness" to finish his creation, but he is concerned about the space the processor, which is 2m high, will take up. |
"When it's set up and running in the living room, there won't be much space for living," he said. | "When it's set up and running in the living room, there won't be much space for living," he said. |
"One of the fantasies is to line the hallway with it." | "One of the fantasies is to line the hallway with it." |
He said the first programs he intended to run on his mega processor were likely to be Tetris, noughts and crosses and 1970s evolutionary simulation Life by mathematician John Conway. | He said the first programs he intended to run on his mega processor were likely to be Tetris, noughts and crosses and 1970s evolutionary simulation Life by mathematician John Conway. |
Mr Newman said: "My mother keeps asking, 'What can it do?' I keep saying, 'It's a computer, it can do anything.' | Mr Newman said: "My mother keeps asking, 'What can it do?' I keep saying, 'It's a computer, it can do anything.' |
"My friends think it's mad, but I think they are also slightly jealous that I can allow myself to do it." | "My friends think it's mad, but I think they are also slightly jealous that I can allow myself to do it." |
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