Computer Technology

[Jac@stafford.net]

Those 9v batteries can be clipped together pole to pole in a long series, with a *serious* jolt at the end - favourite trick for baby engineers

Old-timers may recall the electronic flash batteries that used as many as 25 to 50 9V batteries soldered in series. Singer Graflex comes to mind.

Speaking of computer design evolution, I entered a new technological perspective in the company of several Cray engineers when they agreed that the monolithic super computer era was ending 'real soon now', and they were right.

[Tin Can]

I guess Amazon won't let me take a screenshot.

Try this link to a 1903 double glass plate of an oscillating spark.

https://books.google.com/books?id=1O...plates&f=false

Notice the Lord Kelvin reference!

[faberryman]

I still test 9 volt batteries for strength with my tongue. Nobody does that anymore.

Well, if you don't have a voltmeter handy, how else would you do it?

[Corran]

Try #2 - changed out the umbrella for a large diffuser, moved the light as suggested, and decided to add a second light on the left to brighten up the background tubes. The main thing I'm a bit bummed on is the shadow on the box on the bottom center, but maybe that's just a nitpick?



Oh - I tried to get the tube to light up after finding a 9V battery connector locally and wiring it up, but it won't stay lit for more than a few seconds and then the battery gets really hot. I think I should just leave it be...

[barnacle]

Ah, yes, the heater will take significant current, hence heating the internal resistance in the battery. Also, it occurs to me that the heaters are usually largely concealed within the cathode plate framework - probably simpler just to get some LEDs

Neil

[locutus]

Instead of a 9V battery you could try a small wallwart DC adapter

[chassis]

Looks good Bryan. From here it's a game of finesse and fractions of an inch. Where is Christopher Broadbent when we need him?

Managing specular highlights in the glass would be my next priority, and adjusting fill to light the tube internals and boxes. The fill light can be brought towards the camera, the boxes can be angled more broadly toward the camera. For me the boxes would have a less prominent role in the image.

[Corran]

Thanks chassis, this is very helpful. I obviously need practice, practice, practice, just like any other type of photography.

I just realized this morning why the specular highlights are so wonky on the large tube and can fix that. I can adjust the boxes just a bit to get the shadow off the text. Then I might call it done and move on to a new photo. Perhaps with more practice I will revisit the tubes.

[Corran]

First photo of the new year...kinda, I shot it about an hour ago .

Evolution of RAM

[barnacle]

Instead of a 9V battery you could try a small wallwart DC adapter

Provided it's a 6 volt output. 9v with a high current capability will just blow the heater filaments, and they won't light at all.

Neil