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[automagnus]

http://physorg.com/news2952.html

This is what really lost me.

The validation of probabilistic bits or PBITs is most significant in the area of reduced power consumption and increased processing speeds, resulting in making computer devices run faster and more energy efficient. A PBIT is like a conventional bit in that it takes on a 0 or a 1 value, except that one is certain of its value only with a probability of p. Current hardware, using conventional bits, expends large amounts of energy calculating with absolute certainty.

So, whats a PBIT?

 

[demon]

So, whats a PBIT?

I think it's like a conventional bit in that it takes on a 0 or a 1 value, except one is certain of its value only with a probability of p.

 

[Azih]

The bolded part explains exactly what a PBIT is. Now WHY a PBIT would lead to much more efficient computing is not explained.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

What good is a bit, though, if you can't even be sure if it's 0 or 1?

 

[automagnus]

What good is a bit, though, if you can't even be sure if it's 0 or 1?

Thats exactly what I was thinking...

 

[Azih]

Thing is the explanation of why pbits could be great is almost definetly over our freaking heads.

I'm thinking crazy hardcore mathematical equations and proofs and shit.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

it's about really, really, really hot pants.

 

[sefskillz]

Can probably only be used in situations where a specific value range is expected. Probably a mechanism similar to a parity bit is used to determine if the bits were correct. I dunno, it's interesting.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

Can probably only be used in situations where a specific value range is expected. Probably a mechanism similar to a parity bit is used to determine if the bits were correct. I dunno, it's interesting.

hot pants right?

 

[Azih]

I'm guessing that since the article said that current hardware expends a lot of power calculating things with ABSOLUTE certainty, the PBIT hardware doesn't. It probably calculates values with a certain probability that the value is correct and I guess the prob. is high enough to be useful.

 

[sefskillz]

hot pants right?

yep

 

[Jim Bowie]

 

[Ninja Scooter]

i dont EVEN have an opinion.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

i dont EVEN have an opinion.

no opinions on daisy dukes?

 

[Ninja Scooter]

no opinions on daisy dukes?

don't go there, solrac.