h a l f b a k e r yWhy not imagine it in a way that works?
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A series of three or four knobs. The first knob is the coarsest, the next finer and so on. There is also a switch which enables you to opt for IP address or URL. Set to IP address, the situation is very simple: each knob generates one byte of information according to its setting, although a sufficiently
delicate hand enables the user to set the knob to a non-integral value, providing extra bits. That byte then becomes one of the four dotted quads in order from left to right. Switch to URLs and the knob will enable you to tune in to web addresses in ASCII or Unicode order. Once the tuning has been done, a VHF B&W telly screen will gradually warm up and display the top left hand corner of the appropriate web page. To scroll around the page, adjust the vertical and horizontal hold. Pick up your light-sensitive walking stick and gesture irascibly at the screen, then tap it on the end to follow a link.
Candlestick telephone modem also required.
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This is probably the - no, wait, definitely the - best
idea I have seen in some time. |
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Using analog controls to tune a digital address? |
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Somewhat. They could be either analogue or have a couple gross settings. If they were analogue, the setting could be converted to a floating point value and the difference would be that the mantissa would form part of the next byte, allowing the next knob to be tuned using that as the basis. So, say it was ten dozen and an eighth. That eighth would mean the next knob can be used to tune from two and two thirds dozen rather than zero, and so on. Alternatively, there could just be two-to-the-eighth integer values. A full rotation of each knob would be equivalent to incrementing or decrementing the previous byte by one. That's assuming IP addresses are used. |
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I have a microwave oven with such controls. |
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I usually just press the 30-second button to get my 2
minits. |
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Are you endeavouring, sir, to construct a mnemonic memory circuit using stone knives and bearskins? |
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Yes, he is, but the stone is obsidian and the bear was free range. |
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Well, [whlanteigne], (oh, and thanks), to some extent a microwave oven could be adapted in just such a way. The dial gets you a website address and the door has a TFT on which the appropriate page is displayed. Also, the microwave is controllable via the internet via a 'phone app (and has a telescopic arm on top which reaches out and raids the fridge at your bidding about six hectoseconds before you get home). |
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My future kitchen plans include wifi or bluetooth
enabled appliances that would be commanded by a
pre-arranged program on my PC, or by sending a
signal to my PC from my smartphone instructing it to
start dinner. |
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Until then I'll just fill the crockpot with food in the
morning and let it simmer all day until I get home. |
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Love it - everything should have an analogue analog, even the most digital of things. |
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