Subject: Re: MIT ChaosNet code port to Linux From: Erik Naggum <erik@naggum.net> Date: Sat, 22 Jun 2002 16:22:45 GMT Newsgroups: comp.lang.lisp Message-ID: <3233751765044830@naggum.net> * dvdavins@aol.comNOSPAM (Dvd Avins) | Are the 2 shift states here the most successful instance of trinary computing? | AFICT 5 bits and 2 'shift states' is equivalent to 5 bits and 1 trit. Huh? 1 bit gives you two shift states if the system is capable of shifting, which we have to assume once we say "shift state" to begin with. Two _codes_ were used to select state. Letter shift and figures shift. Now, two _codes_ could have been two independent bits, right? That would have given a lot more codes, but since there were only two states, you have a space of a total of 60 codes. (I think I write 90 up there somewhere, a bad thinko.) If you could combine the two codes (two orthogonal shift codes), things would have been much more powerful, but that was not the case. -- Guide to non-spammers: If you want to send me a business proposal, please be specific and do not put "business proposal" in the Subject header. If it is urgent, do not use the word "urgent". If you need an immediate answer, give me a reason, do not shout "for your immediate attention". Thank you.