A cellular automaton (plural: cellular automata) is a discrete model studied in computability theory, mathematics, and theoretical biology. It consists of an infinite, regular grid of cells, each in one of a finite number of states. The grid can be in any finite number of dimensions. Time is also discrete, and the state of a cell at time t is a function of the states of a finite number of cells (called its neighborhood) at time t-1. These neighbors are a selection of cells relative to the specified cell, and do not change. (Though the cell itself may be in its neighborhood, it is not usually considered a neighbor.) Every cell has the same rule for updating, based on the values in this neighbourhood. Each time the rules are applied to the whole grid a new generation is produced.

Overview

---

One example of a cellular automaton (CA) would be an infinite sheet of graph paper, where each square is a cell, each cell has two possible states (black and white), and the neighbors of a cell are the 8 squares touching it. Then, there are 2⁹ = 512 possible patterns for a cell and its neighbors. The rule for the cellular automaton could be given as a table. For each of the 512 possible patterns, the table would state whether the center cell will be black or white on the next time step. This is an example of a two dimensional cellular automaton. See Conway's Game of Life for the most popular CA of this form.

It is usually assumed that every cell in the universe starts in the same state, except for a finite number of cells in other states, often called a configuration. More generally, it is sometimes assumed that the universe starts out covered with a periodic pattern, and only a finite number of cells violate that pattern. The latter assumption is common in one-dimensional cellular automata.

More on [ Cellular automaton ]

eWeek - RSS Feeds

Should Apple Even Care About the Enterprise?
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:02:10 -0400
Apple might be targeting the enterprise, but the real question now is whether or not it should. Is Apple a hardware company or a software company? This question is coming to the fore again because with the advent of Windows 7, enterprises will deciding whether the time has come to finally upgrade the hardware to the new version. But given Apple's long-established market strategy, it just might not be important for Apple to win new enterprise converts to its operating system platform. - The debate over whether or not the business world should deploy Windows 7 rages on. Some say it's an iterative update over Windows Vista and thus, not worth deploying. Others believe it's the operating system that Microsoft should have created in the first place. They believe it's perfect for ...
SMP-enabled Sun xVM VirtualBox 3.0 Turns Up the Heat on VMware
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:58:07 -0400
Version 3.0 of Sun's xVM VirtualBox desktop virtualization tool adds support for multiple guest processors--a major feature addition which, when considered alongside the product's low cost (free) and broad host platform support, is certain to give VMware Workstation a run for its money. - Sun Microsystems' xVM VirtualBox, a no-cost virtualization tool that enables virtual machines to run on a variety of standard operating systems, continues to improve its position as a potential challenger to workstation products from VMware and Parallels. Sun release version 3.0 of xVM VirtualBox on...
Apple iPhone 3GS Jailbreaking Tool Hits the Street
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:24:04 -0400
The hacker who made the news in 2007 for unlocking Apple's first iPhone has released the a new application for jailbreaking the iPhone 3GS. The tool is currently available for Windows only. - George Hotz, the 19-year old hacker who made headlines for unlocking Apples original iPhone, has now released the first-known jailbreaking tool for iPhone 3GS. The tool, called ‘purplea1n, is only available for versions of the Windows operating system - excluding Windows 7 - at the moment, but H...
China Says Green Dam Still Coming, Mac Version in the Works
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:36:49 -0400
Chinas Ministry of Industry and I.T. reportedly said it “will definitely carry on the directive on Green Dam.” And while Apple has so far been on the sidelines of the Windows-based filtering software mandate, Green Dam maker Jinhui is said to be testing a Mac-compatible version. - The latest news on China's Green Dam filtering software is that the debates not over yet and Apple may finally be pulled into the fray. In early June the Chinese government announced to PC makers that, by July 1, all computer sold in China would have shipped with Green Dam Youth Escort, a Web...
Government Spends $440 Million Per Year on Wasteful Printing, Report Says
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:09:56 -0400
A report from printer manufacturer Lexmark claims the federal government wastes $440 million dollars a year (almost $1 million per day) on unnecessary printing. - While it could probably be said that most businesses, large, medium and small, print more paper than is necessary, a report by printing company Lexmark International revealed the U.S. government wastes a staggering $440 million annually on unnecessary printing--more than $1 million per day–almost as...
Spate of iPhone Overheating Reports Roast Apple
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:17:21 -0400
Sales of Apple's iPhone 3GS aren't the only thing hot about the device: Reports of overheating issues on the new version of the smartphone caused Apple to release an advisory on how to keep your iPhone cool. - While the debut of the iPhone 3GS, the latest edition of Apples sleek, popular smartphone, has been a runaway success (sales after three days on the market bested 1 million models sold), Apple acknowledged the devices may have an issue when it comes to overheating. In response to numerous ...

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology

Downturn dating: Hearts flutter as markets stutter
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:26:07 -0700
Credit the recession for staycations and bringing us more game-night parties at home. But also give it a shout for spurring more first dates.
Car dealer fights Chrysler over franchise
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:58:06 -0700
A poster in Jim Tarbox's office at his North Kingstown Chrysler Jeep dealership declares: "Challenge: The harder the course, the more rewarding the triumph."
Schwarzenegger legacy entwined with fiscal crisis
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:21:06 -0700
California voters gave Arnold Schwarzenegger a single, blockbuster-sized mission when they sent him to Sacramento six years ago in an unprecedented election: Fix California's chaotic budget system, once and for all.

NYT > Technology

Spinning the Web: P.R. in Silicon Valley
By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:54:09 -0000
P.R. gurus are courting influential voices on services like Twitter to endorse new companies, Web sites or gadgets, perhaps forever altering their roles.
That Long, Long Road From Idea to Success
By VINDU GOEL Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:03:07 -0000
Four years after it was founded, GreenPrint Technologies has struggled to sell corporations on its software that saves on printing expenses.
Internet Companies and Ad Agencies Go From Old Enemies to New Friends
By ERIC PFANNER Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:43:12 -0000
The slowing growth in online advertising is pushing traditional ad agencies and Internet companies to work together.

CNN.com - Technology

10 humor sites sure to make you LOL
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:40:32 -0400
Bored with Pearl, the cursing toddler landlord demanding rent money? Not amused by those cutesy pictures of cats with the baby-speak captions? Replenish your list of favorite bookmarks with these 10 new or lesser-known humor Web sites, including some that find comedy in real life.
Unlocked cell phones coming to U.S.
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:06:20 -0400
Nokia and Sony Ericsson are targeting the U.S. with a new set of unlocked phones. But without hefty carrier subsidies, will they ever be able to crack the U.S. market?
Dell turns netbooks into navigation devices
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:25:37 -0400
Say hello to your latest personal navigation device: a netbook. Dell plans to introduce a GPS and Wi-Fi card that can be integrated into the company's netbooks to turn them into gizmos that can offer turn-by-turn direction as well as any Garmin or TomTom.

NPR Topics: Technology

Europe Solves Cell Phone Charger Problem
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:21:00 -0400
The European Union has reached an agreement with all major mobile phone manufacturers to produce a common phone charger. Apart from reducing the frustration of customers juggling incompatible chargers, proponents say the agreement will encourage recycling and reduce electronic waste.
Long Distance Shrinks Amid New Phone Technology
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:01:00 -0400
The days of constant TV ads and pesky phone pitches to switch long-distance service are long gone. Changes in telecommunications industry ground rules, and new competition from cable, Internet and wireless have transformed the business.
The Extraordinaries: Will Microvolunteering Work?
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:01:00 -0400
Got five minutes? Rather than check on your car insurance, you can engage in all sorts of do-good efforts these days thanks to a slew of Web sites, including The Extraordinaries, a microvolunteering service. But the idea has plenty of potential pitfalls — and could end up just a flashmob in the pan.

BBC News | Technology | UK Edition

Mixed results for green IT goals
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:54:03 -0000
A majority of tech workers in the public sector do not know about the emission reduction targets they face, says a survey.
Billions stolen in online robbery
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:22:39 -0000
Details emerge of why billions in virtual cash disappeared from a virtual bank in Eve Online.
Facebook criticised over privacy
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:48:54 -0000
The social networking site comes under fire for planned changes to privacy settings.

Reuters Video: Technology

MJ tributes rule Viral Video Chart
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:06:55 -0400
Jul 03 - Videos from throughout Michael Jackson's lengthy music career and tributes to the artist dominate this week's Viral Video Chart in an unpredecented fashion.
Puffins fitted with "sat-nav"
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:14:24 -0400
Jul 02 - Puffins are being fitted with GPS devices similar to those used in satellite navigation to find why their numbers are down in a key British breeding colony.
Mobile TV, video and apps - oh my!
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:24:28 -0400
Jul 01 - After years of talking up the potential of TV on the very small screen with disappointing results, there is a movement within the mobile industry to take video in new directions.

AP Top Technology News At 11 a.m. EDT

Omg! Positive tone boosts Yahoo celeb site to top
By RYAN NAKASHIMA Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:59:47 -0000
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) -- Think of the most popular brands in celebrity news, and you'll probably come up with a small list that includes Entertainment Tonight, US Weekly and People....
BT offers staff time off in exchange for pay cut
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:42:52 -0000
LONDON (AP) -- Telecoms company BT Group PLC is offering staff a year off work in return for a 75 percent cut in that year's pay....
US wants privacy in new cyber security system
By LOLITA C. BALDOR Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:31:18 -0000
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is moving cautiously on a new pilot program that would both detect and stop cyber attacks against government computers, while trying to ensure citizen privacy protections....

CNET News.com

Photos: How the Army tests biological, chemical weapons
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:30:00 -0700
At the U.S. Army's Dugway Proving Grounds facility in the Utah desert, scientists look for ways to protect soldiers against various chemical and biological weapons they might encounter in combat.
Where the Transcontinental Railroad finally joined
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:00:00 -0700
At Promontory Summit, Utah, the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad met on May 10, 1869 after 1,776 miles of track had been laid over six years.
Road Trip 2009 hits 2,000 miles near largest bombing range in U.S.
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0700
In the days since 1,000 miles, Road Trip 2009 has visited some of the most incredible scenery America has to offer--and learned about some of the most sobering military realities.

Subscribe to Computers RSS feed

mitosis