How computers and networks work for engineers

You learn something new every day. Even in the old stuff. I had to merge several huge files that were already sorted and get one large sorted file. The algorithm is old, dating back to the days of computers with tape drives. It turns out the standard sort command has a --merge option that does the trick. The second useful program this weekend is tqdm. It can be embedded in a pipe, and it will draw either a speed or even a progress bar. It's very handy for tracking progress when processing large files.

So basically, the image is explaining how the number 3.14 is represented in a computer using something called "floating point". In simple terms: - Computers use a special way to store numbers like 3.14. - It breaks down 3.14 into parts: a sign (positive), an exponent (like a "window" between 2 and 4), and an offset (how far 3.14 is within that window). - This turns into binary code (0s and 1s) like `01000000010010001111010111000011`. - Because of how this works, 3.14 isn't stored exactly - it's approximated as `3.1400001049041748046875`.

The findings by Sorin Faibish reveal clear performance distinctions across LLM models, with each showing unique strengths in speed, reasoning, and adaptability. 🔹ChatGPT-4o delivers highly responsive behavior, streaming partial outputs almost immediately. 🔹DeepSeek-R1 shows slower initial responses but faster total completions, benefiting from deep backend reasoning. 🔹Gemini integrates real-time web crawling for greater topical relevance, though at the cost of higher latency. 🔹A curated 25-row RTTA performance table highlights that DeepSeek outperforms Gemini by approximately 55% on average, while ChatGPT and Gemini remain nearly equal in speed, with a small edge to ChatGPT. #AI #LLMs #DeepSeek #ChatGPT #Gemini #IEEEComputer #ArtificialIntelligence #Benchmarking #PerformanceAnalysis

Introduction to Computerness 🤖 Computerness is a concept that attempts to define the essence and nature of computation—not just in the context of physical computers, but as a fundamental principle that permeates the universe and our understanding of intelligence. It moves beyond the hardware and software we typically associate with computing and asks a deeper question: What does it mean to be a system that processes information? https://computerness.tech/

"People who are really serious about software should make their own hardware." - Alan Kay, an American computer scientist. #MondayMotivation #MotivationalMonday #QuoteOfTheDay #Inspiration #AITGlobal #AcaciaInnovationsTechnology

you're curious about how computers represent numbers like 3.14. 🤓 Computers use something called "floating point" to deal with numbers that have decimals. Let's break down how 3.14 is represented: 1. *Is the number positive or negative?* 3.14 is positive. 2. *Where does 3.14 fit between powers of 2?* It's between 2 and 4. 3. *How do we show where 3.14 is in that range?* We use a "window" starting at 2 (because 2¹ = 2) and calculate an "offset" to show how far 3.14 is from 2 towards 4. Computers then turn this into binary (0s and 1s) like this: - *Sign (S):* 0 (because it's positive) - *Exponent (E):* 128 (because of the "window") - *Offset (M):* A big number showing where 3.14 is between 2 and 4. This makes 3.14 look like `01000000010010001111010111000011` in binary. But because computers can't represent 3.14 perfectly, it ends up being approximated as `3.1400001049041748046875`.

🖥️ Day 3 of 75 — Learning How to Build a Computer Today in my IT Support journey, I dived into one of the most essential practical skills in tech: understanding how to build a computer from scratch. This lesson wasn’t just about hardware — it was about understanding how each component works together to create a functioning system. 🔧 Key Components I Learned About 💠 Motherboard — the main circuit board that connects every part of the computer ⚙️ CPU (Processor) — the brain that processes instructions 🧠 RAM — short-term memory that supports multitasking 💾 Storage (HDD/SSD) — where files, system data & applications live 🔌 Power Supply Unit (PSU) — distributes power to components 🎮 GPU (Graphics Card) — handles visual processing (optional in basic builds) ❄️ Cooling Systems — fans / heatsinks to prevent overheating 🖴 Cables & Connectors — SATA, power cables, I/O ports, etc. ⸻ 🧠 Main Lessons ✅ Every component plays a specific role in system performance ✅ Compatibility matters (Socket type, RAM type, power rating, form factor) ✅ Proper cable management ensures airflow & system health ✅ Safety first — always ground yourself to avoid static damage ⸻ 🔥 Why this skill matters for IT Support IT support isn’t only about fixing software — you must understand hardware deeply. This knowledge helps with: 🔹 Troubleshooting hardware failures 🔹 Upgrading components confidently 🔹 Building & maintaining office systems 🔹 Supporting users effectively Today was a powerful step toward becoming more hands-on and job-ready in tech 💪 Day 3 completed ✅ — on to Day 4! Had a busy day but yet still showed up, check the link below for comprehensive understanding. https://lnkd.in/ddeT8wqH #Day3 #ITSupport #75DayChallenge #GoogleCareerCertificates #TechSkills #PCBuilding #HardwareBasics #FutureInTech #TechJourney #ITTraining #HelpDesk #TechLearning #LearningInPublic #NigeriaTech #CareerGrowth #Upskilling

🚀 Ever wondered what really happens when you click “Save” on your computer? Behind that single click lies a fascinating chain of events — and at the heart of it all are System Calls, the invisible bridge between your software and your hardware. 🧩 When you open a file, send data over a network, or print a document, your user program doesn’t directly talk to the hardware. Instead, it goes through a crucial middle layer — System Calls, which connect the user space (where applications run) with the kernel space (where the operating system controls hardware). Here’s how the layers stack up in a typical OS structure 👇 💻 User Programs: Applications you interact with (like editors, browsers, etc.) 🧭 User Interface: Command-line or GUI interface for user interaction 🔗 System Calls: The entry point to kernel functions ⚙️ Kernel Functions: Manage program control, I/O, files, communication & security 🔋 Hardware: The final layer where real work happens Without system calls, even simple actions like reading a file or printing output wouldn’t be possible — they’re the hidden backbone of every operating system. 🖥️ #OperatingSystems #SystemCalls #ComputerScience #TechExplained #Kernel #ProgrammingBasics #EmbeddedSystems #SoftwareEngineering