Re: [f-cpu] Re: Floating-Point? (way off topic - by 63 light years actually - sorry)

[Glenn Alexander <jxmlisa@online.ln.cn>]

> You don't really
> need a higher precision than 64 bit. Maybe that will change for
> galaxy navigation in the future 
> 
> JG
> 
Well, in Universe A (where I base a good deal of my SF writing) the only 
thing powerful enough for that is an organic brain which has to be wired into 
the nav comp - physically wired in for a human brain! (Unless you are a major 
government with huge ships - then you can get away with mega-expensive 
hardware). More than a few kilometres off arc per lightyear (jock talk) will 
scramble the atoms of the moving object. As pilot Jodie said in book 1 
(almost finished): "What comes out the other end is a lump of metal with some 
organic mush distributed through it." In book two (one third finished), Steve 
has to experience a jump on autopilot and we get to experience the effect in 
action.

I agree: untill we start launching space-probes, 64 bit FP seems fine. But 
the option for more will be there when we do build the F-rocket (FR-1).

--------------------------------------------------------
Glenn Alexander - The man with no surname and a silly hat.
(B.Teach, B.Ed Major IT Education, University of Wollongong Australia)
(Now avaliable in China!)

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~glenalec (last update: 2001.07.29)

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