Articles written by Philip McIntosh

Accounts of early digital computing are dominated by machines named ENIAC, Colossus, and EDSAC. Tom Green's book about MIT's Whirlwind will open a few eyes.

Aug 31, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

Take professor Muller's advice and use the information in this book to learn amazing facts, make convincing arguments, and win crazy-sounding bets.

Jul 4, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

Do parallel realities exist? Is our universe one of many? Lots of smart people think the answer to these questions may well be "yes".

Jun 5, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

A straightforward, illustrated introduction to JavaSript, an essential scripting language for performing client-side processing on the web.

May 30, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

Unlocking glia, the brain cell that will help us sharpen our wits, heal injury, and treat brain disease.

Apr 28, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

Designer genes for designer babies. How the forces of nature are about to be replaced by the forces of human selection.

Mar 20, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

According to the back cover, this is the most detailed and authoritative work on any ant species. It's definitely a great book about ants.

Mar 18, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

Could it be that the days of the brick and mortar university are numbered? If the edupunks and edupreneurs have their way, maybe so.

Feb 26, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

Guitar students of any age benefit from the same first lesson. The student should learn the parts of the guitar, a finger exercise, and three simple chords.

Feb 12, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

Each day, many of us provide analysts data about what we like, what we do, and who we are. Is this good? Is it bad? Stephen Baker looks into it.

Feb 1, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

This annoyingly illustrated and diagrammed math homework helper is just as likely to cause a headache as it is to enlighten.

Jan 31, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

Intelligent design theorist claim that complex biological structures are best explained as the products of a purposeful creator. John C. Avise thinks not.

Jan 30, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

Observations on the history and habitat of the city's most unwanted inhabitants.

Jan 29, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

This short and well written biography is an informative look into the lives and work of the world's most renowned paleoarcheologists, the Leakeys.

Jan 2, 2011 - Philip McIntosh

This quaintly written, short and informative book gives the reader all that's needed to begin experimenting with pinhole photography.

Dec 30, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Reader's Digest adds to its series of short and easy books with Jeff Stewart's explanations of why balloons rise, apples fall, and golf balls go awry

Dec 27, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Kevin Davies gives an informed inside look at the ongoing revolution in DNA sequencing and the imminent arrival of personalized medicine.

Dec 25, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

An unusual and somewhat raucous chronicling of the development and use of the vocoder as a top secret voice encryption device to it's use in music.

Dec 11, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Drisdelle writes compellingly about humanity's most unwelcome guests.

Nov 30, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

A an account of the lives of of some of the most tragic figures in the history of mathematics and their influence on the development of the field.

Nov 18, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Remember some old shop tricks or learn some new ones with this compact, no-nonsense guide to drills and drilling.

Nov 13, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

In "Kinetic Contraptions," Curt Gabrielson provides a practical and fun way of learning the fundamentals of electromechanics using a single DC hobby motor.

Nov 6, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

What could be more interesting than a rock from space that is billions of years old? Learn about them with this excellent introduction to meteorite science.

Aug 2, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

In his book subtitled "What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains," Carr discusses some troubling science indicating all may not be well inside our skulls.

Jul 12, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

What the heck is "complexity" anyway? This is one of the questions Mitchell tries to answer in this wide ranging introduction to emergent phenomenon.

Jul 8, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Web pages are created using HyperText Markup Language (HTML). There are many HTML tutorials and other resources available for free on the web.

May 31, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Information only has value if there is a good way to present and process it. "Glut" is a contextual history of information through the ages.

May 30, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

For some, Sudoku is a pastime. For others, it's an obsession. Ready to take it to the next level? Try programming your own version of the puzzle.

May 26, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

What to name a baby boy? Names with Scottish roots are a popular choice, especially in families that claim Scottish descent.

May 23, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Lasers serve many purposes in science and industry. The required power and wavelength dictates the type of laser chosen for a specific application.

May 15, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Lasers produce coherent monochromatic light. Laser beams of various wavelengths and power find use in medical, industrial, research, and military systems.

Apr 25, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Does Twitter offer a useful way for companies to converse with customers? Can anything meaningful be said in 140 characters or less? Shel Israel says yes.

Apr 8, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Camp Concentration. It's an interesting play on words, as the reader will learn. Disch's artfully written sci-fi novel will linger in the mind long after it's finished.

Mar 20, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

They go by different names: Study cards, flash cards, or note cards. No matter what they are called, the venerable index card remains a popular and useful test prep aid.

Mar 4, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

"The Stars Blue Yonder" is a the latest in Sandra McDonald's series of science fiction novels featuring deep space military operations, time travel, and life down under.

Feb 27, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Rudy Rucker fires up a joyride of nanotech disaster, drug-fueled virtual reality, and knot-facilitated interdimensional travel. It doesn't get any weirder than this.

Feb 14, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Inspired by the words of thirteen classic Bob Dylan songs, graphic artists have created a collection of works combining images and text. It's a concept that succeeds.

Feb 10, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

It's not easy flying around the country firing people and then convincing them they are being given a golden opportunity. But, it's a good way to rack up the miles.

Feb 9, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Mushroom cultivation requires knowledge of the natural substrates of fungi. Mushrooms are usually grown in beds of compost, on logs, or in bags of wood chips or sawdust.

Feb 5, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Spacesuits are required for life support and protection in the hazardous environment of space. This book documents the Smithsonian museum's fine spacesuit collection.

Feb 1, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Morels are some of the most beloved members of the fungal kingdom. Mysterious in their ways, and delicious, morels are highly sought after by mushroom hunters.

Jan 31, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Gibson's "Spook Country" consists of three inevitably converging threads. Are there any good guys or bad guys here? It's hard to tell, but fun to wonder about in the end.

Jan 30, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Depending on the application, high pressure sodium, metal halide, fluorescent, or LED lights are all good choices for growing plants indoors.

Jan 26, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

The reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a beautiful fungus. The mushrooms, reishi extract, and Ganoderma coffee are popular supplements taken for immune system health.

Jan 24, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Brian Greene enters the science fiction realm with an illustrated short story featuring time travel, black holes, and a young man named Icarus.

Jan 23, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

The Ringworld is one of the greatest inventions in the history of speculative fiction. Larry Niven's novel of the same name won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards.

Jan 19, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

The DIY movement has created a growing number of electronics enthusiasts. A number of publications offer information on circuit design, microcontrollers, and robotics.

Jan 18, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Fungal infection of the nails (onchyomycosis) is difficult to treat. Even the best toenail fungus remedies have limitations, but there are many treatment options.

Jan 17, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Colorado residents seeking higher education along the front range of the Rocky Mountains can choose from a number of colleges and universities in Colorado Springs.

Jan 17, 2010 - Philip McIntosh

Distinctive in appearance, the enoki mushroom is valued not only for its looks. Enokis can get large in nature, but are kept small and slender when cultured.

Jan 15, 2010 - Philip McIntosh