Tech Blog | Socket Telecom

Can Machines Think?

This week, the Washington Post reported that a computer had finally passed the Turing Test.

While many other publications quickly pointed out that this was probably not correct, it sparked a jump in searches on what the Turing Test is.

So… what is it?

In 1950, computer scientist Alan Turing proposed the question, “Can machines think?” As this question was deemed too difficult to answer (how do you define “think?”), a new, solvable problem was proposed: can a machine trick someone into thinking it’s a human?

Get Rid of Your Old Computer

Have you purchased a new computer, but don’t know what to do with the old one? There are a couple options, most of which are better than using it as an expensive footrest.

1. Don’t put it in the garbage

Chances are it can go to a better use, even if it’s fairly old. Plus, computers contain damaging chemicals which shouldn’t be disposed of in a landfill. If you’re set on throwing it away, try to locate a disposal facility equipped to handle it properly.

Ditch the Data Caps

For satellite and wireless Internet users, one of the most frustrating parts about going online is dealing with data caps. These services typically come with restrictive usage limitations, which make it difficult to do things online without worrying about overage fees, reduced speeds or other negative consequences.

As websites and online services demand more bandwidth, this problem continues to worsen, especially for those using video services like Netflix or Hulu.