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Season 2014
Which triangles should be in front and which should be behind? The problems computers face when collapsing 3D graphics down to 2 dimensions.
Which triangles should be in front and which should be behind? The problems computers face when collapsing 3D graphics down to 2 dimensions.
The latest film of our series on graphics sees John Chapman turning the lights off to explain how we decide if a pixel is in light or shade...
The latest film of our series on graphics sees John Chapman turning the lights off to explain how we decide if a pixel is in light or shade...
Should computers evolve to read the environment we live in or should we change the environment to make it easier for machines to read? Barcodes and QR codes are ugly, Professor Steve Benford explains a different approach.
Should computers evolve to read the environment we live in or should we change the environment to make it easier for machines to read? Barcodes and QR codes are ugly, Professor Steve Benford explains a different approach.
If you thought mathematics exams were difficult, you should try printing them out! - Professor Brailsford takes us through Nottingham University's path to printing their own papers.
If you thought mathematics exams were difficult, you should try printing them out! - Professor Brailsford takes us through Nottingham University's path to printing their own papers.
Why can't floating point do money? It's a brilliant solution for speed of calculations in the computer, but how and why does moving the decimal point (well, in this case binary or radix point) help and how does it get currency so wrong?
Why can't floating point do money? It's a brilliant solution for speed of calculations in the computer, but how and why does moving the decimal point (well, in this case binary or radix point) help and how does it get currency so wrong?
Professor Martyn Poliakoff from chemistry channel periodicvideos makes a cameo here on Computerphile... More from him at: http://www.youtube.com/periodicvideos
Professor Martyn Poliakoff from chemistry channel periodicvideos makes a cameo here on Computerphile... More from him at: http://www.youtube.com/periodicvideos
Making fonts look good at low resolutions - many thought the problem insolvable - two men started Adobe and proved them wrong. Professor David Brailsford renders the story.
Making fonts look good at low resolutions - many thought the problem insolvable - two men started Adobe and proved them wrong. Professor David Brailsford renders the story.
Terms & Conditions as complicated to read as the epic poem Beowulf. How many times have you clicked 'agree' without reading any further? Professor Tom Rodden explains.
Terms & Conditions as complicated to read as the epic poem Beowulf. How many times have you clicked 'agree' without reading any further? Professor Tom Rodden explains.
Our thanks to them.
Our thanks to them.
Whether you are a Mac-o-phile or a Mac-o-phobe it is hard to deny the impact of the original Mac. As Mac turns 30, Professor David Brailsford takes us through what the original Mac was like and how it helped people learn to love computers.
Whether you are a Mac-o-phile or a Mac-o-phobe it is hard to deny the impact of the original Mac. As Mac turns 30, Professor David Brailsford takes us through what the original Mac was like and how it helped people learn to love computers.
In this era of invisible computing how do you define a computer? Professor Tom Rodden talks to Brady about what counts and what doesn't.
In this era of invisible computing how do you define a computer? Professor Tom Rodden talks to Brady about what counts and what doesn't.
Rejuvenating an 'ancient' piece of technology for free with a new operating system. As Windows XP nears end-of-life, we look at whether we can re-purpose old bits of kit for free. Joe Nash gets hacking.
Rejuvenating an 'ancient' piece of technology for free with a new operating system. As Windows XP nears end-of-life, we look at whether we can re-purpose old bits of kit for free. Joe Nash gets hacking.
Quality printing from your own home is taken for granted, but it wasn't always that way - The Apple Laserwriter gave the original Apple Mac a purpose and cemented its place in the creative industries. We hear from Professor David Brailsford.
Quality printing from your own home is taken for granted, but it wasn't always that way - The Apple Laserwriter gave the original Apple Mac a purpose and cemented its place in the creative industries. We hear from Professor David Brailsford.
DoS or Denial of Service Attacks are one thing, but Amplified Denial of Service Attacks could threaten the internet itself. Tom Scott explains what they are.
DoS or Denial of Service Attacks are one thing, but Amplified Denial of Service Attacks could threaten the internet itself. Tom Scott explains what they are.
A little bit of magic - bootstrapping, allows the separation of code and machine, allowing one single piece of code to run on many different machines. Professor Tom Rodden introduces the idea.
A little bit of magic - bootstrapping, allows the separation of code and machine, allowing one single piece of code to run on many different machines. Professor Tom Rodden introduces the idea.
Reverse Polish, or Postfix notation is commonly used in Computer Science, particularly in reference to Stacks - but what are stacks and how does postfix work? Professor David Brailsford takes us through it.
Reverse Polish, or Postfix notation is commonly used in Computer Science, particularly in reference to Stacks - but what are stacks and how does postfix work? Professor David Brailsford takes us through it.
What better way to understand how a computer works than to build one from components. Spencer built a Z80 based machine from scratch at Nottingham Hackspace.
What better way to understand how a computer works than to build one from components. Spencer built a Z80 based machine from scratch at Nottingham Hackspace.
With Code.org in the US and the Next Gen report in the UK, there's currently a real push to include Computer Science in schools, but should everybody learn to code? Professor Tom Rodden talks to Brady
With Code.org in the US and the Next Gen report in the UK, there's currently a real push to include Computer Science in schools, but should everybody learn to code? Professor Tom Rodden talks to Brady
Whether its the Darwin Award nominees or simply another crazy cat, animated GIFs have a lot to answer for. They're also a perfect example of one of Computer Science's fundamental principles - Tom Scott explains.
Whether its the Darwin Award nominees or simply another crazy cat, animated GIFs have a lot to answer for. They're also a perfect example of one of Computer Science's fundamental principles - Tom Scott explains.
The vending machine that Tweets when you buy a Twix - Nottingham Hackspace members have improved this eBay purchase with an Arduino... James explains just what it does and why.
The vending machine that Tweets when you buy a Twix - Nottingham Hackspace members have improved this eBay purchase with an Arduino... James explains just what it does and why.
PostScript is more than just a 2D graphics language, it's a fully operational programming language - Professor Brailsford explains how it works.
PostScript is more than just a 2D graphics language, it's a fully operational programming language - Professor Brailsford explains how it works.
Moore's Law has held true for 40 years, but many say it will soon end - Can chip designers avoid the laws of physics? Professor Derek McAuley explains how chips are built.
Moore's Law has held true for 40 years, but many say it will soon end - Can chip designers avoid the laws of physics? Professor Derek McAuley explains how chips are built.
We look at and run the code that exploits the Heartbleed bug. Dr. Steven Bagley takes us through the code and shows us how it works.
We look at and run the code that exploits the Heartbleed bug. Dr. Steven Bagley takes us through the code and shows us how it works.
YouTube's algorithm connects you with videos you might like. What signals do they use to decide if a video will appeal? More from this interview soon.
YouTube's algorithm connects you with videos you might like. What signals do they use to decide if a video will appeal? More from this interview soon.
How do YouTube decide which videos to recommend? - Cristos Goodrow from YouTube's Search & Discovery chats to Brady.
How do YouTube decide which videos to recommend? - Cristos Goodrow from YouTube's Search & Discovery chats to Brady.
Who cares about privacy? - Professor Derek McAuley chats about the various problems with privacy online.
Who cares about privacy? - Professor Derek McAuley chats about the various problems with privacy online.
Opening up the impenetrable Mac - Just what is inside this 30 year old Macintosh? Dr Steve Bagley opens it up in order to upgrade it and show us how it works.
Opening up the impenetrable Mac - Just what is inside this 30 year old Macintosh? Dr Steve Bagley opens it up in order to upgrade it and show us how it works.
Recursion; like something from the film "Inception". Even Professor Brailsford says it can be hard to get your head around - watch him make it much easier to understand...
Recursion; like something from the film "Inception". Even Professor Brailsford says it can be hard to get your head around - watch him make it much easier to understand...
Over Computerphile's first year, we asked each contributor the question: "Mac or PC?" as part of our sound-check. Here are the answers...
Over Computerphile's first year, we asked each contributor the question: "Mac or PC?" as part of our sound-check. Here are the answers...
Following on from our contentious 'Mac or PC' film, we asked Professor Tom Rodden just what the actual difference is between Mac and PC. (by PC we are referring to machines running Windows or a variant of Linux)
Following on from our contentious 'Mac or PC' film, we asked Professor Tom Rodden just what the actual difference is between Mac and PC. (by PC we are referring to machines running Windows or a variant of Linux)
Why use Reverse Polish Notation? How does it relate to trees in Computer Science? Professor Brailsford explains how RPN arises naturally, as a linearized form of a tree.
Why use Reverse Polish Notation? How does it relate to trees in Computer Science? Professor Brailsford explains how RPN arises naturally, as a linearized form of a tree.
What's the most ridiculous activity to do via text message? Joe decided on computer programming & entered a hackathon with a 'text by code' system last year... (he didn't win, maybe its not that ridiculous?)
What's the most ridiculous activity to do via text message? Joe decided on computer programming & entered a hackathon with a 'text by code' system last year... (he didn't win, maybe its not that ridiculous?)
Many of us use Location Services & GPS on smartphones but Cell Phone Companies have been able to track us for a long time. Professor Derek McAuley explains.
Many of us use Location Services & GPS on smartphones but Cell Phone Companies have been able to track us for a long time. Professor Derek McAuley explains.
Real life isn't as simple as true or false - Fuzzy logic allows you to have degrees of truth, meaning computer programmes can deal with more diverse situations.
Real life isn't as simple as true or false - Fuzzy logic allows you to have degrees of truth, meaning computer programmes can deal with more diverse situations.
How or why would a computer ever panic? - What actually happens when things go wrong? Our own 'Dr Heartbleed' Steve Bagley with what happens when a computer crashes.
How or why would a computer ever panic? - What actually happens when things go wrong? Our own 'Dr Heartbleed' Steve Bagley with what happens when a computer crashes.
Following on from our film on recursion, Professor Brailsford uses the Fibonacci Sequence as a further demonstration of recursive programming.
Following on from our film on recursion, Professor Brailsford uses the Fibonacci Sequence as a further demonstration of recursive programming.
How do logic gates store information? - We explore how computer memory works with Dr. Steve "Heartbleed" Bagley
How do logic gates store information? - We explore how computer memory works with Dr. Steve "Heartbleed" Bagley
Can Virtual Reality be used on aircraft to improve in-flight comfort? The VR Hyperspace project has been exploring that idea and ahead of a series of Computerphile films on VR, Dr Mirabelle D'Cruz introduces the idea.
Can Virtual Reality be used on aircraft to improve in-flight comfort? The VR Hyperspace project has been exploring that idea and ahead of a series of Computerphile films on VR, Dr Mirabelle D'Cruz introduces the idea.
The story of recursion continues as Professor Brailsford explains one of the most difficult programs to compute: Ackermann's function.
The story of recursion continues as Professor Brailsford explains one of the most difficult programs to compute: Ackermann's function.
The Oculus Rift isn't the only way to experience Virtual Reality - A VR CAVE uses large screens and projectors to transform your environment.
The Oculus Rift isn't the only way to experience Virtual Reality - A VR CAVE uses large screens and projectors to transform your environment.
Unicode is changing, adding tons more icons and smilies - But what's new and why? Tom Scott takes us through the improvements...
Unicode is changing, adding tons more icons and smilies - But what's new and why? Tom Scott takes us through the improvements...
Borrowing from biology and implementing in binary, AIS closely follows immunology and uses it in many areas, including system security. Dr. Julie Greensmith of the University of Nottingham introduces the subject.
Borrowing from biology and implementing in binary, AIS closely follows immunology and uses it in many areas, including system security. Dr. Julie Greensmith of the University of Nottingham introduces the subject.
The closest thing to Star Trek's 'Holodeck' - a large scale tracking lab with VR headsets used to develop everything from redirected walking to quadcopter control algorithms.
The closest thing to Star Trek's 'Holodeck' - a large scale tracking lab with VR headsets used to develop everything from redirected walking to quadcopter control algorithms.
Spies used to meet in the park to exchange code words, now things have moved on - Robert Miles explains the principle of Public/Private Key Cryptography
Spies used to meet in the park to exchange code words, now things have moved on - Robert Miles explains the principle of Public/Private Key Cryptography
Tablets are taking over from desktop computing but what if we merge the two? This prototype demonstrates something new, that builds upon something centuries old - working with paper on your desk.
Tablets are taking over from desktop computing but what if we merge the two? This prototype demonstrates something new, that builds upon something centuries old - working with paper on your desk.
Catering for a global audience is difficult, Tom takes us through a 'timezones' style explanation of the things you need to keep in mind when internationalising your code.
Catering for a global audience is difficult, Tom takes us through a 'timezones' style explanation of the things you need to keep in mind when internationalising your code.
Artificial Immune Systems are taking on board cutting edge immunology research and creating algorithms that exploit it. Dr Julie Greensmith explains The Danger Theory.
Artificial Immune Systems are taking on board cutting edge immunology research and creating algorithms that exploit it. Dr Julie Greensmith explains The Danger Theory.
This giant robot arm (usually seen on the factory floor) is being used to research the effects of in flight comfort for the VR Hyperspace project.
This giant robot arm (usually seen on the factory floor) is being used to research the effects of in flight comfort for the VR Hyperspace project.
Alan Turing almost accidentally created the blueprint for the modern day digital computer. Here Mark Jago takes us through The Halting Problem.
Alan Turing almost accidentally created the blueprint for the modern day digital computer. Here Mark Jago takes us through The Halting Problem.
What are the long term effects of wearing VR head-sets? Can you use VR to shrink your body and have the illusion of more space on board an aircraft?
What are the long term effects of wearing VR head-sets? Can you use VR to shrink your body and have the illusion of more space on board an aircraft?
Turing Machines are the basis of modern computing, but what actually is a Turing Machine? Assistant Professor Mark Jago explains.
Turing Machines are the basis of modern computing, but what actually is a Turing Machine? Assistant Professor Mark Jago explains.
The Busy Beaver game, pointless? Or a lesson in the problems of computability? - How do you decide if something can be computed or not?
The Busy Beaver game, pointless? Or a lesson in the problems of computability? - How do you decide if something can be computed or not?
This Primer is to accompany the 'Busy Beaver Turing Machines' film which can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/CE8UhcyJS0I
This Primer is to accompany the 'Busy Beaver Turing Machines' film which can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/CE8UhcyJS0I
Artificial Intelligence can be thought of in terms of optimization. Robert Miles explains using the evolution's algorithm.
Artificial Intelligence can be thought of in terms of optimization. Robert Miles explains using the evolution's algorithm.
How does ADSL work and what are those noises Modems used to make?
How does ADSL work and what are those noises Modems used to make?
Hyperspace was hijacked by science fiction, but what is a space? Robert Miles explains with the use of small red rabbits and human faces.
Hyperspace was hijacked by science fiction, but what is a space? Robert Miles explains with the use of small red rabbits and human faces.
2014x57
Undecidability Tangent (History of Undecidability Part 1)
Episode overview
What was the first undecidable problem? Professor Brailsford takes us on a computerphile tangent & gives us his angle on a pre-computer example of undecidability.
What was the first undecidable problem? Professor Brailsford takes us on a computerphile tangent & gives us his angle on a pre-computer example of undecidability.
With images copied via instant screen-grab & websites stripping metadata clean away where does it leave the creators? Professor Derek McAuley talks about the need for a digital exchange.
With images copied via instant screen-grab & websites stripping metadata clean away where does it leave the creators? Professor Derek McAuley talks about the need for a digital exchange.
2014x80
Season finale
Cosmic Inflation with Alan Guth | EXPERT ANSWERS PHYSICS GIRL QUESTIONS
Episode overview
Inflation video with Alan Guth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTUsOWtxKKA Alan Guth is Victor Weisskopf Professor of Phyiscs at MIT. During an interview ab...
Inflation video with Alan Guth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTUsOWtxKKA Alan Guth is Victor Weisskopf Professor of Phyiscs at MIT. During an interview ab...
3D perspective personalised to multiple viewers of the screen - cutting edge research which Alex explains.
3D perspective personalised to multiple viewers of the screen - cutting edge research which Alex explains.
2014x60
Barber & Russell Paradoxes (History of Undecidability Part 2)
Episode overview
The Barber Paradox: Professor Brailsford continues the history of undecidability.
The Barber Paradox: Professor Brailsford continues the history of undecidability.
If musical instruments could speak, what stories could they tell? Professor Benford and his team have created an instrument that documents its own life - the Carolan Guitar
If musical instruments could speak, what stories could they tell? Professor Benford and his team have created an instrument that documents its own life - the Carolan Guitar
Shellshock is potentially a bigger problem than Heartbleed, as Dr Steve Bagley explains.
Shellshock is potentially a bigger problem than Heartbleed, as Dr Steve Bagley explains.
2014x63
Turing Meets Paradoxes (History of Undecidability Part 3)
Episode overview
Taking a solemn oath to promise never to write a program that analyses other programs? - That's how Professor Brailsford felt when he first understood undecidability.
Taking a solemn oath to promise never to write a program that analyses other programs? - That's how Professor Brailsford felt when he first understood undecidability.
Why is it that PDFs look great and yet e-books can look ropey? - Dr Steve Bagley turns Brady into a computer to find out.
Why is it that PDFs look great and yet e-books can look ropey? - Dr Steve Bagley turns Brady into a computer to find out.
Routers carry the traffic of the internet, we talk to Dr Richard Mortier about how they work and what happened to YouTube when a government censorship exercise went wrong.
Routers carry the traffic of the internet, we talk to Dr Richard Mortier about how they work and what happened to YouTube when a government censorship exercise went wrong.
Every spectator is a potential camera operator, that's the basis of this research into crowd-sourced event coverage. Dr Martin Flintham explains the idea.
Every spectator is a potential camera operator, that's the basis of this research into crowd-sourced event coverage. Dr Martin Flintham explains the idea.
What's the technical side of the net neutrality debate? We look at how a it works with a fictitious video streaming site. Dr Richard Mortier has the details.
What's the technical side of the net neutrality debate? We look at how a it works with a fictitious video streaming site. Dr Richard Mortier has the details.
Indoor navigation is tricky enough but try doing it in a swimming pool! Joe tells us how he's developed technology that could give you instant feedback on your swimming.
Indoor navigation is tricky enough but try doing it in a swimming pool! Joe tells us how he's developed technology that could give you instant feedback on your swimming.
Why the Free Software Foundation say iTunes isn't free software. Matt Lee, Technical Lead at Creative Commons explains.
Why the Free Software Foundation say iTunes isn't free software. Matt Lee, Technical Lead at Creative Commons explains.
2014x70
Video Editing with Free Software (Accompanies "Free Software" video)
Episode overview
This is an explanatory video to accompany the last Computerphile entitled 'Free Software' which had a couple of technical problems. This is not a tutorial, nor is it a recommendation, it
.. show full overview
This is an explanatory video to accompany the last Computerphile entitled 'Free Software' which had a couple of technical problems. This is not a tutorial, nor is it a recommendation, it is the story of Sean trying to make a Computerphile video with GNU free software.
ISPs don't always get it right - they gamble that all of their subscribers won't use all of their bandwidth all of the time. Dr Richard Mortier explains Statistical Multiplexing.
ISPs don't always get it right - they gamble that all of their subscribers won't use all of their bandwidth all of the time. Dr Richard Mortier explains Statistical Multiplexing.
Free as in freedom, not free as in cost, but part of the deal is that the software code is released, so if there's always the ability to get the source code, where's the money in free software? Matt Lee explains.
Free as in freedom, not free as in cost, but part of the deal is that the software code is released, so if there's always the ability to get the source code, where's the money in free software? Matt Lee explains.
The Enigma cipher machine, said to be unbreakable. Alan Turing had a pivotal role in cracking Enigma codes during WWII. Professor Brailsford takes us through just what Turing and his team were up against.
The Enigma cipher machine, said to be unbreakable. Alan Turing had a pivotal role in cracking Enigma codes during WWII. Professor Brailsford takes us through just what Turing and his team were up against.
What happens when you click on a link? Dr Richard Mortier explains the mechanics of connecting you with your favourite website.
What happens when you click on a link? Dr Richard Mortier explains the mechanics of connecting you with your favourite website.
Just how did the team at Bletchley Park tackle the problem of decoding Enigma? In Part Two of our series on "The Real" Imitation Game, Professor Brailsford explains how they did it.
Just how did the team at Bletchley Park tackle the problem of decoding Enigma? In Part Two of our series on "The Real" Imitation Game, Professor Brailsford explains how they did it.
When YouTube was created, they had no idea that a video might amass over 2 billion views. Dr Steve Bagley explains why Psy's Gangnam Style music video forced YouTube to update their system.
When YouTube was created, they had no idea that a video might amass over 2 billion views. Dr Steve Bagley explains why Psy's Gangnam Style music video forced YouTube to update their system.
Voting is centuries old, why can't we move with the times and use our phones, tablets and computers? Tom Scott lays out why e-voting is such a bad idea.
Voting is centuries old, why can't we move with the times and use our phones, tablets and computers? Tom Scott lays out why e-voting is such a bad idea.
How can you make your holiday decorations more interesting? Add computer control! Dr 'Heartbleed' Steve Bagley shows us his setup.
How can you make your holiday decorations more interesting? Add computer control! Dr 'Heartbleed' Steve Bagley shows us his setup.
Robots Automatically loading 3D Xray machines - but why? Professor Tony Pridmore explains how computer science is helping botanists to learn more about plant roots.
Robots Automatically loading 3D Xray machines - but why? Professor Tony Pridmore explains how computer science is helping botanists to learn more about plant roots.
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