The Silicon Swami Video Weblog


SWAMI / TEACHER RESEARCH PROJECTS MY CURRENT CLASSES MEDIA ARCHIVES MEDIA - TELEVISION MEDIA - RADIO MEDIA - MAGAZINE THE COLLECTION MUSEUM - PHOTO MUSEUM - VIDEO MUSEUM - HARDWARE MUSEUM - SOFTWARE VIRTUAL MACHINES VM - SUPERCOMPUTER VM - MAINFRAME VM - MIDRANGE VM - MINICOMPUTER VM - PERSONAL AREAS OF INTEREST KITS - HOUSING KITS - AUTO KITS - BOATS MISC - FUTURE 01 MISC - FUTURE 01	Origin of "The Silicon Swami"
	[Edit is in progress ... Aug 28 to Sept 5th 2010] I am an advocate for those on the Autism Spectrum, and I plan on using this forum to explain autism spectrum disorder, the common symptoms and how many of us have learned to deal with this. I also want to give encouragement to parents of both children and adults on the spectrum. It is my firm belief that autism is a gift, and a treasure, not a curse. I've divided this website up into sections, the primary section is about Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. The secondary section is about my primary passion, computers, and all the other 'secondary' passions as listed to the left. Many people say they like computers, what they mean is that they like to use computers; really they mean using the software, what I mean is that I like the circuits, the ways of interfacing to and controlling other objects. I consider myself very fortunate to have got involved in computers back in the middle 1970s when punch cards were still widely used. You see, I actually know what a bit is (a tiny rectangular piece of paper) and a byte (a row of punches on a card). I know that 80 columns, has nothing to do with what's on the screen, but as the number of rows on a punch card. I also know the difference between ASCII and BAUDOT code, and can read each by sight. I know the difference between parallel communication (Punch Cards) and serial communications (telegraphy). It is my goal to teach you all of this and more!
	This website is in the first phases of construction. The previous weblog is currently being migrated over from http://haxor5hack.blogspot.com other entries can be found on my FaceBook page http://www.facebook.com/jbottoms and those entries date back from 2006 though some are not properly dated, that will be fixed on import. I'd love to add you to my email list and to send you a copy of my monthly magazine called "Computer Alternatives". Topics range from automobile computer hacking to do it yourself kits (houses, cars, boats, appliances) if you remember Heathkit from the late 1950's to the late 1980's you've got a good idea what it's all about! Email jbottoms@gmail.com to be added to the monthly subscriber list (it's free!)