Technology

Why Does Rebooting Fix Computer Problems?

Posted on by johnbarleycorn12

It’s the most common answer to our computing woes: when your PC or smartphone is acting up, try turning it off and on again. Or, alternatively, rebooting.To understand the concept of a “reboot”, it’s helpful to first understand what a boot means as far as computers are concerned. The word comes from the expression “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps”, which I’ve never fully understood, but apparently means “improve yourself by your own efforts.”

— Read on curiosity.com/topics/why-does-rebooting-fix-computer-problems-curiosity

An easy fix most of the time

The 10 Greatest Scientific Achievements of 2018

Posted on by johnbarleycorn12

December is the month of best-of lists, which is always a challenge — especially when you’re ranking the most influential scientific achievements of the year. Who’s to say a discovery of an ancient fossil is any better than the development of a new drug? Or that landing on an asteroid is any better than discovering spider milk? Alas, you have to draw the line somewhere, and here’s where we drew ours. Check out our list of the top 10 greatest scientific achievements of 2018 below.

— Read on curiosity.com/topics/the-10-greatest-scientific-achievements-of-2018-curiosity/

2018 in review from a science perspective

Micrometeorites Are Tiny Space Debris that Pose a Big Problem

Posted on by johnbarleycorn12

If there’s one thing that decades of operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has taught us, it is that space is full of hazards. In addition to solar flares and cosmic radiation, one of the greatest dangers comes from space debris. While the largest bits of junk (which measure more than 10 cm in diameter) are certainly a threat, the real concern is the more than 166 million objects that range in size from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter in diameter.

— Read on curiosity.com/topics/micrometeorites-are-tiny-space-debris-that-pose-a-big-problem-curiosity