Puzzler Update

Only two people even guessed at the name of the first microcomputer kit, and both got it wrong. The kit was called the "Jolt", and it was a very simple 8008-based design with just a numeric keypad and two seven-segment LED displays as I/O.

This week, back to science and technology.

Imagine that you had access to an infinitely powerful, infinitely fast digital computer. Which of the listed tasks would be impossible for even this computer to perform?

Update: Gunfire in Jamul

A few days ago, I reported on the gunfire that led to the closure of 94 for about an hour. Last night I received the following email from a woman who notes that she is Scott Amerman's mother:

Regarding Jamul man jailed for allegedly shooting in Transient Camp. You might be interested in some background: 2003 My son came to nurse me for 8 months after doctors gave me 2 mos to live. Deplorable state of vagrant camp behind my (not his) mobile home upset him. Once he was hit over the head in the grove, robbed and left for dead. Scott moved on when my health was restored. My Mobile Home Park was overrun with rats. 2006 I launched campaign to clean up the olive grove. Responses: Fire Dept, "call if you smell smoke." Immigration -"got green cards." Sheriff -"no crime. " DEA-"can't find anything." Vector Control gave me traps. County Health- "Yes, bacteria count in creek's high." It's gone on for years! Sent DVD's of campsites to everyone. Duncan Hunter directed me to a Santee meeting. Heather Lucas (Ch 8 News) did a spot on me. People began to listen. Was directed to Code Enforcement. They fined the owner. He cleaned up acreage. Hurrah! Rats gone! Short lived victory. Visiting me, Scott found they're back, lighting campfires in that tender box environment. My daughter lost her home and narrowly escaped with her life in 2003 Alpine fire. Campfires 40' from my home aren't acceptable to Scott. Criminal element of drug runners is intolerable. He felt he had to protect me since no authority does. Took his life in his hands to single handedly go tell them to leave. Incredible -about 30 patrol cars rushed here! Couldn't get them here after real criminals until after they'd gone. Scott surrendered peacefully. All charges were dropped. I don't know if the illegals & vagrants are still there. I'll ask a Sheriff to go with me so I can take photos and start the process again - if I don't get burned out first. Question: What do you do when the system is broken and no longer functions to protect you? Sheriff said get a petition signed by park residents and send it to the owner saying we hold him responsible. So….doesn’t that still put it back in our lap…and if the owner doesn’t cooperate, it’s another useless paper like the ones the Sheriffs give the transients.

Scott's Mom

Transients and illegals lighting campfires is one of our nightmares out here in the chaparral. The Horse Fire last year, and the Pine Fire (97% contained as of 6 PM last night) were both started by such campfires. Assuming the account by Scott's mom is accurate, the asymmetry of the law enforcement response to the prior complaints versus the gunfire is appalling – and infuriating to anyone who cares about the lives or property of residents here. It's easy for me to understand how Scott could be very angry and frustrated in that situation. If I saw a campfire on my property (or on a neighbor's) in our current dry fuel conditions, I'm not at all certain that my reaction would be civil, level-headed, or within the bounds of the law…