Computers in the USL

## History

The USL has been developing computer technology since the 1960's. Unlike some nations, the USL use a base 10 bit to byte rate instead of a 8 bit rate, due to the way the original computers were designed. This meant that each byte could support 1024 characters.

## Computer Models

### Gen 1 Computers

Generation 1 Computers is a category of computers that were designed and built between 1945 and 1965. These computers are identifiable for their use of vacuum tubes.

* 500 Units Sold
* 25,000 Vacuum Tubes
* Performance:
	+ 5 kIPS
* Cycling:
	+ Clock: 100 kHz
	+ 5,000 cycles/s
* Memory
	+ 25 kbits
* Data Read:
	+ Hexadecimal
* Input/Output:
	+ 25 kbit Roll Reader
 Edwin 5001

* 500 Units Sold
* 5,000 Vacuum Tubes
* Performance
	+ 1 kIPS
* Cycling:
	+ Clock: 100 kHz
	+ 5,000 cycles/s
* Memory
	+ 5 kbits
* Data Read:
	+ Hexadecimal
* Input/Output:
	+ 5 kbit Roll Reader
 Edwin 5501

* 500 Units Sold
* 50,000 Vacuum Tubes
* Performance
	+ 5 kIPS
* Cycling:
	+ Clock: 100 kHz
	+ 5,000 cycles/s
* Memory
	+ 5 kbits
* Data Read:
	+ 50-bit words
* Input/Output:
	+ 50 kbit Roll Reader
 Edwin 6001

* 500 Units Sold
* 100,000 Vacuum Tubes
* Performance
	+ 10 kIPS
* Cycling:
	+ Clock: 1 MHz
	+ 2,000 cycles/s
* Memory
	+ 100 kbits
* Data Read:
	+ 50-bit words
* Input/Output:
	+ 100 kbit Roll Reader
	+ 100 kbit Roll Printer

### Gen 2 Computers

Generation 2 Computers is a category of computers that were designed and built between 1960 and 1980. These computers are identifiable for their use of transistors and magnetic tapes.

### Gen 3 Computers

Generation 3 Computers is a category of computers that were designed and built between 1980 and 1995. These computers are identifiable for their use of transistors and removable storage disks.

### Commercial Tape Computers

* 10 million Units Sold
* 10 bit 500 kHz Core i1-100
* no display
* Memory
	+ RAM: 100 bytes S-1960
	+ ROM: 1 bytes R-1960
* Removable Memory:
	+ 2x 25 MB UDST-1960
	+ 100 kB/s
* Input/Output:
	+ keypad
 Tape Processor 2 (TP2)

* 5 million Units Sold
* 10 bit 500 kHz Core i1-100
* no display
* Memory
	+ RAM: 100 bytes S-1960
	+ ROM: 1 bytes R-1960
* Removable Memory:
	+ 2x 25 MB UDST-1962
	+ 125 kB/s
* Input/Output:
	+ keypad
 Tape Processor 3 (TP3)

* 3 million Units Sold
* 10 bit 500 kHz Core i1-100
* no display
* Memory
	+ RAM: 1 kB S-1960
	+ ROM: 1 bytes R-1960
* Removable Memory:
	+ 2x 37.5 MB UDST-1964
	+ 125 kB/s
* Input/Output:
	+ keypad
 Tape Processor 4 (TP4)

* 2 million Units Sold
* 10 bit 1 MHz Core i1-200
* no display
* Memory
	+ RAM: 10 kB S-1968
	+ ROM: 10 bytes R-1965
* Removable Memory:
	+ 2x 100 MB UDST-1968
	+ 250 kB/s
* Input/Output:
	+ keypad
 Tape Processor 5 (TP5)

* 10 million Units Sold
* 10 bit 1 MHz Core i1-200
* no display
* Memory
	+ RAM: 100 kB S-1970
	+ ROM: 10 bytes R-1970
* Removable Memory:
	+ 2x 100 MB UDST-1970
	+ 1 MB/s
* Input/Output:
	+ keypad
 Tape Processor 6 (TP6)

* 10 million Units Sold
* 20 bit 10 MHz Core i3-100
* no display
* Memory
	+ RAM: 50 MB S-1980
	+ ROM: 100 bytes R-1980
* Removable Memory:
	+ 2x 200 MB UDST-1968
	+ 1 MB/s
* Input/Output:
	+ keypad
	+ printer

## Processors

Processors are the core units for any computers.

## Memory Storage

Memory storage consists of RAM and Flash. RAM is Volatile Memory that can be stored for calculations and processes. Flash is non-volatile memory used for data storage.

### ASM

ASM or Atomic State Memory tracks electron spin, and stores and transfers data based on the spin of electrons.

WIP

## Data Transfer

### SwitchNet

SwitchNet, short for Switchboard Network, was the first iteration of the internet. This system was created in 1960 and worked by using dedicated electronic switchboards to create connections between computers. The data transfer speed of this network was 1000 kbits/s (100 kBytes/s).

### SwitchNet 2

SwitchNet 2, short for Switchboard Network 2, was the second iteration of the internet and replaced SwitchNet 1. This system was created in 1980 and worked by using dedicated electronic switchboards to create connections between computers. The data transfer speed of this network was 10 Mb/s (1 MB/s).

### DCOM

DCOM, short for Digital Communications Network, was the third iteration of the internet and replaced SwitchNet 3. This system was created in 1990 and worked by using internet protocols instead of a switchboard. The data transfer speed of this network was originally 100 Mb/s (10 MB/s), but was updated to 500 Mb/s (50 MB/s) by 1995 and 1 Gb/s (100 MB/s) by the end of the network's lifespan.

### GForce

GForce was the fourth iteration of the internet and replaced DCOM. This system was created in 2000 and worked by using internet protocols instead of a switchboard. The data transfer speed of this network was originally 10 Gb/s (1 GB/s).

### G2

G2, otherwise known as GForce 2, was the fifth iteration of the internet and replaced GForce. This system was created in 2005 and worked by using internet protocols. The data transfer speed of this network was originally 50 Gb/s (5 GB/s).

### VNet

VNet, otherwise known as Virtual Network was the sixth iteration of the internet and replaced GForce 2. This system was created in 2015 and worked by using internet protocols, using graphical data transmission. The data transfer speed of this network was 100 Gb/s (10 GB/s).

## Data Storage Types

### Magnetic Tape Data Storage

USL standard Magnetic Tape Data Storage. The Standard Model was called the Union Data Storage Tapes (UDST). One Bit of data is stored on 0.2 milimeters of bit length and height (0.04 mm^2),but decreased to .01 square milimeters per bit in 1968. Standard width for magnetic tape was 20 mm for standard width and 10 mm for small widths (denoted by 's' at the end of the name).

Below is a list of computers using Magnetic Tape Data Storage:

### Replaceable Interchangeable Drive (RID Drive)

A Replaceable Interchangeable Drive or RID Drive is a form of data storage. The RID drive is a cartridge-based data memory storage method.

Below is a list of computers using RID Drives:

### Floppy Disk Drive

A Floppy Disk Drive or FDD is a form of data storage using a magnetic storage disk encased in a square plastic shell.

### Union Solid State Drive

A Union Solid State Drive or USSD is a form of data storage. This form of data storage was designed in 1990 as a alternative to hard drives, due to the disks in UHDD units occasionally breaking and losing data.

Below is a list of computers using the USSD:

### Union Quantum State Drive

A Union Quantum State Drive or QSTAT is a form of data storage. This form of data storage was designed in 2015. This drive records and processes data in the form of quantum states of a hydrogen atom, based on electron spin of the atom. A QByte is a component containing 10 atoms, generating 10 bits of data and is the common container for QSTAT sub-units.

Below is a list of computers using the QSTAT:

## Union Operating System

There have been two major series of operating systems in the USL.

### Tape Processing System

The Tape Processing System (TPS) was used by computers that ran off of the UDST data storage units.

The Tape Processing System processed the tapes by a given data set.

* The first four bits set up system operations, mainly CONTROL, DELETE, SPACE, TAB, CAPS, BACK SPACE, ENTER, SELECT, START, END, HOME, SCROLL UP, SCROLL DOWN,INSERT, and NULL SPACE.
* The last four bits describe a number, letter, or mathematical/process operation.
* If the processor detects that a null code is missing or that there are too many zeros, it ignores the entire byte of data.

**UDST**
The UDST contains the stored data and the mathematical operations data needed to run a program. It essentially stores the data relating to a process and runs the program in such a way as to process the data and any inputs given.

**Systems Processor**
The Systems Processor take the data from the UDST and runs it through the processes also stored on the UDST.

**Input/Output Processor**
The Input/Output processor allows for manual data and commands to be input into the processes being run by the Systems Processor. It also allows for data to be output onto a printed paper or back onto the UDST. This processor can also be used to sent unprocessed data through the processes from the UDST to create a recognizable data format.

**Graphical Processor**
The graphical Processor arranges the output data into an orderly format that can be read on a graphical screen or on a printed paper.

### Union Processing and Operating System (UPOS)

the Union Processing and Operating System is a operating system that uses both stored data and temporary stored data in order to run processes on a computer. Unlike the TPS, any temporary data not output by a process is lost when the computer is shut down or the operations stop. This system also is the first to use Interrupts to act as 'quick save' data in case a process ends unexpectedly.

**Graphical User Interface (GUI)**
The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is the interactive visual output of the computer. The GUI can be interacted with to generate input into the computer.

**Input/Output Processor (I/OP**
The Input/Output processor processes input and generates an output. Sources of input are the KEYPAD, MOUSE, GUI, and HDMC. Destinations of output include the GUI, MONITOR, and NETWORK CONNECTION. This Unit processes all data through a GPU.

**Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)**
The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is the primary processing unit of any computer. It uses input prom the I/O Processor, Data stored on a Drive, and Stored Memory on the computer to generate an output.

**High-Definition Media Connector (HDMC)**
A High Definition Media Connector (HDMC) is the primary means to connect external devices to the computer. It allows for an input/output to additional devices. Between this component and the Input/Output Processor, it connects to a SEC.

**Security Electrical Component (SEC)**
A Security Electrical Component (SEC) is used to authenticate devices connected through the high-priority, high capacity HDMC components. It also prevents malicious code from entering the processing units of the computer. In addition, this component also prevents power surges from HDMC ports from damaging the computer.

**Keyboard Shortcuts**
The following are keyboard shortcuts used in UPOS computers.

* [command]+[shift]+[delete] : pause all active programs and open task manager
* [command]+[shift]+[escape] : force shut down
* [escape] : close current program or cancel current action
* [F1] : mute sound
* [F2] : decrease volume
* [F3] : increase volume
* [F4] : toggle up tab
* [F5] : toggle down tab
* [F6] : toggle internet
* [F7] : decrease screen brightness
* [F8] : increase screen brightness
* [F9] : toggle
* [F10] : insert here
* [insert] : insert copied data into selected area
* [alt]+[insert] : copy selected data into selection memory cache
* [print] : open print settings; print screen, document, or tab
* [delete] : delete selected text or image
* [control]+[~] : open gaming directory
* [control]+[1] : open calendar
* [control]+[2] : open email
* [control]+[3] : open online store
* [control]+[4] : open image directory
* [control]+[5] : open music directory
* [control]+[6] : open video directory
* [control]+[7] : open printer directory
* [control]+[8] : open external memory directory
* [control]+[9] : open internet directory
* [control]+[0] : open external directory
* [control]+[-] : close window
* [control]+[=] : open calculator
* [backspace] : undo previous action (up to 10 actions)
* [control]+[backspace] : redo undone actions (up to 10 actions)
* [command]+[tab] : open command screen
* [command]+[q] : open command screen
* [command]+[w] : scroll up
* [command]+[e] : open systems settings
* [command]+[r] : open display settings
* [command]+[t] : open time/date settings
* [command]+[y] : open display settings
* [command]+[u] : open user settings
* [command]+[i] : open internet browser
* [command]+[o] : open internet settings
* [command]+[p] : print screen or document
* [command]+[a] : back page
* [command]+[s] : scroll down
* [command]+[d] : next page
* [command]+[f] : open file directory
* [command]+[g] : open admin controls
* [command]+[h] : open user settings
* [command]+[j] : switch users
* [command]+[k] : log out
* [command]+[l] : lock screen
* [command]+[enter] : open system directory
* [command]+[z] : zoom in
* [command]+[x] : zoom out
* [command]+[c] : open email
* [command]+[v] : open video/audio settings
* [command]+[b] : open background settings
* [command]+[n] : open display settings
* [command]+[m] : open system menu
* [command]+[display] : open display settings
* [command]+[alt] : open command screen
* [command]+[system] : scroll up
* [command]+[space] : file directory
* [select] : select data
* [command]+[shift] : open data cache directory
* [shift]+[select] : select multiple data sets
* [page] : open internet browser
* [command]+[page] : open internet settings
* [shift]+[page] : open new internet tab