Definition of a Computer

[der Mouse]

> The main point I remember about computer defs is 'They do stupid
> simple things really fast."

And, to a first, second, and even third approximation, with no errors.

"I really hate this damn machine
 I wish that they would sell it
 It never does quite what I want
 But only what I tell it."

We'd be ecstatic if practically anything else had error rates well
under one in 1e9[%].  But most computers, if they failed one
instruction in 1e9 - never mind one clock cycle in 1e9 - wouldn't last
even long enough to boot; it's not only common but *expected* that they
do exactly what they're told to do, to within ten, eleven, twelve nines
of "always".

It's really pretty impressive.

[%] Given our population demographics, I hesitate to say "billion" no
    matter what number I mean by it. :)

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