Most physical computing is derived of three things; listening, thinking, or speaking. In terms relative to computers these three words are changed to input, processing, and output. Processing deals with the coding and programming functions of a computer. Input is simply the user putting informaton into the computer's system through the mouse or recorded audio and can be of either category digital (when two states suffice) or analog (continuous range of multiple states). Output is more complicated because it requires the computer to deliver a message back to the user usually using complicated mechanics or electronics. Serial deals with one event happening at a time where parallel describes many events occuring at once. Transduction is also very important in developing a physical computing system because it accomplishes converting one form of energy into another.
It is important to work backwards in the case of developing a physical conmputing system so you can fully understand your project idea and every single specific technique needed to accomplish it. There are four major things to remember: keep a journal including all questions and ideas you come up with, second, work fast and at a high level, third, don't let planning be the death of you (it is better to take a risk and try and fail than have set plan that may or may not work), and lastly, collaborate with others - which is the exact reason we have partners. (:
There are three basic components that come into play in every electrical circut. First, the relative level of electrical energy between two components is called the voltage (volts) (voltage = current x resistance). Next, the amount of electrical energy passing through the circut at any point in time is called the current (amps), and finally, the resistance that the circut puts back on the current is called the resistance of the component (ohms). The combination of voltage and current is called electrical power or watts (watts = volts x current). There are usually two ways in which electrical power is supplied; direct current (current on one wire and ground on the other with the voltage being constant and the supply wire at a higher voltage) and alternating current (alternates the voltage on the two wires), allows for easier long distance electrical energy transfer hence the alternating current is used for most advertsing companies. Electricity always favors the path of least resistance to the ground and all the electrical energy in a circut must be used.
