Setun was a ternary computer developed in 1958 at Moscow State University.
Octogenarian Geek: Don's Ramblings.
AI has been running amok lately, but ternary computing could be the next frontier.
On 1 October 2025, I posted the following message to the Australian Computer Museum Society (ACMS) Facebook group, hoping for a lively discussion:
ACMS Facebook Post.I wonder how many of our members are aware of ternary logic as opposed to traditional binary logic in computer numbering systems?
The Soviets developed it in the late 1950s but abandoned it by the mid-1970s.
Today, Huawei's ternary logic chip is challenging the Nvidia chip empire. Faster and more energy-efficient, it could be exactly what AI needs to reduce the strain on our power grids.
You can also search YouTube for "Ternary" to see some demonstrations.
Unfortunately, I only received one reply, and I suspect he may have confused ternary logic a little with tri-state logic.
Pictured below:
Anastasiia Nosova is an Austrian technology expert, podcast host, and entrepreneur specializing in the semiconductor industry and AI computing. She is best known as the host of the "Anastasi In Tech" podcast and YouTube channel, where she discusses complex technological topics in an accessible manner.
She is well recognised expert in the field of computing hardware and AI.
Anastasiia's videos are amazing! The first time I watched one, I thought it might be AI - that accent had me questioning reality. Now that I have captions on, I finally get the full value of the video!
The Breakthrough That Could Change Computing Forever ▶
Should I really be reading this stuff at my age and in my condition? I suppose I just can't help it - I love it all!
There's no credible public information confirming Huawei has produced a working 2 nm node chip (or that such is in mass production or even near risk production). Most reports place them a generation behind - trying to catch up with 3 nm or modernizing 7 nm operations.
ChatGPT was first launched by OpenAI on 30 November 2022, based on GPT-3.5. My daughters were using a monthly paid version of an early forerunner Surfer SEO and switched to ChatGPT after it was announced.
By December 2022, I was trying to inform friends and colleagues about this new development, but it seemed like a waste of time. Eventually of course, every man and his dog knew all about "AI". I've added six different AI bookmarks to my browser and have learned what each one does well and where they fall short. For example, x.com's GROK handles computer code brilliantly - you just need to know the right questions to ask it.
From the windmills and water wheels that powered early industry came the steam age of the 1700s — a time of invention and anxiety.
The Industrial Revolution brought progress, but also fear, as machines began to replace human hands in factories and workshops.
By the Late 1800s, electric and combustion engines transformed the world again, and people worried technology might take their livelihoods.
In the Late 1970s, the arrival of Personal Computers stirred the same fears. My boss told me that Personal Computers would put everyone out of work — and yet, here I was, thinking that one day every home would eventually have one, and I was trying to shape things for what I felt was the better.
By the 1990s, the internet began connecting the world like never before. Information, communication, and commerce were transformed, creating new opportunities but also raising fears about jobs, privacy, and the speed of change.
Early 2020s AI is the newest trend, and I think it's really exciting. It's important to understand how to use it safely before diving in. I don't think AI is guaranteed to make more jobs, and I've already noticed some negative impacts on people I know. With so much AI activity, power usage is going up. Still, as tech keeps improving, I believe we'll find ways to manage these energy issues.
Take some time to explore what different sources say about Artificial Intelligence using both Google and AI-based searches. You will discover a wide range of opinions and predictions, with some even warning of up to a 95% loss of jobs within the next five years. It is also worth reading what Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking have said about the potential risks and impact of AI.
"By far, the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it."
Danger, Will Robinson!!! (Not that old? Google it)
I'm no lawyer, just someone trying to find their way through this complex maze. One of the best tools you can have is Google Lens or something similar. If you're working with a photo, it can reveal the place, year, people, and even help with copyright details. If it's a snapshot of an object, animal, or plant, it might find you a YouTube video, a product page, reviews, or other useful information.
Through my work colourising Darwin's historical photographs, I've become familiar with image copyright issues. To the best of my understanding, any photograph published before 1955 is out of copyright and part of the public domain.
Additionally, any image released under a Creative Commons (CC) Universal Deed is considered public domain material. Read any extra text, or "CC" logos you find along with the Photos.
When reproducing and colourising historical images for educational or preservation purposes, I don't usually encounter copyright concerns. However, if the work is intended for commercial use, it's essential to confirm that you're fully covered legally. You may need to chase up the person that posted the image, to determine if they, or their family, hold copyright over that image.
In Australia, copyright laws for photographs and publications depend on when the material was created and published.
Before 2005, copyright on published images lasted for 50 years from the end of the year they were first published. After legal reforms in 2005, this period was extended to 70 years.
As a result:
In other words, most images and publications created before the mid-1950s are no longer under copyright protection in Australia.
Further details and official explanations can be found at:
Understanding copyright is essential when working with historical or modern photographs. In Australia, copyright protection is automatic and governed by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The following summary outlines the key principles that determine ownership, duration, and legal use of photographic works.
Copyright applies automatically to all original photographs from the moment they are taken — there is no need to register or display a copyright notice.
You may use a photograph without infringement if it is:
Even for educational or non-commercial use, proper credit or attribution should always be provided.
Australian law permits limited use of copyrighted material without permission under “fair dealing” provisions, including:
These uses must be fair and must acknowledge the creator where possible.
Even if a photo's copyright has been sold or licensed, the photographer retains certain moral rights, including:
Using or selling copyrighted images without permission can result in legal action, monetary fines, or mandatory removal of the infringing material.
References:
Please read the section above regarding Copyright rules and regulations.
After completing 1,000 colourised historical images of Darwin, NT, I felt compelled to write this article to raise awareness among our members about the harvesting and misuse of historical photographs.
I believe it is time to inform members about copyright laws in Australia and shed light on how prominent foreign corporations are appropriating our historical images.
All those remarkable historical photographs of Darwin that you share on social media are being sold as data to companies like Alamy. They then affix their watermarks to these images, falsely asserting ownership, and market them to anyone willing to meet their price. Alamy currently has a staggering 345 million photos available online, with prices starting at approximately $23 USD.
Once payment is made, they remove the watermarks. It's quite a profitable enterprise, isn't it? I have been aware of this unethical business practice for many years.
What I am doing with my work is preserving and cataloging the original photograph alongside my digitally converted image, together with the most comprehensive information I can gather regarding its content and location.
Whether you appreciate or disapprove of my conversions, I am dedicated to safeguarding the original photograph and its details. By sharing these photos with members of various groups, I am able to gather the most accurate information available before it fades into history.
If you wish to preserve your own family photos for future generations, I recommend depositing them with archival services such as the NT Government Territory Stories.
