Jody,

        I guess my point is that I take exception with Mr.
driller@slic.com calling player pianos "the world's first actual
                                                    ^^^^^
computers", an assertion that, IMHO, cannot be proved, but IS highly
dependent on how you define the word "computer".  (It's ALWAYS dangerous
to state things in such absolute terms! ;) )  Given that your textbooks
also refer to the looms apparently supports MY assertion.  I have no
problem accepting automated looms AND player pianos as EXAMPLES of early
computing devices, but let's be careful about who (or what) gets the
credit for being "first".  -John Grant

Name: Genius (John Grant)