Key Item

Key Item

Key Item is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. One of a connected series of stories concerning the fictional supercomputer Multivac, it was originally to be printed in a periodical "Computers and Automation" in 1959, but not used. It later appeared in the July 1968 issue of "Fantasy and Science Fiction".

Multivac refuses to work and teams of scientists can't locate the fault. Then one scientist realises that the instructions that have been given to the computer are missing one key item; they need to be "polite" to Multivac. When the word "Please" is added to the instructions, the computer goes back to work.

"After all, a machine has feelings - when it "isn't a machine anymore."


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Key — may refer to: Building* Key, Carpentry: timber or metal wedges used across or between two or more members to act as a tightening agent. * Key, Painting: to rough the surface of previous coats of paint to allow a secure bond for the next or top… …   Wikipedia

  • ITeM — stands for the Instituto del Tercer Mundo (or, the Third World Institute) which is based in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.Focus on informationIt focuses on information, communication and education activities on an international level,… …   Wikipedia

  • key — [adj] essential, important basic, chief, crucial, decisive, fundamental, indispensable, leading, main, major, material, pivotal, primary, principal, vital; concept 568 Ant. inessential, insignificant, nonessential, unimportant key [n1] item that… …   New thesaurus

  • Item (game) — In pencil and paper games and computer and video games, an item is an object within the game world that can be collected by a player or, occasionally, a non player character. These items are sometimes called pick ups .Items are most often… …   Wikipedia

  • Key (lock) — A cut key A key is an instrument that is used to operate a lock. A typical key consists of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that… …   Wikipedia

  • Key fob — A key fob is a generally decorative and at times useful item many people often carry with their keys, on a ring or a chain, for ease of tactile identification, to provide a better grip, or to make a personal statement. Key fobs are often called… …   Wikipedia

  • Key Lime Pie Records — infobox record label founded = 1993 status = Defunct (1994) founder = Geoff Kresge genre = Hardcore punk country = USKey Lime Pie Records was a record label founded by Geoff Kresge in 1993. It was not actually a licensed record label; it was the… …   Wikipedia

  • key fob — noun a) an item carried on a key ring either as decoration or security b) a remote control for locking/unlocking a car door, carried with the car keys …   Wiktionary

  • Option key — The Option key may be labeled Alt, or Option, or both, and sometimes the symbol. The Option key is a modifier key present on Apple keyboards. It is located between the Control key and Command key on a typical Mac keyboard. There are two option… …   Wikipedia

  • Digital Item — is the basic unit of transaction in the MPEG 21 framework. It is a structured digital object, including a standard representation, identification and metadata. A Digital Item may be a combination of resources like videos, audio tracks or images;… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”