Oh boy oh boy oh boy!
(source: Android Central)
What was the first math problem that we needed a computer to solve?
“In the 1970s, a remarkable thing was done; a computer was used to solve a math problem. This, in and of itself, was not remarkable. The difference engine could do it. But this problem was the first one that would probably remain unsolved if it weren’t for computers. Find out about the Four-Color Theorem, and why it needed to be turned over to the machines.” Read more…
I remember reading about this proof in Scientific American when it first came out! —drego
(source: Mathematics Association of America, via io9)
New algorithm can predict red-light runners
“Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found a way to figure out when you’re likely to blow through that red light you’re fast approaching in your car. By analyzing a vehicle’s speed, deceleration, and proximity to the stoplight, the new algorithm can predict which cars will violate the most basic of traffic laws: red means stop.” Read more…
(source: CNET)
Programmers shred Pentagon’s paper puzzle challenge
“A team of California computer programmers has conquered the Pentagon’s latest civilian research challenge. The military’s way-out research arm, Darpa, today announced that the team of three, called “All Your Shreds Belong To Us,” had scooped up the $50,000 prize. To do it, they’d required 33 days and 600 man hours, all to re-assemble five shredded documents.” Read more…
(source: Wired)
The furnace of the future: Computer servers?
“Computer data centers are energy-hogs that generate a ton of heat. Why not take advantage of that warmth, say researchers.” Read more…
(source: The Week)
The real cost of a stolen identity
“Those who have had their identity stolen know the feelings of helplessness and violation that it can bring. The costs go beyond the pocketbook – it can be devastating to know that someone else out there is posing as you. What decisions are they making in your name? How much of your money have they spent? What can you do about it? This infographic by ZoneAlarm breaks down the costs of identity theft and illustrates what to do if yours has been compromised. Click to enlarge.” See infographic…
(source: Icanhasinternets)
This is what the desk of the future looks like
“EXOpc has posted a video of its EXOdesk — an interactive desk environment that lets you do all sorts of tasks on a virtual space on your desk — in action and it looks amazing.” Read more…
(source: Mashable)
Full disk encryption is too good, says US intelligence agency
“You might be shocked to learn this, but when a quivering-lipped Chloe from 24 cracks the encryption on a terrorist’s hard drive in 30 seconds, the TV show is faking it. “So what? It’s just a TV show.” Well, yes, but it turns out that real federal intelligence agencies, like the FBI, CIA, and NSA, also have a problem cracking encrypted hard disks — and according to a new research paper, this is a serious risk to national security.” Read more…
(source: ExtremeTech)
Meet the 5 fastest computers on the planet
“Every six months, a new list of the top 500 fastest supecomputers in the world comes out, and today was the day. The big news is that we’ve cracked 10 petaflops, but compared to six months ago, the list itself will probably surprise you.” Read more…
(source: Dvice)
AI scientists want to make gods. Should that worry us?
“Singularitarians believe artificial intelligence will be humanity’s saviour. But they also assume AI entities will be benevolent.” Read more…
(source: The Guardian)
U.S. government also a villain in piracy act story
“Now that we’ve had a few days to digest the MPAA-backed Stop Online Piracy Act (PDF), can we all finally agree that the MPAA is evil and Hollywood wants the Internet to die? And then can we stop letting them write laws for us?” Read more…
(source: CNET)
Scientists create brain-like, massively parallel computer from molecules
“A group of Japanese scientists have built a massively-parallel, brain-like computer out of an organic molecule called DDQ. This computer, which is built from 300 DDQ “neurons,” has successfully calculated how heat diffuses through a medium, and the mutation of normal cells into cancer cells.” Read more…
(source: ExtremeTech)
Will Firefox stand in the way of the cloud?
“With more and more of our everyday activities moving to the cloud, you would think that Mozilla — like Google — would be over the moon. The browser is the portal through which the entire web is experienced, after all. In actuality, cloud-based computing represents a serious conflict with Mozilla’s primary purpose. In the words of Mitchell Baker, Chairperson and Chief Lizard Wrangler, Mozilla’s mission is to “build user sovereignty into the fabric of the Internet.” User sovereignty means that you are in full control of the surfing experience — it means that you are in the hot seat with regard to how much information you share and with who. User sovereignty literally means that the consumer is king and should never beholden to any other user or corporation on the web.” Read more…
(source: ExtremeTech)
Do kids learn more without computers?
“Waldorf schools ban computers to help kids learn through creative, tactile tasks. Funny enough, many Silicon Valley bigwigs are on board.” Read more…
(source: The Week)
Is Perl better than a randomly generated programming language?
[Slashdot] submitter QuantumMist writes:
“Researchers from Southern Illinois University have published a paper comparing Perl to Quorum(PDF) (their own statistically informed programming language) and Randomo (a programming language whose syntax is partially randomly generated). From the paper: ‘Perl users were unable to write programs more accurately than those using a language designed by chance.’ Reactions have been enthusiastic, and the authors have responded.”
(source: paper (PDF), via Slashdot)
