Communications of the ACM
The blog archive provides access to past blog postings from Communications of the ACM and other sources by date.
October 2015
From insideHPC
Video: Supercomputing for Nuclear Fusion
In this video from the World Economic Forum, Santiago Badia from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona introduces some of the challenges of working to make safe, efficient nuclear fusion a reality by 2040.
The…From insideHPC
Army Unveils Excalibur Cray XC40 Supercomputer
On Oct. 16, the U.S. Army introduced Excalibur, its newest supercomputer. Currently ranked at #26 on the TOP500, the Cray XC40 system will help ensure Soldiers have the technological advantage on the battlefield, officials said…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Health Games Research
The gamification of persuasion to improve health has been around for a long time. Initially as part of game platforms, then later as part of wearable systems. People create their own games when shown data about behavior, and…
From insideHPC
DDN Accelerates Intel Omni-Path Fabric for HPC
Today DataDirect Networks announced DDN Omni-Connect, the industry’s first custom Intel Omni-Path enabled storage architecture. DDN Omni-Connect enabled storage platforms deliver best in breed cost and performance for the next…
From insideHPC
WRF Microphysics Optimization
"Microphysics provides atmospheric heat and moisture tendencies. This module has been optimized to take advantage of the Intel Xeon Phi coprocessor. However, some manual optimization can lead to even greater performance gains…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Talk: Enhancing Ability Through Smart Cognitive Support Systems
This week's talk today looks to be very interesting. I have had a conversation with the speaker regarding augmenting workers. Join us. Slides here.Dear Professors, Students, IBMers and others, Just a reminder about our…
From Computer Science Teacher - Thoughts and Information From Alfred Thompson
TechPrep -- a website to help people start programming careers
Facebook entered the efforts to help more people learn about programming yesterday with a new website. “TechPrep -- a website to help people start programming careers” It is a web site with links to all sorts of resources for…
From Computational Complexity
Complexity Blast from the Past
My friend Marty in grad school mysteriously disappeared in 1985 and showed up yesterday looking exactly the same as I remember him. He said he traveled into my time and asked me how we finally proved P different than NP. I didn't…
From Schneier on Security
Police Want Genetic Data from Corporate Repositories
Both the FBI and local law enforcement are trying to get the genetic data stored at companies like 23andMe. No surprise, really. As NYU law professor Erin Murphy told the New Orleans Advocate regarding the Usry case, gathering…
From Computer Science Teachers Association
Advocating for CS Education – Strategies from Connecticut
By: Chinma Uche The November Voice is full of great advocacy ideas that you can use in your chapter. Be sure to check it out! (csta.acm.org/Communications/sub/CSTAVoice_Files/csta_voice_11_2015.pdf) Connecticut CSTA (CTCSTA)Continue…
From insideHPC
Beowulf Bash Returns to SC15 in Austin with Bullriding Contest
There's one party you don't want to miss at SC15, an that's the Beowulf Bash. This year, the Bash is returning to SC15 with a bullriding contest. The event takes place at Austin's Fair Market on Monday, Nov 16 at 9:00pm after…
From Computer Science Teachers Association
CSEdWeek: Ideas to Fit Your Schedule
The November Voice is full of great advocacy ideas. Be sure to check it out! (csta.acm.org/Communications/sub/CSTAVoice_Files/csta_voice_11_2015.pdf) CSEdWeek is quickly approaching and it’s likely that you already have someContinue…
From Putting People First
[Book] Watching Closely by Christena Nippert-Eng
![[Book] Watching Closely by Christena Nippert-Eng](/system/assets/0000/1953/030209_Vanderbeeken_Mark_250.small_square.jpg?1476779420&1260281963)
Watching Closely: A Guide to Ethnographic Observation by Christena Nippert-Eng Oxford University Press, October 2015 296 pages Ethnographers rely on three related activities to conduct research in the field: observation, conversation…
From Putting People First
Interview with acclaimed social psychologist Sherry Turkle
Tim Adams has published a long interview with Sherry Turkle, MIT Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology, in the Observer (the Sunday edition of the Guardian). For nearly thirty years, writes Adams, she has …
From Putting People First
Obama’s nudging efforts are so far only about prodding
The White House’s Social and Behavioral Science Team (SBST), a cross-agency effort to bring behavioral science research into the policy making process, has just published its first annual report, which covers just 15 proof-of…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Fung Group Shopping Lab for Shopper Behavior
This was mentioned to me in a conversation recently, now the first reports from people who have visited. Quite a bit of leading edge tech, including 3D printing and VR is also included. Note especially the work with omnichannel…
From The Eponymous Pickle
NYTimes to Use Simple Virtual Reality
In Adage. Leading to more general exposure and interest? Beyond ads to actual content.The New York Times Introduces Virtual Reality Project With Google CardboardNew VR Projects Include Editorial and Sponsored VideosBy Felicia…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Cyber Insurance Policies
In the CACM: A good overview of the direction and providers of Cyber insurance policies." ... The cyber attacks carried out against Sony, Target, Home Depot, and J.P. Morgan Chase garnered a great deal of press coverage inCurrently…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Coursolve: A Marketplace for Digital Internships
Coursolve - The World’s Marketplace for Digital Internships" ... Coursolve is an experiential learning platform that connects learners and organizations through digital internships. Organizations post projects, called "digital…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Retailers Tackling Amazon
Evan Schuman comments on the right way that retailers should tackle amazon. In ComputerWorld.
From The Eponymous Pickle
Graph Query Language is Open Source
Neo4j: Brought to my attention. Have announced open source. This is known to be used by Wal-Mart and Ebay. Case studies at their site. " ... An Intuitive Approach to Data Problems ... Graphs are the most efficient and …
From Schneier on Security
Forgotten Passwords
Funny monologue....
From insideHPC
Dell Rolls Out DSS-branded Servers
Today Dell announced its first DSS-branded servers. Formally announced in August 2015, Dell Datacenter Scalable Solutions (DSS) is a new line of business within Dell’s Enterprise Solutions organization designed to meet the specific…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Beauty Talent for Supply Chain
In CGT: " .... Attracting, building and developing a talented, entrepreneurial supply chain planning team is a challenge. Add in the pressure of making significant improvements in forecast accuracy, inventory and service, while…
From insideHPC
Western Digital to Acquire SanDisk
Today Western Digital announced plans to acquire SanDisk for a combination of cash and stock worth approximately $19 billion. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies.
The post Western Digital…From The Computing Community Consortium Blog
CCC Releases Whitepaper in Support of White House New Grand Challenge
On October 20, as part of the rollout of the National Strategic Computing Initiative, the White House announced their nanotechnology-inspired grand challenge to develop transformational computing capabilities by combining innovations…
From insideHPC
DDN User Group Coming to SC15
DataDirect Networks will host it’s annual DDN User Group Meeting in Denver on Monday, Nov. 16 at SC15 in Austin, Texas.
The post DDN User Group Coming to SC15 appeared first on insideHPC.
From insideHPC
GPUs Speed Reservoir Simulation with Cray CS-Storm Supercomputer
Today Cray announced the achievement of a new performance benchmark for reservoir simulations using Stone Ridge Technology's ECHELON reservoir simulation software and the Cray CS-Storm cluster supercomputer.
The post GPUs Speed…From insideHPC
StartupHPC Summit to Inspire Entrepreneurs at SC15
Today StartupHPC announced its second annual summit will be held in Austin on Nov 16 at the Capital Factory. Held in conjunction with SC15, the conference features prominent speakers from TechStars and Inside-Startups.com, among…
From insideHPC
Video: Cognitive Computing – Past and Present
"The Cognitive Era is the next step in the application of science to understand nature and improve the human condition. In that sense, it is a new chapter of a familiar story, and the controversy surrounding Artificial Intelligence…