Communications of the ACM
The blog archive provides access to past blog postings from Communications of the ACM and other sources by date.
June 2010
From Wild WebMink
One of the frustrations of being a software freedom advocate is how many of the attacks that are made on me come from people who most observers would consider to be “fighting for the same side”. My recent call for volunteers…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Google Scholar Blog
Google Scholar, which we found useful in the enterprise a few times, has added a blog which details recent changes. Including the ability to set alerts for new research.
From U.S. Public Policy Committee of the ACM
PCAST Seeks Advice on Critical Infrastructures for Technology Innovation
The President's Innovation and Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC) is seeking public input on infrastructures that are critical to innovation in information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. PITAC, part of the…
From Computer Science Teacher - Thoughts and Information From Alfred Thompson
A Show About Computer Programming
One of the things that comes up in conversation when ever getting more students, especially women, interested in computer science comes up is that we need a TV show that would show the field in a good light. People mention how…
From BLOG@CACM
The Future of Electronic Design Automation, According to IBM
To paraphrase Mr. Meyerson: A truly talented engineer is someone who, when his hand gets slammed in a doorway and is badly hurt, inserts his other hand in the doorway and slams the door shut on it, so he can get a second set…
From Schneier on Security
Filming the Police
In at least three U.S. states, it is illegal to film an active duty policeman:
The legal justification for arresting the "shooter" rests on existing wiretapping or eavesdropping laws, with statutes against obstructing law enforcement…From The Eponymous Pickle
Choices for Statistical Analytics
Good article on SPSS, SAS and R by Steve Miller. I have worked now with all three of these packages over the years. They are all fundamentally good packages, with specialties and capabilities varying. In the enterprise all three…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Visibility Magazine on Neuromarketing
Good article on neuromarketing in Visibility Magazine. Makes the case that these techniques should be added to your marketing toolbox. Especially here regarding Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
From The Eponymous Pickle
An AI Physician on Every Smartphone
An intriguing challenge. With increasing numbers of onboard sensors, the possibilities abound. Especially considering that your could connect to a real MD through a videoconference, as needed. It is certainly a way to get any…
From Computational Complexity
News from Cambridge
Now that teaching has ended I plan to focus again on my P v NP book. I won't go on a full blog sabbatical, instead I'll aim to post once a week as well as keep up my tweets. As you readers know, STOC, Complexity and EC all met…
From The Female Perspective of Computer Science
My Grace Hopper Communities Introduction
I'm on the Grace Hopper Online Communities Committee this year, and our first mini-campaign is all about introducing ourselves and trying to encourage others to the do same. I wrote an introduction post on the official Grace…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Mathematica Tutorial Collection
Of interest, the Mathematica Tutorial Collection: " .... When we released Version 6 in May 2007, Mathematica was reinvented. We also reinvented something else that Mathematica has long been known for: its extensive and detailed…
From Daniel Lemire's Blog
Indexing XML
I’d like to know a lot more about XML indexing
From Schneier on Security
Dating Recordings by Power Line Interference
The capability, called "electrical network frequency analysis" (ENF), is now attracting interest from the FBI and is considered the exciting new frontier in digital forensics, with power lines acting as silent witnesses…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Who Owns the Watercooler?
Word of mouth is always an interesting topic. The office watercooler is a symbol of that connectivity. An Adage article on the continuing reign of TV over Internet as the starting point for conversations. Hardly unexpected. How…
From BLOG@CACM
CFP: Intelligent Transportation Systems
One of the goals of this years Computers Freedom and Privacy conference is to ask the question, "Can we be 'smart' and private?" Wednesday's panel on Intellegent Transportation Systems (ITS) asks, as we make driving safer, more…
From The Eponymous Pickle
50 Billion Opportunity
Dave Knox reports: " ... At this year
From My Biased Coin
"Area Dean" : What's That Mean
In a few weeks, I "officially" take on my new job as "Area Dean" (read, "Chair") of CS. What will in entail?Formally, there appear to be a number of responsibilities, most of which involve being the "interface" between the rest…
From BLOG@CACM
CFP: Activism and Social Networking Advocating For Privacy
The Computers Freedom and Privacy Conference (CFP) continued Tuesday afternoon with a panel called Activism and Social Networking: Advocating for Privacy. Panelists each described recent campaigns utilizing both online and in…
From Schneier on Security
Reading Me
The number of different ways to read my essays, commentaries, and links has grown recently. Here's the rundown:
They are also reprintedLiveJournal…
From BLOG@CACM
CFP: Opening Plenary Privacy and Free Speech
The opening plenary of this year's Computers Freedom and Privacy Conference (CFP) had a decidedly business orientation. Titled "Privacy and Free Speech: It's Good for Business," the panel was moderated by Nicole A. Ozer, Technology…
From Computer Science Teachers Association
Have You Ever Considered a Do-It-Yourself Summer Program?
One of the ways to get kids interested in a topic is through extra-curricular opportunities. And Summer is a prime time for such activities. And a great time to introduce students to topics they may not get curricular exposure…
From Computational Complexity
Another post on Martin Gardner
(I will post about CCC 2010 later in the week.)
Several people have posted on the death of Martin Gardner:
I did not because of travels, but now I can…From BLOG@CACM
Are You Invisible?
If you sit in your office and just focus on doing your work, you’re invisible, Patty Azzarello says. Here’s her career advice on how to be recognized at your work and be promoted.
From The Female Perspective of Computer Science
Mini-Course 2010 Survey Results
Last year, I did a pretty detailed post mortem of my mini-course Computer Science and Games: Just for Girls. I had my students this year fill in a similar survey and would like to share a few of the results.Before the Course…
From The Eponymous Pickle
Future of Augmented Reality
A number of leaders from augmented reality vendors are interviewed: " ... Last week in Santa Clara, California, luminaries from the augmented reality (AR) industry gathered for Augmented Reality Event 2010 - a conference focused…
From My Biased Coin
Cherry Murray appointed to oil spill panel
Dean of Harvard's SEAS, Cherry Murray, is to be appointed to President Obama's oil spill panel.
From Wild WebMink
? The Business Of Open Source Is
Migrating from Sun to Novell? While this is slick (if predictable) marketing there's a smarter solution than switching away from the software in which you've already invested to something else from Novell (or anyone else) and…
From Schneier on Security
Fifth Annual Movie-Plot Threat Contest Winner
On April 1, I announced the Fifth Annual Movie Plot Threat Contest:
Your task, ye Weavers of Tales, is to create a fable of fairytale suitable for instilling the appropriate level of fear in children so they grow up appreciating…From Computer Science Teacher - Thoughts and Information From Alfred Thompson
Teaching Real Projects Workshop
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