Communications of the ACM
The opinion archive provides access to past opinion stories from Communications of the ACM and other sources by date.
November 2009
From ACM TechNews
Viewpoints: Why Aren't More 'techies' Women?
Although technology jobs have become increasingly popular as a result of the recession, young women are still not choosing careers in technology, writes Silicon Valley computer scientist Elena Strange. A recent ACM study found…
From ACM Opinion
Scientists and Engineers on Boards Will Keep Focus on the Long Term
Companies would likely have a longer-term perspective if more scientists and engineers were included on their boards of directors or other leadership roles writes David A. Patterson, the Pardee Professor of Computer ScienceHarvard…
From ACM CareerNews
Keeping Top Talent in a Down Economy
Now that the economy appears to be in recovery, organizations should be considering ways to retain their top talent and encourage their highest-potential employees to perform at consistently high levels. Whether it's offering…
From ACM TechNews
How Secure Is Cloud Computing?
The recent ACM Cloud Computing Security Workshop was the first event devoted specifically to the security of cloud computing systems. Speaker Whitfield Diffie, a visiting professor at Royal Holloway, University of London, says…
From ACM TechNews
Cio Blast From the Past: 40 Years of Multics, 1969-2009
Four decades ago, Multiplexed Information and Computing Service (Multics), widely considered the basis of contemporary time-sharing systems, was first employed for information management at MIT. Professor Fernando J. Corbato,…
From ACM Opinion
Securing India's Science Future
India is uniquely positioned to use technology for progress, but in the recent past has lagged behind in the quality and spread of science research, according to N. R. Narayana Murthy, chairman and chief mentor of Infosys Technologies…
From ACM Opinion
Graphics Processing Technology Key to Unlocking It Potential in Middle East
Graphics processing units (GPUs) are now becoming instrumental in transforming key industries in the Middle East, as GPUs are poised to unlock groundbreaking capabilities in areas such as oil and gas exploration, health, finance…
From ACM Opinion
Next Siggest Security Threat Will Be Cyber-Terrorism
The next biggest security threat may not be AK 47s or bomb blasts, but cyber terrorism. Terrorists can attack their enemy without stepping out of their home or country. Hence, cyber terrorism is more dangerous than any other…
From ACM Opinion
Letter To The President
There is an interconnect between the IT education policy in a country and the economic growth experienced or expected. "Computation is the most powerful 'thing to think with,' " says Walter Bender, executive director of Sugar…
From ACM TechNews
Generations Homo-Zapiens
Information technology (IT) will become increasingly organic and humans will get closer to technology, predicts Eurotech Spa President and CEO Roberto Siagri. By 2012, businesses will use IT to set up their operations and assemble…
From ACM Opinion
Revamping DARPA Is Vital to Preserving the .s. Lead in It
Government-funded basic and applied research at U.S. universities has been one of the pillars of the U.S. high tech sector. But at least in information technology, the model has been seriously weakened by changes that the administration…
From Communications of the ACM
Are Business Methods Patentable?
How the U.S. Supreme Court's forthcoming decision in the Bilski v. Doll case is expected to affect existing and future software patents.
From Communications of the ACM
The Broadband Price Is Not Right
Developing an effective pricing index is essential to understanding the value of broadband connectivity.
From Communications of the ACM
On Public Service and Computer Science
Members of the computer science community should become more involved in public service by becoming program managers at federal agencies, the opportunities and benefits of which are outlined here.
From Communications of the ACM
An Interview with Ping Fu
Ping Fu, CEO of the digital shape sampling and processing company Geomagic, discusses her background, achievements, and challenges managing a company during a period of dynamic growth.
From Communications of the ACM
Usable Security: How to Get It
Why does your computer bother you so much about security, but still isn't secure? It's because users don't have a model for security, or a simple way to keep important things safe.
From Communications of the ACM
Steering Self-Learning Distance Algorithms
The concept of distance expresses the distortion measure between any pair of entities lying in a common space. Distances are at the very heart of geometry, and are ubiquitous…