Communications of the ACM
Generative AI Degrades Online Communities
How large language models are influencing online communities.
From ACM Opinion
The Anthropology of Hackers
A "hacker" is a technologist with a love for computing and a "hack" is a clever technical solution arrived through a non-obvious means. It doesn't mean to compromise...
From ACM Opinion
Finally, a 21st Century Browser from Microsoft
Like many of us, Microsoft does its best work when it's running scared.
From ACM Opinion
The Snoop In Your Browser
Everyone and his Big Brother wants to log your browsing habits, the better to build a profile of who you are and how you live your life—online and off. Search...
From ACM Opinion
Google's Earth
"I actually think most people don't want Google to answer their questions," said the search giant's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, in a recent and controversial...
From ACM Opinion
Why Isn't There A Better Way to Text While Driving?
It's deadly. It's irresponsible. And we've all done it. Before you commute home think about this: Why isn't there a better solution to texting while driving.
From ACM Opinion
The Government Can se Gps to Track Your Moves
Government agents can sneak onto your property in the middle of the night, put a GPS device on the bottom of your car and keep track of everywhere you go. This...
From ACM Opinion
Why Intel Bought Mcafee
There's been quite a bit of head-scratching over Intel's decision to purchase McAfee, but, despite all the breathless talk about mobile security and ARM and virus...
From ACM Opinion
Facebook Knows Where You Are
The social network's new Places feature will make it more difficult to lie to your friends.
From ACM Opinion
Beloit College Mindset List For the Class of 2014
Born when Ross Perot was warning about a giant sucking sound and Bill Clinton was apologizing for pain in his marriage, members of this fall’s entering college...
From ACM Opinion
Location Services Show the Way to the Next Great Internet Bubble
When Silicon Valley misses the mark on a new technology, the problem usually is an issue of timing. It's not what is going to happen, but when it will happen...
From ACM Opinion
The Itch of Curiosity
Curiosity is one of those personality traits that gets short scientific shrift. It strikes me as a really important mental habit—how many successful people are...
From ACM Opinion
I Tweet, Therefore I Am
On a recent lazy Saturday morning, my daughter and I lolled on a blanket in our front yard, snacking on apricots, listening to a download of E. B. White reading...
From ACM Opinion
Protecting Privacy
On the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog but advertisers may infer that you own one. The flow of information from users of the internet both to social networks...
From ACM Opinion
Apple, Trackpads, and the Long Death of the Mouse
Another day, another envelope-pushing design from Apple intended to make us rethink the way we interact with our computers. Welcome to the Magic Trackpad.
From ACM Opinion
Killed By Code: Software Transparency in Implantable Medical Devices
Software is an integral component of a range of devices that perform critical, lifesaving functions and basic daily tasks. As patients grow more reliant on computerized...
From ACM Opinion
How Often Does Your Phone Drop Calls?
Apple, Research in Motion, and the rest of the cell phone industry don't want you to know.
From ACM Opinion