Communications of the ACM
Innovation Is Overrated: A Provocation
Digital innovation is not working in the interest of the whole of society. It is time to radically rethink its purpose without…
From ACM Opinion
The Fcc's Visible Hand
By the Federal Communications Commission's own account, broadband use in the United States has exploded over the past decade: "Fueled primarily by private sector...
From ACM Opinion
Cisco's New Router: Trouble For Hollywood
Cisco's CRS-3 router made a bit of a splash when it was announced on March 9, but the power of this new device hasn't yet sunk in. Consider: The CRS-3, a network...
From ACM Opinion
National Broadband Plan: What's in It For Businesses?
We've heard a lot about how the Federal Communications Commission's national broadband plan aims to provide 100 million U.S. households with 100Mbps broadband...
From ACM Opinion
The Ipad Paradox: Less Is More
The introduction of Apple's iPad predictably divided gadget fans into "love it" and "hate it" camps. The haters say iPad lacks multitasking, a Webcam, Flash support...
From ACM Opinion
After Google Dustup, Should the .s. Ban Chinese Computers?
Should the Google/China spat over censorship start a trade war that puts an end to Chinese-made computers? One international trade lawyer argues that it should...
From ACM Opinion
Broadbandits
Most of the buildings in Dupree, S.D., population 434, do not have street addresses. The volunteer fire department is listed at P.O. Box 461, and you have to dial...
From ACM Opinion
To Stop Crime, Share Your Genes
Perhaps the only thing more surprising than President Obama’s decision to give an interview for "America’s Most Wanted" last weekend was his apparent agreement...
From ACM Opinion
Why Congress Should Pass the Startup Visa Bill
Those in Silicon Valley looking to have a bigger impact on the policymaking machinery of Washington, D.C., should take a close look at the genesis of the legislation...
From ACM Opinion
Braking Bad
The Obama administration has said that it may require automakers to install “smart pedals” on all new cars. This kind of system—already used in BMWs, Chryslers...
From ACM Opinion
Interview with Charles Thacker, Pc Pioneer and 2009 ACM A.m. Turing Award Winner
In an interview, Microsoft researcher Charles P. Thacker, who received ACM's 2009 A.M. Turing Award, says the computer industry's journey toward a new programming...
From ACM Opinion
Interview with Charles Thacker, Pc Pioneer and 2009 ACM A.m. Turing Award Winner
In an interview, Microsoft researcher Charles P. Thacker, who received ACM's 2009 A.M. Turing Award, says the computer industry's journey toward a new programming...
From ACM Opinion
Driving By the Numbers
In the wake of the U.S. Congressional hearings on the Toyota recalls, we have heard various proposals for countering unintended acceleration in automobiles. Transportation...
From ACM Opinion
Virtual Reality War
My battalion commander, Lt. Col. Michael Kurilla, gave the directive that my squad leaders, platoon sergeant, and myself had heard countless times: my platoon was...
From ACM Opinion
Newspapers Must Learn the Value of the Link
In the coverage of New York Times writer Zachary Kouwe, who resigned recently amid accusations of plagiarism, much has been said about the demands of writing for...
From ACM TechNews
Assessing the State of .s. Science and Engineering
Physicist Louis Lanzerotti, chairman of the National Science Board's Science and Engineering Indicators committee, says the board's recent report to the White House...
From ACM Opinion
Cars That Modify Driver Behavior
On-board diagnostics know how the car is being driven, for the sake of the driver's (and society's) own good.
From ACM Opinion
Apple's Multitouch Lawsuit Is Both Dumb and Dangerous
When Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone at 2007's Macworld conference, he began by describing the device's groundbreaking user interface. "We have invented...
From ACM Opinion
Harnessing the Power of the Real-Time Social Web
How 5,000 geographically dispersed strangers teamed up to solve DARPA's Network Challenge.
From ACM Opinion
Why It's So Hard For Toyota to Find Out What's Wrong
I won't lie to you: I was not a good engineering student. That's one of the reasons I went into journalism. But I managed to acquire a bachelor of sciences in mechanical...
From ACM TechNews