Keep this on the DL......

Its my birthday today.

But since no one reads this blog, it might as well not be said at all.

Pics from a Playstation 3 game, wow.

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=pslounge&message.id=93290




Wow
Wow
Wow

"AI's Next Brain Wave"

InformationWeek (04/25/05) No. 1036, P. 45; Ricadela, Aaron

IBM's Watson Laboratory, Microsoft Research, Intel, and the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) are all engaged in artificial intelligence research that could pave the way for computer systems capable of learning from their users as well as their surrounding environment. IBM Watson's neurocomputing project seeks to add complexity to the artificial neural network model by developing layered networks whose behavior is dictated by the biological properties of vertebrate nervous systems; the project involves figuring out how these multilayered networks can circumvent the problem of writing programs with advanced knowledge of all the unknown factors of each task they may be faced with, and a March paper demonstrated that such networks could avoid the superposition catastrophe problem through pattern recognition. Microsoft Research scientist Eric Horvitz is focusing on how computers can serve as a memory aid to people through projects such as MemoryLens, which employs software to analyze a user's activities and schedules to recognize important events that can later function as reference points to pinpoint information. Horvitz's team is also working on prototype "streaming intelligence" software for relaying AI rules to smart phones. Intel is exploring various applications for "machine learning" techniques, including a system that uses a "learning engine" to project what chips on a silicon wafer are of good quality, and user interfaces that can more proactively predict user requirements via statistical methods. PARC's user-interface group is developing software such as ScentHighlights, which helps users scan through information by selecting key sentences from a document, which relate to keywords entered by the user. PARC research fellow Stuart Card says the software illustrates an emergent type of interface that responds to things that capture a user's interest.

Its been awhile since anything about machine learning has come into the news.

Full Article: http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=161501161

Hack: Make a ring out of a silver dollar or quarter.

http://members.tripod.com/~dlclark/coinring.htm

"Quantum Computing May Seem Too Far Out, But Don't Count on It"

Wall Street Journal (04/25/05); Gomes, Lee

Quantum computing is making the transition from impractical science fiction concept to a subject taught in computer-science classes, even though the science is still mostly theoretical. Most quantum researchers believe it will be impossible for computer chip manufacturers to keep pace with Moore's Law without quantum computing, although Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, who formulated the law, doubts that a practical quantum computer will ever be constructed given the complexity of the physics involved. The quantum computing equivalent to bits of information, qubits, can represent either a 0 or a 1, or every possible number between 0 and 1 simultaneously when they are unobserved; in addition, qubits can be connected and experience shared effects. Researchers have shown that a quantum computer can decode in a few seconds an encrypted message that would take an average computer an astronomically long time to decipher, though the quantum system would require thousands of qubits to accomplish this feat. Lawrence Berkeley Lab physicist Thomas Schenkel intends to fabricate a qubit from a phosphorus atom that is precisely deposited on a pure silicon wafer; the up or down "spin" of such atoms correspond to the 0 or 1 necessary for computing. Schenkel has successfully deposited one or two atoms on the wafer, although communicating with the qubit, coaxing a reply out of it, or linking it to other qubits, is further down the road. Quantum computing research such as Schenkel's is the focus of a class taught at the University of California, Berkeley.

I hope within 20 years that quantum computers are in every house hold. Imagine the gaming that can be accomplished. It will be real time rendering, with everything looking realistic. The speed however, may be our down fall, how will we be able to keep everything encrypted. The whole concept behind cryptography is that it will take several months to years to decipher a "secured" message. That is probably one reason I never cared to much for cryptography. The whole point is to make is so complicated that there is only one solution that can be used for decrypting. Personally I rather look into a more secure way of deciphering.

"Making a Good Last Impression: How to Leave a Job Gracefully"

Computerworld, April 11 (via CareerJournal.com)

Learning how to quit a position or company at the right time and in the right way is an important skill to learn. After all, failure to leave a job gracefully could be damaging to your career. Mastering the ins and outs of moving from job to job is an important skill, particularly for young professionals new to the workforce. It's important to announce a resignation tactfully and to avoid burning bridges with co-workers. Simple steps -- like giving more than two week's notice or providing written instructions for a future replacement -- are ways to smooth over a potentially difficult transition.

Giving notice to a boss is "a point of no return," so workers need to think about ways that they can leave a good last impression as they move on to new job opportunities. Since young professionals typically have as many as nine different jobs between the ages of 18 and 34, the ability to depart gracefully from a job is a skill that will be used continually during the course of career. The most important step in the resignation process is to speak privately and tactfully with your boss as you break the news. Career coaches warn that this final meeting should not be an opportunity to "blow off steam" -- it should be a fact-based business conversation. After all, your former boss and co-workers will be future potential references and there's no need to burn bridges.

Another way to make a transition as smooth as possible is to give more than two weeks' notice. Even an extra week of advance notice will be appreciated by many employers. (However, keep in mind some employers require workers to clear out their desks immediately once they give notice.) Within that two-week window, do as much as you can to help your boss hire a replacement, such as screening resumes from possible candidates or writing instructions about how to do your job for your replacement.

http://computerworld.com/careertopics/careers/story/0,10801,101012,00.html?SKC=careers-101012

How to create your own ring tones, on a website.

http://unitedheroes.net/misc/pcs_wav.html

Sounds easy, ill give it a try...

Talk about a boring school, damn...

http://www.bju.edu/prospective/expect/rhall.html

Here it is quoted:

Residence Hall Life

A student must live in one of the University residence halls unless he is living with parents or other close relatives (approved by the Dean of Men's or Dean of Women's office), is 23 years old or older, is married and over the age of 20, or is a graduate student.

Freshmen may request a roommate. Other students are allowed one request for a friend to be in their prayer group, on their hall, or in their residence hall, but not in their room.

For the sake of accountability, students must "check out" when they leave the campus. Students gradually acquire more freedom in this area as they become upperclassmen.

Each night all students meet for prayer, either as a room or together with several other rooms.

Students are required to be in their own rooms and quiet at 11 pm. All lights must be out by midnight.

Students are required to keep their rooms clean and neat. Rooms are inspected daily.

Facilities and furnishings:

Laundry facilities are provided.

All rooms are furnished with twin-sized beds, dressers, desks, closets, cupboards, sink, telephone, and blinds.

Computer network and high-speed Internet access is available in each residence hall room.

An email account is provided for each student. Due to the flood of objectionable content coming through outside email services, students may use only this filtered campus email system.

All wireless access to the Internet is forbidden since all Internet use must go through the University's filtered access.

What to Bring

List of what to bring

Students may bring automobiles to campus. However, underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) who are under 21 years old may use their vehicles only to drive home and for extension.

Cell phones are permitted. Students will be instructed in cell phone etiquette.

What Not to Bring

Posters of movie and music stars and fashion models are not permitted. The subjects of personal photos should exhibit the modesty and appropriate physical contact we expect from our students.

Music must be compatible with the University's music standards:

New Age, jazz, rock, and country music is not permitted.

Contemporary Christian music is not permitted (e.g., Michael W. Smith, Stephen Curtis Chapman, WOW Worship, and so forth).

Televisions and DVD/videocassette players are not permitted in the residence halls; computer DVD players may not be used to view movies.

You may not possess or play computer and video games rated T, M, or A or having elements of blood and gore, sensual or demonic themes, or featuring suggestive dress, bad language, or rock music.

Due to space considerations, appliances such as mini-refrigerators and microwaves are not permitted in residence hall rooms. A refrigerator for medical-related needs and microwaves are provided in each residence hall.

Residence hall students may not watch videos above a G rating when visiting homes in town and may not attend movie theaters.

All weapons must be turned in for storage. Trigger locks are required for pistols. Fireworks are not permitted on campus.

Its funny how they allow guns, but games with a rating as low as Teen isn't allowed.

Google: Now upload and sell your video on google.

https://upload.video.google.com/

We're accepting digital video files of any length and size. Simply sign up for an account and upload your videos using our Video Uploader (please be sure you own the rights to the works you upload), and, pending our approval process and the launch of this new service, we'll include your video in Google Video, where users will be able to search, preview, purchase and play it.

This sounds cool. I of course have no video camera, or anything that would be of any interest to others that I could record. I think this will help a lot of independent filmers. This is of course similar to iflim or atom films website.

Computers doing proofs....

Taken from Slashdot:

vivin writes "I recall how I did a bunch of Mathematical Proofs when I was in high school. In fact, proofs were an important part of Math according to the CBSE curriculum in Indian Schools. We were taught how to analyze complex problems and then break them down into simple (atomic) steps. It is similar to the derivation of a Physics formula. Proofs form a significant part of what Mathematicians do. However, according to this article from the Economist, it seems that the use of computers to generate proofs is causing mathematicians to 're-examine the foundations of their discipline.' However, critics of computer-aided proofs say that the proofs are hard to verify due to the large number of steps and hence, may be inherently flawed. Defenders of the same point out that there are non computer-aided proofs that are also rather large and unverifiable, like the Classification of Simple Finite Groups. Computer-aided proofs have been instrumental in solving some vexing problems like the Four Color Theorem."

I know, of, the current problems with computer-based proofs, and see that the solution to these problems can be solved. The solution will however need a large database and an additional step of refining to liminate the excess, useless information.

Codezoo opens up today.

http://www.codezoo.net/
Free java software stuff.

"CodeZoo exists to help you find high-quality, freely available, reusable components, getting you past the repetitive parts of coding, and onto the rest and the best of your projects. It’s a fast-forward button for your compiler."

Google maps now have Satellite view.

Well, it worked a yesterday, but now it seems to not work. Probably check back later. http://maps.google.com/

A car the runs on air, can't beat that.

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/03/30/spark.air.car/index.html

It basically runs on the concept of the hybrid cars. It uses the compress air to accelerate and start up, but after that energy is stored into electricity. Sounds cool.

Catlyn Andrus, my niece.

Here are a couple of pics that my brother sent to my dad, but not me, oh NO0o -- I'm nobody special or something?

The people I work with (The Trailer People) ahhhh!!!

(Click on image for full size)

Netdisaster - destroy any website with a natural disaster.

http://www.netdisaster.com/

This site is kinda cool. I of course destroyed my website with each of the disasters. Check it out, its a good 5 -10 minutes time wasting activity.

Lunch at Brea, CA

It seems like everyday most of my coworkers go to a place in Brea, CA, for lunch, called the 330. Its a bar, but we go there to play pool and each lunch. We go so often that they offer us Mercury Employees, a discount now. :)

I'm getting back to my pool playing abilities. Its a nice hangout -- it gets very popular at night. Well yesterday after work we went to a grand opening sushi restaurant that was across the street. 50% off all sushi for that day, that was a good thing, considering the bill came out to about $100 for all five of us.

Being a curious eater, I tried the eel, smelt eggs, and the samon eggs. I already had octopus before, and got that again. It was all good, not the best I ever had, but still decent. The restaurant looks nice, and I wouldn't mind going back again sometime soon. I learned what the difference is between sushi, rolls, and sashimi. I like sashimi and rolls the best. Sushi is still good, but when you have half a seaweed full of samon eggs it is almost not that appetizing at first. I do like the taste of them though. Never figure me to be much of a caviar person, huh.

Well that was my Friday night.