Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Access Grid Toolkit | Documentation
Access Grid Toolkit Documentation: "The Access Grid Toolkit, which includes Virtual Venues software and Workspace Docking software, enables users to experience rich collaborations including people, data, and grid computing resources. The new version of the toolkit includes streamlined user interfaces, robust middleware and low-level services that enable participants to share experiences through digital media."
The mobile Internet: Are we there yet? | Tech News on ZDNet
The mobile Internet: Are we there yet? Tech News on ZDNet: "After years of hype, wireless users in the United States are waiting for all the technology pieces to come together to make surfing the Internet from their handsets as easy as it is on their PCs at home.
So how close are we to simple and robust Web surfing from a cell phone?
The answer depends on whom you ask"
So how close are we to simple and robust Web surfing from a cell phone?
The answer depends on whom you ask"
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Microsoft demos Auxiliary Display - Engadget
Microsoft demos Auxiliary Display - Engadget
"It won't start showing up in laptops until Longhorn debuts sometime around the end of next year (yup, yup), but Microsoft has been showing off that new Auxiliary Display technology they were hinting at earlier this year. We got check out a prototype for an ASUS laptop with Auxiliary Display, and we were definitely digging it. Even though the laptop was off you can use the Auxiliary Display to check your calendar, view emails, control Windows Media Player, stuff like that. Obviously programs have to be written to interface with the display, but the Microsofties we spoke with said that the API will be open to software developers, it just wasn't clear yet whether it would work with user-installable software apps or whether it'd have to be integrated by the manufacturer (we're gunning for them to make this totally hackable, natch). Apparently the display doesn't have to always be a 2-inch by 2-inch LCD, it's also possible to use different-sized LCDs or single line displays."
"It won't start showing up in laptops until Longhorn debuts sometime around the end of next year (yup, yup), but Microsoft has been showing off that new Auxiliary Display technology they were hinting at earlier this year. We got check out a prototype for an ASUS laptop with Auxiliary Display, and we were definitely digging it. Even though the laptop was off you can use the Auxiliary Display to check your calendar, view emails, control Windows Media Player, stuff like that. Obviously programs have to be written to interface with the display, but the Microsofties we spoke with said that the API will be open to software developers, it just wasn't clear yet whether it would work with user-installable software apps or whether it'd have to be integrated by the manufacturer (we're gunning for them to make this totally hackable, natch). Apparently the display doesn't have to always be a 2-inch by 2-inch LCD, it's also possible to use different-sized LCDs or single line displays."
Designing personal tele-embodiment
Welcome to IEEE Xplore 2.0: Designing personal tele-embodiment: "Abstract
At the intersection of telerobotics, computer networking and human social interaction we have chosen to explore an area we identify as personal tele-embodiment. At the core of this research is an emphasis on the individual person rather than the intricate complexities of the machine. While the mechanical elements of our system are essential to its over-all functionality, our research is driven solely by the study and understanding of the social and psychological aspects of extended human-human interactions rather than the latest techno-gadgetry. In this paper we emphasize the importance of the human component and describe the development of one such simple, inexpensive, Internet-controlled, untethered telerobot or PRoP (personal roving presence) that provides several fundamental elements of personal tele-embodiment "
At the intersection of telerobotics, computer networking and human social interaction we have chosen to explore an area we identify as personal tele-embodiment. At the core of this research is an emphasis on the individual person rather than the intricate complexities of the machine. While the mechanical elements of our system are essential to its over-all functionality, our research is driven solely by the study and understanding of the social and psychological aspects of extended human-human interactions rather than the latest techno-gadgetry. In this paper we emphasize the importance of the human component and describe the development of one such simple, inexpensive, Internet-controlled, untethered telerobot or PRoP (personal roving presence) that provides several fundamental elements of personal tele-embodiment "
ABC News: Eye-Catching Idea: A Dual-Screen Laptop
ABC News: Eye-Catching Idea: A Dual-Screen Laptop: "Estari's 2-VU machine is similar to other conventional laptop machines. With a low-power Intel microprocessor, 30 gigabyte hard drive and 256 megabytes of memory, the 2-VU even runs standard computer software such as Microsoft's Windows XP or Windows 2000.
But the real gem of the 2-VU is what it doesn't have. Instead of a keyboard, the 2-VU places a second LCD display screen in its place.
Robert Carberry, chief operating officer for Estari, says the idea is to provide mobile PC users a machine that gives them a wide view of computer data.
'There are a lot of industries where the workers use two monitors [with their desktop PCs] at the same time to multi-task,' says Carberry. 'The idea is to provide the power and benefit of dual screens in a mobile version.'
Smart, But Pricey Machine
Both of the 2-VU display panels are touch-sensitive and are controlled by software and hardware created by Estari. Users can move 'windows' of computer information — say, a Web page — between the two screens or stretch them across the displays as if they were one screen."
But the real gem of the 2-VU is what it doesn't have. Instead of a keyboard, the 2-VU places a second LCD display screen in its place.
Robert Carberry, chief operating officer for Estari, says the idea is to provide mobile PC users a machine that gives them a wide view of computer data.
'There are a lot of industries where the workers use two monitors [with their desktop PCs] at the same time to multi-task,' says Carberry. 'The idea is to provide the power and benefit of dual screens in a mobile version.'
Smart, But Pricey Machine
Both of the 2-VU display panels are touch-sensitive and are controlled by software and hardware created by Estari. Users can move 'windows' of computer information — say, a Web page — between the two screens or stretch them across the displays as if they were one screen."
Monday, August 07, 2006
MITRE - News and Events - 2005 Technology Symposium - Decision Support
MITRE - News and Events - 2005 Technology Symposium - Decision Support: "Improving Time-Sensitive Team Decision-Making
Lindsley Boiney, Principal Investigator
Location(s): Washington and Bedford
Problem
Given the progress made on system interoperability and machine-to-machine data transmission, C2 operator teams can shift more of their attention from routine data manipulation to making judgment calls and critical decisions. Unfortunately, systems often incompletely support team information sharing, as evidenced in real-world operations by teams struggling to make decisions quickly, accurately, and confidently.
Objectives
Many time-sensitive decisions must be made collaboratively. We will apply cognitive techniques to better understand the team decision-making process. We will explore effective ways to augment and leverage human capabilities via information technologies and improved processes. Key goals are to reduce operators cognitive load, confusion, and stress, thereby improving collaboration, shared situation awareness, and the timeliness and accuracy of decisions.
Activities
We will observe and interview operator teams in several time-sensitive domains to identify key collaborative processes and challenges. We will develop a model of time-sensitive collaboration, generate recommendations for system and/or team process modifications, and validate the impact of proposed modifications on performance.
Impact
The need for collaboration, the amount of information, and the level of complexity are increasing. New systems abound, yet human decision-making is often the limiting factor in performance. Research exploring dynamic team decision-making is critical to improving C2. It can reduce not only timelines, but operator stress, cognitive load, confusion, and errors. It can enable more adaptive responses t"
Lindsley Boiney, Principal Investigator
Location(s): Washington and Bedford
Problem
Given the progress made on system interoperability and machine-to-machine data transmission, C2 operator teams can shift more of their attention from routine data manipulation to making judgment calls and critical decisions. Unfortunately, systems often incompletely support team information sharing, as evidenced in real-world operations by teams struggling to make decisions quickly, accurately, and confidently.
Objectives
Many time-sensitive decisions must be made collaboratively. We will apply cognitive techniques to better understand the team decision-making process. We will explore effective ways to augment and leverage human capabilities via information technologies and improved processes. Key goals are to reduce operators cognitive load, confusion, and stress, thereby improving collaboration, shared situation awareness, and the timeliness and accuracy of decisions.
Activities
We will observe and interview operator teams in several time-sensitive domains to identify key collaborative processes and challenges. We will develop a model of time-sensitive collaboration, generate recommendations for system and/or team process modifications, and validate the impact of proposed modifications on performance.
Impact
The need for collaboration, the amount of information, and the level of complexity are increasing. New systems abound, yet human decision-making is often the limiting factor in performance. Research exploring dynamic team decision-making is critical to improving C2. It can reduce not only timelines, but operator stress, cognitive load, confusion, and errors. It can enable more adaptive responses t"
DDJ | Real Underground Radio
DDJ DDJ's Portal Blog: "Real Underground Radio
Different things mean different things to different people. Take 'underground radio,' for instance. To me it means alternative music, low power, and an outlaw mentality. But to the folks at Los Alamos National Lab, underground radio means just that--through-the-earth communications.
Developed by the Lab as an emergency communication for first responders, rescue and security teams, underground miners, and the like, through-the-earth communication provides two-way voice and text interaction and provides a data link to robotic machines. Unlike conventional radio signals which are line-of-sight limited, the technology can send information through the Earth for several miles, or through concrete, steel, rock, and the like.
Underground radio uses very low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic radiation and digital audio compression technology to carry voice and text data. The VLF signals also can transmit tracking and location data for radio users in the case that they are unable to respond.
'This is a technical solution to the problem of voice communication in underground areas. It is also inexpensive to build,' said David Reagor, the principal investigator of the Los Alamos team who originally developed the technology.
To make the underground radio more widely available, the Lab has licensed the technology to Vital Alert Technologies.
'The new technology is a breakthrough in digital and wireless communications,' said Joe Miller, of Vital Alert. 'As a pre- and post-emergency warning, evacuation, and rescue communication system, it solves RF [radio frequency] radio failure problems and eliminates systems downtime complications in difficult environments such as subways, tunnels, skyscrapers, and mines. The new technology will also greatly enhance the ability of mining companies to protect their workers."
Different things mean different things to different people. Take 'underground radio,' for instance. To me it means alternative music, low power, and an outlaw mentality. But to the folks at Los Alamos National Lab, underground radio means just that--through-the-earth communications.
Developed by the Lab as an emergency communication for first responders, rescue and security teams, underground miners, and the like, through-the-earth communication provides two-way voice and text interaction and provides a data link to robotic machines. Unlike conventional radio signals which are line-of-sight limited, the technology can send information through the Earth for several miles, or through concrete, steel, rock, and the like.
Underground radio uses very low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic radiation and digital audio compression technology to carry voice and text data. The VLF signals also can transmit tracking and location data for radio users in the case that they are unable to respond.
'This is a technical solution to the problem of voice communication in underground areas. It is also inexpensive to build,' said David Reagor, the principal investigator of the Los Alamos team who originally developed the technology.
To make the underground radio more widely available, the Lab has licensed the technology to Vital Alert Technologies.
'The new technology is a breakthrough in digital and wireless communications,' said Joe Miller, of Vital Alert. 'As a pre- and post-emergency warning, evacuation, and rescue communication system, it solves RF [radio frequency] radio failure problems and eliminates systems downtime complications in difficult environments such as subways, tunnels, skyscrapers, and mines. The new technology will also greatly enhance the ability of mining companies to protect their workers."
Monday, July 31, 2006
DDJ | DDJ's Portal Blog
DDJ DDJ's Portal Blog: "Maybe its the unbearably hot weather, the melting ice caps, devastating hurricanes, or freak tsunamis. Whatever. The point is that hi-tech is starting to take the environment seriously, especially when it comes to computer equipement.
To that end, the Green Electronics Council launched earlier this year a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded project called the 'Electronic Products Environmental Assessmet Tool' (EPEAT) to help purchasers rank computer desktops, laptops, and monitors based on their environmental attributes. The three-tiered EPEAT rating system includes 23 required criteria and 28 optional criteria. EPEAT products are identified as EPEAT-Bronze, EPEAT-Silver, or EPEAT-Gold, depending on the number of optional environmental criteria incorporated in the product.
This month, more than 60 desktop computers, laptops, and monitors from three manufacturers--Dell, HP, and CTL--were recognized as high-performance, environmentally friendly computer equipment. All of the products meet the new EPEAT 'green' computer standard and they are listed online in the at EPEAT database.
All EPEAT-registered computers have reduced levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury to better protect human health. They are more energy efficient, which reduces emissions of climate changing greenhouse gases. They are also easier to upgrade and recycle. In fact, manufacturers must offer safe recycling options for the products when they are no longer useable.
According to the EPA, conservative estimates that over the next five years project that purchases of EPEAT registered computers will result in reductions of:
- More than 13 million pounds of Hazardous Waste
- More than 3 million pounds of Non-hazardous Waste
- More than 600,000 MWh of Energy--enough to power 6 million homes
According to the Green Electronics Council, EPEAT has also already been referenced in nearly $32 billion worth of computer contracts, including contracts issued by the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, NASA, Minnesota, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of San Jose, California, Kaiser Permanente, and Premiere, a healthcare purchasing alliance with more than 1,500 hospitals and more than 41,000 other healthcare sites."
To that end, the Green Electronics Council launched earlier this year a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded project called the 'Electronic Products Environmental Assessmet Tool' (EPEAT) to help purchasers rank computer desktops, laptops, and monitors based on their environmental attributes. The three-tiered EPEAT rating system includes 23 required criteria and 28 optional criteria. EPEAT products are identified as EPEAT-Bronze, EPEAT-Silver, or EPEAT-Gold, depending on the number of optional environmental criteria incorporated in the product.
This month, more than 60 desktop computers, laptops, and monitors from three manufacturers--Dell, HP, and CTL--were recognized as high-performance, environmentally friendly computer equipment. All of the products meet the new EPEAT 'green' computer standard and they are listed online in the at EPEAT database.
All EPEAT-registered computers have reduced levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury to better protect human health. They are more energy efficient, which reduces emissions of climate changing greenhouse gases. They are also easier to upgrade and recycle. In fact, manufacturers must offer safe recycling options for the products when they are no longer useable.
According to the EPA, conservative estimates that over the next five years project that purchases of EPEAT registered computers will result in reductions of:
- More than 13 million pounds of Hazardous Waste
- More than 3 million pounds of Non-hazardous Waste
- More than 600,000 MWh of Energy--enough to power 6 million homes
According to the Green Electronics Council, EPEAT has also already been referenced in nearly $32 billion worth of computer contracts, including contracts issued by the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, NASA, Minnesota, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of San Jose, California, Kaiser Permanente, and Premiere, a healthcare purchasing alliance with more than 1,500 hospitals and more than 41,000 other healthcare sites."
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Intelligent Building Group
Intelligent Building Group: "Definition of Intelligent Buildings
'An intelligent building provides a sustainable, responsive, effective & supportive environment within which individuals and organizations can achieve their objectives'."
'An intelligent building provides a sustainable, responsive, effective & supportive environment within which individuals and organizations can achieve their objectives'."
Friday, July 14, 2006
New Scientist Tech - Breaking News - Brain-implant enables mind over matter
New Scientist Tech - Breaking News - Brain-implant enables mind over matter: "A man paralysed from the neck down by knife injuries sustained five years ago can now check his email, control a robot arm and even play computer games using the power of thought alone.
Matt Nagle's extraordinary abilities were first reported in March 2005. Now details of the technology that lets him perform these tasks are published in the journal Nature. Another study in the same issue reveals a technique that could dramatically improve the speed with which such implants work.
Electrodes implanted in Nagle's brain measure the neural signals generated when he concentrates on trying to move one of his paralysed limbs. Software trained to recognise different patterns of neural activity then translates imagined gestures into the movement of an on-screen cursor or a robotic arm at Nagle's side.
'The fundamental findings are that you can record activity from the brain years after injury, that thinking about movement is sufficient to activate the brain, and that we can decode the signal,' says John Donoghue of Brown University in New York, who led the work."
Matt Nagle's extraordinary abilities were first reported in March 2005. Now details of the technology that lets him perform these tasks are published in the journal Nature. Another study in the same issue reveals a technique that could dramatically improve the speed with which such implants work.
Electrodes implanted in Nagle's brain measure the neural signals generated when he concentrates on trying to move one of his paralysed limbs. Software trained to recognise different patterns of neural activity then translates imagined gestures into the movement of an on-screen cursor or a robotic arm at Nagle's side.
'The fundamental findings are that you can record activity from the brain years after injury, that thinking about movement is sufficient to activate the brain, and that we can decode the signal,' says John Donoghue of Brown University in New York, who led the work."
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