Group items tagged

Article about problems caused by teachers using Twitter to write about their lives, their schools, and their students.

NYTimes investigation into the use of (computer controlled) linear accelerator machines to treat cancer. Documents several frightening causes of poor training, software errors, user error, and overconfidence. A clear illustration of how we can trust machines too readily.

Article covering the UK's notorious DNA database and the mistakes it contains. Gives examples of how the database has been successfully used as well as explaining how some of the errors might have arisen. Raises interesting questions about the wisdom of collecting such data and storing it about people even if they are acquitted of any crime.

Part 1 of 2: Database solution for a client from a spreadsheet.

InfoDome: Simple and powerful online database for free

Part 2: Design a database in Access with class modules

Scenerio: Consultants have a tough enough time managing a team when everyone is on site. Scatter your project members to various locations, and it's even harder to stay on track. One consultant shares his experience and the lessons he learned on the way to success.

IT consulting has its share of bad consulting. The scenario addresses trying to establish a relationship with a potential client who has been burned by an unscrupulous consultant.

MIT site about an expressive anthropomorphic robot called Kismet that engages people in natural and expressive face-to-face interaction. Includes videos and good explanations.

Thinking Machine 4 explores the invisible, elusive nature of thought. Play chess against a transparent intelligence, its evolving thought process visible on the board before you. The artwork is an artificial intelligence program, ready to play chess with the viewer. If the viewer confronts the program, the computer's thought process is sketched on screen as it plays. A map is created from the traces of literally thousands of possible futures as the program tries to decide its best move. Those traces become a key to the invisible lines of force in the game as well as a window into the spirit of a thinking machine.

"Each year an annual prize of $2000 and a bronze medal is awarded to the most human-like computer." Check out the winners each year back to 1991.

Author: Motoko Rich Published: in the New York Times. Considers the issues for stakeholders when members of the library can download library books from home.

A series of varied expert systems that can be run as demos

Click on the EXSYS systems below to run a few examples illustrating many of the features and capabilities of Exsys Corvid. Some can be run either using the Exsys CORVID Servlet Runtime or as a Java Applet to see the difference in end user interface.

Exporting waste illegally to poor countries has become a vast and growing international business, as companies try to minimize the costs of new environmental laws, like those here, that tax waste or require that it be recycled or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.

Interactive educational site that offers activities, explanations, and links regarding satellite tracking of tagged whales. Lots of useful material

Outstanding description of Denmark's use of electronic health records and telemedicine projects. Specific examples. Identifies the technology used. Students will need to research/learn how the technology works.

Good overview of military use of simulations and computer game software. Lots of specific examples, can stimulate further research.

The history of weather forecasting and early satellite programmes is told using archive film, highlighting the difficulties associated with a lack of weather data. 200 dedicated weather satellites have been launched since the 1960's. Together, these satellites enable us to monitor every weather system around the world and to see the weather as it approaches. Interview with meteorologist Ewen McCallam who is using a sequence of satellite images to identify a warm front, he goes on to describe how geostationary and polar orbiting satellites are used. Weather prediction can save lives, especially in tropical regions as information from satellites is used to track hurricanes as they develop. Computer models are shown following a storm over Africa developing into a hurricane over the Caribbean.

Looks quite interesting. Nearly have Ian a heart attack when I suggested he did not need his X-Box any more

Tomorrow's Technology and You by Beekman $ Beeman Complete International version