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POPSNew quantum algorithm helpes solving big problems. “Large-scale linear systems of equations exist in many fields, such as weather prediction, engineering, and computer vision”, says Harrow. “Quantum computers could supply serious improvements for these and many other problems. For example, a trillion-variable problem would take a classical computer at least a hundred trillion steps to solve, but using the new algorithm, a quantum computer could solve the problem in just a few hundred steps”. The solution could also be applied to other complex processes such as image and video processing, genetic analyses and even Internet traffic control. Sounds pretty good to me!
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POPSFt. Hood Shooter’s Computer Reveals al Qaeda Connection
...who requested anonymity as he is not authorized to speak publicly. “The motive behind the massacre appears to be rooted in his ideology, an ideology which was emboldened by online activity,” added this source. As indicated by a ABC News Online article, intelligence sources reportedly had a level of knowledge that HASAN was in communication with al Qaeda assets abroad. The source speaking to this author confirmed that report but went further, stating that this and information similar but not directly related to such communications became a “political issue” between government agencies and officials “at the policy making levels” of the administration. According to this source, the now infamous pre-9/11 walls erected within government agencies have returned, “but this time they are higher and stronger.” “There is an unwillingness to address ‘delicate’ intelligence and security matters by sharing information outside of the beltway and that directive comes right from the top.
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POPSTouch Screen Back in 1998/99, myself and a co-worker were brainstorming on computing ideas. We came up with an idea for a computer screen that would act like a kiosk of sorts, for the elderly. Realizing that there was a need to keep in touch and up to date with technology, it 'felt right' to bring something like touch screen for the elderly or those that could not type, into age (pun intended). Our idea was to set up these kiosk style monitors in senior assisted/non-assisted homes; on campus clubhouses, etc so anyone could send email and play a few games. Easy stuff that would not be intimidating or difficult to learn. Idea blown away when presented to our employer as not 'marketable enough.' About 3 weeks ago, I walked into Sam's Club; the computer section. A round table was set up with HP Touchscreen monitors. Curios, I walked over to inspect and could not get close enough except to watch. Persons much older than myself standing around the table, playing games by touching the scre
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POPSPsychic 'mind-reading' computer Although the results were crude, the technique was able to reproduce the rough shape of a man in a white shirt and the image of a city skyline. Prof Jack Gallant, who carried out the experiment at the University of California, Berkeley, said: 'At the moment when you see something and want to describe it to someone you have to use words or draw it and it doesn't work very well. 'You could use this technology to transmit the image to someone. It might be useful for artists or to allow you to recover an eyewitnesses memory of a crime.' The experiment is the latest in a series of studies designed to show how brain scans can reveal our innermost thoughts.
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POPSListen to over 1800 free AUDIO BOOKS Check out the free audio download books collection at: http://www.openculture.com/2006/10/audio_book_podc.html also download to your iPhone with this APP.. http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=311507490&mt=8
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POPSVirtual reality tackles 'shell shock "But I'd hit the point in my life where I felt I had zero control and was about to lose the one thing in my life that meant the most which was my family, so I was prepared to try anything." Sergeant Butler demonstrates the computer scenario which was used to help him. On a computer screen I can see the same image projected onto Sergeant Butler's visor. He is in the front seat of a Humvee armed vehicle patrolling the streets of Iraq; each time he turns his head, the viewpoint on the screen changes.
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POPS Future Designer Laptop - ROLLTOP The device of the flexible display allows a new concept in notebook design growing out of the traditional bookformed laptop into unfurling and convolving portable computer. By virtue of the OLED-Display technology and a multi touch screen the utility of a laptop computer with its weight of a mini-notebook and screen size of 13 inch easily transforms into the graphics tablet, which with its 17-inch flat screen can be also used as a primary monitor. On top of everything else all computer utilities from power supply through the holding belt to an interactive pen are integrated in Rolltop. This is really an all-in-one gadget. Category: Science & Technology www.orkin-design.de
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POPSData-mining medical records could predict domestic violence
More: Using the new system, the researchers were able to predict abuse an average of two years before the doctor made the diagnosis. Presumably, the computer is picking up signs of ongoing maltreatment the patient hasn’t yet revealed. The researchers also speculate that, in principle, some subtle signal could precede direct abuse. One surprise finding that could be relevant… is that infections turned out to be strongly linked to abuse. That might suggest worsening hygiene in the family or increased psychological stress, possible omens of abuse. But at this point, it is anybody’s guess whether true predictions are possible. Predictions or not, with the current model, fewer than 20 percent of the patients flagged as high-risk cases turned out to have a diagnosis of abuse. Part of the problem may be that the system is only as good as the data it was based on. And as Emory University’s Houry points out, that data isn’t up to speed when it comes to diagnosing abuse.
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POPSFashionable Computer Bags I know, you guys don't care that much but my wife shopped for hours trying to find the right computer bag...in the end, it still wasn't the one she wanted. This article might say you and your partner some time and money.
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POPS Texts Suggesting Attack Coming; 'Wedding Cake' Is Ready 
After first denying any ties to al Qaeda, Zazi has now admitted certain ties developed during trips to Pakistan, law enforcement officials told ABCNews.com. The officials said text messages sent by Zazi suggest the plot was nearing the attack phase. One message said the "wedding cake is ready," which authorities say may have been code to indicate the attack was ready. Al Qaeda operatives have frequently used references to weddings to disguise planned terror attacks. Zazi's lawyer, Arthur Folsom, said his client was cooperating fully with the FBI during his long interrogation sessions. Folsom told ABCNews.com "no deal has been offered," but authorities say Zazi is preparing a "proffer" of information he would be prepared to testify about as part of a plea negotiation. Zazi's computer was copied, or "mirrored," by FBI agents last weekend without Zazi's knowledge. His lawyer said the agents probably made the copy after towing away Zazi's car on an purported parking violation.
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POPSSoftware licenses contain secret damnation clauses
more: The Catholic church offers a free EULA checking service through its "Devil's Advocate" program, although users can expect to wait several weeks before their computers are processed and shipped back to them from Vatican City. Infernal terms can appear in EULAs from any company, large or small. Early versions of Windows Vista included the clause "In exchange for using this software, the user agrees to surrender his soul to the Forces of Darkness and to be damned for all eternity", while the AVG antivirus program required the user to "abide where the worm dieth not", and also installed Yahoo Toolbar by default. But even for professionals, spotting the hidden damnation clauses can be tricky. "One client asked me to check the EULA for Corel Painter," said Beefy. "I was about to tell my client to click on the "I agree to the above terms" box, when I noticed what appeared to be a tiny speck of dirt next to it. On closer inspection, I saw that it was an asterisk, and, after scro
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POPS"Brain Reading" Device Can Predict What People See "The fMRI technique is a relatively new way to measure changes in the brain's blood oxygen levels, which have strong links to neural activity. The collected data were used to "teach" a computer program to associate certain blood flow patterns with particular kinds of images. Participants were then asked to look at a second set of images they had never encountered before. The model was programmed to take what it had learned from the previous pairings and figure out what was being shown in the new set of images. For a collection of 120 images, the model correctly identified what a person was looking at 90 percent of the time. When the set was enlarged to a thousand images, accuracy was about 80 percent. Continued at: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080305-brain-scan_2.html