Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Techno Page - By Harendra Alwis
E-mail: technopage_lk@yahoo.com

Project Oxygen
"Bringing abundant computation and communication, as pervasive and free as air, naturally into people's lives."

Computer networks have already become an integrated aspect of computer science and their development or the lack of it has a direct and most profound impact on computing in general. The use of computers can no longer be separate from the need to share information that is processed and their communication capabilities.

Network technologies, relatively younger than raw computing technologies, are lagging behind as far as the needs and demands of this communication age are concerned. While the computer is not fundamentally any different from the abacus, in the sense that it still relies on input for its output and is unable to 'think for itself', the networking technologies have not conceptually changed from earlier times even though marginal modifications have been done to improve efficiency and dependability. A good example of this fact is the form of 'addressing that is being used where even though newer IP versions have broadened the number of digits, it has not yet given way to a new line of thought altogether. As the pioneers of Project Oxygen point, we still have to address our nodes on the network using static numbers or names such as 'computer_1_2_3' or 'lab_1_printer_3', because there is still no way of addressing '...the nearest printer' or '...the machine I was using in the morning' where an intelligent network would recognise me and do the addressing dynamically, easing the workload from the user.

Oxygen is an ambitious and farsighted project that has been undertaken by Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Laboratory for Computer Science (LCS) and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (AI) with the aim of revolutionising the path and approach followed in developmental research of computer science. It places much emphasis on a 'human centred approach for computing' where computers take on the role of omnipresent and intelligent assistants or secretaries enabling their users to 'do more by doing less'.

Since the first rays of the sun dawned on the computer age, computation has made people serve machines, and not vice versa. We have danced to the tune of these machines, going out of the way to accommodate them in air-conditioned rooms in all comfort and veneration. Despite all claims to the contrary, computers have never been user-friendly because they have done only the tasks they know in whatever manner they knew how to, without the slightest regard for what we want them to do and how we want it done. In order to tell them what we need done and to teach them our ways, we have had to work on the terms they set forth, learn their language(s) and be content with the highly inefficient ways of going about their tasks. Communication between computers and their human masters have (ironically) had to be done on the computers terms with sluggish key-boards and errant 'mice' instead of what we know best; speech. Contrary to popular belief that virtual reality has solved most of these problems, it only makes matters worse: with it, we do not simply serve computers, but also live in a reality they create!

There is little doubt that computers will be vital in the development of the human race, so their benefits and power should be as freely accessible as the researchers at MIT put it; "as freely as the Oxygen in the air we breathe." Next week, we will look at how they propose to implement these ideas, the devices that will be used and their capabilities. Meanwhile, write in with your comments to technopage.

What is GPRS?
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a data-transport technology. If that's got you befuddled already, then simply know that a GPRS - enabled mobile phone won't give you clearer voice - calls reception or wider network coverage. In fact, all other things being equal, the only advantage GPRS phones have over current mobile handsets is an ability to receive electronic information like e-mails and WAP sites much more quickly. While it might take a traditional mobile, say, 10 seconds to download and display a WAP site, a GPRS handset will finish the same job in a fraction of the time.

Although GPRS uses existing mobile telephone networks, it handles data in a different way to GSM. Traditionally, GSM phone connections are made using 'circuit switching'. When a person places a mobile call, a (very small) part of the network's available capacity is reserved solely for the duration of that call. If you've ever received a 'network busy' message when trying to dial a number, it's because there are no free 'slots' available - the network's caller allocation is full at time.

Rather than block off chunks of the network capacity, information destined for a GPRS mobile phone is chopped up into small 'packets'. Each packet is given electronic directions for its journey and travels independently of others across any available part of the network (the internet also uses packet switching, incidentally). The phone then collects pieces of the incoming data puzzle, reassembling them when the final packet arrives.

Since the packets are broadcast over a wide range of radio frequencies (as opposed to the tiny fraction that current mobile phone circuit - switching technology uses), much more data can be sent and subsequently received. The upshot is that much faster data-transfer rates are achievable - up to a theoretical maximum of 171 Kb/s.

However, if you're buying a new phone soon, ignore the sales pitch and ask yourself whether you really need a GPRS handset. Are you a WAP user? Do you use a phone to get your notebook PC hooked up to the Internet when you're out and about? If you answer positively, then GPRS could be of benefit. Otherwise, don't bother.
Nilan Kosgahakumbura
Source: Computer Active Magazine

Beware of hoaxes and chain letters
Internet hoaxes and chain letters are e-mail messages written with one purpose; to be sent to everyone you know. The messages they contain are usually untrue. A few of the sympathy messages do describe a real situation but often that situation was resolved years ago so the message is not valid and has not been valid for many years. Hoax messages try to get you to pass them on to everyone you know, using several different methods of social engineering. Most of the hoax messages play on your need to help other people. Who wouldn't want to warn their friends about some terrible virus that is destroying people's systems? Or, how could you not want to help this poor little girl who is about to die from cancer? It is hard to say no to these messages when you first see them, though after a few thousand have passed through your mailbox you (hopefully) delete them without even looking.

Chain letters are lumped in with the hoax messages because they have the same purpose as the hoax messages but use a slightly different method of coercing you into passing them on to everyone you know. Chain letters, like their printed ancestors, generally offer luck or money if you send them on. They play on your fear of bad luck. The chain letters that deal in money play on people's greed and are illegal no matter what they say in the letter.

Theekshana Jayakody
Source: www.ciac.org

Too little, too late?
Sir Paul McCartney has criticized the use of cluster bombs by the US in Iraq recently.

The former Beatle made these comments to the BBC last Monday as he referred to cluster bombs as "cowardly weapons" which had no place in modern military warfare. He called himself a pacifist since he did not want anyone to fight anyone.

Meanwhile he was behind the 'Hope' album released on April 21 featuring several artistes contributing songs that would raise funds for Iraqi children through the War Child charity.

The artistes and songs on the album are: Sir Paul McCartney - 'Calico Skies', Avril Lavigne - 'Knocking On Heaven's Door', David Bowie - 'Everyone Say Hi', Travis - 'The Beautiful Occupation', George Michael - 'The Grave', Ronan Keating - 'In The Ghetto', Lee Ryan - 'Stand Up As People', Beverly Knight - 'Love's In Need Of Love Today', Moby - 'Nearer', New Order - 'Vietnam', Spiritualized - 'Hold On', The Charlatans - 'We Got To Have Peace', Bert Orton - 'O-O-H Child', Tom McRae - 'Border Song', Billy Bragg - 'The Wolf Covers It's Tracks', Basement Jaxx/Yellowman - 'Love Is The Answer' and Yusuf Islam - 'Peace Train'.

Luther Vandross, the 80's Soul Star, has suffered a stroke. Reports from New York said Vandross suffered the stroke on April 16 and is now recovering in a New York hospital. Vandross was 52 years on Sunday, April 20.

He was due to release a new album in June according to J Records. Meanwhile the family and friends of Vandross are hopeful the singer will make a full recovery.

For a third consecutive week Room 5 featuring Oliver Cheatham is at the No. 1 position of the UK singles chart with the song 'Make Luv'.

There were various reports circulating in the music press that Madonna's new single 'American Life' will push 'Make Luv' out of the No. 1 position. But a late surge in sales over the Easter holiday enabled 'Make Luv' to occupy the No. 1 UK single spot for a fourth consecutive week.

Madonna's new single 'American Life' debuted on the chart at No. 2 this week. It's the title track from her forthcoming album.

There was a lot of negative reporting about the song because many felt it was the beginning of the end for Madonna since she also raps in the song.

Contrary to those expectations sales were reported to be good with midweek sales indicating a No. 1 hit for Madonna. In the end it was not to be with the track settling for the No. 2 spot.

Escapology has spawned the second hit for singer Robbie Williams. The new track from the album debuted in the chart at No. 4 this week. The mid tempo ballad 'Come Undone' like the previous release 'Feel', peaked at No. 4.

Blur fans are happy that the group is back and sounding better than ever with the new single 'Out Of Time'. The track checked into the chart at No. 5. Damon Albarn was last in the chart with the animated act Gorillaz, but now figures out in reality with Blur. The band has been around for 13 years.

D-side is the latest Irish boy band to surface on the chart. The group makes their debut at No. 9 with 'Speechless'. D-Side won an award last year following appearances at schools around the UK.

If some people had written off Lionel Ritchie they are mistaken. Even at the No. 19 spot he has managed to notch an entry on a duet called 'To Love A Woman' with Enrique Iglesias.

On this ballad Ritchie has combined rock, latin and country guitars to appeal to a new generation. Lionel's last hit was 'Angel' which peaked at No. 18 in October 2000.

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