It's Written All Over Your Face!

A new computer program can determine when you are struggling with math problems by scanning your facial expressions. Mood detecting software is still in the early stages and has not yet been linked to any useful applications. This software program in particular will adjust the difficulty of the math problems based on the students facial expressions making the problems either easier or more difficult. In a recent study the software guessed the test takers difficulty level  correctly 71% of the time. More information on this software will appear in the May issue of the journal Computers in Human Behavior. (Diep)

Diep, F. (2013, February 20). Computer Program Knows When You're Struggling With Math By Looking At Your Face . Retrieved February 24, 2013, from POPSCI: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-02/computer-program-knows-if-youre-working-hard-math

 

Bye Bye Blue Screen of Death!!!

Scientist at the University of London (UCL) are waving bye bye to the "Blue Screen of Death". Thanks to UCL's computer scientist, Peter Brentley and Christos Sakellariou who have created a computer that repairs itself when it finds fault. The technology works by executing programs and instructions simultaneously unlike today's computer which fetch instructions and then executes programs or commands.  For example, it links the temperature outside with what to do if it's too hot. It then divides the results up into pools of digital entities called "systems". (Marks)

This systemic computer process allows the computer to detect chaos within and essentially repair itself. This is also because each system contains multiple copies of it's instructions, so in the event that one becomes corrupted it will access one of the copies and make the needed repairs.  Due to the context-sensitive data located in the system memory these computers are only able to interact with similar systems. 

Marks, P. (2013, February 14). The computer that never crashes . Retrieved February 17, 2013, from NewScientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21729045.400-the-computer-that-never-crashes.html

 

Technology and Nuerology: It's About Time They Met.

Well I have great news for all you computer gamers. The Neural Impulse Actuator will be taking your online gaming experience to new heights.  The device is used in conjunction with the mouse but it senses your tension and converts them into commands. So, "how does this work?" you ask. Glad you did. The cells in your body produce electrochemical activity which in-turn produces bioelectric potential which the Neural Impulse Actuator reads and streams into the computer. Your bioelectronic "intentions" are then translated into commands in your game! Resulting in you not having to use your keyboard to play the game.

So how good is it? Well on Amazon this device has received 3 out of 5 stars with most comments leaning toward it actually working. As of today it is currently out of stock which could be good or bad.  The Neural Impulse Actuator requires that your pc has the following system requirements:

• Windows XP, Vista, or 7 (32/64-bit)
• 1GHz CPU
• 1GB Memory

It is powered by a USB cable and comes with a 24 month warranty, a headband, amplifier and a USB cable and Installation CD.

NIA GAME CONTROLLER. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11th, 2013, from OCZ: http://www.ocztechnology.com/nia-game-controller.html

OCZ. (2013).

 OCZ OCZMSNIA NIA - Neural Impulse Actuator. Retrieved February 11, 2013, from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZMSNIA-NIA-Impulse-Actuator/dp/B00168VU4U%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquidooa245350-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00168VU4U

OK, so a few months ago I started getting emails from this financial guru I'm subscribed to telling me all about how profitable and what a huge impact the next new "gizmo" will be. It took him 30 minutes to tell me that the new "gizmo" was a 3D Printer. He even went on to tell me that Jay Leno has one in his garage and you know what I kind of can see why but it's not so much because of what they have done but more so because of what they may be able to do.

Now while I'm not going to go and rush and buy one of these I have to admit that at the very least 3D printers are very interesting.The question that comes to my mind the most is, "What else can you do with this?"  Someone even wanted to know if you could use a 3D printer to create another 3D printer. I think that will be a little bad for business but these things are already being sold and used. So far the printers have been used to print prototypes of wrenches, acoustic guitars,  iPhone cases and even a gun! Well, almost. The company that leased the printer to the individuals experimenting to print and test a 3D gun pulled the lease when they got wind of  what was going on. That certainly makes me raise an eyebrow and wonder are these things even safe to be sold to just anyone. 

 Now while I don't see the average Joe, like myself, needing these. I can see how they could be useful when it comes to mass production. Check them out yourself. Who knows you may feel the need to store one in your garage also.That is if you have anywhere from $500 to about $3,300 to invest and possibly collect dust.

Biggs, J. (2012, October 2). Home 3D Printing Is Killing The Manufacturing Industry. Retrieved February 3, 2013, from Tech Crunch: http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/02/home-3d-printing-is-killing-the-manufacturing-industry/

 Brown, R. (2013, January 10). Still emerging (for now): The 3D printers of CES 2013. Retrieved February 03, 2013, from c|net : http://ces.cnet.com/8301-34445_1-57563395/still-emerging-for-now-the-3d-printers-of-ces-2013/