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- Pioneers making gains in budding field of visual search
Thanks to the efforts of a small band of researchers, it may soon be possible to find an image on the Internet without relying on a human description of it. Two computer scientists from Google are among the pioneers seeking to advance the massive image database created by Stanford University's Fei-Fei Li using "neural network" algorithms designed to mimic human brain functions. Andrew Ng and Jeff Dean say their visual recognition technology is already making it possible for the ImageNet database -- which holds more than 14 million images -- to categorize unlabeled objects with surprising accuracy. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(11/19)      
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- Chinese chip development effort moves closer to launch
China is months away from unveiling its Godson-3B1500 processor, an 8-core chip for PCs and servers that represents the country's attempts to develop its own chipmaking industry. The Godson processor, being developed by manufacturer Loongson Technology, culminates more than a decade of development and sports a clock speed of 1.35 gigahertz and 172.8 gigaflops of performance. ZDNet (Asia)
(11/21)
- Malware exploits Google Docs to cover tracks
Researchers have discovered a new variant of the malware known as Backdoor.Makadocs that uses Google's cloud-based office software as a surreptitious communications platform, which Google calls a violation of its product policies. The malicious code co-opts the Google Drive Viewer feature of Google Docs to get instructions and carry out commands received from a command-and-control server. PCWorld/IDG News Service
(11/20)
- Smart IT decisions are tied to smart partner choices
When buying and implementing storage strategies, IT organizations often rely on resellers to acquire technology and integrators to connect the pieces. Choosing the two partners wisely is a key element to successful tech efforts, explains Mark Peters, senior analyst at the Enterprise Strategy Group. "Value-added resellers, systems integrators and even distributors play a big part in your company's success. Choose them with care," he writes. InformationWeek
(11/20)
- Critical thinking isn't just for college professors
Smart bosses teach workers to think critically about the challenges they face, writes Joel Garfinkle. That means encouraging them to ask the right questions and to have confidence in their thought processes. "Continue to encourage employees to act independently ... and they will reward you and the company with sound decisions based on logic and common sense," Garfinkle writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership
(11/19)
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Do you feel your communications skills are up to par for your dream job?
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Yes |
47.44%
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No |
37.18%
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Not sure |
15.38%
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Do you believe the holiday season lowers worker productivity?
 | Yes |
| No |
- One smell to combine them all?
Scientists have discovered a new smell they are calling "olfactory white" because it is a mixture of many compounds, making it the olfactory equivalent of white noise, Stephanie Pappas writes. Olfactory white's scent is so bland it is difficult to describe. "The best way to appreciate the qualities of olfactory white is to smell it," according to the researchers. LiveScience.com
(11/19)
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SmartBrief will not publish Thursday and Friday
In observance of Thanksgiving in the U.S., SmartBrief will not be published Thursday and Friday. Publication will resume Monday. Enjoy the holiday!
 | Our information industry is using foreign technology. However, just like a country's industry cannot always depend on foreign steel and oil, China's information industry needs its own CPU."
--Hu Weiwu, deputy of China's National People's Congress and chief architect of the Loongson Technology CPUs, as quoted by ZDnet.com
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