I was left wondering with this question as I read the following articles:
Finding the name behind the gmail address
A Question of Programming Ethics
Friday, July 18, 2008
An introduction to Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is nothing but utilizing supercomputer power to perform complicated tasks over the Internet. (I understood this much thanks to Business Week.
The article says “Cloud computing aims to apply that kind of power—measured in the tens of trillions of computations per second—to problems like analyzing risk in financial portfolios, delivering personalized medical information, even powering immersive computer games, in a way that users can tap through the Web. It does that by networking large groups of servers that often use low-cost consumer PC technology, with specialized connections to spread data-processing chores across them.”
Express Computer throws more light by saying that “The key feature of cloud computing is that both the software and the information held in it live on centrally located servers rather than on a end-user’s computer.” “…The architecture behind cloud computing is a massive network of ‘cloud servers’ interconnected as if in a grid running in parallel, sometimes using the technique of virtualization to maximize compute power per server.”
“Clouds will become dynamic components of enterprise and research grids, adding an "external" dimension of business flexibility by enhancing their home capacity whenever needed, on demand,” writes Wolfgang Gentzsch in GridToday. He maintains that Grid computing will stay as they will become more cloud like. That, he says, looks promising.
Infoworld explains cloud computing with examples such as SaaS (software as a service), Utility computing, MSP (managed service providers), and Service commerce platforms.
What about security of data and the data centers? “SWIFT, a bank-transfer consortium, has announced plans to build a data centre in neutral Switzerland, so that data collected in Europe will not be stored in an American facility, where it could be subpoenaed by the United States government,” writes The Economist.
Links for Cloud Computing:
Wikipedia
New to grid computing - IBM
The article says “Cloud computing aims to apply that kind of power—measured in the tens of trillions of computations per second—to problems like analyzing risk in financial portfolios, delivering personalized medical information, even powering immersive computer games, in a way that users can tap through the Web. It does that by networking large groups of servers that often use low-cost consumer PC technology, with specialized connections to spread data-processing chores across them.”
Express Computer throws more light by saying that “The key feature of cloud computing is that both the software and the information held in it live on centrally located servers rather than on a end-user’s computer.” “…The architecture behind cloud computing is a massive network of ‘cloud servers’ interconnected as if in a grid running in parallel, sometimes using the technique of virtualization to maximize compute power per server.”
“Clouds will become dynamic components of enterprise and research grids, adding an "external" dimension of business flexibility by enhancing their home capacity whenever needed, on demand,” writes Wolfgang Gentzsch in GridToday. He maintains that Grid computing will stay as they will become more cloud like. That, he says, looks promising.
Infoworld explains cloud computing with examples such as SaaS (software as a service), Utility computing, MSP (managed service providers), and Service commerce platforms.
What about security of data and the data centers? “SWIFT, a bank-transfer consortium, has announced plans to build a data centre in neutral Switzerland, so that data collected in Europe will not be stored in an American facility, where it could be subpoenaed by the United States government,” writes The Economist.
Links for Cloud Computing:
Wikipedia
New to grid computing - IBM
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Modern classic in the making?
Like the greatest practitioner of the art, Thomas Mann, Daniel Kehlmann is a master of irony, deftly subverting the expectations of the reader, writes Daniel Johnson about Kehlman's novel Measuring the World. Read the article in The Telegraph.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Create demos, online presentations with ViewletBuilder
While reading an STC newsletter, I found that folks at Oracle use a tool called Qarbon ViewletBuilder. This was a piece of news for me. After a bit of browsing, I found that the tool can be used to create online presentations, demos, and e-learning modules. Callouts, notes, and audio content can also be added to online presentations created with this tool.
My favourite tech blog Labnol (http://labnol.blogspot.com/2005/06/qarbon-viewletbuilder-imagine-power-of.html) says that technical writers untrained in Macromedia Flash authoring environment will find this tool very easy to create Flash presentations. With the ViewletBuilder, all you have to do is to simply move the cursor over the screen captured. The Flash tutorials or simulations created with this tool can be easily previewed. The tool enables your presentations and demos to reach a wider audience than before.
ViewletBuilder works only with Windows and Linux.
My favourite tech blog Labnol (http://labnol.blogspot.com/2005/06/qarbon-viewletbuilder-imagine-power-of.html) says that technical writers untrained in Macromedia Flash authoring environment will find this tool very easy to create Flash presentations. With the ViewletBuilder, all you have to do is to simply move the cursor over the screen captured. The Flash tutorials or simulations created with this tool can be easily previewed. The tool enables your presentations and demos to reach a wider audience than before.
ViewletBuilder works only with Windows and Linux.
Tools for technical writing
Adobe FrameMaker – Adobe FrameMaker 8 software is a powerful authoring and publishing solution for technical communicators and an essential upgrade for existing FrameMaker users who want to author and publish technical documentation in multiple languages, says Adobe. It supports Unicode, rich media, DITA and single sourcing.
RoboHelp - The most sought after Help authoring tool (HAT). RoboHelp 7 now supports Unicode, translational workflow, importing Word files, importing FrameMaker files and styles, user defined variables, and powerful collaboration.
Microsoft Word – Needs no explanation. Unstable for big documents.
Interleaf – Competitor of FrameMaker. Wikipedia says Interleaf provides an integrated set of tools for creating compound documents: word processing, graphics, data-driven business charts, tables, equations, image editing, automated page layout, book building-- including automatic index and table of contents, and conditional document assembly.
Arbortext - XML-based publishing system, says Wiki. It now supports Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) based eLearning.
WebWorks Publisher – Another platform for single sourcing the content created. Supports FrameMaker and Word. WebWorks includes pre-defined templates for 11 different output formats. It is not a HAT.
Adobe Illustrator- Vector based drawing tool.
Photoshop – Editing software for graphics.
SnagIt - An easy-to-use screen capture and editing tool.
RoboHelp - The most sought after Help authoring tool (HAT). RoboHelp 7 now supports Unicode, translational workflow, importing Word files, importing FrameMaker files and styles, user defined variables, and powerful collaboration.
Microsoft Word – Needs no explanation. Unstable for big documents.
Interleaf – Competitor of FrameMaker. Wikipedia says Interleaf provides an integrated set of tools for creating compound documents: word processing, graphics, data-driven business charts, tables, equations, image editing, automated page layout, book building-- including automatic index and table of contents, and conditional document assembly.
Arbortext - XML-based publishing system, says Wiki. It now supports Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) based eLearning.
WebWorks Publisher – Another platform for single sourcing the content created. Supports FrameMaker and Word. WebWorks includes pre-defined templates for 11 different output formats. It is not a HAT.
Adobe Illustrator- Vector based drawing tool.
Photoshop – Editing software for graphics.
SnagIt - An easy-to-use screen capture and editing tool.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Why editing cannot be just proofreading
Many people think that proofreading is just another word for editing. Some believe that it can be classified as another type of editing. They will argue that both essentially mean the same. It is unfortunate to see people from the publishing as well as the media industry holding the same opinion about the topic.
The only answer to the controversy is to put the facts straight.
The word “proof” in printing means a kind of a test sheet or draft that is checked for text and graphics and colors before going to the press or publishing. This proof is created after all the editing has been completed. The proof created is also checked for grammar, punctuation, and corrections are marked with standard proofreading marks. This “proof reading” can be termed as the last stage of the editing process. It is never a part of the actual editing process or copy editing.
Editing, on the other hand, starts the moment you receive the first draft or manuscript. If it is a document, it is checked for the content, organization, structure, unity, development of ideas, paragraph structure, etc. The document is checked to see whether it is complete in all its respects and whether it has clarity. It is also checked for the style, correct grammar, word usage, punctuation, citation, copyright issues, and impact.
To conclude, editing is a more in-depth process that looks at the completeness of the entire document. Proofreading is more of a mechanical process that checks the spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
The only answer to the controversy is to put the facts straight.
The word “proof” in printing means a kind of a test sheet or draft that is checked for text and graphics and colors before going to the press or publishing. This proof is created after all the editing has been completed. The proof created is also checked for grammar, punctuation, and corrections are marked with standard proofreading marks. This “proof reading” can be termed as the last stage of the editing process. It is never a part of the actual editing process or copy editing.
Editing, on the other hand, starts the moment you receive the first draft or manuscript. If it is a document, it is checked for the content, organization, structure, unity, development of ideas, paragraph structure, etc. The document is checked to see whether it is complete in all its respects and whether it has clarity. It is also checked for the style, correct grammar, word usage, punctuation, citation, copyright issues, and impact.
To conclude, editing is a more in-depth process that looks at the completeness of the entire document. Proofreading is more of a mechanical process that checks the spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
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