Info Cockpits [.pdf]
http://www.infocockpits.org/
Being developed through a collaboration of the University of Virginia and Carnegie Mellon, Infocockpits are "human-computer interfaces that improve human memory." An important part of remembering things is being able to associate them with characteristic sensory stimuli. However, computers are often used in the same place, and the sights and sounds that surround them are more or less constant. By adding visual and auditory cues to the computing experience, this project hopes to make it easier for people to pick up where they left off when they were last at their computer. The main areas of investigation are highlighted on the site, including preliminary results and research publications. [CL]
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CeBASE: NSF Center for Empirically Based Software Engineering [.doc, .pdf]
http://www.cebase.org/
The Center for Empirically-Based Software Engineering (CeBASE) works to foster a more structured approach to software development, with better defined guidelines and techniques. Three research areas detailed on the CeBASE Web site are "commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products," defect reduction, and the creation of a software engineering experience base. For those interested in building good development practices, there are two top ten lists for defect reduction and COTS-based systems. Additionally, several of the center's reports and presentations can be downloaded from the site. [CL]
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MathematicsWeb
http://www.mathematicsweb.org/mathematicsweb/show/Index.htt
A service of Elsevier Science, MathematicsWeb is a good starting point to find new research articles, preprints, and journals in the math community. It is especially useful for students and faculty of universities or libraries, since there is free full-text access to institutional subscribers for all 55 journals. Anyone can view the preprints, however, and there are various selected articles from journals that are featured as well. The three main categories covered on MathematicsWeb are applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and probability and statistics. In addition to the literature offered, there are other sections like mathematics problems and news. [CL]
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NEST: National Enterprise for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology [.pdf]
http://leopardi.cmp.sns.it/
Located in Pisa, Italy, the National Enterprise for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NEST) is a university program and world-class interdisciplinary research center. Four focus areas comprise the center's research: coherent nanoelectronics, nanobiotechnology, spin electronics, and "theory of electron liquids in nanostructures." The NEST Web site is very straightforward, with excellent descriptions of many research lines being investigated. Some projects have publications available. There are also links to many projects that NEST is working on in collaboration with other institutional organizations. [CL]
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pLab: A Server on the Theory and Practice of Random Number Generation [.ps, .gz]
http://random.mat.sbg.ac.at/
This Web site is a good place to learn about advanced methods of random number generation and testing. The team of computer scientists and mathematicians of the pLab project conducts research in the field of stochastic simulation, and some of their results are included online. In the detailed discussions provided on the site, there are three random number generators given particular attention: the linear congruential generator, inversive congruential generators, and explicit inversive congruential generators. Besides explaining the underlying principles of these generators, their advantages and disadvantages are outlined. A few papers about specific topics can be viewed as well. [CL]
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Avida Software: The Digital Life Laboratory [.tar, .gz, .exe, .ps, .pdf]
http://dllab.caltech.edu/avida/
Developed in the Digital Life Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology, Avida "is an auto-adaptive genetic system designed primarily for use as a platform in Digital or Artificial Life research." It can be freely downloaded as raw source code for either UNIX or Windows versions, and installation instructions are given on the Web site. User manuals are also provided, but they may not be current for the latest release of the software. The model of digital life used in Avida incorporates self-reproduction and extrinsic fitness functions, which can be controlled by the user. Known bugs and patches are posted on the Web site when needed. [CL]
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Cyber Crime Bleeds US Corporations, Survey Shows [.pdf]
http://www.gocsi.com/press/20020407.html
The Computer Security Institute (CSI) released the 2002 CSI/ FBI Computer Crime and Security Survey on April 7, 2002. This Web site is the press announcement for the release, which summarizes the institute's findings and briefly discusses the FBI's response to the growing problem of computer security breaches. There is a link on the page for a free copy of the survey, but a short registration is required. The 24-page document contains many figures about the frequency and nature of computer hacks. Statistics about commonly used security technologies are also given, as well as trends seen in recent years according to money lost in security violations. [CL]
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The New Net: Grid Services for Distributed System Integration [.pdf]
http://www.globus.org/research/papers/ieee-cs-2.pdf
This paper appeared in the June 2002 issue of the IEEE Computer journal. It discusses the evolution of the Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA), a standard that will define common mechanisms for use in different grid computing applications. Because grid technologies are being used more often for scientific research and intense computations, a universal set of semantics is needed for quicker, easier deployment. The OGSA is a progression from the Globus Toolkit, which is widely used in the implementation of many current grid systems. [CL]
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Ms. Lindquist: The Tutor
http://www.algebratutor.org/
Ms. Lindquist is an automated online tutoring system for algebra word problems. Developed in Java, the interface is very friendly and leads users through a series of questions that requires critical thinking and mathematical reasoning. Upon an incorrect response, the system breaks the problem down so it is easier to manage. This allows users to come to the right answer by themselves, with only a little guidance from Ms. Lindquist. The system keeps track of a user's progress through the ten sections, which gradually increase in difficulty. Teachers can also find example problems and other resources that incorporate the Ms. Lindquist utility. [CL]
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Edutopia Online: Envision the Future of Public Education [QuickTime, .pdf]
http://glef.org/
Edutopia Online is the Web site of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. The foundation "disseminates models of the most innovative practices in our nation's K-12 schools." A video gallery illustrates stories from schools around the country. While the material given on Edutopia Online has a broad scope, much of it is technology oriented. For example, past features have highlighted Web site development, hand held computers, and other methods of technology integration that improve the educational experience. The site is updated often, and a free Edutopia newsletter is also available. [CL]
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The Scientist and Engineer's Guide to Digital Signal Processing [.pdf, .zip]
http://www.dspguide.com/
Dr. Steve Smith offers his book about digital signal processing (DSP) free, in its entirety, on this site. The DSP guide introduces the reader to the fundamentals, and then delves into digital filters, applications, and complex techniques. All 33 chapters can be downloaded individually or as a whole. The book is quite well written, with plenty of figures, graphs, and illustrations that accompany the text. Smith derives equations for topics such as Fourier and Laplace transforms, and he clearly defines the terms and how to use them. This book is excellent for college students in a DSP or signals communications course. [CL]
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Mathematics Nrichment [Flash]
http://www.nrich.maths.org.uk/
Jointly operated by three UK educational institutions, NRICH is a monthly online magazine with resources for students and teachers of mathematics. All material on the site can be searched with a topic tree that lists every area of math covered in the magazine. The Flash plug-in games are challenging and very fun, suitable for just about anyone. Problems are added each month and are divided into varying levels of age and difficulty. Children can send in their solutions to be posted on the NRICH Web site. An archive of all the magazine's contents from months past is also provided. [CL]
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Be an Architect!
http://www.sanford-artedventures.com/play/arch2/index.html
Intended for sixth grade and up, this site lets children "learn about site, form, function, and materials" as they create their own floor plan and choose other properties for their house. Children are first led through a series of questions that prompt them to consider various factors important in building a house. Then, they use some Java applets to customize their house for the location they picked. The applet used to create the floor plan is especially well made, and allows the user to have as many rooms as needed. This is quite an in-depth activity that effectively teaches many concepts in architecture. [CL]
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BTexact Technologies: Web Site Design
http://more.btexact.com/projects/webdesign.htm
Creating a good, readable Web site is becoming an increasingly important skill. BTexact Technologies maintains this site to help people with this. Although it is geared toward commercial Web site design, the material is also suitable for personal use. Some topics addressed include site navigation, page design, graphics and multimedia, and user input. Each section contains clear descriptions of techniques, styles, and other factors that need to be considered to make a successful site. The sections are arranged in a natural progression, but the table of contents makes it easy for users to skip sections with which they feel comfortable. [CL]
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engAPPLETS: Java Applets for Engineering Education
http://www.engapplets.vt.edu/
The Java applets presented on this Web site teach concepts that every engineering student will encounter in undergraduate courses. Developed at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a grant from the National Science Foundation, the applets fall into three main categories: statics, dynamics, and fluid dynamics. There are several specific topics in each of these sections, which demonstrate principles such as heat conduction, ideal flow, vector algebra, and projectile motion. The applets are easy to use, and a short introduction explains the controls and the important observations. The only problem with the site is a nonworking link to the projectile motion game. [CL]
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Harvey Mudd College Mathematics Online Tutorial [.pdf]
http://www.math.hmc.edu/calculus/tutorials/
Created as an addition to undergraduate mathematics courses at Harvey Mudd College, this impressive collection of tutorials is useful for anyone needing a study aid or refresher for various topics. The list includes over 40 tutorials that address methods and theorems in precalculus, single and multi variable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. Quizzes at the end of each tutorial are only accessible to registered students, but the rest of the material is open to anyone. For offline viewing, the lessons can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. [CL]
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Data-Compression.com [.pdf]
http://www.data-compression.com/
Data compression is an important tool that minimizes the size of digital data. Without it, many features of Internet would not be practical, or even possible. This site discusses "the principles and practice of data compression," and examines common techniques for different types of information. The author considers some algorithms and coding methods, such as Huffman coding and the Blahut algorithm. JPEG, one of the most popular image compression formats, is demonstrated as well. A few programs, source code examples, and papers are available for download. Pop-up windows and advertisements are an annoyance on this site, but they are not overly noticeable. [CL]
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StreamingMediaLand.com: Resources for Streaming Media Professionals [.pdf]
http://streamingmedialand.com/
Streaming media is one of the dominant technologies on the Internet for viewing digital audio and video. Debuting about a year and a half ago, Streaming Media Land has many features covering this important topic. People working in information technology will benefit from industry coverage, white papers, and technology and protocol descriptions. Links to streaming media news and organizations are also given. Users of streaming media and related technologies will find information about bandwidths for a variety of connection and transmission types, as well as market data and projections. [CL]
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OpenVera [.pdf]
http://www.open-vera.com/
OpenVera is a hardware verification language intended to make modeling and testing of complex systems more efficient. It is part of an open source initiative, headed by the integrated circuit design company Synopsys, that will benefit many industries where time to market is a critical factor. This is the home page for OpenVera, and it contains a wealth of information about the standard and its development. Many technical papers are offered, but a brief, free registration is required to access the specification and language reference manual. The latest version of OpenVera was released in April 2002. [CL]
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Electric Power R&D [.pdf]
http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs_coalpower.html
A program of the US Department of Energy, this site details current efforts in electric power systems research and development. The main sections are Central Power Systems, Distributed Generation, Energy Plant of the Future, Greenhouse Gas Control, and Advanced Research. Much of the material focuses on pollution reduction, turbines, and fuel cells. For many of the individual projects, there are brochures and program plans, as well as thorough discussions of their objectives. The projects that are being developed in partnership with industry have links to offsite Web pages with company specific information. [CL]
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Building the Intelligent Wireless Web
http://www.web-iq.com/
As wireless broadband communications come closer to reality, there is increased attention to the software that will support the technology. This site is the home page of "a software research laboratory specializing in developing Web Services capable of running over Semantic Web Architecture." It has a huge collection of resources related to this movement. There are comments about the coming technology and how it could evolve, information about current and future hardware, and commercial applications. Research into potential wireless devices is covered, such as Web video phones. There are also many links to companies developing these products and services. [CL]
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Jnd.org
http://www.jnd.org/
With a work history that includes Apple and Hewlett Packard, Dr. Don Norman is certainly no pushover when it comes to technology. He created this site to express his vision of technology that is inviting and enjoyable to use, instead of being cold and inhuman. Several of his essays are presented here, including his most recent "Emotion and Design," published in July 2002. In it, he argues for aesthetics in designs, which could make people more productive (and even comfortable) in difficult situations. Norman's writings have a kind of wit that makes them fun to read, and they address many different aspects of technology. This site is also reviewed in the August 2, 2002 Scout Report. [CL]
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BBC Science: Tomorrow's World [RealPlayer]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/tw/2002/
This is the home page of the BBC program Tomorrow's World. It offers many stories and articles about the latest technology breakthroughs, inventions, and scientific discoveries. New articles are posted every Wednesday. Some of the features have audio or video of interviews, product demonstrations, and other items of interest. Links are also given that allow the user to further explore each topic. Recent stories have discussed a new type of planetarium design, virtual ghost hunting, and security scanner technology, to name a few. In addition to the current edition, all previous Tomorrow's World articles can be read from the archive. [CL]
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Mobile Robot Knowledge Base: Welcome
http://robot.spawar.navy.mil/MobileRobotKB/
Part of the robotics division of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (last mentioned in the March 1, 2002 NSDL Report for Math, Engineering, and Technology), the Mobile Robot Knowledge Base is a growing site with some good information for any professional designer or robot hobbyist. Although it is still being developed, there is product information for ground robot GPS navigation systems. Various manufacturers and models are described to help users make informed decisions for choosing their components. Eventually, the database will have profiles for various communication methods, object avoidance technologies, and many other properties for any robot platform. [CL]
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Assistive Technology
1. Assistive Technology Resources Main Menu
http://natri.uky.edu/resmenu.html
2. Assistive Technology in K-12 Schools
http://www.ataccess.org/resources/atk12/default.html
3. Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO)
http://atto.buffalo.edu/
4. Microsoft Accessibility: Technology for Everyone
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/
5. WeMedia: Accessible Solutions
http://www.wemedia.com/
6. AT Journal: The Latest News and Resources in Assistive Technology
http://www.atnet.org/news/
7. A Progress Report on Fulfilling America's Promise to Americans with Disabilities [.pdf]
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/toc.html
8. Wired News: Raising the Accessibility Bar
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,53930,00.html
People with disabilities represent a significant portion of the US population, and accessible technology (AT) helps make their lives easier. Further development of AT is an important objective in today's world.
To learn about the fundamental concepts of AT and browse related reports, the National Assistive Technology Research Institute at the University of Kentucky (1) is an excellent place to start. It explains the six types of AT and considers legal mandates, with plenty of other features, too. Information about how to integrate AT into grade schools is given at the Alliance for Technology Access Web site (2). After a general introduction, the organization suggests some proven strategies to accomplish this goal. The Assistive Technology Training Online Project (3) is similar, but also offers tutorials on how to properly set up and use certain types of AT products. Its section on AT basics is presented nicely and has a lot of interesting content. The Microsoft Accessibility site (4) discusses many options available to people with disabilities, providing information specific to different kinds of impairments. Tutorials for a number of Microsoft products are given, but there is no blatant advertising. We Media (5) maintains this page with a number of news stories related to AT. A recent article describes how a man was able to escape from the World Trade Center with a computer controlled leg. The Assistive Technology Journal (6) is a free, bimonthly publication of the AT Network and California Assistive Technology Systems. It keeps readers current on important developments, research, and legislation. Shortly after he took office, President Bush enacted the New Freedom Initiative that benefits the disabled. This progress report (7), released in May, 2002, touches on some of the program's accomplishments regarding accessibility to AT and further research. In a Wired News story from July 22, 2002 (8), the Archimedes Project at Stanford University is explored in detail. The project's goal is to study ways to make information universally accessible. Some of the team's developments are so impressive that even "non-disabled people will want it." [CL]
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Below are the copyright statements to be included when reproducing annotations from The NSDL Scout Report for Math, Engineering, and Technology.
The single phrase below is the copyright notice to be used when reproducing any portion of this report, in any format:
From The NSDL Scout Report for Math, Engineering, & Technology, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2002. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/
The paragraph below is the copyright notice to be used when reproducing the entire report, in any format:
Copyright Susan Calcari and the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 1994-2002. The Internet Scout Project (http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/), located in the Computer Sciences Department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides information about the Internet to the U.S. research and education community under a grant from the National Science Foundation, number NCR-9712163. The Government has certain rights in this material. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of the entire Scout Report provided this paragraph, including the copyright notice, are preserved on all copies.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, or the National Science Foundation.
For information on additional contributors, see the Internet Scout Project staff page:
http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/about/team.html
