When Computers Were Human: The Black Women Behind NASA’s Success

Computers do not understand colour or gender of the operator, fortunately. Yes, NASA has in its hold highly talented Black women in the forefront as computers wizards. Following are a few of them who made a mark. It shows the will power, determination and empowerment of women in the ‘white only’ and ‘male only’ scenario in NASA.

Dorothy Vaughan (NASA Langley Research Centre)

Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory was where Dorothy joined in 1943. She was a high school teacher. The wartime facility was planning to venture into compact planes. This brainy black mathematician went ahead with mathematical modelling she worked for there 15 years. She did experiments with wind tunnels as a human computer. And she continues there till 1971 as an expert FORTRAN programmer. By then NACA became NASA.

Mary Jackson (NASA Langley Research Centre

The mathematician turned engineer at Langley; Mary Jackson worked on experimental supersonic aircraft. She did work on air flow, wind tunnel as well as drag forces. After studying in the all-white classes to come out as the first black female engineer in 1958. She then plunged to human resources to help women and minorities.

Miriam Mann (NASA)

Miriam Mann’s career started with NASA Langley in 1943. She had to struggle with racial discrimination. She tore away the board hung in the canteen “Coloured Computers” triggering a revolution. And she empowered black women.

Christine Darden (NASA)

She fought her position into so far the male-dominated computer pool at Langley. Her specialization was on supersonic boom and shockwaves. She was elevated to very senior position in NASA

Annie Easley (NASA)

Annie Easley started her career as a programmer in 1955. At the Lewis Research Centre in Cleveland, Ohio she was the expert in FORTRAN and SOAP. Her challenge in wearing trousers created ripples.

She went back to college as a pharmacist and mathematics degree. Easley produced code that went on to be used in renewable energy research. She went ahead in battery and hybrid research as well.

Reference URL: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2118526-when-computers-were-human-the-black-women-behind-nasas-success/

Sydney University Predicts the Unpredictable in Quantum Computing Advancement

Quantum computing is real as much as the quantum bit; its main ingredient thanks to the machine learning technique developed by Sydney University. The qubits are alive.

The significant hurdle in building reliable quantum technologies has been ‘the randomization of quantum systems by their environments — known as decoherence — which actually destroys the useful quantum character.’

Now suppressing decoherence in a preventive manner is in the offing. The machine learning makes the prediction of disintegration a reality. The quantum computing technology measurement is in nanoseconds making all the difference. It is like a game of tennis to predict the trajectory of the ball.

The University said “And yet this situation is exactly what we had to deal with because the disintegration of quantum systems is random. Moreover, in the quantum realm observation erases quantum, so our team needed to be able to guess how and when the system would randomly break”.

Preventing the disintegration of the quantum character and extended the useful lifetime of the qubits is the challenge.

The University was awarded a slice of a multimillion dollar research grant from the United States Office of the Director of National Intelligence to advance its research in quantum computing last May. The Nanoscience Hub is getting funding from the US as well. The building challenge of the world’s first quantum computer in silicon is in full swing. The first step of enabling quantum computer coding in silicon was a success as well as manipulate a quantum version of computer code using two qubits in a silicon microchip.

They built a quantum logic gate in silicon, which made calculations between two qubits of information possible is a breakthrough. The speed of operation is also exponential. It is strange that when Microsoft is pumping in Billions of Dollars into quantum computing research, the Australian Universities are making quantum leaps. Is it a matter of the survival of the fittest?

Reference URL: http://www.zdnet.com/article/sydney-uni-predicts-the-unpredictable-in-quantum-computing-advancement/

 

Six Ways to Secure Air-Gapped Computers from Data Breaches

It is presumed that by isolating a stand-alone computer from the internet or air-gapping as is popularly known makes it hack proof. But alas that safety is not there anymore. The simplest reason is that humans are involved

Breaching an air-gapped computer is easy by hook or crook with the connivance of a person to attach a USB stick, dongle, Wi-Fi or a flash drive to the computer. Extracting data from the computer is now a child’s play.

Curbing or limiting access to people to the air-gapped computer is one step to avoid this incident. This calls for putting the server or office room under lock and key. Making sure that the employees are security checked before induction as well as checked periodically may help.

Locking up the USB ports is another remedy. USB Port Blocker that blocks access to USB ports. Still, a determined hacker or employee can pull the plug off and insert a USB device. And the usage of Bluetooth keyboard/mouse, make things worse as Bluetooth signals can be hacked.

A hacker can use an FM receiver and tune into the FM signal emitted from the graphics card. Known as Tempest attack, this can read the computer screen clearly. The deployment of ultrasound frequency by the hacker, make his attempt to transmit data to a distance of roughly 65 feet discreetly. A hacker can illuminate a room where the air-gapped computer and steal data from the connected to a multi-function printer scanner.

The laxity of your staff could be the primary reason for breaching an air-gapped computer. Keeping the machine offsite or in a safeguarded room may help to thwart hackers better. Shielding the machines properly is another good precaution.

Reducing or blocking unused USB ports could also help. Keeping the machine powerless off when not in use is a good move. Also replacing the standard drives with SSD and encrypting your data are considered proper safety measures. Keeping vital data from the air-gapped computer is a better option at any time.

Reference URL: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/6-ways-to-secure-air-gapped-computers-from-data-breaches/

Brian Kernighan 69, Professor of Computer Science

Setting up a new programming languages skill is challenging. But Kernighan has taken up this mission seriously and taught many how to handle computer better. His exposure with Bell Labs and Princeton make him an authority on the computer language teaching.

He taught basic computer programming and mathematical modelling to students on non-computer major students. Even though initially casual, they left with a thorough understanding of the gravity of the subject. Unlike other teachers, he kept a close rapport with his students to the point of remembering their names.

In 300 page his new book, Digital World (an offshoot of his previous one D for Digital) being published shortly, he focuses on average persons with a glimpse of the computer. He uses layman language with least technical jargons. Kernighan’s mission in venturing to such book is four decades old. Possibly he too came in contact with computer pretty late. From FORTRAN, he graduated to MAD language transforming the punch card system altogether. Bell Labs gave him the environment he was looking for- computer programming.

His first book was published in 1974 dictating the need for better computer language. When the internet provides the required data on programming, still his printed books are sought after. He believes ‘that precise use of language leads to clear thinking and vice-versa.’ He is passionate about teaching, coding, and programming.

He is particular of maintaining his characteristic brevity, clarity, and lack of condescension to help on- computer savvy people what computer is all about. His high skill and dedication in the subject make him the leader and teacher all rolled into one. He is clear on the involvement with the subject and the students alike.

“The things I’ve learned about teaching are fundamental to get to know the students, because if they’re a name and a person, then you do a better job,” Kernighan says. “Other than that, jeez, I don’t know, try to be organized, and let them out early.”

Reference URL: https://paw.princeton.edu/article/computer-languages-clarity-key

Why the Computing Cloud Will Keep Growing and Growing

The business computer and software market is the fastest developing market globally to the tune of $1 Trillion. And that is going to be monopolized by a few like Amazon, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud with computer servers, data storage and networking at the core of computing. The IoT(Internet of Things), smartphones, sensors. Cloud computing is extensively used by SME and start-up sector as well.

With the AI, VA and IoT on the rise in mobile computing, home games and email campaigns, the growth of cloud computing are going to be astronomical. It was only logical for Amazon with a large centralized data bank and customer base to plunge into the cloud.

At the recent Re: Invent conference, Amazon showcased what Web Services executive showed off the enormous undersea cable project, cost cutting of servers and networking, etc. leaving old leaders Dell and Cisco red faced. With 55 percent annual growth rate, AWS is the only profit-making wing. That does not mean that Amazon is leaving its core business altogether. The competition is severe with Amazon (81 services), Microsoft (67), Google (53) in home video games, IoT, email campaigns, data analysis, etc.

Google has enhanced its capabilities in machine learning and machine reading Backed up by under the sea cabling, whiteboards, etc. The global cloud facilities are set for an unprecedented growth with the customer proximity a critical criterion.

The spoke person of Azure expressed the optimism “Global proximity is a huge advantage. This is a way to transform your business, including the way devices on the edge act.”

The survival of the fittest rule applies in cloud computer in scalability and sustainability. With the surplus funds available for R&D and expansion, the completion is going to be cut throat. More affordable models with more functionality are the intention of these companies to lure more customer base.

Reference URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/25/technology/why-the-computing-cloud-will-keep-growing-and-growing.html?_r=0