Information technology

The term is commonly used as a synonym for computers and computer networks, but it also encompasses other information distribution technologies such as television and telephones.

History of computer technology

Devices have been used to aid computation for thousands of years, probably initially in the form of a tally stick. The Antikythera mechanism, dating from about the beginning of the first century BC, is generally considered to be the earliest known mechanical analog computer, and the earliest known geared mechanism.

Data storage

Early electronic computers such as Colossus made use of punched tape, a long strip of paper on which data was represented by a series of holes, a technology now obsolete. Electronic data storage, which is used in modern computers, dates from World War II, when a form of delay line memory was developed to remove the clutter from radar signals, the first practical application of which was the mercury delay line.

Databases

Database management systems emerged in the 1960 to address the problem of storing and retrieving large amounts of data accurately and quickly. One of the earliest such systems was IBM's Information Management System (IMS), which is still widely deployed more than 40 years later. IMS stores data hierarchically,

Academic perspective

In an academic context, the Association for Computing Machinery defines IT as "undergraduate degree programs that prepare students to meet the computer technology needs of business, government, healthcare, schools, and other kinds of organizations ....

samedi 13 février 2016

DARPA's fully-loaded quadcopter autonomously navigates an indoor maze at 45 mph


The quadcopter reached speeds of 20 m/s (45 mph)

DARPA recently flew a fully-laden quadcopter through an indoor obstacle course at 45 mph (32 km/h) as part of the agency's Fast Lightweight Autonomy (FLA) program. The test flight was conducted entirely under autonomous control with the goal of developing small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with the ability to navigate through tight spaces without the need for outside control or GPS.

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Category: Drones

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vendredi 12 février 2016

Arrows iRig One makes windsurfing inflatable


The iRig One is designed to be much lighter than a traditional windsurfing rig, making it ...

With the introduction of products like a self-inflating electric board and paddleboard-tent, the inflatable stand-up paddleboard (SUP) market has seen its fair share of innovation. Now the inflatable SUP accessories market is getting some serious innovation of its own. Two German companies have teamed up to create an inflatable windsurfing set-up called the Arrows iRig One. This all-in-one board sail packs small and light, inflates quickly and puts the power of weather into your board.

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Category: Marine

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Mercedes turns the Sprinter into a mean, green Extreme dump truck


The Mercedes Sprinter Extreme brings a serious work ethic

A few weeks ago, we looked at one of the cooler uses of a Mercedes Sprinter chassis in the Hymer Van S. As it happens, Mercedes has some pretty cool ideas of its own. Billed as the "ultimate work machine," the Sprinter Extreme Concept boasts serious hauling capabilities and a bright neon paint job. Whereas something like the Brabus Business Lounge is the ultimate Sprinter for white collars, the Extreme might just be the ultimate Sprinter for blue collars.

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Category: Automotive

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Which came first, the drone or the PowerEgg?


The PowerEgg unfolds to reveal a fully-functional quadcopter

Conventional drones are often billed as portable, though they're also often a collection of rods, rotors, and other bits and pieces that are perfect for catching on things and getting tangled. To make taking drones into the backcountry a bit less onerous, Beijing-based Powervision Robot has taken the gubbins of a quadcopter and built them into a giant PowerEgg that folds up into one smooth package shaped like a cackleberry for transport.

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Category: Drones

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Tech can tell if you're in love


Where's that thermographic camera when you need it?

As Valentine's Day fast approaches, many people in the thralls of a new relationship may find themselves wondering, "Does he/she really love me?". Well, if those people have access to a thermal imaging camera, they may just get their answer – at least, so a group of researchers at the University of Granada tells us.

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Category: Science

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Pyongyang plays hide and seek with observation satellites


Pyongyang plays hide and seek with observation satellites
Pyongyang  hide and seek . Analysts studying the data of commercial satellites that orbit the Earth are often reduced to speculate on ballistic and North Korean nuclear capabilities since Pyongyang perfects his camouflage techniques.

Satellite images have been around for decades but were long at almost exclusive use of the state and military. It is only since the beginning of the 21st century as commercial images are available for civilians. Pictures taken by companies such as DigitalGlobe and DS Airbus has opened new opportunities to learn more about one of the most hermetic countries worldwide.

The nuclear test site of Punggye-ri, in the northeast, and the launch site Sohae satellites in the northwest, are the main monitored places. “From the beginning, the analysis requests documented Pyongyang  surpassed those for other country, except perhaps Iran,” told AFP Allison Puccioni, satellite imagery analyst. “The fervor in media especially around the site of Punggye-ri, is unmatched.” Analysts must have strong knowledge in areas such as nuclear fuel cycles or advanced weapons systems. Over time, the North Koreans “have implemented new measures of concealment,” continues Ms. Puccioni. “They are clearly aware of the orbital paths of satellites and operate according to avoid detection.” Work at night or in bad weather are also good ways to hide. In a message posted on the website 38 North of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Jack Liu analyst notes that the fourth North Korean nuclear test has taken the international community completely by surprise. “Unlike the 2013 trial, when had seen a revival of the weeks activities, very little activity was visible” before January 6, he wrote.


  –Improved accuracy

“The North Koreans have continued to improve operational safety and camouflage procedures, limiting what can be seen by commercial satellites.” The site 38 North is specialized in the analysis of satellite imagery of Pyongyang , also studied by IHS Jane’s and the Institute for International Security and Science, Washington. Jenny Town, 38 North, said the North Koreans quickly adapted to satellites. “They know what we want, when they learned when not to do things,” she told AFP. The North has covered or moved some structures to hide from view. This is the case especially Sohae. A rocket can now be transported, assembled, erected on a pad and escape the goals. “We see the movement, but we do not know what is moved, or if something is actually moved,” she added Town. In preparation for the first successful firing of North Korean rocket in December 2012, satellite images showed the three-stage rocket on the launch pad. The craft shot Sunday has never been photographed. A picture dated the day before just showing a truck containing “maybe” on the third floor.

RESPONSE. “This is due to the camouflage techniques. They did not show what happened during the hours of satellites”, further emphasizes the analyst. Pyongyang concealment efforts are partially offset by technical progress. In June 2014, US federal law allowed companies to sell images with a resolution of 25 centimeters per pixel, a degree of accuracy improved by 400% compared to the existing. Other tools, radar and infrared imaging. “With radar, we return including hidden items because they pierce camouflage,” Ms. Puccioni. Meanwhile, the number of companies that provide these images increases. Over the next five years, about 70 new satellites will be launched, which will add to the 14 machines already in orbit. “The constellation will be much bigger,” she says.

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BMW xDrive M760Li: excellent BMW


BMW xDrive M760Li: excellent BMW
 Behind this name extension hides the more disproportionate BMW xDrive M760Li: length of 5.23 m, the new V12 biturbo 600 hp and 305 km / h top speed! To discover urgently to the next Geneva show.


To believe BMW 7 Series 750Li in the strong version of 450 hp does not seem quite luxurious and powerful. Indeed, the manufacturer will unveil at the Geneva show in 2016 an even more exclusive declination: the BMW xDrive M760Li.

The centerpiece of this is BMW’s new V12 6.6 biturbo developing 600 hp and 800 Nm of torque. To put all this cavalry ground, transmission, four-wheel drive xDrive is not superfluous. Thus equipped, this limo reaches 100 km / h in 3.9 s and 250 km / h in peak. With the M Driver pack optional electronic flange that limits the maximum speed can be raised to 305 km / h.

The electronic flange BMW xDrive M760Li this can be raised to reach 305 km / h at top speed!

In addition to high performance, the eight-speed Septronic should bring a lot of comfort and flexibility. Its mapping has been revised to ensure more typical sports gear shifts and faster downshifts.

To ensure proper behavior, this M760Li xDrive adopts the active anti-roll function of the 20-inch wheels (275/35 R20 at the rear), four-wheel steering and a revised braking system.

The driving aids, existing on other versions, are not left out either. This produces the Advanced Safety Pack including Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, the auto-pilot (automatic driving curve in highway driving up to 210 km / h), the bottling assistant (up 60 km / h), the Blind Spot … It also features gestural commands that we discovered when testing the new BMW 7 Series.

The interior receives a personalized treatment with some specific details such as the pedals and footrest branded M, the “V12” logo on the center console, a speedometer scaled to 330 km / h … To all this add various packages and many options.

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Osprey MV-22 version replaces the C-2A Greyhound US Navy


Charles de Gaulle : Greyhound C3-2A landed on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle,Osprey
CMV-22B Osprey: In service since 1966, the C-2A “Greyhound” is an embedded transport plane, equipped with two turboprop engines, and service in the US Navy only.

Developed based on the E-2 “Hawkeye”, the “Greyhound” is a highly useful device since it allows to carry, thanks to its access ramp at the back, 4 536 kg, or, 26 military or 12 stretchers for casualty evacuation from an aircraft carrier sailing in the sea and a base which is on the mainland.

But in a few years, the US Navy will withdraw its aircraft fleet in the last thirty-five “Greyhound” still in service because of their age, although they are widely used to resupply the forces which use the gate -avions engaged in an operation.

In order to replace this type of aircraft, the Naval Air Systems Command revealed in a press release issued February 3, 2016, a new version of the V-22 Osprey Boeing and Bell would be produced.

Commonly called Carrier Onboard Delivery, this new version will be designated CMV-22B Osprey and have the same tasks that are currently assigned to the C-2A still in service. If Osprey already providing transport missions for the US Navy, they had no official name and were simply called “Navy variant”.

With this formalization, the US Navy plans to develop CMV-22B based on the MV-22B, which is a version used by the US Marine Corps and embarked on amphibious ships, helicopter carriers as at the image of our PCBs in France.

If the design is basically the same, the Naval Air Systems Command says in its press release that the CMV-22B version will have three main changes. The first includes the addition of larger reservoirs that will allow greater autonomy in theft of these devices, which is convenient to join an aircraft carrier that can be quite far from the coast. The second change sees the integration of a high frequency radio on aircraft avionics, and finally, the third and latest addition includes the installation of a “public address system”, which are actually speakers .

According to official information provided, the US Navy plans to buy forty-four versions of the CMV-22B Osprey with its manufacturer. Production of the first aircraft is expected to begin in 2018, and the first units should arrive in force from 2020.

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NASA begins construction of SLS core stage mock-up


Artist's impression of the SLS core mockup

NASA has begun the process of constructing a mock-up of the vast core section of its planned Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The simulated core will serve as a practice tool for NASA prior to the 2018 launch of the SLS, which the agency hopes will move mankind one step closer to undertaking a manned mission to Mars.

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Category: Space

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Likelihood of contacting Philae "getting close to zero"


Artist's impression of Philae landed on 67P

According to Rosetta's science team, hostile surface conditions prevailing on the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (67P) have rendered any hopes of re-establishing communications with the Philae lander negligible.

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Scientists use laser to "weld" neurons together


The process might one day be used in the treatment of spinal cord injuries

Whether it's as a research tool or a step in repairing severed nerves, the ability to join neurons together has some serious applications. If left to occur naturally, the process takes several hours, limiting its practicality. Now, however, scientists at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering have developed a method of doing so within 15 milliseconds.

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SoCalGas Plugs the Massive Porter Ranch Methane Leak—For Now

SoCalGas Plugs the Massive Porter Ranch Methane Leak—For Now

The cloud of methane is temporarily controlled, and a permanent fix is on the way.

The post SoCalGas Plugs the Massive Porter Ranch Methane Leak—For Now appeared first on WIRED.

You can now build your own full-sized, remote-controlled BB-8 bot


A new, freely-available guide allows anyone to build their own BB-8 droid, providing they have the ...

After seeing the latest Star Wars movie, you'd struggle to have missed the adorable new robotic character – BB-8. While a small-scale version of the droid was one of the hottest toys over the holiday season, more ambitious fans now have another option, with creator Ed's Junk making his plans for building a full-scale replica freely available.

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Category: Robotics

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Propeller-like Nexus Building would tower over Pearl River Delta


By splitting the Nexus Building into three volumes, it is said to be better equipped to ...

If a masterplan by PLP Architecture comes to fruition, a new metropolitan center in China's Pearl River Delta will feature one of the tallest buildings in the world. The 595-m (1,952-ft) Nexus Building comprises three offset volumes and is the centerpiece of the scheme, which also incorporates a smaller office tower, a performing arts center and a central concourse.

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Category: Architecture

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Inflatable cushions keep Sports Hall of Lamezia Terme comfortable


The structure comprises a steel frame with an outer layer of ETFE pressured air cushions

Lamezia Terme's new arena looks comfortable enough to flop onto for a snooze, but it's designed for much more energetic activities than that: it's the Italian town's new sports hall. Indeed, the comfy-looking pillows on its exterior are hard at work themselves, helping to light the building and regulate its temperature.

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Category: Architecture

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