Tech News

In its early years, information theory was dominated by research on error-correcting codes: How do you encode information so as to guarantee its faithful transmission, even in the presence of the corrupting influences engineers call "noise"? Recently, one of the most intriguing developments in information theory has been a different kind of coding, called network coding, in which the question is how to encode information in order to maximize the capacity of a network as a whole. For information theorists, it was natural to ask how these two types of coding might be combined: If you want to both minimize error and maximize capacity, which kind of coding do you apply where, and when do you do the decoding?

You think your computer has a lot of memory … if you keep using your computer you may, too. Combining mentally stimulating activities, such as using a computer, with moderate exercise decreases your odds of having memory loss more than computer use or exercise alone, a new study shows.

Vinnie Mirchandani has been giving enterprise vendors a tough time the last year. It has had me scratching my head to provide a cogent response. Here's my first effort.

The weekly roundup of Generation Y and student resources you may have missed.

Pakistani authorities restore access to the social media website Twitter after a brief ban for what officials called "offensive" content".

LJ Rich takes a look at the low-cost tablets battling Apple's dominance in India.

In the future, computers may weigh no more than 1.5 tonnes. - Popular mechanics, 1949

Home computers are being called upon to perform many new functions, including the consumption of homework formerly eaten by the dog. - Doug Larson