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?

A modified approach to fabrication of magnetic memory elements may lead to a new generation of stable, ultra-high-capacity hard drives.

Google opposes UK porn filters, a fake porn profile nets felony charges, Faceporn trumps Facebook and iPads are for porn.

Small investors snubbed the Facebook IPO. It's the 'smart money' that's crying.

Yahoo tries to attract search queries via a new service which offers visual webpage previews rather than lists of links

Developers fret over an unresolved issue in the Google-Oracle trial

How rare it is that maintaining someone else’s code is akin to entering a beautifully designed building, which you admire as you walk around and plan how to add a wing or do some redecorating. More often, maintaining someone else’s code is like being thrown headlong into a big pile of slimy, smelly garbage. - Bill Venners

Yes, we have a dress code. You have to dress. - Scott McNealy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems