IT Happens : October 2001 Monthly News Notice of IT Happenings
Issue - 4

Self-learning robots

SAIL (Self Organizing Autonomous Incremental Learner) is a robot programmed to learn through positive reinforcement for correct behaviour and negative reinforcement for incorrect behaviour. It also responds to tactile sensations and perceptions. Human trainers teach these robots through verbal, gestural or written commands like parents teach their children. Read more at www.cse.msu.edu/~weng/

(Source: P.C. Quest Oct 2001)

Online Storage with Windows XP
Users of Microsofts new Windows XP operating system will be able to store a variety of files, from songs to documents in an online storage bin hosted by a Microsoft partner.  This should allow users to access their files from any computing device with an Internet browser. Microsoft has tapped Xdrive technologies to provide users with an online storage service that can be found in the Windows XP Publishing Wizard. Users can set up shared folders that other friends or coworkers can access and Xdrive provides a data-backup service to retrieve any lost information a user might need, says Karl Klessig, President and Chief Executive Officer at Xdrive.  Klessig says Microsoft created Windows XP with a number of multimedia tools including a built in Windows Media Player.  An XP user can create a number of folders for storing files, such as pictures, word documents and videos.  The user can set different levels of access for each folder, marking some as private while making some folders accessible by other users via the Internet. Friends or coworkers can be allowed to work directly with files or for example have read-only or print-only access, Klessig says.
Users can then access the files over any device with an Internet browser, including PCs handheld devices and cellular phones.  However, at this point, most handheld devices are limited in what kinds of files they can display.  As handheld devices are equipped with improved screen-size, file support and bandwidth the viewing problems should be solved, Klessig says.Gates unveils new digital media products

(Source: CNN News)

Future in Pocket
With Pocket PC2002, Microsofts strategy for handheld computers is becoming clearer. The new version of the operating system makes it much easier to tie the portable computers into corporate networks, databases and the Microsoft programs companies are already using. Also included are tools to make it easier to use the handhelds as remote controls for more powerful machines. Given Microsofts larger .Net strategy this makes sense. The idea behind .Net is to unify Microsofts operating systems and programs so users can get access to the same information no matter what they use or where they are. With Pocket PC2002, Microsoft has imposed minimum processors, memory, screen-size battery life and talk-time requirements on those building Pocket PC handhelds. This means the devices stay expensive compared to those of rivals Palm, Handspring and Sony.

(Source: B.B.C. News)

The Tele-Actor: Aap Jo Kahen Haan - to Haan
Now humans equipped with cameras, microphones and wireless communications systems will be able to move through a remote environment, acquiring skills from collaborative thoughts of a voter community.  First-person video and audio is transmitted to a base station and then broadcast over the Internet to online participants who interact with each other and with the remote environment by voting on goals for the Tele-Actor.  Details at www.tele-actor.net.

(Source: Developer 2.0 Sep 01)