BU SHI KE FOU

It's a Big World Out There.

May 2007

Game developer Codeplay Software has demoed an automatic parallelizing compiler for C++. The Sieve C++ Parallel Programming System is a scalable programming system for building C++ code suitable for use on multi-core processing platforms. The Sieve System consists of an extension to a C++ compiler, a multi-core linker, and a runtime to schedule the processes.

The Sieve concept seems straightforward enough:

1. A sieve is defined as a block of code contained within a sieve {} marker and any functions that are marked with sieve.
2. Inside a sieve, all side-effects are delayed until the end of the sieve.
3. Side effects are defined as modifications of data that are declared outside the sieve.

Codeplay claims to have tested several different algorithms written in Sieve C++ on a dual Intel Xeon 5300 quad-core PC, AGEIA's PhysX processor, and the Cell BE based Sony Playstation3. The test programs were compiled using the Sieve C++ compiler and linked with the appropriate Sieve runtime for the target platform. Results were measured from program executions across a sequentially increasing number of processor cores

Utilizing the six available SPEs on the Playstation3, for instance, CRC, Mandelbrot and Julia Ray-Tracing showed a performance improvement of 462-, 557-, and 572-percent, respectively, over execution on a single SPE.

Posted by Jon Erickson at 02:36 PM  Permalink |

IBM has launched its first-ever public ThinkPlace Challenge, a three-week open forum designed to foster global collaboration on innovation opportunities and economic development issues facing the African continent.

The top ideas generated through the ThinkPlace Challenge will help shape the agenda for IBM's upcoming Global Innovation Outlook (GIO) focus on Africa, and provide longer-term input for IBM's World Development Initiative (WDI).

The GIO brings together more than 150 global leaders for a series of conferences in seven major markets around the world. These GIO sessions are designed to surface actionable policy issues, investment strategies, business models, and technology priorities related to innovation and economic development in the region. In a related effort, IBM recently launched the WDI to advance sustainable, scalable technology solutions that will foster business development in emerging markets at the so-called "base of the pyramid."

Unlike many initiatives focused on Africa, neither the GIO nor the ThinkPlace Challenge will focus on philanthropic programs or charitable aid programs. Instead, the dialogue will emphasize how collaborative innovation and new business models enabled by information technology can help advance the African economy.

Among the questions these programs will explore:

• How can global businesses best partner with local enterprises, universities and governments to build a better platform for economic growth and competitiveness?
• What policy initiatives, infrastructure investments and development programs can advance Africa's participation in the global economy?
• What specific opportunities are present in developing infrastructure for IT, communications, water and energy? What roles should micro-finance and lending play?

In making ThinkPlace accessible to the public, IBM is inviting clients, partners, developers, and students worldwide to participate in discussions about social, business and technology issues such as those addressed by the GIO process. In accordance with open collaboration principles, all content submitted during the ThinkPlace Challenge will be available for any participant to use and build upon.

Posted by Jon Erickson at 02:49 PM  Permalink |

At its PartnerWorld 2007 Conference, IBM announced initiatives to promotes global expansion for its business partners through online collaboration and networking.

For instance, the Lotus Connections program represents what IBM claims is the industry’s first platform for enterprise social software. Lotus Connections for Partners provides a secure, online platform designed exclusively for business partners to share information and work together by sharing profile information that describes their business; finding subject matter experts; exchanging online information through social bookmarking; engaging in collaborative business planning; and joining communities of interest. Lotus Connections for Partners is now available through the IBM Value Nets Connections Program to IBM Lotus Partners and other IBM Business Partners who are interested in experiencing technology that lets them engage in the nascent and dynamic market of social software for business.

Business Partners and developers can also tap into a new Web venue called IBM developerWorks community spaces. This business channel provides an open platform for developers to build communities around a range of technology topics and business trends, including Software as a Service (SaaS). By tapping into developerWorks Spaces, users will gain access to a global network of developer brainpower and educational sources as well as gain the opportunity to participate in online forums, collaborate on joint business opportunities, and build new applications, at no charge.

Posted by Jon Erickson at 09:31 AM  Permalink |