Cheap Pcs As Network Appliances
Tim Kientzle, Oakland
10/17/2002
By combining free software, such as Linux, FreeBSD, Samba, MySQL, or Apache, with low-end mass-market PCs, it's possible to build very capable servers for under $500. What's more, by packaging the software as a bootable CD-ROM, you can create a "virtual network appliance" which requires no software installation and essentially no configuration. I'll discuss some projects that are already doing this, and explain how to design and build yourown such systems.
Inside Computer Game Development
Jason Shankel, Maxis Corp., Walnut Creek
10/24/2002
Computer game development is a challenging and rewarding field, combining elements of art, entertainment and technology. In this talk, I will describe the elements of the computer game development process, including how computer game development teams areorganized and how games evolve from concept to design to implementation.
Five Things Harvard Doesn't Teach You About Computer Science
Michael E. Duffy, Sebastopol
10/31/2002
Mike Duffy graduated from Harvard before you could major in CS. Back then, if you were interested in computers, you were either an Engineering or a Applied Math major. Engineering didn't require an undergraduate thesis, so... Since then, Mike has learned a fewthings that were never covered in class, including: How to choose your first CS job, Business and Engineering, The Things You REALLY Need to Know, Dead End Topics in Computer Science, and Recognizing the Next Big Thing. You can read about protocols, algorithms, and HTML in a book. Mike brings a real-world perspective and 25 years of experience to bear on the subjects of Computer Science and Software Development in his talk. Please join him for 45 useful and informative minutes! You can read more about Mike at www.mikeduffy.com.
Apple's Os X - Where User-Friendly Meets Geek Lust
David Sims
11/07/2002
For the first time in memory, the choice computer -- from a hardware and software perspective -- for alpha geeks is the very same as the choice computer you would suggest for a non-technical friend. Apple has changed the rules by laying its consumer friendly interface and popular applications on top of a Unix-based shell in its OS X (operating system number 10) machines. In addition to all this power under the hood -- which most users will never tap -- Apple is out in front building in wireless technologies (first Wi-Fi, now Bluetooth) and offering smart applications that make it much easier to work withmedia (iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes). I'll give an overview of what's in OS X, look at Apple's market position, and demonstrate some of the iApps that users say make the machinesworth the money.
Spam, Web Bugs And Viruses, Oh My!
Lou Katz, Metron, Alameda
11/14/2002
The SMTP protocol for E-mail and the HTTP protocol for web browsing were developed ina kindlier, gentler Internet, when greedy, hostile and malicious activity had not yet appeared. I will focus on the technical aspects of these protocols and how they relate to the social problem of unwanted E-mail, spyware and unauthorized manipulation of ones private computer resources.