How the Weather Company Is Using Big Data to Stay ahead of the StormThe Weather Company is moving to a NoSQL-powered big-data platform, which can gather some twenty terabytes of weather data a day. The NoSQL environment’s ability to scale to extremely large sizes helps with the intake of this additional data, and faster queries mean quicker, more accurate forecasts.
Reactions Reveal Our Expectations for Software QualityBonnie Bailey explains how our reactions can reveal what our expectations are for software quality. Quality is easier to recognize by our reactions than by what metrics, tools, or automation results tell us—no matter how much stock we put in their reliability.
Can Technology Solve California’s Water Problems?Recent news has shown that California is experiencing a water crisis. In this story, Joe Townsend explores whether or not modern technology, including the building of a desalinization plant, will be able to solve California's water problems.
Heartbleed Bug Bypasses Web Encryption, Exposing Personal DataA significant security vulnerability called Heartbleed could allow hackers to gain access to private keys and other highly sensitive information on many widely visited websites. The problem is in the most popular software used to encrypt web communications—and the flaw has existed since 2011.
What Time Is It? Check the New NIST-F2 Atomic ClockThe U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently introduced the newest atomic clock, called NIST-F2, as a US civilian time and frequency standard. The NIST-F2 U.S. atomic clock is now the world's most accurate time standard.
Can We Fight Climate Change with Maps and Apps?The White House recently announced the Climate Data Initiative, and the first batch of data provided is on coastal flooding and the sea level rise. The hope is that by making the climate data available, the “maps and apps” developed may reduce the risks associated with extreme weather.
Apple and Google Enter the Connected Car MarketA new battle has begun in which the combatants are familiar and the prize is your car’s dashboard. Steve Vaughn explains that in 2014 Google and Apple have decided to bring the fight to Microsoft with a major push in the area of connected cars.
Roundup of Interesting Software NewsIn this roundup of interesting software news, you'll read up on a new report from the Linux Foundation that says collaborative development between companies is on the rise and how the US Federal Aviation Administration is ordering a fix for a software glitch affecting some Boeing planes.
