Hi,
For you who like competitions, this is another big event in computer science world. Different from Google Summer of Code, which envolves the implementation of a new OpenSource project, Google Code Jam is a challenge to programmers interested in solving algorithm problems, using less time as possible.
Subscriptions to Google Code Jam finish in July 17th and the final round will occur in November 14th, at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View. If you’re in doubt in participating, maybe this information will help you take a decision: Google Code Jam awards involves U$80.000,00.
Some Google’s words:
“Do you enjoy solving tough problems and grappling with technical challenges? Then enter Google Code Jam!
Google Code Jam is a coding competition in which professional and student programmers are asked to solve complex algorithmic challenges in a limited amount of time. The contest is all-inclusive: Google Code Jam lets you program in the coding language and development environment of your choice.
Google Code Jam begins in July and August where you will compete in online rounds against contestants from around the world. The Top 500 participants will advance to onsite competitions at a local Google office to compete against those in their region (Asia Pacific; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and the Americas). The Top 100 will participate in the final round at the Google Headquarters in Mountain View, California on Friday, November 14.
Don’t be left out! Make sure to register between June 17 and July 17, and show your coding creativity in Google Code Jam.“
The good new for this year is the possibility of writing the answer in you preffered programming language. A tool with this purpose was created for google’s developers (using their 20% of work time for personal ideas) and winners of last versions of this competition. Another motivation, isn’t it?
More information here.
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Fernando
Hi,
one of the most expected announced is the release of Firefox 3 (and iPhone2 at June, 9). And with the realease of Firefox 3, Mozilla wants to make a new Guiness World Record: the software with the greatest number of downloads in the first 24 hours. For that, Mozilla creates the Firefox Download Day and now they need our help. Register yourself on the campaign website and receive by email the official date for the launch of Firefox 3.
Here is what the site says:
“Sounds like a good deal, right? All you have to do is get Firefox 3 during Download Day to help set the record for most software downloads in 24 hours – it’s that easy. We’re not asking you to swallow a sword or to balance 30 spoons on your face, although that would be kind of awesome.
By the way, the official date for the launch of Firefox 3 will be posted here soon – so check back! Join our community and this effort by pledging today.“
Go to the website and join the campaign.
If you are in doubt about the downloading the new version of Firefox, here is some good reasons for doing that:
- New Features: Firefox 3 sets the innovation bar very high with exciting new features, including one-click bookmarking, the smart location bar and lightning fast performance.
- Security: Keeping you and your personal information safe is our top priority. Firefox 3 includes phishing and malware protection, plus our new instant site ID info.
- Productivity: With features like built-in spell checking, session restore and full zoom, Firefox 3 makes it possible to work faster and more efficiently on the Web.
- Customization: Your taste and needs set you apart from the rest. With Firefox 3 you can choose from over 5,000 add-ons that help you customize your browsing experience.
Now, it’s up to you.
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Fernando
Hello everyone!
Tomorrow starts the biggest technology forum in the world: Cebit. So, I couldn’t let it pass without talking about the highlights of 2008’s edition.
This year, the forum’s trends is to show enhances on OLED television, wich are thinner and waste less electricity than the LCD, on portability, wich is taking place on notebook, mobile phones and PDA’s, and on the ultra-fast wirelles connection as the Wireless USB standard.
This year, the forum will bring together 5,845 exhibitors from 77 countries and will involve big companies as AMD, ASUS, Dell, IBM, Kaspersky, Motorola, Nvidia, Philips, Samsung, Sony Ericsson e Toshiba divided in 4 sections: Bussiness Solutions, Public Sector Solutions, Mobile Phone and Home Technologies, and Infra-structure technology.
Below, some preview of Cebit 2008
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Fernando
On this Feburary 20th will happen at CIn/UFPE the Software Rejuvenation Seminar with Professor Kishor S. Trivedi, author of books like Probability and Statistics with Reliability and Queing and Computer Science Applications.
Software Rejuvenation is a proactive fault management technique aimed at cleaning up the system internal state to prevent the occurrence of severe crash failures in the future. So for those who works and/or likes Software Engineering, DataBase Systems, Network Application and Distributed Systems it’s a great oportunite to listen one of the major references on Assessment of Performance, Reliability and Availability in computer systems in general.
More information on http://notitia.cin.ufpe.br/servlets/newstorm.notitia.apresentacao.ServletDeNoticia?codigoDaNoticia=13861&dataDoJornal=atual
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Fernando
I know that I’m little bit late to announce here the Campus Party event, but it’s still happening 
For those who don’t know about this event, it is an annual meeting that brings together for 7 days thousands of participants with their computers from all over Spain and other nations with the aim of sharing curiosities, exchange experiences and conduct all kinds of activities related to computers, communications and new technologies.
In Brazil, the 2008 version of the event is beign realized at Sao Paulo Bienal between Feburary/11 to Feburary/17, so we’re in the final days.
To know more about the event, its curiosities and its schedule, visit www.campus-party.com.br . Later, I’ll post here some of the event’s highlights.
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Fernando
