IBM Shows a World of "Smarter Computing"

Imagine a world where computers and servers are no longer required to be updated manually or be environmentally harmful at any given state. One that would be energy efficient, requires less space and had more bang for the buck powerful computing power than ever before. This has been one of IBM's goal since their inception of a world with Smarter Computing. This is one that would literally change the face of information technology by leaps and bounds. They already have achieved remarkable advancements in this field as we learned about it from the IBM Technology Expo 2011 last May 17.

Have you heard of Watson? Nope, not the one with Sherlock Holmes. If not, watch this!

You see, IBM just has shown here how a specialized super computer (that is not connected to the world wide web) and how it would be able to compete with the best minds in the world for this game. Watson can come up with a lot of things which includes a) an answer, b) gauge how confident he is about the answer, c) the capability to learn about it, d) analyze and understand human speech no matter what you want it to mean and e) say the actual words for the answer. The billions of dollars they have spent on research and development has achieved so much in a short amount of time. They even used Power7, a next generation server processor which succeeds the Power6. IBM had several sites in different countries to work and make a "Petascale Supercomputer Architecture" that can do quadrillion rate jobs in a short amount of time. This is possible by doing techniques and strategies in parallel computing. These new generation of Blade Servers are faster, smaller compared to the other big predecessors of the IBM Power Systems.

This is how DeepQA thinks. The power behind Watson.
(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Mr. Steven Seah, Smart Analytics Leader of the Systems and Technology Group for IBM in ASEAN explained the things WATSON can do. If you think about the possibilities that these servers can do in other applications such as medicine, nuclear management, ATM, file storage and other utilities for enterprise scaled businesses; the outlook is very promising. Imagine the return of investment for many corporations that continue to use bigger racks, space and carbon footprint requirements when they use just a few of these instead. Costing wise and strategy wise this is the way to go. Take a look at what it can eventually do for Cancer research:

With IBM Power 7 Systems it can handle different forms of Analytics, Data Warehousing and increased throughput. It can compare and analyze millions of pages and get almost the same amount of questions for it.

Mr. Eugene Bay, the Power Systems Manager for IBM in ASEAN talked about how they led the market these past few years because of some systems that were not supported by other vendors; like the Oracle Solaris OS for the UNIX platform. They have been able to dominate the market because of these blunders. It still employs the same but improved cooling systems they had with the Power 6 series. They used Chilled water instead of Air in order to get it up to 4000 times more efficient in cooling. It's better for the environment. The noise is not much of a concern and they could probably have things to aesthetically remove that pretty soon too. Insider information seems to indicate there will be Power 8 in the works and that again would have monumental changes in the information technology landscape as IBM has done in the past. Making this and have an OS that would be able to accommodate two architectures or more would take a lot of resources to achieve. Think of what it can do with Mac if it had Power7 on it. That would count around 8 cores a chip then two of these chips per module with two modules and 4 SMT threads a chip it could blow your mind into smithereens just doing the math. They told me never to fear advancements in technologies like these if I think that this would require less manpower requirements because they would just be assigned to other productive tasks later on. Life would be easier and less strenuous for what it's worth.

I'd like to take this bit to thank a few people from IBM for inviting me last May 17, 2011. You made me go back to school again at this day and age ha-ha! Thank you to Country General Manager James Velasquez, Mr. Owen Cammayo and the beautiful ladies from IBM Philippines, IBM ASEAN and External Relations for everything.

Congratulations to IBM for spending a lot on Research and Development on this; you have done well!

L-R IBM Philippine General Manager James Velasquez, Mr. Steven Seah, Smart Analytics Leader of the Systems and Technology Group for IBM in ASEAN and Mr. Eugene Bay, the Power Systems Manager for IBM in ASEAN
==================================================

Visit their website:

IBM - Philippines

IBM Power Systems

The Games We Play

Life has been so good to me but I barely have time to enjoy and have a game or two. I'm a hardcore gamer and if you think about it I try my best to still have a few hours of play wherever, whenever! I love playing skill games and there are a lot of things you can learn from them. I only became good in games by practicing a lot and taking time to understand the concept and game play. You get involved in the game and see yourself improve each time you go through the trials in the game's story. You experience what the creators intend you to have while playing it. You enjoy accomplishing each stage; getting hard earned points, get further into the story and finish it eventually. The happiness you get for that is immeasurable! You smile from ear to ear and tell your friends about it too. I guess that's the reason why there's Player number 2!

For what it's worth I grew up with this and it's also good I get to reminisce with some of the games from the past. From ATARI, SNES, NES, Game Boy or old school DOS games I've played them all. What kept me to continue on until this day is my love for it. It can be of no value to some but it's so precious to me because I learned a lot. You get to see what it is to have patience, perseverance and camaraderie with other people. It made me a better person overall. Imagine what it could do to you if you start now. It's never too late to learn a new game or two. I still try to look for games I haven't played so I could put this theory to the test. I'm sure I can always be a master with any game, anytime!

Game on!

Disclosure Policy

UNICEF: Auction for Action

Guys and gals; this week, God has been really good to me. I get to help people with what I do and it is somehow, in someway very fulfilling. This is another one so if you can or know some people who would want to help through this event, please do.

On May 25, 2011 there will be a charity auction of these great works of art! All of these are made by the best of the best Philippine design world and they all wanted to help raise funds for UNICEF. They have been helping mothers and kids for a long time now and they need our help. Ms. Daphne Osena - Paez of http://daphneosena.livejournal.com/ is heading this cause. She's also the Auction for action Founder and host for the event. Please make sure you bookmark this URL www.ebay.ph/unicef which will go live on May 25. The auction is open to everyone from anywhere in the world.

If you want to know what's up for auction, here's some of them.

“the response from artists has been very encouraging, to say the least. It feels incredible to be able to work with such prominent artists for a worthwhile cause. I’m a great fan of
their work, but now I’m in even greater awe of their kindness and generosity. They put a lot of love and devote a lot of time into everything they create, so I know that beyond the beautiful art piece, the artists are really sharing a part of themselves with UNICEF.“ -Daphne Osena-Paez

Make sure you participate in this auction okay? I'm also counting on the readers that I have in the US, please help!

Know When to Get Debt Help

The financial crisis has put everyone in a difficult situation. Companies have cut back on expenses and some of them understandably also went through fixing salary rates which completely changed everyone's lifestyle. The middle class suddenly slid down the poverty line and some of them lost their jobs completely. Emergencies for mortgage and personal expenses are not usually planned and some of them are really important. If they were in the process of building a house, paying for a car or plainly just utilizing their salaries for personal use and loved ones they would not be able to pay for it at that instant. They really need help. We all know how common it is nowadays but we can't live in debt forever. We need that extra push; we need to get the ball rolling. We need to somehow manage our expenses and pay for necessities first rather than not taking steps to get out of it. Funding can be sourced through debt help institutions who's got experts ready to give you the best solution on financial problems.

No one wants to be in debt but we sometimes experience it. If we manage our finances well and get to regularly pay for our bills early; the chances of getting charged with interest rates would be minimal. You'll get the financial freedom you dream of once you choose the right investments and never forget to pay for your financial responsibilities. Don't forget to also ask for debt help if you see the need to. Accepting the reality and doing something about the situation is the perfect solution. The earlier you start; the earlier you are going to resolve it!