This work addresses the new problem of timing variation-aware (TV) task scheduling and binding (TSB) for multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) architecture in the system-level design, where tasks have the full flexibilities of resource (i.e. processor) sharing to meet the design constraints. With the timing variation of processors’ clock speed, it has been observed that the consideration of the effect of resource sharing on the resulting performance yield computation is critically important for accurate design space exploration and evaluation in the system-level design. Nevertheless, unfortunately the previous statistical static timing analysis (SSTA) in the system level has never considered the resource sharing in the performance yield computation, or has overly simplified it by employing the gate-level SSTAs. In this work, we overcome this limitation of the previous work. Specifically, under the data of clock speed variation of each processor, we propose an effective technique of SSTA, called TSB-SSTA, on TSB in the presence of resource sharing and develop a TV framework, called TSB-TV, of TSB that tightly integrates TSB-SSTA. Through experimentation with the benchmark designs, we have tested the effectiveness of our approach. In summary, compared with the results by the conventional TV TSB, TSB-TV enhances the performance yield of designs by 30% on average.
November 12, 2009
New Benchmarks for Large-Scale Networks with Given Maximum Degree and Diameter
Large-scale networks have become ubiquitous elements of our society. Modern social networks, supported by communication and travel technology, have grown in size and complexity to unprecedented scales. Computer networks, such as the Internet, have a fundamental impact on commerce, politics and culture. The study of networks is also central in biology, chemistry and other natural sciences. Unifying aspects of these networks are a small maximum degree and a small diameter, which are also shared by many network models, such as small-world networks. Graph theoretical methodologies can be instrumental in the challenging task of predicting, constructing and studying the properties of large-scale networks. This task is now necessitated by the vulnerability of large networks to phenomena such as cross-continental spread of disease and botnets (networks of malware). In this article, we produce the new largest known networks of maximum degree 17 ≤ ≤ 20 and diameter 2 ≤ D ≤ 10, using a wide range of techniques and concepts, such as graph compounding, vertex duplication, Kronecker product, polarity graphs and voltage graphs. In this way, we provide new benchmarks for networks with given maximum degree and diameter, and a complete overview of state-of-the-art methodology that can be used to construct such networks.
Detecting Common Modules in Java Packages Based on Static Object Trace Birthmark
A software birthmark means inherent characteristics that can be used to identify a program. In this paper, we propose a birthmark technique based on object traces of Java programs. Java is an object-oriented programming language that provides various predefined class libraries that help programmers to produce software easily. In order to utilize Java class libraries, we have to use Java object instructions. The Java object instructions are hard to replace or remove, and so a set of sequences of object instructions is a proper candidate to represent inherent characteristics of a program. We propose a new birthmark using the sequences of object instructions. We evaluate the proposed birthmark with open source programs and compare it with previous static birthmarks. Experiments show that the detection capability of our birthmark is much higher than that of other static birthmarks despite obfuscations by Smokescreen and ZKM.
Personal Recollections of Programming DEUCE in the Late 1950s
The author describes how he came to be employed, in 1957, as a programmer at Nelson Research Laboratories (Stafford), then the hub of the English Electric Company’s software activities, at a time when the throughput of the English Electric DEUCE computer had just been potentially improved by doubling the amount of data that could be punched on each Hollerith input card, necessitating a corresponding increase in the efficiency of the decimal-to-binary conversions used by card-reading subroutines. The DEUCE delay-line store, instruction code and input–output system are described in enough detail to enable readers to understand the difficulties, and how they were resolved.
Security Metrics Foundations for Computer Security
Security has been among top priority in computer information systems for more than a decade. Despite the importance of this area, it is interesting to note that the area still lacks (completeness of) one of its basic elements of scientific arsenal, which is metric. This paper therefore presents the situation in this field by giving an analysis of existing metrics that could serve the above-mentioned purpose. Further, it presents a generic risk management model, and gives an analysis of possibilities for application of these existing metrics to the model. It also introduces new metric elements, where these are lacking. As a result, means are provided that enable evaluation of security in information technology systems in a tangible way. Such an approach is essential for every organization in business areas ranging from economical justifications for new security implementations to customized security services with appropriate service costs calculations, and even development of new business models.
A Methodological Construction of an Efficient Sequentially Consistent Distributed Shared Memory
The paper proposes a simple protocol that ensures sequential consistency. The protocol assumes that the shared memory abstraction is supported by the local memories of nodes that can communicate only by exchanging messages through reliable channels. Unlike other sequential consistency protocols, the one proposed here does not rely on a strong synchronization mechanism, such as an atomic broadcast primitive or a central node managing a copy of every shared object. From a methodological point of view, the protocol is built incrementally starting from the very definition of sequential consistency. It has the noteworthy property that a process that issues a write operation never has to wait for other processes. Depending on the current local state, most read operations issued also have the same property.
A Unified Theory of Program Logics: An Approach based on the {pi}-Calculus
Facing staggering diversity of software behaviours in modern and future computing, we argue for the need of a unified theory of program logics, which can capture a general class of software behaviours, as a foundation of software engineering. We propose Hennessy–Milner logic for typed -calculi as a possible foundation of such a theory. The -calculus is in a singular position among computational calculi through its ability to embed sequential and concurrent programs as name passing processes without losing semantic information, and through its connection to other basic semantic theories such as linear logic and game semantics. The embedding of programs in processes leads to the embedding of program logics in the process logic, where the observational content of a given program logic is made explicit, analysed and justified on a uniform basis. As a case study, we show embedding of Hoare logic for sequential programs and a rely-guarantee logic for shared variable concurrency, suggesting that the proposed framework can offer a unifying basis to capture fundamental notions in program logics such as partial/total correctness, sequentiality and different kinds of concurrent computing.
A Case Study Using a Methodological Approach to Developing User Interfaces for Elderly and Disabled People
In this paper, we present a case study on the development of interfaces for elderly and disabled users. The domain of the case study was situated in the home environment, where we focused on producing affordable technologies to enable users to interact with and to control home appliances. We have developed ambient user interfaces that are integrated in familiar home artefacts, such as televisions and digital picture frames. These interfaces are connected remotely to a home network and are adaptive to users’ expected increasing physical and cognitive needs. To support the development of the project, we created a novel methodology that is grounded in the ethical issues associated with a project of this nature. Our success with it has led to us presenting it here as a practical approach to developing user interfaces for a range of interactive applications, especially where there may be diverse user populations. This paper describes our journey through this project, how the methodology has been used throughout and the development of our user interfaces and their evaluation.
October 23, 2009
Kynetx Impact Agenda: Register Now!
We’ve finalized the agenda for Kynetx Impact on Nov 18-19 in Provo, UT (register here). I’m pretty excited at the agenda we’ve managed to put together and the keynote speakers who will be there: Doc Searls and Kim Cameron. I hope you can come.
Wednesday Nov. 18
8:30 AM Breakfast & Registration
9:00 AM Keynote Address:
“The Intention Economy: What Happens When Customers Get Real Power,” by Doc Searls, Sr. Editor of Linux Journal & author of “The Cluetrain Manifesto.”
10:00 AM Keynote Address:
“The Forgotten Edge: Building a Purpose-Centric Web,” by Dr. Phil Windley, Kynetx Founder & author of the book, “Digital Identity.”
11:00 AM Workshop:
“Building Purpose-Centric Apps with KRL — Basic,” Sam Curren, Kynetx Lead Developer
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Workshop:
“Client-Side Endpoints and Context Automation,” by Dave McName, Kynetx VP Client Engagement
Will discuss endpoint philosophy, practical selection process, as well as instruction on how to link apps to a variety of endpoints (iPhone, proxy server, iCards, etc.)
2:00 PM Workshop:
“Using Information Cards,” by Paul Trevithick, Azigo CTO
The history, use and vision of iCards. Also covering action cards, r-cards and why they are important.
3:00 PM Workshop:
“Using Data to Enhance Contextual Experiences,” by Phil Windley, Kynetx CTO (and selected guests).
Linking datasets to Kynetx Apps. Include ETL/DW and how kynetx handles large volumes of data. Also information on data feeds and reporting.
4:00 PM Workshop:
“Purpose-Centric App Showcase,” Hosted by Steve Fulling, CEO Kynetx
Learn about a variety of example Apps that are leveraging the idea of the Purpose-based web using KRL, Information Cards, end points and/or some combination of the above.
5:00 PM Break
6:30 PM Dinner
Thursday Nov. 19
8:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Keynote Address:
“Identity’s New Rules,” by Kim Cameron, Chief Identity Officer Microsoft
10:00 am Keynote Address:
“Leveraging the Purpose-centric Web, New Tools & Technologies to Change Your Business,” TBA Kynetx Partner
11:00 am Workshop:
“Building Purpose-Centric Apps with KRL — Advanced,” Sam Curren, Kynetx Lead Developer
12:00 pm Lunch:
Includes Impact App Award Announcement, Hosted by Steve Fulling, Kynetx CEO
1:00 pm Workshop:
“Show Me the Money!” by Kristen Knight, Kynetx VP Product Management
Monetizing cross-site, context-sensitive apps, revenue models, VAR & Implementor business opportunities.
2:00 pm Panel Discussion:
“The Contextual Future,” with Phil Windley, Kim Cameron, Paul Trevethick, Doc Searls, Craig Burton
How context and client-side focus changes the future of the Web.
3:00 pm End Note:
“So, What Does This All Mean?” by Craig Burton, Novell co-founder & Industry Guru
What a Purpose-centric, contextual Future means for you.
Tags:
kynetx
events
utah
impact
October 12, 2009
New Media Platforms, Building Audience, and the Purpose-Centric Web
Last week Seth Godin posted a piece on his blog called The platform vs. the eyeballs. The idea is that in “old media” the medium has control of the customer and “rented” them out to people who wanted to influence them. This is the premise of anyone getting paid for advertising. If you have control of a flow of users, you can charge other people for access to that flow. In essense you’re renting out the flow.
Seth argues that in “new media” you’re not renting an audience, you’re building one. Seth calls the thing you use to build your audience a platform. He says there are two steps: buy a platform and then fill it with people. He goes on to give examples of this including book authors going directly to readers and real estate agents starting their own magazines. The beauty of building an audience over renting eyeballs is that the latter has small–often sub 1%–conversion rates. Platforms have conversion rates in the double digits–sometimes as high as 90%.
I think the reason for the high conversion rates is that “customer acquisition” (I hate the term, but nothing serves better at the moment) is done via what Britt Blaser calls “stepping stones.” Convincing someone to receive your newletter or follow you on Twitter is easier than getting them to spend money or join an organization. But it’s also the first step in a journey.
You don’t have to look far to see examples of this phenomenon: blogs, podcasting, Twitter, and Facebook are being used by organizations and individuals alike as platforms on which to build a private audience. I chose the word “private” with some care since I think it would be a mistake to think of the audience as proprietary or owned in any way.
In fact, that’s one of the real strengths of this model, as I see it. I can choose to read your blog–or not. I can unfollow–or even block–you on Twitter. As a consequence, the new media model shifts the balance of power. This shift gives organizations an incentive to do right by the individual. What’s more, individuals are more likely to share information about themselves with organizations they trust and have a relationship with.
One way to look at Kynetx is as a platform company. Because Kynetx apps are cross-site and contextual, they can be used to create powerful platforms on which to build an audience. As I said in my post on the purpose-centric Web, “context matters more than content.” When you are using a blog or newsletter as a platform, you’re doing old media in the small: create an audience with content.
But as Paul Graham recently pointed out, you can’t really sell content, you can only charge for the medium. And the ease of publishing online has created a situation where your content is competing with everyone else’s content. Take it from someone who’s blogged for a long time: creating good, compelling content day after day is tough.
Paul finished his blog post with this statement:
The reason I’ve been writing about existing forms is that I don’t know what new forms will appear. But though I can’t predict specific winners, I can offer a recipe for recognizing them. When you see something that’s taking advantage of new technology to give people something they want that they couldn’t have before, you’re probably looking at a winner. And when you see something that’s merely reacting to new technology in an attempt to preserve some existing source of revenue, you’re probably looking at a loser.
From Post-Medium Publishing
Referenced Tue Sep 29 2009 15:38:28 GMT-0600 (MST)
Catering to someone’s purpose for being online with a cross-site, contextual application is “taking advantage of new technology to give people something they want that they couldn’t have before.” While the Kynetx applications that people are building now are simple, they nevertheless represent platforms that support a private audience. More importantly they do it in ways that are extremely useful to the individual who uses them and thus are more likely to be used frequently and shared often.
In fact, Kynetx apps are so powerful and different compared to blogs, newsletters, and the like, that I don’t think of the individuals who use them an “audience.” Rather, I think of them as a community. Once someone has a app card installed, they’ve joined the community. The card owner–the platform builder–is responsible for bringing that community together, but if they fail to make the experience relevant and personal or, worse yet, fail to act with integrity, the community will dissolve.
Done right, a Kynetx application has the opportunity to interact with an individual over and over again. What’s more these interactions are inherently customer-initiated and thus more likely to be welcomed as long as they continue to provide value. Going back to the “stepping stones” idea, apps work because the app can reduce friction and ease the journey down the path. Again, if it’s not useful, then individuals will just opt-out giving app developers the right incentives.
I invite you to find out for yourself about Kynetx by reading my post on the Purpose-centric Web, signing up for a developer account to create your own apps (it’s free), and registering for Kynetx Impact, our conference to help you understand and use Kynetx as a new media platform for building your own private audience.
Tags:
kynetx
new+media
purpose+web