Events
Details and reports of our events which have now been presented are available from this link or from the left menu bar item "Seasons past".
Did I mention that all our open meetings are open?
Branch Events
All events are free (in the unlikely event they are not we will let you know up front) and booking is only essential where we ask you to prebook. In that case, please email the , thanks.University Challenge
| Date | Wednesday 17 Mar 2010 |
| Time | 18:30 - Tea 6:00pm for 6:30 start |
| Speaker | Phd Students from Coventry and Warwick Universities - |
| Location | This year to be held at Warwick University - in the auditorium in the International Digital Laboratory (park in Car park 8 which is free after 18:00). |
| Abstract | Warwick University: Max Legg: Automated Analysis of Mobile Phone data Mobile Phones are one of the most common items of personal property used by people all over the world. In 2008 there were over 950 Million Mobile Phones sold internationally. By the end of 2008 there were estimated 4.1bn mobile subscriptions, up from 1bn in 2002. That represents six in 10 of the world's population having a Mobile Phone. These devices are busy every day of the week transferring calls, messages, media and information about the activities of the users. If one imagines these devices communicating across the globe we can begin to imagine the scope for the use of this data for intelligence purposes. It is enormous. Of course we are not interested in the general use of Mobile Phones by citizens we are interested in the use of Mobile Phones by criminals and terrorists that cause a serious threat to civilised society. Criminals and terrorists use Mobile Phones in just the same way as ordinary citizens use Mobile Phones. They use them to communicate, share information and engage in the planning or execution of crime and terrorism. In some parts of the world the police and security services collect data from Mobile Phones in investigations. What we have discovered is that when this information is processed and handled in highly organised ways using powerful modelling techniques the potential is enormous. This presentation demonstrates the current state of the art in the automated analysis of this information and future direction for research and development. Warwick University: Vibhor Aggarwal: High-fidelity Rendering on Shared Resources High-fidelity rendering has been traditionally restricted, to expensive shared memory or dedicated distributed processors, due to the high computational cost. Shared resources such as a desktop grid offer a low cost alternative by combining arbitrary computational resources connected to a network such as those in a laboratory or an office. However, prevalent interactive rendering algorithms are currently incapable of seamlessly handling the variable computational power offered by the non-dedicated resources of a desktop grid. This presentation looks at novel fault- tolerant rendering algorithms for handling variable resources which enable users to experience high-fidelity rendering on their desktop machines. Coventry University: James McCorrie Development towards In-flight Wireless health monitoring of Gas Turbine Engines Gas Turbine Engines are one of the most common forms of Jet Engine. Most commercial passenger planes now make use of the turbofan variation of the jet engine, due to their efficiency at low altitude, compared to other engines such as the rocket. Turbofans work by using some of the thrust the engine provides to drive a turbine which in turn feeds the engine with air via a compressor, completing the cycle. Managing the temperature within such and engine is very important: if the temperature gets too high, then the turbine blades can melt, resulting in flying debris at speeds in excess of 1000MPH and a number of other such undesirable consequences. Modern jets are now a lot safer than they used to be, mainly due to improved structural design to make them more tolerable to failure including catching flying blades and surviving bird strikes, as well as more accurate health monitoring, so as to reduce the likelihood of failure. One of the main factors in determining the health of a jet engine is the temperature of the exhaust gas (EGT). Once EGT at full throttle reaches a certain threshold, the engine requires a service. Current systems require a large number of heavily insulated wires, which are not suitable for in-flight monitoring. This project is working towards a wireless solution, that could be used to provide detailed, in-flight monitoring, allowing more efficient scheduling of maintenance; sooner if needed, or longer if not required. There are many challenges to overcome with such a wireless system, as with any other system that has to run in a safety critical environment. This research is working towards a viable prototype system. Coventry University: Ammar Alalawneh Information Technology Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage: A Resource Based View for the Jordanian Banking Industry In the last two decades, Information technology (IT) has become the most important resource in every organisation, especially in banking industry where IT is not only essential to run banks operations, but also as a source of creating and sustaining competitive advantage. Under the current competitive environment, Jordanian banks invest heavily in IT not only to accommodate dynamics changes in business environment but also a competitive weapon and a source of competitive advantage. However, IT is a broad concept which includes different resources ranging from tangible (physical resources) to intangible resources (IT-human and relationship resources), thus, making it difficult to give more attention. The main challenges that face every management and IT managers are
This presentation sheds light toIT resources and how they can create achieves, and sustains competitive advantage by using strategic theories such Resource -Based view RBV. The presentation also shows some initial results of the preliminary study. Finally, the study will show the future work of research |
Flight Simulators
Free Web Security Workshops
| Date | Tuesday 18 May 2010 |
| Time | 09:30 - (also Thursday 20th May 2010) 10:00am to 16:00pm |
| Speaker | Warwick digital Lab staff - Their aim is to help you ensure your site is secure and protected. They want to help you keep those malicious hackers at bay. |
| Location | International Digital Lab, University of Warwick. |
| Abstract | Following on from their previous successful workshops and due to the high demand, the Warwick team are pleased to announce a choice of 2 free Web Security Workshop dates. Content will be the same on both dates (Tuesday 18th or Thursday 20th May 2010). Agenda - 9.30 for a 10.00 start
You should come to this! The Warwick team believe these workshops would be well suited to Web developers, website managers, prior ASP & PHP desirable. This digital workshop is from a new range of SME services for the Digital Lab programme developed from high quality research programmes and Knowledge Exchange Team. These workshop will be held at the International Digital Lab, University of Warwick. Booking Places for this free workshop are limited and prioritised for West Midlands based SMEs so please book early to avoid disappointment. For more information and to book your place please click on your prefered workshop date. Please click here for Tuesday 18th May Please click here for Thursday 20th May |
Computing at School
| Date | Wednesday 19 May 2010 |
| Time | 18:30 - Tea 6:00pm for 6:30 start |
| Speaker | Simon Humphreys - www.computingatschool.org.uk |
| Location | AS321d Coventry University |
| Abstract | There is a collection of people in the UK collaborating under the heading "Computing at School" (CAS) who are working to address current issues that relate to ICT and Computer Science in school. Although an informal group, they have some influential people on board, and are engaging with exam boards, BCS and other interested bodies at a high level, as well as creating local 'hubs' to support teachers. In this talk Simon will address CAS in general: educational background and challenge and how CAS are trying to effect change through working with partner groups including the BCS and teachers (through local networks and national conferences). The links they currently have with BCS at a national level are proving very significant especially with the new BCS Academy in the pipeline. Simon would like to see the links at local level increase especially as Coventry Branch contains members who are concerned about computing in general and computing in schools in particular; witness this year's Schools Competition. CAS want to develop a national network of local teacher communities where they can share best practice, share their own ideas and resources and also receive training (potentially accredited training). All teachers are especially welcome to attend. YES!!! an open meeting, not an AGM.... |