Topic: Computer Hardware

Puppet is an automated administrative engine for systems, performs administrative tasks (such as adding users, installing packages, and updating server configurations) based on a centralized specification. Luke Kanies, who founded Reductive Labs, has been doing server automation for years, and Puppet is the result of his frustration with existing tools. He joins Phil, Scott, and Ben to discuss it.

In this talk at the Emerging Communications Conference, Rich Miner, manager of the Wireless Platforms group at Google discusses the ways that increasing openness will bring an explosion of innovation in the mobile industry. Carriers, manufacturers, and software companies are beginning to open up the networks, technology, and business models, all of which is opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurship and services for consumers.

Greg Wilson recently gave a talk entitled High-Performance Computing Considered Harmful. On this edition of Interviews with Innovators, Wilson explains why HPC can't be all about speed and power. Instead, we must also care, more than we have in the past, about human productivity, correctness, and reproducibility.

An esteemed and historic group of Internet professionals debates a compelling question: "Does the Net Need an Upgrade?" For some the answer seems elusive. What does it mean to upgrade something when it is in a constant state of change? For others, there are clear signals that strike at the root of the question and potentially deflowers it as worthy of debate. During the session the experts share their thoughts and examine pressing issues for everyone using the Internet.

In its short history, the Nintendo Wii has become one of the most popular game consoles available. In particular, its remote controller is sophisticated, containing a number of input devices that outperform regular personal computers. Johnny Lee, a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University is working on a number of exciting projects with the controller. He joins Phil and Scott to discuss his applications, including his video demonstrations available on YouTube.

Thin client computing disappeared in the late 1990s but has resurfaced to great effect. These solid state devices frequently trump traditional full-size desktop solutions in terms of cost, resilience, and ease of deployment. With companies looking to cut costs in desktop appliances, this move couldn't be more timely. John Kish, President and CEO of Wyse Technology, discusses these issues, as well as describing the introduction of thin client computing in rural third world economies and how this increases the reach of the Internet.

Personal fabrication may one day put the power to make anything in the hands of everyone. Neil Gershenfeld entertains and educates in this fascinating tour of projects from MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms. First inspired by students in his "How to Make (Almost) Anything" course, global outreach with the digitization of fabrication has led to unexpected opportunities, not only to build cool objects, but also to empower people world wide through invention.

It takes a whole lot of metal and power to run the Internet, according to Tom Barton, President and CEO of Rackable Systems. Barton's short talk takes us on a fascinating tour of today's high density data centers, where the metal meets Web 2.0. Rackable Systems built some of Google's first servers and stands out as a rare example of a recent hardware IPO. The company now provides X86 servers, storage platforms, and services to some of the best known companies.

How do you make a laptop that sells for less than $100 in order to sell to developing countries? Should businesses be considering the developing world as markets or as areas in need of charity? This lively panel discussion covers numerous technological solutions to the global digital divide from the perspectives of business, education and the international development community. [Software 2005 audio from IT Conversations]

LCD or Plasma? High definition or Rear projection? Should you wait for another year to buy a bigger, brighter, cheaper set or get out your credit card right away? The choices are overwhelming. Host Larry Magid speaks to Jeff Cove, VP of Strategic Alliances at Panasonic, about such visual media advancements and what to look for, then go for. [Larry's World audio from IT Conversations]