Linxe's eye

Last weeks I have been working in some user interface to make easy some data integration and quick manual annotation for new repeat families. After spending some time understanding the problem and learning the annotation path, I reach a point to decide which framework do I need to create a simple GUI. I searched for options, like HTML5, QT, C#, even Java, nothing liked me. I take a look to the old Tk  in particular to the binding in Perl . I always wanted to develop something serious using Tk, but never have a nice project. In a few days, I can build the prototype in a few lines of code, then after some testing and debugging, the GUI was complete in short time. Perl::Tk development was really easy, the CPAN documentation and some examples from tutorials were enough to build it. The only "but" I can say is the look-and-feel, it looks "old".

I just realize (after the GLiB was moved to a new home and I remember the Planet), that I'm not writing anymore here. Many of my thoughts are now on the social networks but I try to keep this blog.

My good friend Charlie ask me my opinion about some server/high-end computers, one of the options was the historically important Cray. Cray isn't producing their amazing systems that dominate the supercomputer field for years. Now they're producing high-performance desktop computers like the CX1-iWS . Well, it's a nice computer with cool hardware but with Windows 7 as OS (maybe to reach some 3D modeling tools, because all the HPC software I know run on Linux/OSX). This model in particular is being sold by Dell , I see the page to get more details and I found one of the reviews highly interesting: Date: October 8, 2010 Title: Helping our country's defense Review: We have been using a few of these units for a while and they scream! I work for a defense contractor (Cyberdyne Systems) and part of the reason we were able to get the contract was by leveraging these units rather than a dedicated supercomputer. We've been developing new microprocessors for ...

The IEEE Spectrum presents this interactive chart, really nice. I remember when people asked me how to hack a computer or email, I never know, but I found more interesting hacking genomes than machines.

from Abstruse Goose.

An excellent article about this area " Next-Generation Supercomputers " [Peter Kogge 2011] . He pointed that the exaflops machines is far away, we need new technology to decrease the power consumption. The PS3 comparison is cute too:

I'm still here (busy but here).