Three hundred fifty computers. Two hundred twenty-five monitors, Almost a mile of computer cable. More than 6,500 attendees. Almost seven months of preparation. Three days of technical setup. Four hours of tear-down. About 500 researchers, most of them sporting forest-green, short-sleeved polo shirts...
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TechFest Live!
by
robk
on 03-07-2008
Filed under: 2008, Research, TechFest, Microsoft, Kendall Martin, James Oker
OK, consider me dazzled. This afternoon, I got to spend a few minutes with Yuval Peres , principal researcher within Microsoft Research Redmond's Theory Group . In viewing the Theory Group's TechFest demos over the past few years, it has occurred to me that computational theory occupies a space...
Posted to
TechFest Live!
by
robk
on 03-06-2008
Filed under: 2008, Research, TechFest, Microsoft, Yuval Peres, Theory
I mentioned the other day that I had run into Feng Zhao , principal researcher in the Networked Embedded Computing group, who was looking particularly happy at the moment. Well, Feng has been demonstrating the reason for his delight over the past three days: a set of small, wireless sensor devices, branded...
Posted to
TechFest Live!
by
robk
on 03-06-2008
Filed under: 2008, Research, TechFest, Microsoft, Rick Rashid, Feng Zhao, sensor, Web service, wireless
Andrew Herbert , managing director of Microsoft Research Cambridge , was busily reading e-mail when I passed him in the hall a few minutes ago, so I doubled back and asked him to provide a brief statement about the value of TechFest for his lab and for the larger organization. His response: "The...
Posted to
TechFest Live!
by
robk
on 03-06-2008
Filed under: 2008, Research, TechFest, Microsoft, Andrew Herbert, Cambridge
I just ran into Phil Fawcett, who had an idea seven years ago that became the original TechFest, which has since become Microsoft Research's signature event. The fact that I could barely manage to squeeze through the throngs to get to Phil speaks volumes about his foresight--and the power a simple...
Posted to
TechFest Live!
by
robk
on 03-06-2008
Filed under: 2008, Research, TechFest, Microsoft, Phil Fawcett
Data abounds in the digital age. Bits by the billions are collected on a daily basis from a variety of sources: Web services, financial programs, governmental agencies. Those who specialize in data mining and analysis could spend a hundred lifetimes sifting through such data, looking for patterns and...
Posted to
TechFest Live!
by
robk
on 03-06-2008
Filed under: 2008, Research, TechFest, Microsoft, Frank McSherry, privacy, Silicon Valley, Cynthia Dwork
A cool video that captures the energy of TechFest has been posted externally . Enjoy!
Posted to
TechFest Live!
by
robk
on 03-06-2008
Filed under: 2008, Research, TechFest, Microsoft, video