Westmalle - Slashdot User

Comment Re:Here's the article I remember RE alpha particle (Score 2, Interesting) 724

by Westmalle on Monday March 30, 2009 @11:36AM (#27388983) Attached to: Reliability of Computer Memory?

http://www.ida.liu.se/~abdmo/SNDFT/docs/ram-soft.html

This references an IBM study, which is what I think I actually remember but could not find quickly this morning.

"In a study by IBM, it was noted that errors in cache memory were twice as common above an altitude of 2600 feet as at sea level. The soft error rate of cache memory above 2600 feet was five times the rate at sea level, and the soft error rate in Denver (5280 feet) was ten times the rate at sea level."

IBM research is a wonderful resource in the area of soft errors. I do remember exactly reading your quote, I didn't bother to track the exact article, but it should be part of this special issue http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/rd40-1.html, the banner article mentions Denver but doesn't have the exact quote. The web shows it would be "Terrestrial Cosmic Rays", the second article in that issue. They have a more recent special issue on the same subject http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/rd52-3.html

Submission + - In-depth with the Windows 7 public beta (arstechnica.com)

Submitted by Dozer on Monday January 12, 2009 @05:38PM

Dozer writes: With the Windows 7 public beta out, Ars Technica has an in-depth look at the release. There's praise for Windows 7's UI changes and polish as well much-needed changes to UAC, but also a warning that those who have problems with Vista won't like Windows 7 much better. 'If you couldn't stand Vista's UI (whether it's because you didn't like Explorer, Aero, Control Panel, UAC, or anything else), Windows 7 is unlikely to do much to help, as it builds on the same UI. If Vista's hardware demands were too steep, Windows 7 will likely cause you the same grief, as its hardware demands match. And if Vista didn't work with a program or device you need to use, Windows 7 will offer no salvation, as its compatibility is virtually identical.'

Comment Object-Oriented Software Construction, by Meyer (Score 1) 517

by Westmalle on Tuesday December 23, 2008 @04:13PM (#26215513) Attached to: Your Favorite Tech / Eng. / CS Books?

Personally, "Object-Oriented Software Construction, Second Edition" opened my eyes. It is not a computer language, even if it is basically also presents a strong rationale for Eiffel, but it presents the concepts of OO in a clear and understandable way.

Comment Exact composition of kilogram prototype (Score 1) 509

by Westmalle on Tuesday July 01, 2008 @11:36AM (#24016533) Attached to: Roundest Object In the World Created

Just a small correction, the kilogram is defined by a platinum-*iridium* alloy artifact. The addition of iridium was important to guarantee the best possible stability

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