Events Archive: Winter 2012

Multi-processor Real-time Systems

| 4:30 PM EDT | MC 4021

*by Bill Cowan*. Programming systems that obey hard real-time constraints is difficult. So is programming multiple CPUs that interact to solve a single problem. This talk will describe the nature of computation typical of real-time systems, architectural solutions currently employed in CS 452, and possible architectures for multi-CPU systems.

View details

Programming systems that obey hard real-time constraints is difficult. So is programming multiple CPUs that interact to solve a single problem.

On rare occasions it is possible to mix two difficult problems to create one easy problem and multi-CPU real-time is, on the face of it, just such an occasion. Give each deadline its own CPU and it will never be missed. This intuition is, unfortunately, incorrect, which does not, however, prevent it being tried in many real-time systems.

For three decades, fourth year students have been exploring this problem in CS452, using multiple tasks (virtual CPUs) running on a single CPU. It is now time to consider whether modern developments in CPU architecture make it possible to use multiple CPUs in CS452 given the practical constraint of a twelve week semester.

This talk will describe the nature of computation typical of real-time systems, architectural solutions currently employed in the course, and possible architectures for multi-CPU systems.

UNIX 102

| 5:30 PM EST | MC 3003

*by Calum T. Dalek*. The Computer Science Club will be running the second installment of our introductory UNIX tutorials for the term. We will be covering topics intended to show off the development-friendliness of the UNIX computing environment: "real" document editors, development tools, bash scripting, and version control.

View details

New to the UNIX computing environment? If you seek an introduction, look no further. We will be covering more advanced topics in the second installment of our introductory tutorials, that will help you become a more effective developer.

We will be introducing "real" document editors, bash scripting, and version control. We'll prove to you how much more efficient you can develop with these tools and teach you how to do it for yourself. It will save you hours of work!

Feynman Messenger Lecture Series

| 5:30 PM EST | PHY 150

*by Calum T. Dalek*. Join the Computer Science Club and PhysClub every Wednesday evening for the rest of the term for our five screenings of the classic 1964 Messenger Lecture Series by Richard Feynman in PHY 150. Dinner provided!

View details

The Physics Club and the Computer Science Club are proud to present the 1964 Feynman Messenger Lecture Series in PHY 150 on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 PM. The screenings will be taking place as follows (please note times and dates):

  • Feb. 29, 5:30-6:30 PM: Law of Gravitation: An Example of Physical Law
  • Mar. 7, 5:30-7:30 PM:*The Relation of Mathematics and Physics and The Great Conservation Principles* (double feature)
  • Mar. 14, 5:30-6:30 PM:*Symmetry in Physical Law*
  • Mar. 21, 5:30-7:30 PM:*The Distinction of Past and Future and Probability and Uncertainty: The Quantum Mechanical View* (double feature)
  • Mar. 28, 5:30-6:30 PM:*Seeking New Laws*

Dinner will be provided, so come on out, relax in the comfy PHY 150 theatre, and enjoy. Hope to see you there!

OpenCL Code Party

| 7:00 PM EST | MC 3001

*by Calum T. Dalek*. The University of Waterloo Computer Science Club and AMD's OpenCL programming competition comes to a close, as the contest ends at midnight and prizes are awarded! Open submissions will be judged, so make sure to come out and watch.

View details

The University of Waterloo Computer Science Club and AMD's OpenCL programming competition comes to a close, as the contest ends at midnight and prizes are awarded! Open submissions will be judged, so make sure to come out and watch.

OpenCL Introduction

| 7:00 PM EST | MC 3001

*by Calum T. Dalek*. The University of Waterloo Computer Science Club and AMD are running an OpenCL programming competition. If you're interested in writing massively parallel software on the OpenCL platform, come out and join us for our introductory code party!

View details

The University of Waterloo Computer Science Club and AMD are running an OpenCL programming competition. If you're interested in writing massively parallel software on the OpenCL platform, come out and join us for our introductory code party!

UNIX 101

| 5:00 PM EST | MC 3003

*by Calum T. Dalek*. New to the Unix computing environment? If you seek an introduction, look no further. We will be holding a series of tutorials on using Unix, beginning with Unix 101 this upcoming Thursday. Topics that will be covered include basic interaction with the shell and the motivations behind using it, and an introduction to compilation. You'll have to learn this stuff in CS 246 anyways, so why not get a head start!

View details

New to the Unix computing environment? If you seek an introduction, look no further. We will be holding a series of tutorials on using Unix, beginning with Unix 101 this upcoming Thursday. Topics that will be covered include basic interaction with the shell and the motivations behind using it, and an introduction to compilation. You'll have to learn this stuff in CS 246 anyways, so why not get a head start!

If you're interested in attending, make sure you can log into the Macs on the third floor, or show up to the CSC office (MC 3036) 20 minutes early for some help. If you're already familiar with these topics, don't hesitate to come to Unix 102, planned to be held after Reading Week.

Algorithms Talk

| 6:00 PM EST | MC 4045

*by Victor Fan*. Join Victor Fan for his talk, intended for all second-year math students with a solid first-year background. Even if you are a first-year or a seasoned veteran, you will probably still take home something new, so please come out to enjoy the talk! Refreshments will be served.

View details

Are you interested in algorithms? What is an algorithm anyway? We will discuss two or three neat problems with very elegant answers. Some of these answers are actually fast, and some will result in a proof that the problem is NP-complete. (What does that mean?) We will also discuss the motivating thoughts that led us to the solutions.

Join Victor Fan for his talk, intended for all second-year math students with a solid first-year background. Even if you are a first-year or a seasoned veteran, you will probably still take home something new, so please come out to enjoy the talk! Refreshments will be served.

Code Party 0

| 6:30 PM EST | Math CnD

*by Calum T. Dalek*. The Computer Science Club is running the first code party of the term! Come join us and hack on open source software, your own projects, or whatever comes up. Everyone is welcome; please bring your friends. There will be foodstuffs and sugary drinks available for your hacking pleasure.

View details

The Computer Science Club is running the first code party of the term! Come join us and hack on open source software, your own projects, or whatever comes up. Everyone is welcome; please bring your friends. There will be foodstuffs and sugary drinks available for your hacking pleasure.

Elections

| 4:30 PM EST | Comfy Lounge

CSC Elections have begun for the Winter 2012 term, nominations are open!

View details

It's elections time again! On Thursday January 12th at 4:30PM, come to the Comfy Lounge on the 3rd floor of the MC to vote in this term's President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. The sysadmin, librarian and office manager will also be chosen at this time.

Nominations are open until 4:30PM on Wednesday January 11th, and can be written on the CSC office whiteboard (yes, you can nominate yourself). All CSC members who have paid their Mathsoc fee can vote and are invited to drop by. You may also send nominations to the Chief Returning Officer. A full list of candidates will be posted when nominations close.

Good luck to our candidates!